US08300296B2
An electrochemical formulation has an active dye. An organic electrochromic switchable electronic component of high switching speed is made using the dye. The component is used to make electrochromic displays. The dye has substituents limiting or preventing a π-merisation of the aromatic moieties.
US08300289B2
A method for compensating for color variations introduced by printer hardware limitations and other factors is described. First, for each printer model or each individual printer, the extent of color variation throughout a printed page is determined. Based on this determination, each page is partitioned into a plurality of image areas. Then, in an actual printing process, the page of image is printed in a multi-pass process where each image area is printed in a separate pass. The digital image data is shifted and/or rotated for each pass, and the paper is shifted and/or rotated correspondingly, so that the different image areas printed in different passes form a complete image on the final printed page. From the standpoint of the pointer hardware, all passes involve printing the same area of a physical page, resulting in reduced color variation across the page.
US08300287B2
A device, system and method for incorporating a multipage feeder into a keyboard scanner to allow continuous and sequential feeding of more than one page into a scanner housed in a computer keyboard. A multipage feeder may be for example integrated into or attachable to and detachable from a single page feeder also included in the keyboard housing.
US08300285B2
A scanning circuit having rearranged circuit modules at each end of a flat cable. After the rearrangement, the flat cable carries scanning control signals produced by a conventional IC communication interface instead of timing signals and carries digital image data instead of easily distorted and interfered analog image signals.
US08300280B2
An image scanning apparatus and method accurately sense a leading edge and a tail edge of a scanned document and determine the leading margin and the tail margin of the document. The image scanning method includes feeding the document to a scanning position through a feeding path according to a command to scan the document; operating a sensor unit disposed on the feeding path according to a location of the document; scanning the document in response to operation of the sensor unit; sensing a leading edge of each document using a document sensing pattern disposed oppositely to the scanning unit; and scanning the document when the leading edge of the document is sensed.
US08300272B2
An image generating device, for generating an image including a gradation (in which a color value specifying color changes from the center of the gradation through annular areas) according to an image drawing instruction, comprises an extraction unit that extracts gradation pattern parameters specifying a gradation pattern of the gradation from the image drawing instruction, an area determination unit that determines the annular areas, each having a prescribed width, to be drawn in one color with a uniform color value, based on the gradation pattern parameters extracted by the extraction unit, and a drawing unit that draws the annular areas such that each annular area is drawn in one color and the colors in annular areas are different from each other.
US08300269B2
A printing device includes a first array of dot forming elements disposed on a substrate along an array direction at a first array-direction spacing to provide a first dot forming resolution R1 for dots of a first color; and a group of N arrays of dot forming elements, wherein the dot forming elements in each array of the group of N arrays are disposed on the substrate along the array direction at a second array-direction spacing to provide a dot forming resolution equal to R1/N; at least one of the N arrays of dot forming elements forms dots of a different color than at least one of the other arrays of the N arrays in the group; and N is greater than 1.
US08300266B2
A method evaluates image quality in an ink printing system and generates data values for altering the operation of the ink printing system. The method includes generating an ink image on an ink image receiving member that corresponds to a digital image stored in the ink printing system, generating a scanned image signal corresponding to the ink image, generating firing signal waveform adjustments and image data adjustments with reference to the scanned image signal corresponding to the ink image, and operating a printhead in an ink imaging system with reference to the firing signal waveform adjustments and the image data adjustments.
US08300265B2
An ink reduction rate is set in accordance with the type of image and the type of recording medium. For example, when a photograph is to be printed on a glossy paper with low resolution, the ink reduction rate is set to 10%. When a photograph is to be printed on a plain paper with low resolution, the ink reduction rate is set to 25%. When a document is to be printed with low resolution, the ink reduction rate is set to 50%, irrespective of the type of recording paper.
US08300260B2
An image forming apparatus and a print control method prevents a disadvantageous effect to a user due to print failure, before an image forming operation is started. The image forming apparatus includes an interface for connecting an external storage device to the image forming apparatus. Data stored in the external storage device is read via the interface and printed by the image forming apparatus. A memory usage at the time of printing the data is calculated based on a parameter obtained from various information about the data. The calculated memory usage and a memory capacity that is available in the image forming apparatus during printing are compared. An image forming operation for printing the data is controlled depending on a comparison result.
US08300252B2
A system and method for identifying captured written data associated with a writing surface using a pen-based computing system are described. In one embodiment, a series of writing surfaces, such as notebooks, are produced, each including a plurality of pages that have an encoded pattern. In an embodiment, each writing surface is also associated with an identifier recognizable by a smart pen or other data capture device. When the smart pen captures written data from a writing surface, the smart pen determines whether the pen-based computing system includes stored written data previously captured from a writing surface having the same encoded pattern as the writing surface from which written data is currently being captured.
US08300249B2
A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for managing print processing, the process includes: acquiring plural pieces of command information; acquiring, when receiving a request for list information from a printer of the printers, retrieval information including request location information which indicates location of the requesting printer; generating the list information including a first group; providing, to the printer requesting the list information, screen information including the list information generated in the generating process. The first group includes at least one of the pieces of command information, each piece of command information contained in the first group satisfies a condition that the location indicated by the request location information, belongs to the same area as the location indicated by the print location information.
US08300248B2
A printing control system includes a host interface, a user interface, a printing unit, and a controller. The host interface communicates with a host device that submits a print job. The user interface communicates with a user. The printing unit executes the print job. The controller suspends operation at the printing unit in response to a suspend request received at one of the host interface and user interface. The controller measures an elapsed time since the suspension, and transmits one of first and second commands upon determining that the elapsed time exceeds a given reference time. The first command causes the printing unit to automatically resume the suspended operation. The second command causes the host interface to send a notification of the suspension.
US08300239B2
A recording medium having recorded therein a program for an information processing apparatus that exchanges information with a printing apparatus and causes the printing apparatus to execute printing, the program causes the information processing apparatus to execute a first print-setting generating and storing step of generating and storing at least one first print setting, a second print-setting acquiring step of acquiring at least one second print setting from the printing apparatus, a third print-setting selecting step of urging a user to select at least one third print setting out of the first print setting and the second print setting, a print-data converting step of converting a print command group issued by application software into respective print data in accordance with the respective third print settings, and a print-data transmitting step of transmitting the respective print data to the printing apparatus and causing the printing apparatus to print the print data.
US08300234B2
A system for estimating the specular roughness of points on a surface of an object may include a lighting system, an image capture system and a computer processing system. The lighting system may be configured to illuminate the surface of the object at different times with different illumination patterns. Each illumination pattern may illuminate the surface from a plurality of different directions and form an intensity gradient having an order of no more than two. The image capture system may be configured to capture an image of the surface of the object when illuminated by each of the different illumination patterns at each of the different times. The computer processing system may be configured to compute the specular roughness of each point on the surface of the object based on the images captured by the image capture system.
US08300224B2
A photoacoustic apparatus obtains information on a specimen by receiving photoacoustic waves which are generated from the specimen resulting from light irradiated to the specimen. The apparatus includes a light source for irradiating light to the specimen, an acoustic wave receiver for receiving the photoacoustic waves, and a light reflection member for causing the light, which is radiated out of the specimen by optical diffusion thereof after having entered an interior of the specimen from the light source, to reenter the interior of the specimen, wherein the light reflection member allows elastic waves to pass therethrough. As a result, a photoacoustic apparatus and a probe are provided which can confine scattered light from the specimen into the specimen, and which can reliably prevent photoacoustic waves from being generated from a receiving element region of the probe by the scattered light.
US08300219B1
Methods and apparatuses are provided that can be utilized for accurate pre-aiming and installation of devices. The devices are pre-set to an aiming orientation relative to a universal reference plane. The reference plane is then correlated to a feature of a pole, tower, or other structure that will be used to elevate or suspend the devices. A position sensing subsystem is utilized to inform a worker when each device is correctly angularly oriented to the reference plane. The worker simply moves the mounting structure for the device to the correct three-dimensional angular orientation, uses the position sensor to confirm the correct orientation to within a highly accurate margin of error, and either locks the device in that orientation or marks the orientation. The pole, tower, or other elevating structure is then preliminarily erected at its pre-designed location and pre-designed rotational orientation with the pre-aimed devices.
US08300213B2
An illumination optical apparatus which constantly controls a plurality of polarization states with high accuracy. An illumination optical system, which illuminates a pattern surface of a mask with illumination light, includes a polarization optical system and a depolarizer. The polarization optical system includes a half wavelength plate and PBS, which varies a polarization state of the illumination light to form a linear polarization state having a predetermined polarization direction. The depolarizer is arranged toward the mask from the polarization optical system and varies the polarization state of the illumination light emitted from the polarization optical system.
US08300212B2
A mask can be used to print a pattern. Due to mask pattern surface topography, an image error may occur, such as an intensity imbalance between adjacent bright lines in the projected pattern. To help alleviate or eliminate the problem of intensity imbalance, the projection system may include an optical phase adjuster constructed and arranged to adjust a phase of an electric field of optical beams of radiation beam traversing the adjuster. A reduction of intensity imbalance is achieved by suitably adjusting the phases of the zeroth, plus first and minus first-order diffracted radiation emanating from the mask pattern. By adjusting the phase differently for different portions of the illumination, the method can be applied such that no decrease of depth of focus due, for example, the 0th order is occurring.
US08300210B2
An optical projection unit comprising a first optical element module and at least one second optical element module is provided. The first optical element module comprises a first housing unit and at least a first optical element, the first optical element being received within the first housing unit and having an optically used first region defining a first optical axis. The at least one second optical element module is located adjacent to the first optical element module and comprises at least one second optical element, the second optical element defining a second optical axis of the optical projection unit. The first housing unit has a central first housing axis and an outer wall extending in a circumferential direction about the first housing axis. The first optical axis is at least one of laterally offset and inclined with respect to the first housing axis. Furthermore, the first housing axis is substantially collinear with the second optical axis.
US08300209B2
A method for exposing a substrate by an exposure apparatus having an illumination optical system which is configured to illuminate an original and includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts an effective light source distribution, and a projection optical system which projects a pattern of the original illuminated by the illumination optical system onto a substrate. The method includes steps of obtaining correlation information indicating a correlation between an effective light source distribution and a line width difference in a pattern formed on a substrate by exposure, determining an effective light source distribution corresponding to a target line width difference based on the correlation information, controlling the adjusting mechanism so as to obtain the effective light source distribution determined in the determining step, and exposing the substrate after the controlling step.
US08300204B2
A liquid crystal dispensing system in which dispensing of a liquid crystal material is paused when an earthquake or the like occurs, while restarting the dispensing of the liquid crystal material when the earthquake stops, the liquid crystal dispensing system comprising a liquid crystal dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid crystal material onto a substrate, a detecting unit for detecting an abnormal dispensing, and a controller for controlling the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus to pause dispensing of the liquid crystal material when an abnormal dispensing of liquid crystal material is detected.
US08300197B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates, a light unit arranged in overlapping with the liquid crystal display panel for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel, the light unit including a front case and a back case for housing a light member, and a flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board has a folding back portion which is housed at the housing portion provided at the bottom of the case of the backlight unit to adjust its length. The printed circuit board is drawn out from the housing portion to outside and connected to the outer circuits. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a compact and slim type liquid crystal display device.
US08300191B2
A vertically aligned type liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between pixel electrodes and a common electrode and containing vertically aligned liquid crystal molecules, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules being controlled by an electric field. An orientation controller is formed on the common electrode at a position opposing the pixel electrode and an aspect ratio, i.e., a vertical to horizontal length ratio of the pixel electrode is set to at least 2. Alternatively, the pixel electrode is partitioned into at least two electrode regions so that each region represents a divided pixel electrode. An orientation controller is formed on the common electrode so as to correspond to each divided pixel electrode, an aspect ratio of each divided pixel electrode is set to at least 2. As such, the influence at the edge sections of the pixel electrode is reduced, viewing angle characteristic and transmittance are improved, and average response time is shortened.
US08300182B2
Disclosed herein is a depolarizing film which is excellent in productivity and can have a large area. The depolarizing film is obtained by using birefringent very short fibers instead of inorganic birefringent crystals, such as calcite, for use in conventional depolarizing elements.
US08300178B2
A flexible display of the present invention is an active matrix flexible display in which a TFT is provided for each pixel. In the flexible display, an adhesive layer, a protective layer, a gate electrode for the TFT, which is buried in the protective layer, a gate insulating layer for the TFT, source and drain electrodes for the TFT, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, an organic active layer for the TFT, an organic EL layer including a red (R) emitting layer, a green (G) emitting layer and a blue (B) emitting layer, which are formed on a plurality of the pixel electrodes, a metal electrode, and a sealing layer are formed on a plastic film.
US08300173B2
A system for displaying images is provided. The system includes a reflective liquid crystal display device including a first substrate having a pixel unit array thereon. A second substrate is disposed above the first substrate and a liquid crystal layer is disposed therebetween. A plurality of first electrodes is disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer and corresponds to each pixel unit including a reflective electrode. A second electrode is disposed between the plurality of first electrodes and the liquid crystal layer to serve as a common electrode that controls the liquid crystal layer. An organic light-emissive layer is disposed between the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode. A light-emitting device is constituted by the plurality of first electrodes, the second electrode, and the organic light-emissive layer to provide light onto the reflective electrode.
US08300165B2
A liquid crystal display includes a pixel group including a first pixel having a first thin film transistor and a second pixel having a second thin film transistor. A gate line provides a driving signal to a gate of the first and second thin film transistors. A first storage capacitor line is arranged substantially parallel with the gate line and adjacent to one side of the first pixel. A second storage capacitor line is arranged substantially parallel with the gate line and adjacent to an opposite side of the first pixel. The liquid crystal display includes a first storage capacitor arranged in the first pixel and connected between the first thin film transistor and the first storage capacitor line. A second storage capacitor is arranged in the second pixel and is connected between the second thin film transistor and the second storage capacitor line.
US08300151B2
Disclosed are a display apparatus and a control method thereof preventing boring and a trouble misunderstanding due to a mute screen supplied in changing an image signal, the display apparatus, including: a display unit which displays an image; an image processing unit which processes an input image signal to be displayed in the display unit, and displays a mute image in the display unit during a mute time when changing the input image signal; and a control unit which controls the image processing unit to gradually convert the total screen of the display unit displaying the input image signal to the mute image before displaying the mute image if a change signal for changing the input image signal is input.
US08300148B2
A video processing device includes a processor, a voltage conversion circuit, and a Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs (SCART) chip. The processor is operable to process video signals, and control a GPIO (general purpose input output) pin to output different mode controlling signals according to different video signal formats. The voltage conversion circuit connected to the GPIO pin is operable to receive the mode controlling signals, and output different voltage signals according to the different format controlling signals. The SCART chip connected to the voltage conversion circuit is operable to receive the video signals and the voltage signals, and process the video signals according to the corresponding voltage signals.
US08300147B2
A system and method for characterizing the relative offset in time between audio and video signals and enables the receiver of the audio and video signals to resynchronize the audio and video signals. Signal characterization data is dynamically captured and encoded into frames of video and audio data that is output by a television origination facility. The signal characterization data is extracted by the receiver and signal characterization data is captured for the received frames. The extracted signal characterization data is compared with the captured signal characterization data to compute the relative offset in time between the video and one or more audio signals for a frame. The receiver may then resynchronize the video and audio signals using the computed relative offset.
US08300144B2
A camera module includes a circuit board; a lens electrically connected to the circuit board; a adjusting base disposed on the circuit board and having at least two through-hole disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the lens; at least two fixed posts; at least two adjusting screw respectively passing through the through-holes of the adjusting base so as to be secured in the fixed posts; and at least two springs respectively encircling the adjusting screws, wherein two ends of each spring are positioned against the adjusting base and one of the fixed post respectively.
US08300143B2
Image quality degradation due to external light irradiated to an edge section of a transparent cover of a solid-state imaging device and external light propagating in the cover is prevented with a simple structure.A glass cover 60 formed to cover the whole surface of an imaging region 26 of a solid-state imaging element 10 is constituted by a transmission section 60a corresponding to the imaging region 26, and an edge section 60b that surrounds the transmission section 60a outside the transmission section 60a. The edge section 60b of the cover 60 is selectively removed around a periphery of the edge section 60b, thereby forming a frustum-shaped part whose cross-sectional area decreases monotonously from its exit side to its incidence side in the cover 60. An optical function film 63 having an optical absorption, reflection, or scattering action is formed on an outer face of the frustum-shaped part.
US08300133B2
An imaging apparatus includes: an ocular-type finder; a display section provided below the finder and having a display screen capable of displaying an image; processing means for detecting where a finger touches the display screen and carrying out a process according to the touched position; and a grip serving for gripping purposes provided to the right of the display section, wherein an angled area formed of a right end area and a lower end area is defined in the right half of the display screen, and the processing means includes limited processing means for carrying out a process associated with a touching operation detected only in the angled area when an eye has approached the finder.
US08300132B2
A driving method of a solid-state imaging device vertically transfers a signal charge obtained by photoelectric conversion and horizontally transfers the signal charge vertically transferred to output an imaging signal corresponding to the signal charge. For every charge packet unit for transferring the signal charge, the charge packet unit being formed of columns of transfer channels used in the vertical transfer, a backward transfer channel behind the charge packet in a vertical transfer direction is turned off substantially simultaneously with turning on of a forward transfer channel ahead of the charge packet.
US08300129B2
A pixel drive circuit includes a plurality of pixel circuits each including a photoelectric converting unit for converting an incident light into an electric charge and accumulating the converted electric charge, the plurality of pixel circuits being arranged in a matrix shape, an address decoder for selecting the pixel circuits to be controlled which are arranged on an identical line, a storage circuit for storing operation information to be executed by the pixel circuits selected by the address decoder, and a control circuit for controlling an operation of the pixel circuits selected by the address decoder in accordance with a storage state of the storage circuit. The control circuit controls a charge discharging operation of discharging an electric charge remaining in the photoelectric converting unit of each of the pixel circuits. The storage circuit holds the storage state until the charge discharging operation is completed.
US08300115B2
An image processing apparatus includes a generation unit for generating a plurality of different values for one parameter of a processing applied on an image, a presentation unit for presenting a plurality of processing images obtained by performing a processing on the image with the plurality of different values for the parameter, and a selection unit for selecting an optimal one of the plurality of presented processing images, in which a final value for the parameter is decided by repeatedly performing such a procedure that the generation unit further generates different values for the parameter on the basis of a value for the parameter corresponding to the selected processing image, the presentation unit presents processing images obtained by performing a processing on the image with the generated different values for the parameter, and the selection unit selects an optimal one of the presented processing images.
US08300109B2
An image sensing apparatus comprises: a pixel array; a driving unit; a readout unit which, when performing still image shooting parallel to movie shooting, reads out, in each of successive frame periods, first signals from a first pixel group, and reads out, over the successive frame periods, second signals of a first frame period from pixels of a second pixel group that are different from each other between the successive frame periods; and a generation unit which generates an image signal for a movie of one frame in each of the successive frame periods from the first signals read out in each of the successive frame periods, and also generates an image signal for a still image of one frame in the first frame period by composing the first signals read out in the first frame period and the second signals read out over the successive frame periods.
US08300107B2
A self-contained wireless camera (10) and a wireless camera system (25) having such a device and a base station (20). Video processing (e.g. video compression) circuitry (200, 210) of the camera device receives video signals from a camera (130) and provides processed video signals. These are transmitted over a shared radio channel. A radio receiver (101) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals from the base station or another camera device. Images from the camera or the base station are displayed in a selected manner on a display or monitor (140). The base station device (20) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals, stores them and retransmits them. A command signal is received by the radio receiver to modify operation in such a manner as to control bandwidth usage. Wireless camera devices can adjust their operation to accommodate other wireless camera devices. Different transport protocol modules 230 and 240 can be selected according to the application that the user selects for operation.
US08300095B2
A pixel shifting unit moves the relative position between the luminous flux entering an image pickup device and the device to a plurality of predetermined positions in a predetermined order. A control unit controls the device, and allows the image of a subject image formed by the luminous flux on the photoreception surface of the device when the relative position is in any of the plurality of predetermined positions. A combination unit combines the plurality of obtained images to generate a high-resolution image. A prediction unit predicts a shooting environment when the device hereafter shoots an image of the subject image on the basis of a change of at least two images. A setting control unit controls a setting of a shooting condition when the image of the subject image is shot on the basis of a result of the prediction of the shooting environment.
US08300092B2
An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an operation control unit which controls a black image acquiring operation, in which the operation control unit controls an imaging unit and an illuminating unit in such a manner the imaging unit conducts an image acquiring operation in a state the illuminating unit does not conduct an illuminating operation. The in-vivo image acquiring apparatus also includes an average calculating unit which calculates the average value of pixel value in a predetermined determining area, and a black image determining unit, which determines whether the image information acquired by the image acquiring operation is the black image by comparing the average value with a predetermined threshold value. The image information determined as the black image by the black image determining unit is transmitted, as the black image information, to an external apparatus by radio.
US08300091B2
A multiple capsule camera apparatus is disclosed to enhance the rate of detection and/or extend the overall imaging period. The multiple capsule camera apparatus coordinates the operations of the camera according to a schedule so that one camera may enter an active mode when the other camera is anticipated to have a low battery level. The capsule cameras may also coordinate their operations by communication with each other through a wireless link. A base station may also be used to coordinate the capsule camera operations with a wireless link established between the base station and each capsule camera.
US08300089B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for linear depth mapping. Linear depth mapping includes using algorithms to correct the distorted depth mapping of stereoscopic capture and display systems.
US08300088B2
A three-dimensional (3D) image sensor includes a plurality of color pixels, and a plurality of distance measuring pixels. Where the plurality of color pixels and the plurality of distance measuring pixels are arranged in an array, and a group of distance measuring pixels, from among the plurality of distance measuring pixels, are disposed so that a corner of each distance measuring pixel in the group of distance-measuring pixels is adjacent to a corner of an adjacent distance-measuring pixel in the group of distance-measuring pixels. The group of distance measuring pixels is capable of jointly outputting one distance measurement signal.
US08300074B2
An exposing device includes a plurality of exposing units which forms a latent image, wherein exposing units includes: an exposure light source; a rotating polyhedron that reflects light from the exposure light source; a driving source that rotates the rotating polyhedron; a first detecting unit that detects the number of rotations of the driving source; a second detecting unit that detects the light from the exposure light source at a position; and a control unit that performs a first control of the driving source based on a detection signal of the first detecting unit at a start of the rotation of the rotating polyhedron and thereafter performs a second control of the driving source based on a detection signal of the second detecting unit.
US08300066B2
A mobile terminal includes a first and a second storage modules. The first storage module stores a plurality of display images, layout data and resource files corresponding to different display states. The second storage module stores the plurality of layout data and resources files read from the first storage module when the mobile terminal is powered on. If the module terminal has been reoriented, the mobile terminal determines if a current image needs to be changed and generates an interface change event if the current image needs to be changed. Then, the mobile terminal reads corresponding layout data and resource file from the second storage module, reads a corresponding display image from the first storage module according to the read resource file, generates a redraw command, and sends the redraw command and the read layout data and the read display image to a display module to display a new image.
US08300056B2
Exemplary embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for seamlessly migrating a user visible display stream sent to a display device from one rendered display stream to another rendered display stream are described. For one embodiment, mirror video display streams are received from both a first graphics processing unit (GPU) and a second GPU, and the video display stream sent to a display device is switched from the video display stream from the first GPU to the video display stream from the second GPU, wherein the switching occurs during a blanking interval for the first GPU that overlaps with a blanking interval for the second GPU.
US08300055B2
A user can control the animation of an object via an interface that includes a control area and a user-manipulable control element. The control area includes an ellipse. The user-manipulable control element includes a three-dimensional arrow with a straight body, a three-dimensional arrow with a curved body, or a sphere. In one embodiment, the interface includes a virtual trackball that is used to manipulate the user-manipulable control element.
US08300040B2
A coefficient generating device generating a conversion coefficient for converting an input image signal of an input image into a display image signal of a display image includes a past-image generating unit that generates a past image signal of a past image correlated with a teacher image being one frame before a teacher image correlated with the display image; a transient-image generating unit that generates a transient image signal of a transient image; a visual-image generating that generates a visual image signal of a visual image; and a calculating unit that obtains the conversion coefficient using a pixel value of a pixel of interest in the teacher image and pixel values of pixels determined by a motion vector detected in a student image correlated with the input image and spatially/temporally near a pixel in the student image at the same position as the pixel of interest.
US08300036B2
A method for minimizing glare and/or increasing privacy for a user of a self-service device is provided. The method may include mechanical means such as a fixed visor and/or hood or a user operated hinged glare reducing overlay screen. The method may further include as using sensors that detect the user's eyes and other sensors to detect a source of light that produces glare. Information from these sensors may be sent to a computer controlled system that operates system of actuators. The actuators are operated by the computer in response to sensor inputs to adjust the screen angle relative the user to minimize glare for that user and/or increase privacy from surreptitiously observing eyes or cameras.
US08300033B2
A method and apparatus for driving a display panel in which a bus link between a timing controller and a source driver block is altered in order to simplify the structure of a circuit. The apparatus includes a timing controller to generate signals including data and a reference signal for driving the display panel at a display driving time. A plurality of source drivers generate signals for driving data lines of the display panel using the signals generated by the timing controller. First signal transmission means are provided for transmitting the data from the timing controller to each of the plurality of source drivers using a point-to-point connection link, and a bus for transmitting the reference signal generated by the timing controller to one of the plurality of source drivers. Also, second signal transmission means are provided for transmitting the reference signal between the plurality of source drivers using a serial cascade connection link.
US08300030B2
The present invention discloses a space-bound-free tablet and its coordinate determining circuit for determining a coordinate of a stylus pen. The coordinate is computed by the coordinate determining circuit in which first voltage, a second voltage, and a third voltage is obtained, where the first voltage equals the maximum detection voltage, the second voltage and third voltage are obtained from two antennas, and both of the two antennas are at the same side of the antenna that induces the maximum detection voltage.
US08300023B2
Methods and systems enable defining customized virtual keyboards on a touch sensitive surface, such as a touchscreen. Using learning algorithms, a computing device may learn the typing patterns of a user and “morph” the keys of a virtual keyboard into locations, sizes, and orientations that are comfortable for the user and which may reduce typing errors. A user may create a custom keypad layout by performing a series of key strokes on a touch sensitive surface. The computing device may correlate the touch locations to particular keys and generate keypad layout data that can be used to display the virtual keyboard and interpret touches on the touch sensitive surface. The computing device may monitor user typing activity and refine the keypad layout data based on detected or corrected typing errors. Keypad layout data may be exported to other devices to enable users to take their virtual keyboards with them.
US08300020B2
A method and apparatus for tracking coarse and fine motions associated with an electronic input device is disclosed. The electronic input device can have both an inertial sensor and a touch sensor. The method includes receiving inputs from an inertial sensor and a touch sensor, and dynamically adjusting a velocity estimate of the electronic input device based on weighting or predetermined thresholds of the inputs to maximize a tracking range of the input device.
US08300019B2
Methods and apparatus for normalizing the effects of the changes to the parasitic capacitive coupling that can occur in touch sensor panels so as to reduce or eliminate the appearance of erroneous touch events. In some embodiments, at some time prior to regular device use (e.g. during factory calibration), a conductive sheet is initially positioned so as to entirely cover a touch surface of a touch sensor panel. A set of sensed signals may be determined upon driving the drive lines and sensing the sense lines of the panel. Correctional coefficients may then be calculated based in part upon the difference between a sensed signal and an expected signal. The correctional coefficients may then be stored in the device and used to determine signal corrections for a set of measured signals during normal operation.
US08300018B2
A tactile sensor for detecting a variation in pressing real-time. The tactile sensor is simple in structure, detects a variation in pressing by using reduced wires, has increased reliability and reduced cost, and can obtain information accurately. A sheet has, along its surface, resistors arranged in an X direction and Y direction, has a resistor in Z direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the sheet, and has a pressure sensitive resistor sheet (4) whose resistance in the Z direction varies according to pressing in the thickness direction. At least a pair of electrodes (9, 10, 11, 12) is placed in the periphery of the pressure sensitive sheet (4), and the electrodes conduct a current to at least either of the resistor in the X direction or the resistor in the Y direction. Also, at least a pair of conductors (5, 6) for conducting a current to the resistor in the Z direction is provided on the surface of the pressure sensitive sheet (4).
US08300016B2
A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route.
US08300015B2
In relation to a current image from a sequence of images captured by an image sensor, in a first step, a temporary motion vector is determined as a function of reference data comprising a preceding image and a motion vector associated to the preceding image. Then, in a second step, if the temporary motion vector does not satisfy a reliability criterion, the first step is repeated in relation to a following image, on the basis of the same reference data. Otherwise, the temporary motion vector is associated with the current image.
US08300012B2
An input apparatus includes a sensor, a calculation section, and a transmission section. The sensor detects a movement of the input apparatus and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the input apparatus. The calculation section calculates a corresponding value that corresponds to a movement of an image displayed on a screen in a predetermined calculation cycle, the corresponding value corresponding to the detection signal. The transmission section transmits the corresponding value in a transmission cycle shorter than the calculation cycle.
US08300010B2
The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide reliable communications between a computer and a haptic interface device. The methods and apparatuses can provide communication that is more secure against errors, failures, or tampering than previous approaches. Haptic devices allow a user to communicate with computer applications using the user's sense of touch, for example by applying and sensing forces with the haptic device. The host computer must be able to communicate with the haptic device in a robust and safe manner. The present invention includes a novel method of accomplishing such communication; a computer-readable medium that, when applied to a computer, causes the computer to communicate according to such a method; and a computer system having a host computer and a haptic device communicating according to such a method.
US08300008B2
A method for operating an electrophoretic display apparatus including a first substrate; a second substrate; an electrophoretic device being held between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing electrophoretic particles; a first electrode formed on a surface of the first substrate, the surface facing the electrophoretic device; and a second electrode formed on a surface of the second substrate, the surface facing the electrophoretic device is provided. The method includes image displaying in which a voltage is applied to the electrophoretic device. The image displaying includes device driving in which the electrophoretic device is driven by inputting a first potential into the first electrode and inputting a second potential into the second electrode, and accumulated-charge removing in which a potential of the first electrode is changed, from the first potential to the second potential, stepwise or uniformly at a potential change velocity lower than a potential change velocity upon starting of the device driving.
US08300006B2
Electrophoretic display units (1) comprising pixels (11) situated between common electrodes (6) and pixel electrodes (5) need, for shortening the total image update times, increased driving voltages across the pixels (11) which endanger transistors (12) coupled to the pixel electrodes (5). These increased driving voltage (V6) to the common electrode (6). To protect the transistors (12) against these increased driving voltages, a setting signal (S1, S2) is supplied to the pixel electrode (5) via the transistor (12) for reducing a voltage across the pixel (11) resulting from a transition in the alternating voltage signal (V6). During driving frame periods (Fd) data pulses (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6) are supplied, and during setting frame periods (Fs), the setting signals (S1, S2) are supplied.
US08300004B2
A display apparatus includes; a display panel which displays an image in response to a gate voltage and a data voltage, a panel driver which receives a control signal, and which supplies the gate voltage and the data voltage to the display panel according to the control signal, a backlight which supplies a light to the display panel, an inverter which receives a backlight dimming signal, and which controls a brightness of a light emitted from the backlight according to the backlight dimming signal, and a timing controller which receives a synchronization signal, determines a frame frequency of the display panel according to the synchronization signal, outputs the control signal, and modulates the synchronization signal based on a ratio of a predetermined backlight dimming frequency to the frame frequency, and which outputs the backlight dimming signal according to the modulated synchronization signal.
US08299997B2
A display device includes a TFT substrate with gate signal lines, drain signal lines, thin-film transistors connected thereto, a gate driver connected to the gate signal lines, a drain driver having output terminals connected to drain signal lines, and a film substrate having first wirings. The first wirings are disposed between the drain driver and the film substrate. The drain driver is mounted on the film substrate, and the output terminals are connected to the first wirings between the film substrate and the drain driver. The output terminal includes first group terminals formed in parallel with a longer edge of the drain driver, and second group terminals formed in parallel with the longer edge and disposed between the loner edge and the first group terminals.
US08299984B2
A display system and method for the same is provided. A display includes a plurality of pixels, each having a light emitting device and a driving transistor for driving the light emitting device, the driving transistor and the light emitting device being coupled in series between a first power supply and a second power supply. The method includes: at a first frame, programming a pixel with a first programming voltage different from a programming voltage for a valid image, and charging at least one of the first power supply and the second power supply so that at least one of the driving transistor and the light emitting device is under a negative bias. The pixel circuit includes: a light emitting device; a driving transistor for driving the light emitting device, the driving transistor having a gate terminal, a first terminal coupled to the light emitting device, and a second terminal; a storage capacitor; a first switch transistor coupled to a data line for providing a programming data and the gate terminal of the driving transistor; and a second switch transistor for reducing a threshold voltage shift of the driving transistor, the storage capacitor and the second switch transistor being coupled in parallel to the gate terminal of the driving transistor and the first terminal of the driving transistor. The method includes: at a first cycle, implementing an image display operation having programming the pixel circuit for a valid image and driving the light emitting device; and at a second cycle, implementing a relaxation operation for reducing a stress on the pixel circuit, including: selecting a relaxation switch transistor coupled to the storage capacitor in parallel.
US08299971B2
A control module has a conductive metal chassis with a chassis body and a chassis lid. A non-conductive opening is formed within the chassis body and a tab extends from the chassis lid engaging edges of the non-conductive opening to create a rectangularly-shaped non-conductive aperture with a longitudinal axis having a predetermined length for forming a slot antenna structure. The predetermined length is designed to communicate with a specific communications frequency. The slot antenna structure is signally interconnected to a transceiver housed within the chassis.
US08299958B2
An airborne radar device having a given angular coverage in elevation and in azimuth includes a transmit system, a receive system and processing means for carrying out target detection and location measurements. The transmit system includes: a transmit antenna made up of at least a first linear array of radiating elements focusing a transmit beam, said arrays being approximately parallel to one another; at least one waveform generator; means for amplifying the transmit signals produced by the waveform generator or generators; and means for controlling the transmit signals produced by the waveform generator or generators, said control means feeding each radiating element with a transmit signal. The radiating elements being controlled for simultaneously carrying out electronic scanning of the transmit beam in elevation and for colored transmission in elevation.
US08299954B2
A method includes receiving, at a proxy remote control signal receiver device, first control data from a remote control device that is associated with a first device. The first control data is prevented from being received at a remote control signal receiver associated with the first device. The first control data is associated with execution of a first action at the first device. The method includes communicating the first control data from the proxy remote control signal receiver device to a proxy controller and receiving second control data from the proxy controller. The second control data is associated with execution of a second action at the first device that is different from the first action. The second control data is communicated to the first device via the proxy remote control signal receiver device. The incoming commands may be superseded with another command set destined for the second device or ignored based on the context of the incoming commands.
US08299950B2
A pipelined recycling analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which converts a first analog input signal into a first digital output signal, including a first conversion stage and a second conversion stage is disclosed. The first conversion stage includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The first and the second processing units execute a number of conversion operations. For each conversion operation, an analog value and a digital code are generated by the first or the second processing unit. The first and the second processing units share an operational amplifier, and for each conversion operation. The second conversion stage includes a comparing unit which determines a specific analog value among the analog values generated by the first and the second processing units. When the specific analog value is not located within a predetermined range, the comparing unit generates a reset pulse to reset the operational amplifier.
US08299946B2
A noise shaper that compares an input signal to a feedback output signal, which is a truncated version of the input signal, and generates the difference between the two signals (i.e., the error). The noise shaper then integrates the errors by adding to the error multiple of its delayed versions, and quantizes the integrated errors in such a way that the spectrum of the quantization noise is shaped toward high frequencies to be removed by a LC low-pass filter used in conjunction with the noise shaper. The low frequency content of the desired signal is mostly unaffected.
US08299939B2
An approach is provided for monitoring utility usage and generating notifications. A platform collects utility data from a utility meter of a subscriber and determines whether the utility data satisfies a usage threshold. The platform generates a notification based on the determination and presents the notification.
US08299924B2
A method and apparatus for detecting non-linear tags. In one advantageous embodiment a system for detecting non-linear tags has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits a plurality of electromagnetic signals having a first frequency and a second frequency. The receiver monitors for an electromagnetic signal having a frequency equal to a difference between the first frequency and a second frequency that is generated by a non-linear tag in response to receiving the plurality of electromagnetic signals, wherein the non-linear tag is detected when the electromagnetic signal is detected by the receiver.
US08299917B2
In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for remotely monitoring an individual may include providing a sensor integrated in a monitoring object at a first location where the monitoring object may be configured as a household item. The sensor may be associated with an environment of an individual at the first location and a network. The sensor data may be processed to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual in the environment and the monitoring information may be transmitted over the network from the first location to a receiving object at a second location.
US08299912B2
A system has a sensing device for detecting a signal and logic configured to discover the sensing device at a location on a user's body, the logic further configured to monitor the signal for an event and upon receiving information indicating an event has occurred the logic is further configured to transmit event data indicative of the event to a controller via a network.
US08299910B2
Embodiments relate to intelligent tire systems and methods. In an embodiment, a sensor module mounted in a tire includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data related to a condition of the tire; and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to communicate with another in-tire sensor module and with a control unit external to the tire.
US08299902B1
Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for helping to ensure that an alarm of a mobile communications device is activated when desired. An illustrative method includes receiving an indication of a desired time that the alarm is intended to be activated, determining a power level of a power source that is powering the mobile communications device, determining whether the power level will provide sufficient power to the mobile communications device to enable it to activate the alarm at the desired time and, if so, then enabling the alarm to be set. Further, the power source could be monitored as the alarm-activation time approaches so that if variables change that might prevent the alarm from activating, then changes or preventive measures can be taken.
US08299895B2
A cell phone is mated with the vehicle system and thereafter used to obtain access to the vehicle. A user who has a cell phone automatically can obtain access to the vehicle. An embodiment describes a USB key that provides access to the vehicle, and in an emergency, either a complete or partial version of the key can be downloaded from a server.
US08299890B2
A presence state inquiry unit refers to a use permission table stored in a data storage unit to extract a user permitted to use a target image forming apparatus, and inquires from an entry control server for a presence state of the extracted user in a particular area where the target image forming apparatus is placed. A mode transition unit transmits a transition command to a lower power consumption mode to the target image forming apparatus when all the users permitted to use the target image forming apparatus exist outside the particular area.
US08299889B2
An apparatus in one embodiment is operable to receive, from a remote control device associated with a video display device, biometric input of a user. Responsive to a match of the biometric input with stored biometric data of the user, the user is authenticated. The remote control device and/or the video display device are then configured based on user settings associated with the stored biometric data of the user. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US08299885B2
An M phase coupled inductor includes a magnetic core including a first end magnetic element, a second end magnetic element, and M legs disposed between and connecting the first and second end magnetic elements. M is an integer greater than one. The coupled inductor further includes M windings, where each winding has a substantially rectangular cross section. Each one of the M windings is at least partially wound about a respective leg.
US08299883B2
An inductive electrical device comprises multiple laminations, each lamination comprising: a generally planar electrically nonconductive substrate that has a central axis normal to its plane, a first surface and a second surface; at least one electrically conductive layer pattern along the first surface in the form of a narrow strip that starts from a first point displaced from the central axis and extends along the first surface about the central axis through a first angle of rotation to a second point; a least one electrically conductive layer pattern along the second surface in the form of a narrow strip that starts from the second point and extends along the second surface about the central axis through a second angle of rotation to at least the first point; an electrically conductive coupling region passing through the substrate proximate the second point that couples the electrically conductive layer pattern along the first surface to the electrically conductive layer pattern along the second surface; wherein stacking the laminations upon each other form at least one winding with multiple turns for the inductive device.
US08299882B2
An inductor includes a core formed of a magnetic material and a foil winding wound at least partially around or through at least a portion of the core. A first end of the winding extends away from the core to form an extended output tongue configured and arranged to supplement or serve as a substitute for a printed circuit board foil trace. A second end of the winding forms a solder tab. At least a portion of the extended output tongue and the solder tab are formed at a same height relative to a bottom surface of the core. Another inductor includes a core formed of a magnetic material, a winding wound at least partially around or through at least a portion of the core, and a ground return conductor attached to the core. The core does not form a magnetic path loop around the ground return conductor.
US08299880B2
A transformer assembly is disclosed which includes a housing and an electrical transformer having a tank which is positioned inside the housing. A device for electrically connecting the transformer to an electrical article outside the housing includes a shaped body having a first face which is suitable to be connected to one of the walls of the tank, and a second face which is suitable to be connected to one of the walls of the housing. The shaped body can include a deformable portion which is adapted to adjust the positioning of the second face relative to the wall of the housing to which it is suitable to be connected.
US08299868B2
A high frequency coupler includes a ground, a first coupling electrode connected via a first resonator unit to an input and output terminal of a communication circuit, and one or more second coupling electrodes connected via a second resonator unit designed utilizing a ground to a ground terminal of the communication circuit.
US08299867B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an RF input port, an RF output port connected to the RF input port via a multichip adaptive impedance matching module (AIMM), and the multichip AIMM comprising one or more voltage or current controlled variable reactive elements, wherein the multichip AIMM is adapted to maximize RF power transferred from the at least one RF input port to the at least one RF output port by varying the bias voltage or bias current to the voltage or current controlled variable reactive elements to maximize the RF voltage at the at least one RF output port.
US08299861B2
The present invention comprises a modular microwave source comprising a novel electromagnetic oscillator based on a modified Blumlein architecture with an integrated antenna. In one or more embodiments, the invention comprises a triplate Blumlein in which the plates are configured and arranged to act as a waveguide and antenna. In one or more embodiments, high-permittivity dielectric materials are disposed between the center plate and one or both of the top and bottom plates to increase the energy storage and lengthen the duration of a damped sinusoid output. In one or more embodiments, photo-conductive semiconductor switches are disposed between the center plate and one or both of the top and bottom plates to act as high-speed switches. In one or more embodiments, a plurality of the modular microwave sources of the invention are arranged in an array, creating a compact, tunable, high-power microwave source suitable for mobile applications.
US08299844B2
An amplifier system can include an input amplifier configured to receive an analog input signal and provide an amplified signal corresponding to the analog input signal. A tracking loop is configured to employ delta modulation for tracking the amplified signal, the tracking loop providing a corresponding output signal. A biasing circuit is configured to adjust a bias current to maintain stable transconductance over temperature variations, the biasing circuit providing at least one bias signal for biasing at least one of the input amplifier and the tracking loop, whereby the circuitry receiving the at least one bias signal exhibits stable performance over the temperature variations. In another embodiment the biasing circuit can be utilized in other applications.
US08299837B1
A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit, which can be applied to various signal processing circuits, employs a floating sampling technique and an integrator feedback loop for isolating a common mode voltage disturbance and restraining a charge injection effect. The pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit includes a differential floating sampling circuit that has a pseudo-differential architecture, and an integrator for reducing the charge injection effect within the differential floating sampling circuit.
US08299826B2
Phase-locked loop circuitry to generate an output signal, the phase-locked loop circuitry comprising oscillator circuitry, switched resistor loop filter, coupled to the input of the oscillator circuitry (which, in one embodiment, includes a voltage-controlled oscillator), including a switched resistor network including at least one resistor and at least one capacitor, wherein an effective resistance of the switched resistor network is responsive to and increases as a function of one or more pulsing properties of a control signal (wherein pulse width and frequency (or period) are pulsing properties of the control signal), phase detector circuitry, having an output which is coupled to the switched resistor loop filter, to generate the control signal (which may be periodic or non-periodic). The phase-locked loop circuitry may also include frequency detection circuitry to provide a lock condition of the phase-locked loop circuitry. The frequency detection circuitry includes (i) circuitry to generate a signal which is representative of the frequency of the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuitry, (ii) comparison circuitry to compare the signal which is representative of the frequency of the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuitry to a reference input to the phase-locked loop circuitry, and (iii) a switched capacitor network including at least one capacitor.
US08299821B2
An integrated gate driver circuit includes an output drive circuit and a voltage stabilizing circuit. The voltage stabilizing circuit is configured to stabilize an output voltage outputted by the output drive circuit thereby reducing the ripple of the output voltage.
US08299817B2
Vertical dithering is performed for vertical droop compensation in image processing using Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs). Line memories are not used. A compensation circuit includes a signature reload input signal coupled to the input of five LFSRs. Each LFSR includes a signature store. The output of each LFSR provides a sequence output signal that is gated with a corresponding enable signal in a first logic circuit. The output of all of the first logic circuits are combined in a second logic circuit to provide a control signal output.
US08299805B2
An evaluation device 20 comprises a circuit element comprising respective pairs of inputs and outputs including several capacitances 25a-25c and resistances 26a-26d, one end of each being connected to both ends of the capacitances 25a-25c, wherein a resistance value of a signal input side is generally equal to that of a signal output side. The evaluation device 20 is further provided with a connecting terminal with an output device 10 for outputting signals to a device to be evaluated 30 on the signal input side, and is provided with a connecting terminal with the device to be evaluated 30 on the signal output side.
US08299802B2
An integrated circuit capable of monitoring analog voltages inside an analog block is presented. The integrated circuit has an analog test multiplexer (mux) whose inputs are connected to analog voltages of interest inside an analog block. The analog test multiplexer directs a selected analog voltage from an analog block to the output of the analog test mux. The integrated circuit further includes an analog monitor state machine which provides the selection bits to the analog test multiplexer, enabling random access to the analog voltages inside the analog block. The integrated circuit also includes an analog to digital converter for converting the selected analog voltage from the analog test multiplexer into a digital representation.
US08299795B2
A downhole induction resistivity assembly that comprises a downhole tool string component. The tool string component comprises an induction transmitter. The transmitter is adapted to induce an induction field in the surrounding formation. A first induction receiver is spaced apart from the transmitter and is adapted to measure the induction field. A magnetic field generating mechanism is disposed adjacent on either or both sides of the transmitter and adapted to guide the transmitter's signal into the formation. A second induction receiver is disposed in close proximity to the magnetic field generating mechanism and is adapted to measure the magnetic field generated by the mechanism.
US08299794B2
A method for electromagnetic geophysical surveying of rock formations (1) under a sea-floor (3) comprising the following steps: *—towing first and second alternating field (E1, E2) emitting sources (s1, S2) in first and second depths below the sea surface, said first field (E1) having a first phase (Φ1);—said second alternating field (E2) given a second phase (Φ2) different from said first phase (Φ1), said sources (S1, S2) constituting a phased array emitter antenna with directivity for transmitting a major proportion of the combined electromagnetic energy downwards;—said first and second fields (E1, E2) for propagating partly down through the sea-floor (3) and being reflected and/or refracted through said rock formations (1) and partly propagating back through the seafloor (3);—said first and said second fields (E1, E2) for merging to a total field and being measured by electromagnetic receivers (r1, r2, . . . , rn) recording corresponding field registrations (Er1(t), Er2(t), Er3(t), . . . , Ern(t)).
US08299786B2
The present invention provides an axially symmetric vertical magnetic field component sensor system capable of intensifying vertical magnetic field components. The sensor system comprises an axially symmetrical magnetic substance comprising a circular, oval or polygonal shaped flat disk and a protrusion formed on a center of the flat disk. The sensor system is used for a response system having an IC wound by a coil which generates signals and the sensor system is mounted on a metal surface or buried in a hollow formed on the metal surface.
US08299785B2
A device for the non-destructive testing of parts of a turbomachine motor, including a longitudinal rod carrying at its distal end a longitudinal finger carrying a retractile or deployable flexible blade supporting an inspection probe, this blade being guided in axial translation on the finger between a retracted position in which it extends along the finger and an advanced or deployed position in which it extends in front of the finger.
US08299777B2
Described herein are techniques for determining a board parasitic capacitance of a crystal oscillator circuit. A crystal's frequency is measured under load condition off-circuit. After coupling the crystal to the oscillator circuit, external capacitors may be adjusted to produce frequencies approximating the off-circuit measurement with upper and lower margins. Calculation of the load capacitor values at the exact frequency measured off-circuit allows for derivation of the board parasitic capacitance by subtracting the calculated capacitor values from the original total load value used in the off-circuit measurement.
US08299771B2
In one embodiment, a circuit can selectively adjust a current for driving a load. The circuit includes a sensor configured to measure a magnetic field associated with the current and provide a sensor voltage representative thereof. A control circuit is configured to selectively adjust the current as a function of the sensor voltage and a time-varying voltage threshold. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08299768B2
A pulse-width modulated (PWM) DC-DC converter has a multitude of redundant channels supplying PWM signals to a voter whose output voltage controls the regulated DC output voltage. To ensure that single transient events, single permanent faults, or mismatches in the electrical characteristics of the various components disposed in the redundant channels do not adversely affect the regulated DC output voltage, transitions of the PWM signal in each channel are compared to the corresponding transitions of the voter's output signal. If a PWM signal transition of a redundant channel is detected as occurring relatively earlier/later than the corresponding transition of the voter's output signal, the width of the PWM signal is increased/decreased. If a PWM signal transition of a redundant channel is detected as occurring within a predefined window of the corresponding transition of the voter's output signal, the width of the PWM signal is not changed.
US08299762B2
A pre-charge circuit limits in-rush currents on a direct current (DC) link that includes a first DC link bus and a second DC link bus. The pre-charge circuit includes a switching device connected in series with the first DC link bus. The switching device has an ON state in which power flow is enabled on the DC link and an OFF state in which power is disabled on the DC link. A controller selectively modulates the state of the switching device to limit in-rush currents on the DC link.
US08299759B2
A battery pack includes: at least one secondary battery; a first terminal and a second terminal to perform charge and discharge; a discharge control switch controlled by a first control signal, for turning on/off a discharge current; a charge control switch controlled by a second control signal, for turning on/off a charging current; and a control section to detect a voltage, a current, and a temperature of the secondary battery, control the charge control switch and the discharge control switch by outputting the first control signal and the second control signal in accordance with the voltage, the current, and the temperature of the secondary battery, and calculate a battery capacity of the secondary battery. The control section calculates the battery capacity of the secondary battery by different methods in accordance with respective cases where the secondary battery is being charged, being discharged, and in a fully charged state.
US08299755B2
A battery charging controlling apparatus for balancing voltages of the charged batteries is provided. The battery charging controlling includes a battery reference voltage generating unit, a voltage balancing unit, and a balance judging unit. The battery charging controlling apparatus determines whether a battery voltage difference between any two adjacent battery units of a battery module is too large or not by using a reference voltage provided from the battery reference voltage generating unit. The battery charging controlling apparatus further detects the voltage of the battery module and a charging current thereto to determine a suitable time for balancing the charged batteries. Then, the voltage balancing unit controlled by the balance judging unit allows the charging current of the lower-voltage battery unit greater than the charging current of the higher-voltage battery, unit so as to lower the battery voltage difference of the battery units.
US08299753B2
There is provided a planar inductive battery charging system designed to enable electronic devices to be recharged. The system includes a planar charging module having a charging surface on which a device to be recharged is placed. Within the charging module and substantially parallel to the charging surface are multiple primary windings formed in a multi-layer structure that couple energy inductively to a secondary winding formed in the device to be recharged. A winding of a first layer is offset relative to a winding of a second layer. The invention also provides secondary modules that allow the system to be used with conventional electronic devices not formed with secondary windings.
US08299747B2
The present invention relates to a single-stage zero-current switching driving circuit for ultrasonic motor, which comprises: a buck-boost converter and a zero-current switching resonant inverter. The driving circuit according to the present invention integrates the buck-boost converter and the resonant inverter into a single-stage structure, so that the buck-boost converter and the resonant inverter share an active switch and a trigger signal, and therefore, the circuit is simplified and the loss caused by stage switching is reduced. Moreover, the buck-boost converter operates in a discontinuous-conduction mode (DCM), which allows the circuit to have high power factor, and enables the active switch to be capable of zero-current switching (ZCS), so that the loss caused by switching is largely reduced. In the driving circuit according to the present invention, there's no interaction of power between the buck-boost converter and the resonant inverter, so that the two circuits can be analyzed individually. Therefore, the driving circuit according to the present invention having simplified circuit, low loss caused by switching, and low manufacturing cost, can be a competitive product after being commercialized.
US08299743B2
A machine tool a tool includes a supporting member relatively movable to a workpiece along a predetermined axis, a servo motor configured to drive the tool supporting member to the workpiece along the predetermined axis, a sizing sensor configured to measure a profile of the workpiece and to output a size deviation of measured values from a target profile, and a position detector configured to detect at least one of a relative position of the tool supporting member to the workpiece and a rotational position angle of the servo motor. The a servo driver is configured to drive the servo motor, and has a first feedback control having an output based on the size deviation, and a second feedback control based on an output of the position detector. The servo drives the servo motor by combining the outputs of the first and second feedback controls.
US08299732B2
Power conversion systems and methods are provided for driving a plurality of motor loads, in which an autotransformer receives AC input currents and provides a plurality of multiphase outputs at a non-zero phase angle relative to one another, and the individual multiphase outputs are provided to corresponding motor drives with rectifiers to convert the multiphase outputs to DC electrical power, and inverters to convert the DC power to AC to drive corresponding motor loads.
US08299729B2
In one embodiment, a light dimming module is disclosed. The light dimming module has a dimming engine coupled to a digital input interface and an output interface. The dimming engine is configured to provide a N-segment piecewise linear exponential digital control signal, and the output interface is configured to control the intensity of a light source.
US08299716B2
A lighting device comprising a plurality of lighting modules which include a module carrier on which a light source with a plurality of controllable light-emitting diodes emitting light of different wavelengths and arranged on a board, a temperature sensor and a module electronic are arranged. Said module electronic contains a digital circuit with a microcontroller for the local and autonomous signal processing, which actuates the LEDs in dependence on the temperature such that the brightness, color and chrominance of the light mixture composed of the LEDs emitting light of different wavelengths is constant. Said lighting modules being connected with other lighting modules or an external controller via a digital interface for transmitting the board temperature of the respective lighting module detected by means of the temperature sensor. A central master module or the external controller actuates the lighting modules such that a uniform brightness is obtained over the radiating surface.
US08299715B2
A pulsed diode light source driver includes a variable output power supply, an output capacitor, a switchable linear current driver, a temperature sensor, a conditioning circuit, and a voltage monitor. The temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the capacitor while the voltage monitor circuit monitors the output voltage level. The conditioning circuit and the voltage monitor cooperatively control the output voltage of the variable output power supply, so that temperature-related changes in the characteristics of the capacitor are compensated for, and a constant current is maintained through the diode load over a desired range of temperature. The driver is suitable for laser diodes and light emitting diodes.
US08299714B2
The microwave plasma generator is applied to transmission of electromagnetic field into plasma. The invention consists of the fact that the guiding part (3) has two outputs (4, 4′) between which an input (2) of microwave is placed generated from the microwave power source (5). The input (2) is in the distance (A) from the separation (10) of the first output (4) and in the distance (B) from the separation (10′) of the second output (4′) while the absolute value of the difference of the distances A-B or B-A equals λ/2 where λ is the wave length of the microwave and distances A and B correspond to the trajectory of microwave propagation. A microwave plasma generator including microwave power source (magnetron) (5) is connected to the input (2) of the guiding part (3) of the applicator (1).
US08299698B2
A field emission device includes a transparent plate, an insulating substrate, one or more grids located on the insulating substrate. Each grid includes a first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads and a pixel unit. The first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads are located on the periphery of the grid. The first and the second electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The third and the fourth electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The pixel unit includes a phosphor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and at least one electron emitter. The first electrode and the second electrode are separately located. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode down-lead, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the third electrode down-lead. The phosphor layer is directly located on the corresponding first electrode.
US08299692B2
The present invention relates to a light emitting device package and a method of manufacturing the same. There is provided a light emitting device package including a metal core; an insulating layer formed on the metal core; a metal layer formed on the insulating layer; a first cavity formed by removing parts of the metal layer and the insulating layer to expose a top surface of the metal core; and a light emitting device directly mounted on the top surface of the metal core in the first cavity and further there is provided a method of manufacturing the light emitting device package.
US08299689B2
A quartz crystal resonator element includes an AT-cut quartz crystal substrate, the substrate having edges parallel to each of a Z″ axis obtained by rotating a Z′ axis in a range of −120° to +60° about a Y′ axis and an X′ axis perpendicular to the Z″ axis when an angle formed by rotating a +Z′ axis in a direction of a +X axis about the Y′ axis is a positive rotation angle; a thin section that forms a resonating section; and a thick section adjacent to the resonating section, the thin section and the thick section being formed on the quartz crystal substrate by wet etching. The thin section is formed either on a main surface of the substrate corresponding to a +Y′-axis side or on a main surface of the substrate corresponding to a −Y′-axis side. When the thin section is formed by the etching on the main surface of the +Y′-axis side, the thick section is provided at least a +Z″-axis-side end of the thin section, whereas when the thin section is formed by the etching on the main surface of the −Y′-axis side, the thick section is provided at least a −Z″-axis-side end of the thin section.
US08299685B2
A high power ultrasonic transducer includes a first ultrasonic transducer cell and at least one second ultrasonic transducer cell disposed on the first ultrasonic transducer cell. The at least one second ultrasonic transducer cell oscillates together with the first ultrasonic transducer cell.
US08299683B2
In an ultrasonic motor, an elliptical vibration is generated by combining a longitudinal primary resonance vibration resulting from an expansion and a contraction of a vibrator in a direction of a central axis and a torsional secondary resonance vibration or a torsional tertiary resonance vibration resulting from twisting of a rotation axis. A dimension ratio of a rectangle of the vibrator is chosen such that a resonance frequency of the longitudinal primary resonance vibration and a resonance frequency of the torsional secondary resonance vibration or the torsional tertiary resonance vibration match. The vibrator includes a plurality of regions in a surface orthogonal to the central axis, and deformations of the regions adjacent to each other along the direction of the central axis are mutually different. The vibrator expands and contracts in a direction along a polarization direction thereof.
US08299681B2
Apparatus and method that includes providing a variable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment and based on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In some embodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., a linear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of the method, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance, and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer that controls the moving of the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component. Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedback control in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter. Some embodiments include a non-magnetic positioner connected to an electrical component configured to have its RLC parameters varied by the positioner.
US08299680B2
It is possible to reduce the size of a surface acoustic wave resonator by enhancing the Q value. In a surface acoustic wave resonator in which an IDT having electrode fingers for exciting surface acoustic waves is formed on a crystal substrate, a line occupying ratio is defined as a value obtained by dividing the width of one electrode finger by the distance between the center lines of the gaps between one electrode finger and the electrode fingers adjacent to both sides thereof, and the IDT includes a region formed by gradually changing the line occupying ratio from the center to both edges so that the frequency gradually becomes lower from the center to both edges than the frequency at the center of the IDT.
US08299675B2
A stator for a brushless DC motor includes a cylindrical member and a positioning member. The cylindrical member is formed by a plurality of metal wires. Each metal wire includes two ends each forming a terminal. The cylindrical member includes first and second ends separated along a longitudinal axis. The positioning member includes an annular body received in the first end of the cylindrical member and separated from the second end of the cylindrical member along the longitudinal axis. The positioning member maintains a shape of the cylindrical member. The stator can be mounted in a space defined by a housing and a base engaged with the housing, forming a brushless DC motor. A bearing and a circuit board are mounted in the space. The bearing rotatably supports a shaft. A permanent magnet is mounted to the shaft and aligned with the stator.
US08299674B2
In an electric rotating machine, a stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The stator coil is wound around a stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that the phase difference in electrical angle between each corresponding pair of windings of the first and second winding groups is equal to π/6. Further, the windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form Δ-Y connections. Consequently, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first winding group can be offset by those of the electromagnetic forces created the windings of the second winding group. As a result, the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the machine can be reduced. Moreover, the machine can be driven with only a single three-phase inverter to achieve the effects of reducing the total magnetic noise and torque ripple.
US08299671B2
A rotary floater (30) for supporting an object to be processed (W) is floated by the magnetic attraction of a floating electromagnet assembly (F), and the rotary floater (30) is rotated by the magnetic attraction of a rotary electromagnet assembly (R) while its horizontal position being controlled by the magnetic attraction of a positioning electromagnet assembly (H). The floating electromagnet assembly (F) causes the magnetic attraction to act vertically upwardly, so that the rotary floater (30) is floated and suspended without contact with the inner wall of a processing container (2).
US08299667B2
A controlling apparatus-integrated dynamoelectric machine Includes: a metal housing that includes a front bracket and a rear bracket; a rotor that is rotatably disposed inside the housing by being fixed to a shaft that is rotatably supported by the front bracket and the rear bracket; a stator that includes: a cylindrical stator core that is disposed so as to be held between the front bracket and the rear bracket so as to surround the rotor; and a stator winding that is mounted to the stator core; and a controlling apparatus that includes: a direct-current alternating-current power interconverting circuit portion that passes electric current to the stator winding; and a controlling circuit portion that controls the direct-current alternating-current power interconverting circuit portion, the controlling apparatus being disposed inside the rear bracket.
US08299660B2
A motor fixing structure and a motor assembly capable of reducing vibration of a motor and also maintaining a compact configuration. The motor assembly includes a motor, a fixing member disposed to be spaced from the motor by a predetermined spacing distance, and a vibration absorbing member to prevent vibration of the motor from being transferred to the fixing member, wherein the vibration absorbing member is formed to be longer by a predetermined specified length than the predetermined spacing distance between the motor and the fixing member and is disposed outside of a periphery of the motor.
US08299656B2
A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.
US08299654B2
A high frequency electric wire is provided in such a manner that a large number of wires are bundled, twisted and insulated with an outer sheath S. Each wire has an extra-fine hollow pipe structure of a capillary shape. The wire is provided to make its hollow section with the extra-fine hollow pipe structure an air cavity or to cause its hollow section to house an insulating material. In the latter case, the wire is provided by causing a metal conductor to adhere to the outer periphery of an extra-fine insulating yarn, which serves as the insulating material, by plating or vapor-deposition. The electric wire is used as a circuit cable or a coil in a non-contact power feeding device which supplies power based on a mutual induction action of the electromagnetic induction. In this manner, the electric wire fulfills its function to suppress and reduce an increase of the alternating current resistance due to a high frequency alternating current.
US08299646B2
An HVAC/R system is configured with a variable frequency drive power supply which provides power to each of a compressor, a condenser fan, and a blower. In some embodiments, the compressor has a three-phase motor and the condenser fan has a single-phase motor.
US08299644B2
An energy storage and recovery system employs air compressed utilizing power from an operating wind turbine. This compressed air is stored within one or more chambers of a structure supporting the wind turbine above the ground. By functioning as both a physical support and as a vessel for storing compressed air, the relative contribution of the support structure to the overall cost of the energy storage and recovery system may be reduced, thereby improving economic realization for the combined turbine/support apparatus. In certain embodiments, expansion forces of the compressed air stored within the chamber, may be relied upon to augment the physical stability of a support structure, further reducing material costs of the support structure.
US08299640B2
A modular multi-turbine unit of fixed toroidal support structures having a rail system designed to allow each of the plurality of turbines to rotate to a most efficient position relative to the wind for generating power, a computer control system capable of positioning each of the plurality of turbines to most effectively generate power from the wind, preventing damage to the turbines, and providing a wind predictive model based on the wind characteristics for the area in which the wind turbine is located.
US08299638B2
Propulsion system for ships and other mobile marine structures, with a driving machine for running an electrical generator, which is further connected to an electrical propulsion motor with connection to a propeller or similar propulsion device. The system can be simplified in that the generator and the propulsion motor are permanently magnetized synchronous machines. The two synchronous machines have substantially the same basic construction, with approximately identical voltage characteristics with regard to frequency, and they are directly connected together with a rigid electrical connection.
US08299629B2
A wafer-bump structure includes a wafer-state semiconductor die, a pre-treatment layer, a first ENIG laminate and at least one pillar bump. The wafer-state semiconductor die includes at least one die pad embedded therein and a passivation layer formed on the wafer-state semiconductor die and the die pad. The passivation layer includes an aperture for allowing access to a portion of the die pad. The pre-treatment layer is formed on the un-covered portion of the die pad. The first ENIG laminate is formed on the pre-treatment layer and an annular portion of the passivation layer around the pre-treatment layer. The pillar bump includes a conductive metal layer and a second ENIG laminate. The conductive metal layer is formed on the first ENIG laminate and another annular portion of the passivation layer around the first ENIG laminate. The second ENIG laminate is formed on the conductive metal layer and another annular portion of the passivation layer around the conductive metal layer.
US08299627B2
Provided are semiconductor packages and electronic systems including the same. A substrate is provided. A plurality of semiconductor chips may be stacked the substrate, and each of them may include at least one electrode pad. At least one of the plurality of semiconductor chips may include at least one redistribution pad configured to electrically connect with the at least one electrode pad.
US08299621B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having a wiring layer formed of damascene wiring. The semiconductor device includes: a first wiring having a width equal to or larger than 0.5 μm; a second wiring adjacent to the first wiring and arranged with a space less than 0.5 μm from the first wiring; and a third wiring adjacent to the second wiring and arranged with a space equal to or smaller than 0.5 μm from the first wiring. In the semiconductor device, the second wiring and the third wiring are structured to have the same electric potential.
US08299606B2
A semiconductor device is provided that may include an insulating substrate having a ceramic substrate and metal coating layers on opposite surfaces of the ceramic substrate, a semiconductor chip mounted on one surface of the insulating substrate, and a heat sink directly or indirectly fixed to the other surface of the insulating substrate and thermally connected to the semiconductor chip through the insulating substrate. The heat sink may include a housing that is made of a metal sheet and radiating fins that are fixed in the housing and made of aluminum. The metal sheet may have a coefficient of thermal expansion between those of the insulating substrate and the radiating fin.
US08299604B2
A ceramic assembly includes one or more electrically and thermally conductive pads to be thermally coupled to a heat generating device, each conductive pad is electrically isolated from each other. The ceramic assembly includes a ceramic layer to provide this electrical isolation. The ceramic layer has high thermal conductivity and high electrical resistivity. A top surface and a bottom surface of the ceramic layer are each bonded to a conductive layer, such as copper, using an intermediate joining material. A brazing process is performed to bond the ceramic layer to the conductive layer via a joining layer. The joining layer is a composite of the joining material, the ceramic layer, and the conductive layer. The top conductive layer and the joining layer are etched to form the electrically isolated conductive pads. The conductive layers are bonded to the ceramic layer using a bare ceramic approach or a metallized ceramic approach.
US08299598B2
A semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate and a semiconductor die adjacent to a first surface of the substrate. The substrate also includes a second surface opposite from the first surface, an opening extending from the first surface and the second surface, contact pads on the second surface, and substrate pads on the second surface, adjacent to the opening. Bond pads of the semiconductor die are aligned with the opening through the substrate. Intermediate conductive elements, such as bond wires, extend from bond pads of the semiconductor die, through the opening, to substrate pads on the opposite, second surface of the substrate. An encapsulant, which fills the opening and covers the intermediate conductive elements, protrudes beyond a plane in which the second surface of the substrate is located. Discrete conductive elements, such as solder balls, may protrude from the contact pads of the substrate to connect the semiconductor device assembly to another component, such as a printed circuit board or another packaged semiconductor device.
US08299588B1
A synchronous Buck converter in a molded package (thickness 101 between 0.8 and 1.0 mm) has vertically assembled control (110) and sync (120) power FET chips and a driver chip (630). The sync chip has one power terminal attached to the leadframe pad (104) and the opposite power terminal covered by a first copper layer (125) connected (210) to a first leadframe terminal (105), the first layer providing a smaller resistance to a current between first terminal and pad than the resistance through the sync chip. The control chip has one power terminal attached to the first layer and the opposite power terminal covered by a second copper layer (115) connected (410) to a second leadframe terminal (106), the second layer providing a smaller resistance to a current from the first to the second terminal than the resistance through the control chip. Connections (210, 410) of layers (125, 115) to leadframe terminals (105, 106) are copper wires of 20 to 50 μm diameter, enabling currents between 3 and 30 A.
US08299585B2
A power semiconductor device having a first active semiconductor component and a second active semiconductor component, the electrical connections of which are routed out of the semiconductor components in the form of connecting legs is disclosed. In one embodiment, the first semiconductor component is at least partially electrically connected to the second semiconductor component by means of a plug-in connection. The plug-in connection is realized by virtue of the connecting legs of the second semiconductor component engaging in the electrical connections of the first semiconductor component.
US08299583B2
Deep via trenches and deep marker trenches are formed in a bulk substrate and filled with a conductive material to form deep conductive vias and deep marker vias. At least one first semiconductor device is formed on the first surface of the bulk substrate. A disposable dielectric capping layer and a disposable material layer are formed over the first surface of the bulk substrate. The second surface, located on the opposite side of the first surface, of the bulk substrate is polished to expose and planarize the deep conductive vias and deep marker vias, which become through-substrate vias and through-substrate alignment markers, respectively. At least one second semiconductor device and second metal interconnect structures are formed on the second surface of the bulk substrate. The disposable material layer and the disposable dielectric capping layer are removed and first metal interconnect structures are formed on the first surface.
US08299582B2
A semiconductor package includes a substrate including a substrate body having a first face and a second face opposing the first face. A first through electrode passes through the substrate body between the first face and the second face. An insulation member is disposed over the first face; and a connection member having a first conductive unit disposed inside of the insulation member is electrically connected to the first through electrode, and a second conductive unit electrically connected to the first conductive unit is exposed at side faces of the insulation member. A semiconductor chip having third and fourth faces is disposed over the first face of the substrate body in a vertical direction. A second through electrode passes through the substrate body between the third and fourth faces and is electrically connected to the second conductive unit.
US08299580B2
A semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of predetermined separation lines extending from an upper surface to a bottom surface; and a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of chip regions segmented by the predetermined separation lines. Tensile stress is applied to regions of the semiconductor substrate provided with the predetermined separation lines.
US08299576B2
A switched-capacitor circuit on a semiconductor device may include accurately matched, high-density metal-to-metal capacitors, using top-plate-to-bottom-plate fringe-capacitance for obtaining the desired capacitance values. A polysilicon plate may be inserted below the bottom metal layer, and bootstrapped to the top plate of each capacitor in order to minimize and/or eliminate the parasitic top-plate-to-substrate capacitance. This may free up the bottom metal layer to be used in forming additional fringe-capacitance, thereby increasing capacitance density. By forming each capacitance solely based on fringe-capacitance from the top plate to the bottom plate, no parallel-plate-capacitance is used, which may reduce capacitor mismatch. Parasitic bottom plate capacitance to the substrate may also be eliminated, with only a small capacitance to the bootstrapped polysilicon plate remaining. The capacitors may be bootstrapped by coupling the top plate of each capacitor to a respective one of the differential inputs of an amplifier comprised in the switched-capacitor circuit.
US08299575B2
A switched-capacitor circuit on a semiconductor device may include accurately matched, high-density metal-to-metal capacitors, using top-plate-to-bottom-plate fringe-capacitance for obtaining the desired capacitance values. A polysilicon plate may be inserted below the bottom metal layer, and bootstrapped to the top plate of each capacitor in order to minimize and/or eliminate the parasitic top-plate-to-substrate capacitance. This may free up the bottom metal layer to be used in forming additional fringe-capacitance, thereby increasing capacitance density. By forming each capacitance solely based on fringe-capacitance from the top plate to the bottom plate, no parallel-plate-capacitance is used, which may reduce capacitor mismatch. Parasitic bottom plate capacitance to the substrate may also be eliminated, with only a small capacitance to the bootstrapped polysilicon plate remaining The capacitors may be bootstrapped by coupling the top plate of each capacitor to a respective one of the differential inputs of an amplifier comprised in the switched-capacitor circuit.
US08299574B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. A first section of a capacitor may be formed to include a first storage node, a first dielectric material, and a first plate material. A second section of the capacitor may be formed to include a second storage node, a second dielectric material, and a second plate material. The first and second sections may be formed over a memory array region, and the first and second plate materials may be electrically connected to first and second interconnects, respectively, that extend to over a region peripheral to the memory array region. The first and second interconnects may be electrically connected to one another to couple the first and second plate materials to one another. Some embodiments include capacitor structures, and some embodiments include methods of forming DRAM arrays.
US08299571B2
According to one embodiment, a resistance-change memory cell array in which a plurality of horizontal electrodes extending horizontally and a plurality of vertical electrodes extending vertically are arranged to configure a cross-point structure includes rectifying insulating films formed in contact with side surfaces of the vertical electrodes in facing regions between the horizontal electrodes and the vertical electrodes, variable resistance films formed in contact with side surfaces of the horizontal electrodes in the facing regions between the horizontal electrodes and the vertical electrodes, and conductive layers formed between the rectifying insulating films and the variable resistance films.
US08299566B2
A method of forming and structure for through wafer vias and signal transmission lines formed of through wafer vias. The method of forming through wafer vias includes forming an array of through wafer vias comprising at least one electrically conductive through wafer via and at least one electrically non-conductive through wafer via through a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, each through wafer via of the array of through wafer vias extending from the top surface of the substrate to the bottom surface of the substrate.
US08299563B2
Bottom sides of two semiconductor substrates are brought together with at least one bonding material layer therebetween and bonded to form a bonded substrate. A cavity with two openings and a contiguous path therebetween is provided within the at least one bonding layer. At least one through substrate via and other metal interconnect structures are formed within the bonded substrate. The cavity is employed as a cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows to cool the bonded semiconductor substrate during the operation of the semiconductor devices in the bonded substrate. Alternatively, a conductive cooling fin with two end portions and a contiguous path therebetween is formed within the at least one bonding layer. The two end portions of the conductive cooling fin are connected to heat sinks to cool the bonded semiconductor substrate during the operation of the semiconductor devices in the bonded substrate.
US08299560B2
An electronic device can include a buried conductive region, a buried insulating layer over the buried conductive region, and a semiconductor layer disposed over the buried insulating layer, wherein the semiconductor layer has a primary surface and an opposing surface, and the buried conductive region is disposed closer to the opposing surface than to the primary surface. The electronic device can also include a current-carrying electrode of a first transistor, wherein the current carrying electrode is disposed along the primary surface and spaced apart from the buried conductive layer. The electronic device can also include a vertical conductive structure extending through the buried insulating layer, wherein the vertical conductive structure is electrically connected to the current-carrying electrode and the buried conductive region.
US08299559B2
An analog portion of a mixed-mode integrated circuit system includes a plurality of analog input cells, a plurality of analog output cells, and an interconnect array. The input cells are, configured to program analog functions. The output cells are configured to provide Analog and digital outputs corresponding to the programmed analog functions. The interconnect array processes the programmed analog functions into signals indicative of the analog functions. The interconnect array selectively provides the signals to the plurality of analog output cells.
US08299554B2
A solid state image sensor, a method for fabricating the solid state image sensor and a design structure for fabricating the solid state image sensor structure include a substrate that in turn includes a photosensitive region. Also included within solid state image sensor is a non-planar reflector layer located over a side of the photosensitive region and the substrate opposite an incoming radiation side of the photosensitive region and the substrate. The non-planar reflector layer is shaped and positioned to reflect uncaptured incident radiation back into the photosensitive region while avoiding optical cross-talk with an additional photosensitive region laterally separated within the substrate.
US08299552B2
A magnetoresistive element includes a first underlying layer having an NaCl structure and containing a nitride orienting in a (001) plane, a first magnetic layer provided on the first underlying layer, having magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to a film surface, having an L10 structure, and containing a ferromagnetic alloy orienting in a (001) plane, a first nonmagnetic layer provided on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer provided on the first nonmagnetic layer and having magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to a film surface.
US08299545B2
A method and structure implant a first-type impurity within a substrate to form a channel region within the substrate adjacent a top surface of the substrate; form a gate stack on the top surface of the substrate above the channel region; and implant a second-type impurity within the substrate to form source and drain regions within the substrate adjacent the top surface. The channel region is positioned between the source and drain regions. The second-type impurity has an opposite polarity with respect to the first-type impurity. The method and structure implant a greater concentration of the first-type impurity, relative to a concentration of the first-type impurity within the channel region, to form a primary body doping region within the substrate below (relative to the top surface) the channel region; and to form secondary body doping regions within the substrate below (relative to the top surface) the source and drain regions.
US08299544B2
Disclosed is a field effect transistor (FET), in which ohmic body contact(s) are placed relatively close to the active region. The FET includes a semiconductor layer, where the active region and body contact region(s) are defined by a trench isolation structure and where a body region is below and abuts the active region, the trench isolation structure and the body contact region(s). A gate traverses the active region. Dummy gate(s) are on the body contact region(s). A contact extends through each dummy gate to the body contact region below. Dielectric material isolates the contact(s) from the dummy gate(s). During processing, the dummy gate(s) act as blocks to ensure that the body contact regions are not implanted with source/drain dopants or source/drain extension dopants and, thereby to ensure that the body contacts, as formed, are ohmic. Also disclosed are an integrated circuit structure with stacked FETs, having such ohmic body contacts, and associated methods.
US08299542B2
A field-effect transistor is provided. The field-effect transistor includes a gate structure including a fully silicided gate material overlying a gate dielectric disposed on a substrate, the fully silicided gate material having an upper region and a lower region, wherein the lower region has a first lateral dimension in accordance with a lateral dimension of the gate dielectric, and the upper region has a second lateral dimension different from the first lateral dimension.
US08299529B2
A metallic wiring film, which is not exfoliated even when exposed to plasma of hydrogen, is provided. A metallic wiring film is constituted by an adhesion layer in which Al is added to copper and a metallic low-resistance layer which is disposed on the adhesion layer and made of pure copper. When a copper alloy including Al and oxygen are included in the adhesion layer and a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed from it, copper does not precipitate at an interface between the adhesion layer and the silicon layer even when being exposed to the hydrogen plasma, which prevents the occurrence of exfoliation between the adhesion layer and the silicon layer. If the amount of Al increases, since widths of the adhesion layer and the metallic low-resistance layer largely differ after etching, the maximum addition amount for permitting the etching to be performed is the upper limit.
US08299523B2
In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a first and a second semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type in this order. A device region includes a gate electrode inside a first trench. A second trench having a ring-shaped structure forms a first region penetrating through the fourth and third semiconductor layers to the second semiconductor layer and including the device region inside and a second region surrounding the first region outside. A first opening is provided between adjacent ones of the first trenches. A second opening having a wider width than the first opening is provided in the first region outside the device region. A second electrode is electrically connected to the third and fourth semiconductor layers through the first and second openings.
US08299517B2
A semiconductor device employing a transistor having a recessed channel region and a method of fabricating the same is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate has an active region. A trench structure is defined within the active region. The trench structure includes an upper trench region adjacent to a surface of the active region, a lower trench region and a buffer trench region interposed between the upper trench region and the lower trench region. A width of the lower trench region may be greater than a width of the upper trench region. An inner wall of the trench structure may include a convex region interposed between the upper trench region and the buffer trench region and another convex region interposed between the buffer trench region and the lower trench region. A gate electrode is disposed in the trench structure. A gate dielectric layer is interposed between the gate electrode and the trench structure.
US08299509B2
A semiconductor device includes a buried insulator layer formed on a bulk substrate; a first type semiconductor material formed on the buried insulator layer, and corresponding to a body region of a field effect transistor (FET); a second type of semiconductor material formed over the buried insulator layer, adjacent opposing sides of the body region, and corresponding to source and drain regions of the FET; the second type of semiconductor material having a different bandgap than the first type of semiconductor material; wherein a source side p/n junction of the FET is located substantially within whichever of the first and the second type of semiconductor material having a lower bandgap, and a drain side p/n junction of the FET is located substantially entirely within whichever of the first and the second type of semiconductor material having a higher bandgap.
US08299508B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having shallow trench isolation and source/drain regions located therein, a gate stack located on the substrate between the source/drain regions, a first gate spacer on the sidewall of the gate stack, and a second gate spacer on the sidewall of the first gate spacer.
US08299499B2
A field effect transistor includes a Schottky layer; a stopper layer formed of InGaP and provided in a recess region on the Schottky layer; a cap layer provided on the stopper layer and formed of GaAs; and a barrier rising suppression region configured to suppress rising of a potential barrier due to interface charge between the stopper layer and the cap layer. The cap layer includes a high concentration cap layer; and a low concentration cap layer provided directly or indirectly under the high concentration cap layer and having an impurity concentration lower than the high concentration cap layer.
US08299498B2
A semiconductor device 10 is provided with a first hetero junction 40b configured with two types of nitride semiconductors having different bandgap energy from each other, a second hetero junction 50b configured with two types of nitride semiconductors having different bandgap energy from each other, and a gate electrode 58 facing the second hetero junction 50b. The second hetero junction 50b is configured to be electrically connected to the first hetero junction 40b. The first hetero junction 40b is a c-plane and the second hetero junction 50b is either an a-plane or an m-plane.
US08299497B1
A photodetector is disclosed for the detection of near-infrared light with a wavelength in the range of about 0.9-1.7 microns. The photodetector, which can be formed as either an nBp device or a pBn device on an InP substrate, includes an InGaAs light-absorbing layer, an InAlGaAs graded layer, an InAlAs or InP barrier layer, and an InGaAs contact layer. The photodetector can detect near-infrared light with or without the use of an applied reverse-bias voltage and is useful as an individual photodetector, or to form a focal plane array.
US08299496B2
Provided is a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate in which a diode region and an IGBT region are formed. A separation region formed of a p-type semiconductor is formed in a range between the diode region and the IGBT region and extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to a position deeper than both a lower end of an anode region and a lower end of a body region. A diode lifetime control region is formed within a diode drift region. A carrier lifetime in the diode lifetime control region is shorter than that in the diode drift region outside the diode lifetime control region. An end of the diode lifetime control region on an IGBT region side is located right below the separation region.
US08299494B2
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer of opposite conductivity type, a first epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type formed on sidewalls of the trenches, and a second epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type formed on the first epitaxial layer where the second epitaxial layer is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer. The first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer form parallel doped regions along the sidewalls of the trenches, each having uniform doping concentration. The second epitaxial layer has a first thickness and a first doping concentration and the first epitaxial layer and a mesa of the first semiconductor layer together having a second thickness and a second average doping concentration where the first and second thicknesses and the first doping concentration and second average doping concentrations are selected to achieve charge balance in operation.
US08299486B2
A semiconductor light emitting device including a substrate, an electrode and a light emitting region is provided. The substrate may have protruding portions formed in a repeating pattern on substantially an entire surface of the substrate while the rest of the surface may be substantially flat. The cross sections of the protruding portions taken along planes orthogonal to the surface of the substrate may be semi-circular in shape. The cross sections of the protruding portions may in alternative be convex in shape. A buffer layer and a GaN layer may be formed on the substrate.
US08299475B2
A CMOS image sensor pixel includes a conductive light shield, which is located between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. At least one via extends from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive CMOS image sensor pixel enables reduction of noise in the signal stored in the floating drain.
US08299471B2
The invention discloses an organic electroluminescent device includes a substrate. The substrate includes a first control area and a second control area, a polysilicon active layer disposed on the first control area, and a first conductivity type source/drain area disposed in the polysilicon active layer. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the polysilicon active layer serving as a first gate dielectric layer, a first gate and a second gate is disposed on the polysilicon active layer and the second control area, respectively, wherein the first gate and the first conductivity type source/drain area constitute a first conductivity type thin film transistor serving as a switch element. A second dielectric layer disposed on the first gate and the second gate serves as a second gate dielectric layer, a micro-crystal silicon active layer disposed over the second gate.
US08299463B2
A test structure and method thereof for determining a defect in a sample of semiconductor device includes at least one transistor rendered grounded. The grounded transistor is preferably located at least one end of a test pattern designed to be included in the sample. When the test structure is inspected by charged particle beam inspection, the voltage contrast (VC) of the transistors in the test pattern including the grounded transistor is observed for determination of the presence of defect in the sample.
US08299461B2
A thin film transistor includes: a substrate; and, on the substrate, an oxide semiconductor film which serves as an active layer and contains In, Ga, and Zn, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, wherein, when a molar ratio of In, Ga, and Zn in the oxide semiconductor film is expressed as In:Ga:Zn=(2.0−x):x:y, wherein 0.0
US08299452B2
A yellow Light Emitting Diode (LED) with a peak emission wavelength in the range 560-580 nm is disclosed. The LED is grown on one or more III-nitride-based semipolar planes and an active layer of the LED is composed of indium (In) containing single or multi-quantum well structures. The LED quantum wells have a thickness in the range 2-7 nm. A multi-color LED or white LED comprised of at least one semipolar yellow LED is also disclosed.
US08299442B2
A particle beam apparatus has an optical axis (OA), an illuminating system (1, 2, 3, 4) for illuminating an object, which is positioned in an object plane (7), with a beam of charged particles and an objective (6) for imaging the illuminated object. The beam of charged particles is split at the object into a null beam and higher diffraction orders. The illuminating system is so configured that it generates an annularly-shaped illuminating aperture in a plane Fourier transformed to the object plane (7). A phase-shifting element (9) is mounted in a focal plane (15) of the objective (6) or in a plane conjugated thereto. The focal plane (15) faces away from the object plane (7). The phase-shifting element can be an einzel lens having two outer electrodes and one or several inner electrodes disposed therebetween when seen in the direction of the optical axis. The phase-shifting element can have an additional electrode at or near the optical axis.
US08299438B2
Example embodiments are directed to a method of correcting attenuation in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and a positron emission tomography (PET) unit. The method includes acquiring PET sinogram data of an object within a field of view of the PET unit. The method further includes producing an attenuation map based on a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) of a parameterized model instance and the PET sinogram data.
US08299436B2
A scintillator composition includes a matrix material, where the matrix material includes an alkaline earth metal and a lanthanide halide. The scintillator composition further includes an activator ion, where the activator ion is a trivalent ion. In one embodiment, the scintillator composition includes a matrix material represented by A2LnX7, where A includes an alkaline earth metal, Ln includes a lanthanide ion, and X includes a halide ion. In another embodiment, the scintillator composition includes a matrix material represented by ALnX5, where A includes an alkaline earth metal, Ln includes a lanthanide ion, and X includes a halide ion. In these embodiments, the scintillator composition includes an activator ion, where the activator ion includes cerium, or bismuth, or praseodymium, or combinations thereof.
US08299429B2
The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI).
US08299422B2
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator and an ion guide arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator become confined in separate axial potential wells. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide.
US08299418B2
Provided are an imaging device unit and a photographing apparatus. The imaging device unit includes an imaging device having an imaging plane on which an optical image of a subject is formed, wherein the imaging unit is configured to convert the optical image into an electrical signal; an optical unit disposed nearer to the subject than the imaging device; a plate that is mounted on a boundary portion of the optical unit, wherein at least an outer portion of the plate extends over an outer edge of the optical unit; a piezoelectric element that is mounted on the plate and configured to vibrate the plate and the optical unit; and a supporting frame that supports the at least outer portion of the plate extending over the outer edge of the optical unit.
US08299411B2
Systems for controlling flow effector control surfaces. The system comprises a flow effector control coupled to an elongated bar at one end of the bar. The elongated bar is coupled at the other end to the middle of a T-shaped member. A compliant link is coupled to the bar between the control surface and the T-shaped member. At each end of the T-shaped member is coupled a shape memory alloy wire which acts as an actuating means. When one of the shape memory alloy wire contracts, the elongated bar pivots about the compliant link and activates or retracts the flow effector control surface.
US08299405B2
Household electrical appliance for heating liquid including a tank, a heating element having at least one resistive track screen-printed on an electrically insulating plate secured to part of said tank, and a device controlling the electrical supply of said heating element. The control device includes several electronic components among which are at least one thermometric component, a switching component capable of opening and closing the electrical power supply circuit for said heating element, and a control component for controlling said switching component according to signals output from said thermometric component. At least said thermometric, switching and control components are located on said insulating plate within a single area free of resistive track, said area being surrounded by a peripheral region free of resistive track and of electronic components.
US08299399B2
A device (1) is provided for connecting a metal sheet (23, 33′) at the edges, particularly body sheet metal in automobiles. The device (1) includes at least one folding bed (2) for receiving at least two metal sheets, folding jaws (3) which are functionally connected to associated folding jaw supports (4), at least one thermal jointing tool (5), and at least one mass electrode (9, 9′). At least the joining tool is not attached to the folding jaws, and the joining tool contains a lever oriented away from the folding bed as a linear feed device. The lever (6) has a center of rotation (10) outside the folding bed, wherein the joining tool can swivel in the manner of a knee lever into an operating and/or non-operating position.
US08299397B2
Performing a high precision dicing without being affected by a step on a wafer surface, and preventing a particle generation caused by ablation is enabled. A laser dicing apparatus (10), which forms a reformed layer in a wafer (W) by irradiating the wafer (W) with a laser beam, includes: a condensing lens (26) that condenses the laser beam; an astigmatic optical measuring section (29) that measures an unevenness of a surface of the wafer (W) based on the laser beam radiated by a laser oscillating apparatus (21); an actuator (27) that moves the condensing lens (26) to adjust the position of the condensing point of the laser beam; and a control section (50) that controls the actuator (27). The control section (50) switches between a control based on the unevenness measured by the astigmatic optical measuring section (29) and a control for maintaining the position of the condensing lens (26) constant, in accordance with the position of the laser beam.
US08299393B2
An embodiment of the invention comprises a method associated with a PCB having a first component, and a second component, that has substantially less thermal mass than the first component. During an initial time period, the PCB and its components are placed at an initial position proximate to a first heat source, which is operable to provide heat energy in accordance with a thermal profile comprising successive phases. After the initial time period, the first heat source is operated during each of the phases in accordance with the thermal profile to selectively apply heat to the PCB and to the plurality of components thereon. During the initial time period or a specified one of the phases, selectively, heat energy from a focused heat source is directed only to the first component, and not to other components.
US08299390B2
A number of RF power transmission paths are defined to extend from an RF power source through a matching network, through a transmit electrode, through a plasma to a number of return electrodes. A number of tuning elements are respectively disposed within the number of RF power transmission paths. Each tuning element is defined to adjust an amount of RF power to be transmitted through the RF power transmission path within which the tuning element is disposed. A plasma density within a vicinity of a particular RF power transmission path is directly proportional to the amount of RF power transmitted through the particular RF power transmission path. Therefore, adjustment of RF power transmitted through the RF power transmission paths, as afforded by the tuning element, enables control of a plasma density profile across a substrate.
US08299385B2
Disclosed are a valve for a gas circuit breaker, and a gas circuit breaker having the same. The gas circuit breaker comprises a cylinder constituting appearance of the gas circuit breaker, and providing a gas flow path therein, a partition plate having passing holes, and configured to partition inside of the cylinder, a sleeve concentrically disposed in the cylinder, a valve body inserted into the sleeve, and mounted below the partition plate so as to perform a reciprocation along the sleeve, an elastic means configured to upwardly apply an elastic force on a bottom surface of the valve body, and a blocking plate inserted into the sleeve, and mounted between the valve body and the partition plate so as to be moveable in upper and lower directions, wherein the valve body is provided with discharge openings, and the discharge openings are open and closed by movements of the blocking plate.
US08299382B2
A key switch including a base section, a key top, a pair of link members and a switching mechanism. Each link member is provided, at one end region thereof, with a toothed portion meshable with a toothed portion of another link member in a gearing manner and a pivot axle pivotably joined to the base section, and at another end region, with a slide portion slidably engaged with the key top. The base section includes a support plate and a frame member, the frame member being fixedly attached to the upper surface of the support plate. The frame member is provided with a bearing portion pivotably receiving and supporting the pivot axle of each link member. The first end region of each link member is disposed on a lateral side of the frame member and closely to the upper surface of the support plate.
US08299381B2
A cantilevered push button adapted for accepting an input on an electrical or electronic device is disclosed. The button can include an elongated button top component disposed about an exterior surface of an electrical or electronic device such that it is accessible to a user, and having two opposing distal ends associated with separate user inputs. A first fulcrum is located between the first distal end and the midpoint of the elongated button top component, while a second fulcrum is located between the second distal end and the midpoint. A first electrical contact is associated with the first distal end, such that when a user presses on the first distal end, the elongated button top component pivots about the second fulcrum and the first electrical contact is actuated. A second electrical contact is similarly associated with the second distal end and first fulcrum.
US08299372B2
An antenna mount assembly is disclosed. The antenna mount assembly includes an output contact and an antenna mount body. The antenna mount body includes an output portion, a shielding compartment for housing and electromagnetically shielding a connection between a coaxial cable and the output contact, and an access port to permit access to the shielding compartment around the connection between the coaxial cable and the output contact. An antenna mount nut is mechanically attachable to the output portion of the antenna mount body. The antenna mount nut is configured for mechanically attaching an antenna to the antenna mount body. The output contact is coupled to the antenna mount body. The output contact extends from the output portion and into the shielding compartment for electrically connecting the coaxial cable to the output portion. Antenna mount bodies, connector assemblies and methods of making and installing antenna mounts, and connectors are also disclosed.
US08299368B2
An interconnection element and method for making same is disclosed. The interconnection element may include a plurality of metal conductors, a plurality of solid metal bumps and a low melting point (LMP) metal layer. The solid metal bumps overly and project in a first direction away from respective ones of the conductors. Each bump has at least one edge bounding the bump in at least a second direction transverse to the first direction. The low melting point (LMP) metal layer has a first face joined to the respective ones of the conductors and bounded in the second direction by at least one edge and a second face joined to the bumps. The edges of the bumps and the LMP layer are aligned in the first direction, and the LMP metal layer has a melting temperature substantially lower than the conductors.
US08299360B2
A busbar includes a first busbar component as a busbar body and a second busbar component connected thereto. The first busbar component is made of an electrically-conductive metal material having superior spring property. The first busbar component includes a male-terminal-connecting portion for clamping a male terminal of a device and a power input part provided upstream of the male-terminal-connecting portion. The second busbar component is made of an electrically-conductive metal material having electrical conductivity superior to that of the first busbar component. The second busbar component is connected to the first busbar component via a first section of the second busbar component in register with the power input part of the first busbar component and a second section of the second busbar component in register with a portion of the first busbar component, the portion being upstream of the male-terminal-connecting portion at which the current is divided.
US08299357B2
A support system for transmission lines includes a base plate, a securing assembly, and a supporting arm. The base plate is secured to the transmission line pole with the securing assembly. The supporting arm can include an insulating apparatus; the insulator apparatus of the supporting arm is adapted to provide a safe dielectric distance from the transmission power line and the transmission line structure, e.g., power pole. A first end of the supporting arm is carried by a mounting member and is connected to the transmission line pole via the base plate, while the second end can receive a conductor with a connector. The connector is adapted to secure a conductor, and is positioned at the second end of the insulator apparatus.
US08299356B2
A semiconductor-device bonding wire includes a core member formed of an electrically-conductive metal, and a skin layer mainly composed of a face-centered cubic metal different from the core member and formed thereon. An orientation ratio of <111> orientations in crystalline orientations
US08299352B2
Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell including a flexible electrode. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes: first and second electrodes facing each other, and an electrolyte layer interposed between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode comprises a structure formed of conductive fibers, a nano-particle semiconductor oxide layer formed on a surface of the structure of the conductive fibers, and dye molecules adsorbed in the nano-particle semiconductor oxide layer.
US08299349B2
A thermoelectric material is disclosed. The thermoelectric material is represented by the following formula; (A1-aA′a)4-x(B1-bB′b)3-y. A is a Group XIII element and A′ may be a Group XIII element, a Group XIV element, a rare earth element, a transition metal, or combinations thereof. A and A′ are different from each other. B may be S, Se, Te and B′ may be a Groups XIV, XV, XVI or combinations thereof. B and B′ are different from each other. a is equal to or larger than 0 and less than 1. b is equal to or larger than 0 and less than 1. x is between −1 and 1 and wherein y is between −1 and 1.
US08299318B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides. The present invention further relates to the uses of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. For example, the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides could be used in making enzymes or used to make plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having such modulated growth or phenotype characteristics that are altered with respect to wild type plants grown under similar conditions.
US08299317B2
An absorbent article includes a liner and an outercover in facing relation and at least one conductive element located between the liner and the outercover. At least a portion of the conductive element is exposed through the liner and/or the outercover to define at least one external contact point. The external contact point defines a perimeter and the liner and/or the outercover is sealed about the perimeter. The contact points provide external access to the internal conductive elements.
US08299316B2
A hemostatic device comprising (i) a carrier comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, cellulose acetate phthalate; polyvinylacetate phthalate, cellulose acetate phthalate, acetaldehyde dimethylcellulose acetate, polymethacrylate-based polymers, and derivatives, salts, copolymers or combinations thereof; and (ii) thrombin.
US08299312B2
A process for dimerizing olefins in the presence of a catalyst, a hydrocarbon feedstock containing C4 to C6 isoolefins is subjected to dimerization. The process comprises the steps of contacting the C4 to C6 isoolefins at conditions conducive to dimerization with a catalytic material comprising an acidic mesoporous molecular sieve, the catalytic material being thermally stable at a temperature of at least 900° C., and carrying out the contacting step essentially in the absence of butadiene and water in the feedstock. By means of the invention, the dimerization process can be operated over extended periods of time with prolonged maintenance intervals.
US08299297B2
Process for the production of glycolic acid by contacting carbon monoxide and formaldehyde with a catalyst containing an acidic polyoxometalate compound encapsulated within the pores of a zeolite. The zeolite has cages larger than the acidic polyoxometalate compound, and has pores with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the acidic polyoxometalate compound.
US08299296B2
The spiro compound represented by the following general formula [Ia], its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof
US08299289B2
The present invention is directed to an isomerized alpha olefin sulfonate and a method of making the same wherein the isomerized alpha olefin sulfonate is derived from sulfonating an isomerized alpha olefin with sulfur trioxide in the presence of air thereby producing an isomerized alpha olefin sulfonic acid, wherein the isomerized alpha olefin is derived from the isomerization of C12-C40 normal alpha olefins; and neutralizing the isomerized alpha olefin sulfonic acid with a source of a mono-valent cation.
US08299279B2
This invention relates to an improved semi-synthetic process for the preparation of taxane derivatives like paclitaxel, docetaxel, canadensol and its derivatives, the process, which has shorten reaction route, simple procedure, high yield and low materials cost, therefore facilitates the commercial manufacture of these derivatives.
US08299268B2
This invention relates to novel macrocyclic lactams intermediates useful for the preparation of diazonamide analogs. This invention also relates to a novel electrochemical oxidative cyclization for the preparation of such macrocyclic lactams, and their further elucidation to provide diazonamide analogs.
US08299267B2
The present invention provides novel beta-secretase inhibitors and methods for their use, including methods of treating of Alzheimer's disease.
US08299258B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of piperidine derivatives including sufentanil, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as the citrate salt in which a quaternary ammonium (nosylate) salt of an appropriate piperidine is reacted with a corresponding 4-NO2 sulfonate ester to produce the desired piperidine derivative at a high purity.
US08299255B2
To provide a compound which has a potent agonistic activity on GHS-R and which is useful as a therapeutic agent for systemic wasting diseases such as cachexia.A 3,8-diaminotetrahydroquinoline derivative represented by formula (1a) (wherein X represents CH2, C═O, CH—OR, CH—SR, or CH—NRR′; m is a number of 1 or 2; Ar represents a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, a 5-membered or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group having one or two elements selected from S, N, and O, or a similar group; R1 and R2, which may be identical to or different from each other, each represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R3 represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a similar group; n is a number of 0 or 1; R4 and R5, which may be identical to or different from each other, each represent a hydrogen atom, or a C1 to C6 alkyl group, etc.; and R6, R7, R, and R′, which may be identical to or different from one another, each represent a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C6 alkyl group), or a salt thereof.
US08299253B2
Provided are tris-quaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylocholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse and or gastrointestinal tract disorders.
US08299250B2
The invention relates to a compound of the formula (I) or the formula (II) in which: W is an oxygen atom or a radical of the formula NH; X is hydrogen or an alkaline cation or a C1-C8 alkyl or a —(CH2)n3—C(R4)(R5)(R6) radical; X and R on the one hand and X and R1 on the other hand may independently form an optionally substituted cycle with 5, 6 or 7 links. The invention also relates to complexes of said compounds with at least one metal selected from the group comprising copper, palladium, ruthenium, iridium and rhodium, and to a method for the synthesis of these compounds. These compounds and complexes can be used in various asymmetrical catalysis methods.
US08299247B2
A material for an organic electroluminescence device including an indenofluorenedione derivative shown by the following formula (I): wherein X1 and X2, which may be the same or different, are any of specific divalent groups; R1 to R10, which may be the same or different, are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocycle, a halogen atom, a fluoroalkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group or a cyano group; and R3 to R6 or R7 to R10 may be bonded to each other to form a ring.
US08299246B2
The present invention relates to pyrazinone derivatives of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as herein defined; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US08299245B2
A 4-amino-6-alkynyloxypyrimidine compound, which is represented by the formula (I) and has an effect of controlling a harmful organism, can be produced in a high yield by reacting a 4,6-difluoropyrimidine compound with an alkynol compound in an alkyl benzene in the presence of an organic salt and potassium carbonate and reacting the resulting compound with an amine compound without isolating the resulting compound.
US08299243B2
Compounds having the formula are useful for inhibiting protein tyrosine kinases. The present invention also discloses methods of making the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds.
US08299238B2
An isolated steroidogenesis modified cell comprising one or more steroid biosynthesis knock down nucleic acid operatively linked to a promoter, wherein the steroid biosynthesis knock down nucleic acid reduces the expression of a gene selected from the group CYP21A2, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, 3-βHSD1, 3-βHSD2, 17-βHSD1, StAR, HMGR, CYP11B2, CYP11B1, 5α-Reductase 2, SULT1E1, CYP3A4 and UTG1A1, wherein the cell comprises reduced expression of one or more of said genes. The cells are useful for identifying endocrine disruptors. Accordingly, the disclosure includes in a further aspect a screening assay for identifying an endocrine disruptor comprising: a) contacting a cell described herein with a test substance; b) determining a level of at least one steroid or steroidogenic gene mRNA or enzyme activity; wherein a modulation in the level of the at least one steroid or steroidogenic gene mRNA or enzyme activity compared to a control is indicative that the test substance is an endocrine disruptor.
US08299236B2
Polynucleotide delivery-enhancing polypeptides are admixed or complexed with, or conjugated to, nucleic acids for enhancing delivery the nucleic acids into cells. The transported nucleic acids are active in target cells as small inhibitory nucleic acids (siNAs) that modulate expression of target genes, mediated at least in part by RNA interference (RNAi). The siNA/polypeptide compositions and methods of the invention provide effective tools to modulate gene expression and alter phenotype in mammalian cells, including by altering phenotype in a manner that eliminates disease symptoms or alters disease potential in targeted cells or subject individuals to which the siNA/polypeptide compositions are administered.
US08299234B2
The present inventors discovered that siRNAs targeting the 17AA site of the WT1 gene not only suppress the expression of the WT1 gene, but also demonstrate remarkable cell growth-suppressing effects and cell death-inducing effects in cancer cell lines.
US08299229B2
Provided are expression vectors for generating an immune response to a mucin. The vectors comprise a transcription unit encoding a secretable polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising a secretory signal, a mucin antigen and CD40 ligand. Also provided are methods of generating an immune response against cells expressing a mucin by administering an effective amount of the vector. Further provided are methods of generating an immune response against cancer cells expressing a mucin in an individual by administering an effective amount of the vector. Still further provided are methods of overcoming anergy to a mucin self antigen by administering an effective amount of the vector.
US08299225B2
To provide an excellent amidite for synthesizing modified nucleic acid, which enables a protective group therein to be removed under a moderate condition, thereby stably producing a hydroxyl group-containing modified nucleic acid, and a method for synthesizing modified nucleic acid using the amidite. Specifically, an amidite for synthesizing modified nucleic acid, expressed by General Formula (I): where X represents a base, Y represents a substituent, Z represents a protective group for protecting a hydroxyl group in the substituent, and Q represents one of a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group and a hydroxyl group protected by a protective group, wherein the protective group can be removed in an aprotic solvent, and when the protective group is removed, the hydroxyl group emerges in the substituent, and a method for synthesizing modified nucleic acid using the amidite.
US08299220B2
This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes immunoglobulin receptor, Immunoglobulin superfamily Receptor Translocation Associated, IRTA, protein. Provided too, are the IRTA proteins encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecules, IRTA1, IRTA2, IRTA3, IRTA4 or IRTA5 proteins, having the amino acid sequences set forth in any of FIG. 18A, 18B-1-18B-3, 18C-1-18C-2, 18D-1-18D-2 or 18E-1-18E-2. Oligonucleotides of the isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided. Antibodies directed to an epitope of a purified IRTA1, IRTA2, IRTA3, IRTA4 or IRTA5 proteins are also provided, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antibodies or oligonucleotides. Methods for detecting a B cell malignancy in a sample from a subject; diagnosing B cell malignancy in a sample from a subject; detecting human IRTA protein in a sample; and treating a subject having a B cell cancer are also provided.
US08299219B2
An isolated polypeptide is provided, comprising an amino acid sequence being at least 88% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 15 (human) as determined by BlastP using default parameters, the isolated polypeptide being capable of promoting cell adhesion and/or cell homing.
US08299215B2
The present disclosure provides targeting peptides and vectors containing a sequence that encodes targeting peptides that deliver agents to the brain.
US08299213B2
The present invention relates to novel synthetic or natural peptides for use in treating viral or parasitic infections or in the treatment of tumors. The peptides of the present invention are less than 30 amino acids in size, preferably less than 20 amino acids, in particular 15 to 20 amino acids, and in vitro the peptides specifically bind a type 2A protein phosphatase holoenzyme or one of its subunits. The invention also relates to a method for identifying said peptides, and to their uses.
US08299210B2
The present invention relates to reagents and methods for purifying pertussis toxin (PT).
US08299204B2
Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbons atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.
US08299193B2
The present invention provides a film including, in at least a part thereof, a layer comprising an ethylene-based resin, which is a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin of 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and satisfies the following requirements (1) to (5) at the same time or an ethylene-based resin composition containing the resin; (I) the melt flow rate at 190° C. under a load of 2.16 kg is in the range of 0.1 to 50 g/10 min, (II) the density is in the range of 875 to 970 kg/m3, (III) the ratio of a melt tension at 190° C. to a shear viscosity at 200° C. and an angular velocity of 1.0 rad/sec is in the range of 1.00×10−4 to 9.00×10−4, (IV) the sum of the number of methyl branches and the number of ethyl branches, each number being based on 1000 carbon atoms and measured by 13C-NMR, is not more than 1.8, and (V) the zero shear viscosity [η0(P)] at 200° C. and the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) as measured by a GPC-viscosity detector method (GPC-VISCO) satisfy the following relational formula (Eq-1): 0.01×10−13×Mw3.4≦η0≦4.5×10−13×Mw3.4 (Eq-1).
US08299185B2
Disclosed is a cage-type copolymer in which a cage structure is incorporated in its main chain. Also disclosed is a curable resin composition comprising the said copolymer. Specifically disclosed is a curable cage-type silicone copolymer with a constituent unit represented by general formula (1) Y—[Z—(O1/2—R22SiO1/2)a—(R1SiO3/2)n—(O1/2)b]—Z—Y: wherein R1 and R2 each is a vinyl group, an alkyl group, a phenyl group, a (meth)acryloyl group, an allyl group, or an oxirane ring-containing group, Z is a divalent group represented by the following general formula (2) wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom, a vinyl group, an alkyl group, a phenyl group, a (meth)acryloyl group, an allyl group, or an oxirane ring-containing group, and Y is any one of the groups represented by the following general formula (3) [(R4O)R22SiO1/2]a—[R12SiO3/2]n—[O1/2]—, general formula (4) [R4O1/2]b—[R1SiO3/2]n—[O1/2—R22SiO1/2]—, general formula (5) (R4O1/2)—, and general formula (6) (R23SiO1/2)— wherein R4 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group.
US08299184B2
A rubber composition for tire sidewall which comprises a rubber component, which comprises polybutadiene rubber having a content of the cis-1,4-bond of 92% or greater and a content of the vinyl bond of 1.5% or smaller and natural rubber and/or at least one other diene-based synthetic rubber, and 10 to 70 parts by mass of carbon black having a specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption of 20 to 100 m2/g per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component and does not comprise a softener having an aniline point of 50° C. or lower and a tire using the rubber composition for sidewall. Excellent resistance to cut growth is obtained while sufficient workability is surely exhibited.
US08299181B2
A process for crosslinking polymers employs a silane crosslinker which, upon hydrolysis, produces a reduced quantity of volatile organic compound.
US08299174B2
A curable binder composition consisting essentially of one or more ammonium salt of an inorganic acid and at least one carbohydrate, and the use thereof as a thermosetting binder. Also described are composite materials comprising the curable binder composition, and methods of application.
US08299164B2
Disclosed is an aqueous clearcoat material for producing a waterborne urethane-based two-coat coating system, comprising at least one secondary polyacrylate dispersion having a polyacrylate glass transition temperature Tg≧20° C. and at least one hybrid polyacrylate-polyurethane dispersion with a weight ratio of the polyacrylate fraction of the secondary dispersion to the polyacrylate-polyurethane fraction of the hybrid dispersion of 1:1 to 4:1, and as curing agent at least one low-viscosity aminosulfonic polyisocyanate and an aqueous basecoat material for producing a waterborne two-coat coating system comprising at least one polyurethane dispersion, at least one hybrid polyacrylate-polyurethane dispersion, and at least one melamine resin. Also disclosed are a waterborne two-coat coating system comprising the clearcoat material and the basecoat material, a process for producing it, its use to coat a substrate, and substrates coated with it.
US08299161B2
There is disclosed a composition comprising defatted soy flour and a natural rubber in aqueous or dried form. There is also disclosed rubber compositions comprising the compositions comprising defatted soy flour and a natural rubber. There is further disclosed use of the compositions comprising defatted soy flour and a natural rubber, as well as use of rubber compositions including the compositions comprising defatted soy flour and a natural rubber, in the production of various products such as pneumatic tires and tire components, and the like.
US08299159B2
Thermally-conductive moldable thermoplastic compositions or composites may generally include a plurality of metal-coated filler particles; a plurality of secondary filler particles; and a polymer matrix in admixture with the metal-coated filler particles and the secondary filler particles. The composition or composite may have a thermal conductivity ranging from about 20 Watts per meter-Kelvin to about 35 Watts per meter-Kelvin. Injection molded articles having a moldable thermally-conductive thermoplastic composition or composite can be formed for microelectronics, automotive, avionic, and other heat dissipation applications.
US08299156B2
A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet has a high adhesiveness and an excellent terminal peeling resistance as well as exhibits extremely small diffusing amounts of formaldehyde and toluene. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet contains at least a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of a water-dispersion type acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive containing a water-dispersion type acrylic polymer and a tackifying resin-containing emulsion, wherein a diffusing amount of formaldehyde is less than 3 μg/m3 and a diffusing amount of toluene is 10 μg/g or less. As the tackifying resin-containing emulsion, a tackifying resin-containing emulsion prepared using substantially no organic solvents or a tackifying resin-containing emulsion prepared using a material other than aromatic hydrocarbon-based organic solvents can be suitably employed.
US08299155B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion inhibited from viscosity rising and excellent in mechanical stability in spite of a low fluorinated surfactant concentration. The invention provides an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising particles of a fluoropolymer as dispersed in an aqueous medium wherein a fluorinated surfactant (A) having a molecular weight lower than 1000 amounts to not higher than 100 ppm of the mass of the fluoropolymer, the aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion containing an anionic surfactant (B) other than the fluorinated surfactant (A) as well as a water-soluble polymer (C).
US08299151B1
A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (e.g., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.
US08299148B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a fiber made of polylactic acid and having excellent strength, heat resistance and heat shrinkage resistance and a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention relates to the fiber is made of a composition which includes (i) poly(L-lactic acid) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 300,000 (component A), (ii) poly(D-lactic acid) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 300,000 (component B) and (iii) 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a phosphate metal salt (component C) based on 100 parts by weight of the total of the components A and B and has a strength of 2.5 to 10 cN/dTex and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08299146B2
Golf ball 2 has core 4, cover 6 and paint layer 12. The base polymer of the cover 6 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The cover 6 includes one or more kinds of ultraviolet ray absorbing agents. The paint layer 12 includes one or more kinds of ultraviolet ray absorbing agents. There are one or more kinds of ultraviolet ray absorbing agents (common ultraviolet ray absorbing agent) included in the cover 6 and the paint layer 12. The cover 6 includes the common ultraviolet ray absorbing agent in an amount of A parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base polymer, and the paint layer 12 includes the common ultraviolet ray absorbing agent in an amount of B parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the resin component, with the ratio (A/B) being preferably 0.1 or greater and 10 or less. Preferably, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is an MDI based polyurethane elastomer. The golf ball of the present invention is less likely to subject to color change, and excellent in the scuff resistance performance.
US08299120B2
The invention relates to a method of ameliorating multiple sclerosis and/or the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in a mammal, which comprises administering or having self administered to the mammal an effective amount of (a) cetyl myristate or (b) cetyl myristate and cetyl palmitate. In preferred embodiments the mode of administration is oral and both cetyl myristate and cetyl palmitate are administered.
US08299104B2
The invention relates to substituted aryl-substituted heterocycles and to the physiologically tolerated salts and physiologically functional derivatives thereof, to process for their preparation and to their use as medicaments.Compounds of the formula I in which the radicals have the stated meanings, the N-oxides thereof, and the physiologically tolerated salts thereof, and process for the preparation thereof are described. The compounds bring about for example a weight reduction in mammals and are suitable for example for the prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes.
US08299103B2
Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain.
US08299102B2
The present invention relates to heteroarylcyclopropanecarboxamides of the formula I, in which Het, X, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which modulate the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and are valuable pharmacologically active compounds. Specifically, the compounds of the formula I upregulate the expression of the enzyme endothelial NO synthase and can be applied in conditions in which an increased expression of said enzyme or an increased NO level or the normalization of a decreased NO level is desired. The invention further relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to the use of compounds of the formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the stimulation of the expression of endothelial NO synthase or for the treatment of various diseases including cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, for example.
US08299079B2
This application relates to the use of one or more parasympathomimetic drugs in combination with one or more alpha agonists to create optically beneficial miosis to, for example, temporarily treat presbyopia. The invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more parasympathomimetic drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with one or more alpha agonists or antagonists, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention further provides for a method for treating, ameliorating or reducing presbyopia of a patient having an eye, comprising administering to said eye a pharmaceutically effective amount of the ophthalmic preparation.
US08299077B2
This application discloses 5-phenyl-1H-pyridin-2-one, 6-phenyl-2H-pyridazin-3-one, and 5-Phenyl-1H-pyrazin-2-one derivatives according to generic Formula I-III: wherein, variables Q, R, X, X′, Y1, Y2, Y2′, Y3, Y4, Y5, m, and n are defined as described herein, which inhibit Btk. The compounds disclosed herein are useful to modulate the activity of Btk and treat diseases associated with excessive Btk activity. The compounds are further useful to treat inflammatory and auto immune diseases associated with aberrant B-cell proliferation such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also disclosed are compositions containing compounds of Formula I-III and at least one carrier, diluent or excipient.
US08299068B2
Disclosed herein are compounds having a formula: Therapeutic methods, medicaments, and compositions related thereto are also disclosed.
US08299066B2
This invention provides a compound of the formula (I): a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R2 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, Ring A is monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic heterocycle, R3 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, R4 is halogen, cyano, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or the like, m is an integer between 0 and 2, n is an integer between 0 and 5, R is halogen, oxo, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, and p is an integer between 0 and 2 as novel compounds having NPY Y5 antagonistic activity.
US08299052B2
A process for treating a bacterial infection with an antibiotic, comprising: administering to a patient with a bacterial infection a product that includes a modified release dosage form containing an antibiotic, said product being administered once-a-day in a dosage and for a number of days that provides a Total T>MIC sufficient to achieve at least the minimum amount of bacterial eradication for treatment of said bacterial infection.
US08299047B2
Novel 2-alkylcycloalk(en)ylcarboxamides of the formula (I) in which X, s, R1, L, R2 and A are as defined in the description, a plurality of processes for preparing these compounds and their use for controlling unwanted microorganisms, and also novel intermediates and their preparation.
US08299045B2
An adenoviral VA1 Pol III expression system for RNAi expression is provided.
US08299042B2
The present invention provides methods of post-transcriptional gene silencing which involve the use of a first dsRNA having substantial sequence identity to a target nucleic acid and a short, second dsRNA which inhibits dsRNA-mediated toxicity. These methods can be used to prevent or treat a disease or infection by silencing a gene associated with the disease or infection. The invention also provides methods for identifying nucleic acid sequences that modulate a detectable phenotype, including the function of a cell, the expression of a gene, or the biological activity of a target polypeptide.
US08299037B2
An apramycin containing supplement feeding stuff for poultry and is used for the prophylaxis and/or the treatment of histomoniasis.
US08299036B2
The invention relates to novel insecticidal active compound combinations comprising, firstly, cyclic ketoenols or other acaricidally active compounds and, secondly, further insecticidally active compounds from the group of the anthranilamides, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling animal pests, such as insects and unwanted acarids.
US08299032B2
A self-assembling peptide containing a polar amino acid residue and a nonpolar amino acid residue, wherein the self-assembling peptide contains an acidic amino acid residue and a basic amino acid residue as the polar amino acid residues, a total sum of charge of the acidic amino acid residue and charge of the basic amino acid residue in a neutral region is the number excluding 0, and the self-assembling peptide is capable of forming a beta (β)-sheet structure in which only the nonpolar amino acid residue is arranged on one face upon self-assembly in an aqueous solution.
US08299029B2
The invention relates to chemically as well as physically stable compositions comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide such that these compositions can be stored, handled and used at room temperature.
US08299027B2
The present invention relates generally to a method for modulating cell survival. Modulation of cell survival includes inducing, enhancing or otherwise promoting cell survival such as the survival of neural cells as well as facilitating cell death such as the death of targeted cancer cells. The modulation of cell survival is mediated by a region identified on the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) required for death signalling. The present invention further provides genetic molecules which encode the death signalling region of p75NTR which are useful in antagonising death signal function as well as promoting cell death when expressed in targeted cells. The present invention also contemplates recombinant peptides, polypeptides and proteins as well as chemical equivalents, derivatives and homologues thereof which comprise the death signalling portion of p75NTR. Particularly useful molecules of the present invention comprise peptides corresponding to soluble forms of the death signalling portion of p75NTR. These molecules antagonise p75NTR-mediated cell death.
US08299026B2
The present invention relates to a compound which is a polysaccharide derivative of EPO, or of an EPO like protein, wherein the polysaccharide is anionic and comprises between 2 and 200 saccharide units. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel compounds, and methods for making the novel compounds.
US08299025B2
A suspension formulation of an insulinotropic peptide (e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or exenatide) is described. The suspension formulation comprises (i) a non-aqueous, single-phase vehicle, comprising one or more polymer and one or more one solvent, wherein the vehicle exhibits viscous fluid characteristics, and (ii) a particle formulation comprising the insulinotropic peptide, wherein the peptide is dispersed in the vehicle. The particle formulation further includes a stabilizing component comprising one or more stabilizers, for example, carbohydrates, antioxidants, amino acids, and buffers. Devices for delivering the suspension formulations and methods of use are also described.
US08299024B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions to achieve a sustained delay in the progression of, or an amelioration of diabetes in a subject, or a delay in diabetes onset in a subject at risk for diabetes, comprising an abbreviated course of administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an exendin or an exendin agonist analog in an amount effective to induce cell regeneration.
US08299023B2
Provided herein are neuropeptide-2 receptor agonists of the formula (I): Y—R1—R2—X—R3—R4—R5—R6—R7—R8—R9—R10—R11—R12—R13—R14—NH2 (I) (SEQ ID NO: 1), as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives and fragments thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, obesity and diabetes.
US08299018B2
Disclosed are a fusion protein comprising enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase and a short peptide consisting of 4-15 acidic amino acids attached to the enzyme on its N-terminal side, a pharmaceutical composition containing the fusion protein, and a method for treatment of type A Morquio disease using the fusion protein. Compared with the native enzyme protein, the fusion protein exhibits higher transferability to bone tissues and improved, higher stability in the blood.
US08299008B2
The present invention relates to compositions which can be used as solvents for the cleaning of paints which are less toxic and less inflammable than white spirit, which is one of the most widely used solvents for the cleaning of paints.The preferred compositions comprise agriculturally derived materials and are preferably essentially composed of agriculturally derived materials.
US08299003B2
There is disclosed herein an additive composition including a compound of formula (III): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 , R7, R8, and R9are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, and hydrocarbyl groups comprising from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.
US08298993B2
The present invention relates to a method of controlling the growth of weeds, in particular, large crabgrass and white clover, using a herbicidal composition comprising mesotrione and a s-metolachlor.
US08298990B2
Agrochemical oil dispersions are stabilized to particle sedimentation by use of a combination of a clay or silica type rheology modifier and a polymer or oligomer capable of hydrogen bonding.
US08298988B2
A thermal transfer sheet includes a thermal transfer dye layer containing a dye on one surface of a base material sheet and a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the other surface, wherein the heat-resistant lubricating layer contains at least one type of silicone compound represented by Chemical formula 1 or Chemical formula 2 described below. In Chemical formula 1 and Chemical formula 2, R1 contains an alkyl group, an alkylene group, or a phenyl group and may have an ether or ester bond, R2 represents an alkyl group or an alkylene group having the carbon number of 1 to 50, and n and m represent individually an integer of 1 or more, and or less.
US08298984B2
Provided are a non-pyrophoric water gas shift reaction catalyst including: an oxide carrier composed of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and at least one selected from yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and cerium oxide (CeO2); and platinum (Pt) and cerium (Ce) that are supported on the oxide carrier, a method of preparing the same, and a fuel processor including the non-pyrophoric water gas shift reaction catalyst.
US08298980B2
A process for producing geometric shaped catalyst bodies K whose active material is a multielement oxide which comprises the element Mo, the elements Bi and/or V and one or more of the elements Co, Ni, Fe, Cu and alkali metals, in which sources of the different elements are used to obtain a finely divided mixture which is coarsened to a powder by press agglomeration, the coarsened powder is used to form, by press agglomeration, shaped bodies V which are separated into undamaged shaped bodies V+ and into damaged shaped bodies V−, the undamaged shaped bodies V+ are converted by thermal treatment to the shaped catalyst bodies K, and the damaged shaped bodies V− are comminuted and recycled into the obtaining of the finely divided mixture.
US08298975B2
There is provided a sintered body that does not readily deform during use and that allows a high flexibility for the design of surface layers, a method for manufacturing the sintered body, and an optical component including the sintered body. The method for manufacturing a sintered body includes a sintered body having a predetermined shape, the sintered body having a ceramic base material, the method for manufacturing a sintered body comprising a step for preparing a ceramic preform, a step for using a predetermined mold having an upper die and a lower die to hot-press the ceramic preform to form a pressure-sintered body, and a step for cooling the pressure-sintered body while applying a pressure load of approximately 5% or more and 100% or less (and preferably approximately 20% or more and 40% or less) of the pressure load applied during the step for forming the pressure-sintered body.
US08298973B2
A glass thread adapted for reinforcing polymeric materials includes a plurality of filaments having a chemical composition that includes the following constituents within the limits defined below in weight percent: SiO240 to 60 Al2O30 to 5 CaO1 to 15 MgO1 to 15 BaO2 to 15 SrO12 to 20 ZnO0.5 to 10 Na2O + K2O + Li2O0 to 5 TiO23 to 20 Prosthetic members including such threads are also described.
US08298967B2
A corrosion-resistant lath is provided for use in exterior finishing systems, such as stucco systems and exterior insulation and finish systems (“EIFS”). The lath includes in a first embodiment an open, woven fabric comprising weft and warp yarns containing non-metallic fibers, such as glass fibers. A portion of the weft yarns are undulated, resulting in an increased thickness for the fabric. The fabric is coated with a polymeric resin for substantially binding the weft yarns in the undulated condition. This invention also includes methods for making an exterior finish system and building wall including an exterior finish system using such a lath.
US08298966B2
Structures and methods for forming the same. A semiconductor chip includes a substrate and a transistor. The chip includes N interconnect layers on the substrate, N being a positive integer. The chip includes a cooling pipes system inside the N interconnect layers. The cooling pipes system does not include any solid or liquid material. Given any first point and any second point in the cooling pipes system, there exists a continuous path which connects the first and second points and which is totally within the cooling pipes system. A first portion of the cooling pipes system overlaps the transistor. A second portion of the cooling pipes system is higher than the substrate and lower than a top interconnect layer. The second portion is in direct physical contact with a surrounding ambient.
US08298956B2
A method for fabricating a fine pattern includes forming a first photomask including first light transmission regions set in a line shape over a first phase shift mask (PSM) region and a first binary mask (BM) region adjacent to the first phase shift mask region. A second photomask may be formed to include second light transmission regions set in a line shape over a second phase shift mask region and a second binary mask region adjacent to the second phase shift mask region, wherein the second light transmission regions intersect the first light transmission regions. A resist layer may first be exposed using the first photomask and secondly exposed using the second photomask. The first and secondly exposed resist layer may be developed to form resist patterns with open regions corresponding to portions where the first light transmission regions intersect the second light transmission regions.
US08298953B2
A method includes depositing a material layer over a semiconductor substrate and using a first mask in a first exposure/patterning process to pattern the material layer thereby forming a plurality of first and second features. The first features include patterns for the semiconductor device and the second features include printing assist features. The method includes using a second mask in a second exposure/patterning process to effectively remove the second features from the material layer and to define at least one separating structure between two first features.
US08298952B2
An isolation structure comprising a substrate is provided. A trench is in the substrate. A sidewall of the trench has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is located on the second inclined surface. The slope of the first inclined surface is different from the slope of the second inclined surface. A length of the first inclined surface is greater than 15 nanometers.
US08298951B1
A method of forming side spacers upwardly extending from a substrate, includes: providing a template constituted by a photoresist formed on and in contact with an etch-selective layer laminated on a substrate; anisotropically etching the template in a thickness direction with an oxygen-containing plasma to remove a footing of the photoresist and an exposed portion of the underlying layer; depositing a spacer film on the template by atomic layer deposition (ALD); and forming side spacers using the spacer film by etching. The etch-selective layer has a substantially lower etch rate than that of the photoresist.
US08298946B2
The present invention relates to a process for selectively coating certain areas of a composite surface with a conductive film, to a process for fabricating interconnects in microelectronics, and to processes and methods for fabricating integrated circuits, and more particularly to the formation of networks of metal interconnects, and also to processes and methods for fabricating microsystems and connectors.
US08298940B2
A semiconductor memory device has a plurality of core chips and an interface chip, whose specification can be easily changed, while suppressing the degradation of its reliability. The device has an interposer chip. First internal electrodes connected to core chips are formed on the first surface of the interposer chip. Second internal electrodes connected to an interface chip and third internal electrodes connected to external electrodes are formed on the second surface of the interposer chip. The interface chip can be mounted on the second surface of the interposer chip whenever desired. Therefore, the memory device can have any specification desirable to a customer, only if an appropriate interface chip is mounted on the interposer chip, as is demanded by the customer. Thus, the core chips do not need to be stocked in great quantities in the form of bare chips.
US08298938B2
Phase change memory cell structures and methods are described herein. A number of methods of forming a phase change memory cell structure include forming a dielectric stack structure on a first electrode, wherein forming the dielectric stack structure includes creating a second region between a first region and a third region of the dielectric stack structure, the second region having a thermal conductivity different than a thermal conductivity of the first region and different than a thermal conductivity of the third region of the dielectric stack. One or more embodiments include forming a via through the first, second, and third regions of the dielectric stack structure, depositing a phase change material in the via, and forming a second electrode on the phase change material.
US08298928B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention includes: forming an insulation layer to be processed over a substrate; forming a first sacrificial layer in a first area over the substrate, the first sacrificial layer being patterned to form in the first area a functioning wiring connected to an element; forming a second sacrificial layer in a second area over the substrate, the second sacrificial layer being patterned to form in the second area a dummy wiring; forming a third sacrificial layer at a side wall of the first sacrificial layer and forming a fourth sacrificial layer at a side wall of the second sacrificial layer, the third sacrificial layer and the fourth sacrificial layer being separated; forming a concavity by etching the insulation layer to be processed using the third sacrificial layer and the fourth sacrificial layer as a mask; and filling a conductive material in the concavity.
US08298923B2
A germanium-containing layer is deposited on a single crystalline bulk silicon substrate in an ambient including a level of oxygen partial pressure sufficient to incorporate 1%-50% of oxygen in atomic concentration. The thickness of the germanium-containing layer is preferably limited to maintain some degree of epitaxial alignment with the underlying silicon substrate. Optionally, a graded germanium-containing layer can be grown on, or replace, the germanium-containing layer. An at least partially crystalline silicon layer is subsequently deposited on the germanium-containing layer. A handle substrate is bonded to the at least partially crystalline silicon layer. The assembly of the bulk silicon substrate, the germanium-containing layer, the at least partially crystalline silicon layer, and the handle substrate is cleaved within the germanium-containing layer to provide a composite substrate including the handle substrate and the at least partially crystalline silicon layer. Any remaining germanium-containing layer on the composite substrate is removed.
US08298919B2
A method to prevent contamination of the principal surface side in a process of grinding the back surface side of a semiconductor wafer. At an intersection of a scribe region of a semiconductor wafer whose back surface side is to be ground, a plurality of insulating layers is laminated over the principal surface in the same manner as an insulating layer constituting a wiring layer laminated over a device region. Moreover, in the same layer as an uppermost wiring disposed at the uppermost layer among a plurality of the wiring layers formed for a device region, a metal pattern is formed. Furthermore, a second insulating layer covering the uppermost wiring is also formed over the metal pattern so as to cover the same.
US08298915B2
Method for forming a semi-conducting structure includes the formation of at least one part of a circuit or a component, in or on a superficial layer of a substrate, the substrate including a buried layer underneath the superficial layer, and an underlying layer serving as first support, a transfer of said substrate onto a handle substrate, and then an elimination of the first support, the formation of an electrically conducting or ground plane forming layer, on at least one part of said buried layer, the formation, on said electrically conducting or ground plane forming layer, of a bonding layer, a transfer of the structure obtained onto a second support and an elimination of said handle substrate.
US08298911B2
In a method of forming a wiring structure, a first insulation layer is formed on a substrate, the first insulation layer comprising a group of hydrocarbon (CαHβ) wherein α and β are integers. A second insulation layer is formed on the first insulation layer, the second insulation layer being avoid of the group of hydrocarbon. A first opening is formed through the first and the second insulation layers by etching the first and the second insulation layers. A damaged pattern and a first insulation layer pattern are formed by performing a surface treatment on a portion of the first insulation layer corresponding to an inner sidewall of the first opening. A sacrificial spacer is formed in the first opening on the damaged pattern and on the second insulation layer. A conductive pattern is formed in the first opening. The sacrificial spacer and the damaged pattern are removed to form a first air gap between the conductive pattern and the first insulation layer pattern, and to form a second air gap between the conductive pattern and the second insulation layer.
US08298904B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a resistor on an insulator layer over a substrate, and forming at least one dielectric layer over the resistor. The method also includes forming a substrate contact through the at least one dielectric layer, through the resistor, through the insulator layer, and into the substrate. The substrate contact comprises a high thermal conductivity material.
US08298896B2
Systems and methods for raised source/drain with super steep retrograde channel are described. In accordance with a first embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a surface and a gate oxide disposed above the surface comprising a gate oxide thickness. The semiconductor device further comprises a super steep retrograde channel region formed at a depth below the surface. The depth is about ten to thirty times the gate oxide thickness. Embodiments may provide a more desirable body biasing voltage to threshold voltage characteristic than is available under the conventional art.
US08298895B1
In a replacement metal gate process flow, sacrificial gates are exposed and removed subsequent to the formation of source and drain regions for various transistor devices. Sidewalls formed adjacent to the sacrificial gates remain. By using an angled implant such that, for a short-channel device, the remaining sidewalls shadow and protect the exposed short-channel region, a designer may adjust the threshold voltage on long-channel devices without affecting the threshold voltage of the short-channel device.
US08298891B1
A resistive-switching memory element is described. The memory element includes a first electrode, a porous layer over the first electrode including a point defect embedded in a plurality of pores of the porous layer, and a second electrode over the porous layer, wherein the nonvolatile memory element is configured to switch between a high resistive state and a low resistive state.
US08298886B2
An electronic device can include a drain region of a transistor, wherein the drain region has a first conductivity type. The electronic device can also include a channel region of the transistor, wherein the channel region has a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The electronic device can further include a first doped region having the first conductivity type, wherein the first doped region extends from the drain region towards the channel region. The electronic device can still further include a second doped region having the first conductivity type, wherein the second doped region is disposed between the first doped region and the channel region.
US08298879B2
The present invention generally relates to thin film transistors (TFTs) and methods of making TFTs. The active channel of the TFT may comprise one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zinc, gallium, tin, indium, and cadmium. The active channel may also comprise nitrogen and oxygen. To protect the active channel during source-drain electrode patterning, an etch stop layer may be deposited over the active layer. The etch stop layer prevents the active channel from being exposed to the plasma used to define the source and drain electrodes. The etch stop layer and the source and drain electrodes may be used as a mask when wet etching the active material layer that is used for the active channel.
US08298875B1
A method to fabricate a junction-less transistor comprising: forming at least two regions of semiconductor doping; first region with a relatively high level of dopant concentration and second region with at least 1/10 lower dopant concentration, and etching away a portion of said first region for the formation of the transistor gate.
US08298874B2
A method for forming a packaged electronic device including a package substrate having a top substrate surface including a die attach region including at least one land pad thereon and a first dielectric layer positioned lateral to the land pad and a non-die attach region. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top substrate surface of the package substrate. An IC die which is mounted to the top substrate surface of the package substrate. An underfill layer is formed between the IC die and the die attach region.
US08298868B2
A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a post and a base, mounting an adhesive on the base including inserting the post into an opening in the adhesive, mounting a conductive layer on the adhesive including aligning the post with an aperture in the conductive layer, then flowing the adhesive upward between the post and the conductive layer, solidifying the adhesive, then providing a conductive trace that includes a pad, a terminal, a plated through-hole and a selected portion of the conductive layer, mounting a semiconductor device on the post, wherein a heat spreader includes the post and the base, electrically connecting the semiconductor device to the conductive trace and thermally connecting the semiconductor device to the heat spreader.
US08298867B2
A power semiconductor module is fabricated by providing a circuit substrate with a metal surface and an insulating substrate comprising an insulation carrier featuring a bottom side provided with a bottom metallization layer. An anchoring structure is provided comprising a plurality of oblong pillars each featuring a first end facing away from the insulation carrier, at least a subset of the pillars being distributed over the anchoring structure in its entirety, it applying for each of the pillars of the subset that from a sidewall thereof no or a maximum of three elongated bonding webs each extend to a sidewall of another pillar where they are bonded thereto. The anchoring structure is positioned between the insulation carrier and metal surface, after which the metal surface is soldered to the bottom metallization layer and anchoring structure by means of a solder packing all interstices between the metal surface and bottom metallization layer with the solder.
US08298862B2
A layered chip package includes a main body and wiring. The main body includes a plurality of layer portions stacked. The wiring is disposed on at least one side surface of the main body. In the method of manufacturing the layered chip package, first, a plurality of substructures each of which includes an array of a plurality of preliminary layer portions are used to fabricate a layered substructure that includes a plurality of pre-separation main bodies arranged in rows. Next, the layered substructure is cut into a plurality of blocks each of which includes a row of a plurality of pre-separation main bodies, and the wiring is formed on the plurality of pre-separation main bodies included in each block simultaneously. The plurality of pre-separation main bodies are then separated from each other. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a row of three, four, or five pre-separation main bodies.
US08298851B2
A solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel section, a peripheral circuit section, a silicide blocking layer formed in the pixel section except for part or whole of an area above an isolation portion in the pixel section, and a metal-silicided transistor formed in the peripheral circuit section.
US08298850B2
A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes an active region located on the front surface of the substrate, formed for example by a phosphorous diffusion step. After removing the PSG, assuming phosphorous diffusion, and isolating the front junction, dielectric layers are deposited on the front and back surfaces. Contact grids are formed, for example by screen printing. Prior to depositing the back surface dielectric, a metal grid may be applied to the back surface, the back surface contact grid registered to, and alloyed to, the metal grid during contact firing.
US08298849B2
Methods for forming Cu—In—Ga—N (CIGN) layers for use in TFPV solar panels are described using reactive PVD deposition in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as an absorber layer and eliminate the need of a selenization step. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as a protective layer to decrease the sensitivity of the CIG layer to oxygen or moisture before the selenization step. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as an adhesion layer to improve the adhesion between the back contact layer and the absorber layer.
US08298841B2
A method for manufacturing a light emitting diode package, includes: providing a light emitting chip structure comprising a substrate and a light emitting layer; treating the light emitting layer to form at least two spaced light emitting chips on the substrate, the light emitting chips each comprising a first surface away from the substrate and a second surface; forming a first carbon nanotube layer covering the first surfaces of the at least two spaced light emitting chips; removing the substrate; forming a second carbon nanotube layer on the second surfaces of the light emitting chips, thus obtaining a first carbon nanotube layer and a second carbon nanotube layer on opposite sides of the at least two spaced light emitting chips; and packaging the light emitting chip structure to obtain the light emitting diode package.
US08298838B2
A method for staining a sample includes the following steps. A test device is provided. The test device is sampled to obtain a sample. The sample includes a substrate, an active area disposed within the substrate and having a first doped substrate region and a second doped substrate region, at least one gate disposed between the first doped substrate region and the second doped substrate region, and an exposed shallow trench isolation embedded in the substrate and surrounding the active area. A first staining procedure is then carried out to selectively remove the shallow trench isolation to form a first void and to entirely expose the active area. A second staining procedure is subsequently carried out to selectively stain the first doped substrate region and the second doped substrate region to form a second void.
US08298837B2
A system and method of increasing productivity of OLED material screening includes providing a substrate that includes an organic semiconductor, processing regions on the substrate by combinatorially varying parameters associated with the OLED device production on the substrate, performing a first characterization test on the processed regions on the substrate to generate first results, processing regions on the substrate in a combinatorial manner by varying parameters associated with the OLED device production on the substrate based on the first results of the first characterization test, performing a second characterization test on the processed regions on the substrate to generate second results, and determining whether the substrate meets a predetermined quality threshold based on the second results.
US08298833B2
A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30). In another embodiment, a droplet (55) segments into smaller droplets which bridge the gap between the inlet and outlet ports.
US08298831B2
A method of probing a plurality of analyzer molecules distributed about a detection platform is disclosed. The method includes contacting a test sample to the plurality of analyzer molecules, scanning the plurality of analyzer molecules at a rate relating to a carrier frequency signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a biological molecule based at least in part upon the presence or absence of a signal substantially at a sideband of the carrier frequency signal. A molecule detection platform including a substrate and a plurality of targets positioned about the substrate is also disclosed. Specific analyzer molecules adapted to bind a specific analyte are immobilized about a first set of the targets. Nonspecific analyzer molecules are immobilized about a second set of the targets. The targets positioned about the substrate along at least a segment of a scanning pathway alternate between at least one of the first set and at least one of the second set. A method including providing a substrate for supporting biological analyzer molecules the substrate including at least one scanning pathway is also disclosed. The scanning pathway includes a plurality of scanning targets. Specific biological analyzer molecules adapted to detect a specific target analyte are distributed about a first set of the targets which alternate in groups of at least one with a second set of the targets the second set of the targets not including the specific biological analyzer molecules.
US08298830B2
The present invention generally relates to polymers with lasing characteristics that allow the polymers to be useful in detecting analytes. In one aspect, the polymer, upon an interaction with an analyte, may exhibit a change in a lasing characteristic that can be determined in some fashion. For example, interaction of an analyte with the polymer may affect the ability of the polymer to reach an excited state that allows stimulated emission of photons to occur, which may be determined, thereby determining the analyte. In another aspect, the polymer, upon interaction with an analyte, may exhibit a change in stimulated emission that is at least 10 times greater with respect to a change in the spontaneous emission of the polymer upon interaction with the analyte. The polymer may be a conjugated polymer in some cases. In one set of embodiments, the polymer includes one or more hydrocarbon side chains, which may be parallel to the polymer backbone in some instances. In another set of embodiments, the polymer may include one or more pendant aromatic rings. In yet another set of embodiments, the polymer may be substantially encapsulated in a hydrocarbon. In still another set of embodiments, the polymer may be substantially resistant to photobleaching. In certain aspects, the polymer may be useful in the detection of explosive agents, such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT).
US08298825B1
In general, iPS cells are produced by delivery of stem cell-associated genes into adult somatic cells (e.g., fibroblasts). Described herein are methods for enhancing the efficiency and rate of induced pluripotent stem cell production by treating somatic cells with a transforming growth factor-beta receptor (TGFβR) inhibitor. Also described herein are iPS cell compositions made according to the methods described herein and iPS cell compositions comprising an iPS cell in an admixture with a TGFβR inhibitor. Further described herein are kits for producing iPS cells using a TGFβR inhibitor.
US08298823B2
The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system.
US08298820B2
Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel consensus amino acid sequences of HA hemagglutinin, as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines expressing the sequences. Also provided herein are methods for generating an immune response against one or more Influenza A serotypes using the vaccines that are provided.
US08298818B2
The present inventors concerns vectors carrying a truncated chimeric CMV-chicken β-actin (smCBA) promoter in which the hybrid chicken β-actin/rabbit β-globin intron is greatly shortened, and their use to deliver to an operatively linked polynucleotide to host cells in vitro or in vivo, resulting in expression of the polynucleotide in the host cells. In one embodiment, the vector carrying the smCBA promoter is administered to the eye. In another embodiment, the vector carrying the smCBA promoter is a self-complementary adeno-associated virus (AAV). The AAV vector may be of any serotype (e.g., type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4, type 5, type 6, type 7, type 8, type 9, type 10). In another embodiment, a self-complementary vector carrying the smCBA promoter is administered to the eye. Another aspect of the invention concerns host cells carrying a vector of the invention. Another aspect of the invention concerns pharmaceutical composition comprising the vectors or host cells of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08298816B2
Promoter activities were examined by comparing combinations of promoters and enhancers derived from various genes. A hybrid promoter comprising a combination of a CMV enhancer and a mammalian β-actin promoter, or the post-transcriptional regulatory region of the genomic sequence Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus (WPRE) and a mammalian β-actin promoter was found to be stronger than existing promoters. Furthermore, the activities of the β-actin promoters could be enhanced by coexpressing the oncogene product Ras, which is a transactivator.
US08298811B2
A method for producing human-like glycoproteins by expressing a Class 2 α-mannosidase having a substrate specificity for Manα1,3 and Manα1,6 glycosidic linkages in a lower eukaryote is disclosed. Hydrolysis of these linkages on oligosaccharides produces substrates for further N-glycan processing in the secretory pathway.
US08298798B2
Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing higher alcohols including C5-C8 alcohol from a suitable substrate.
US08298796B2
A method for producing glucose from a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. The method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock with acid to produce a pretreated feedstock composition. A calcium-containing stream is provided that comprises calcium that is obtained from the lignocellulosic feedstock and a calcium carbonate-containing stream is obtained by precipitation of the calcium from the calcium-containing stream. The pH of the pretreated feedstock is adjusted with (a) the calcium carbonate-containing stream; (b) a calcium hydroxide-containing stream that is derived from said calcium carbonate-containing stream by subjecting said calcium carbonate-containing stream to calcination; or (c) a combination of the calcium carbonate-containing stream and the calcium hydroxide-containing stream. The pH adjustment results in a neutralized pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock having a pH between about 3 and about 9 and enzymatic hydrolysis of the neutralized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock is then conducted with cellulase enzymes to produce the glucose.
US08298793B2
Compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of misfolded, or partially misfolded, proteins present in blood and other biological materials are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the compositions, hereinafter termed “proteons” are misfolded or partially misfolded proteins surrounding a metallic nanocluster, termed “proteon nucleation center” (PNC). Also provided are compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) upon which the proteons of the present in blood and other biological materials form.
US08298783B2
Disclosed are processes to increase the relative abundance of a molecule that is present in a test sample at relatively low abundance. The process includes fractionating a sample and immunizing hosts with the fractions. The antibodies produced from the fractionated test sample are directed primarily to molecules that are in relatively high abundance in the test sample fractions. These antibodies are then contacted with the test sample or a test sample to immuno-deplete relatively high abundance molecules from the sample to form a first depleted sample. These steps can be repeated a reiterative process of immuno-subtraction to produce second and third depleted samples where the relative abundance of the “low abundance” molecule is increased.
US08298777B2
A method for screening compounds for their ability to interact with transmembrane proteins is provided. Also provided is a method for determining whether proteins such as transmembrane proteins are able to oligomerise. The method uses a transmembrane protein that comprises a nuclear localization sequence (NLS).
US08298773B2
The invention relates to the diagnosis, monitoring, prognosis, and/or prediction of cancer utilizing the detection or measurement of glycan-protein interactions, particularly glycan-antibody interactions. The invention relates to carbohydrate-containing molecules that are utilized in bioanalytical systems, methods and kits for detecting neoplasia and methods related thereto and based thereon. In an exemplary embodiment glycans or glycopolymers are carried in an array, on beads or in a microfluidic system for diagnostic screening for risk of neoplasia, the existence of neoplasia in a patient, or for treatment monitoring. In such an embodiment, the bioanalytic system identifies binding interactions between molecules in a patient test sample (e.g., glycan compositions) and the glycans or glycopolymers. The glycan-binding compositions may be used to generate an immune response against cancer cell epitopes. Alternatively, antibody therapeutics can be developed that are useful for binding to glycan compositions on a cell surface.
US08298771B2
The present invention is concerned with epitope regions of a thyrotrophin (TSH) receptor, uses thereof and antibodies thereto.
US08298767B2
Aspects of the present invention are drawn to processes for moving a region of interest in a polynucleotide from a first position to a second position with regard to a domain within the polynucleotide, also referred to as a “reflex method”. In certain embodiments, the reflex method results in moving a region of interest into functional proximity to specific domain elements present in the polynucleotide (e.g., primer sites and/or MID). Compositions, kits and systems that find use in carrying out the reflex processes described herein are also provided.
US08298766B2
The present invention provides a category of cyanine dyes having the following general structural Formula I, wherein X is defined as C(CH3)2, O, S or Se; m is an integer from 1 to 18, R1 and R2 are each independently chosen from H, C1-18alkyl, OR7, C1-6alkyl-OR7 or halogen; R3 is pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, guanidino, NHR5 or N(R6)2; R4 is C1-18alkyl, benzyl or (CH2)mR3; R5 is saturated and/or unsaturated, straight-chained and/or branched-chained C1-18alkyl, hydroxy alkyl, mercapto-alkyl, amino alkyl, acyl, phenyl, naphthyl or benzyl; R6 is a C2-18alkyl; R7 is H or a C1-18alkyl; Y− is an anion. The mentioned compounds can be applied to staining biological samples, to the fields of nucleic acids labeling, blood cell analysis, clinical diagnosis, immunological assays and etc.
US08298753B2
The invention relates to a method of generating a laser marking in a security document by means of at least one laser beam, the security document having at least one laser-markable layer and also at least one reflecting layer which overlaps at least partly with the at least one laser-markable layer and has opaque regions. The at least one reflecting layer has at least one transparent region and, at least visually, is not significantly altered by the laser treatment of the laser-markable layer.
US08298747B2
To provide a photosensitive resin composition in which a hardened film obtained from the photosensitive resin composition has properties comparable to those of a film hardened at a high temperature, a method for manufacturing a patterned hardened film using the photosensitive resin composition, and an electronic part. The photosensitive resin composition includes (a) a polybenzoxazole precursor having a repeating unit represented by a general formula (I): wherein U and V represent a divalent organic group, and at least one of U and V is a group containing an aliphatic chain structure having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; (b) a photosensitizer; (c) a solvent; and (d) a crosslinking agent capable of causing crosslinking or polymerization by heating.
US08298743B2
A positive-type photosensitive composition including an alkali-soluble polymer formed through copolymerization of monomer (A) represented by the following General Formula (I) and other radical polymerizable monomer (B), a 1,2-quinonediazide compound, and a nanowire structure: where R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C5 alkyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 5, and m is an integer of 1 to 7.
US08298742B2
In a method for coating electrophotographic carrier core surfaces with a resin composition by rotating a rotator having a plurality of agitating blades on its surface in a casing; a coating treatment material that is introduced to a space defined between the rotator and the casing is in a packing of from 50% to 98% by volume; at the time of coating treatment, the electrophotographic carrier core surfaces are coat-treated with the resin composition while being put forward and put backward; and the electrophotographic carrier cores and the resin composition are, at the time of coating treatment, temperature-controlled at a specific temperature T (° C.) or below. This method enables the electrophotographic carrier core surfaces to be more uniformly coated with a coating resin.
US08298735B2
Disclosed is an organic photoreceptor, which is composed of a photosensitive layer and a protective layer, provided on an electric conductive support, and the protective layer contains a composition obtained by hardening reaction of γ-alumina particles treated with a compound having a reactive functional group with a hardenable compound. A manufacturing method thereof is also disclosed.
US08298732B2
An exposure method includes generating a reticle exposure pattern based on a target pattern, performing a lithography simulation based on the reticle exposure pattern to generate a simulation pattern that simulates a resist pattern formed by reticle exposure, generating differential data between the target pattern and the simulation pattern, generating a first electron-beam exposure pattern based on the differential data, generating a reticle based on the reticle exposure pattern, performing an optical exposure process with respect to a resist by use of the reticle, and performing an electron-beam exposure process with respect to the resist based on the first electron-beam exposure pattern.
US08298728B2
The present invention discloses a mask plate and manufacturing method thereof. The mask plate comprises a substrate formed with a transparent region, a non-transparent region and a semi-transparent region. The semi-transparent region comprises a semi-transparent film, and a middle portion of the semi-transparent region is formed so that the intensity of the light transmitted therethrough is reduced in a larger extent than that in which the intensity of the light transmitted through the portion other than the middle portion in the semi-transparent region is reduced, whereby the light transmitted through the semi-transparent region is uniform.
US08298727B2
A method and apparatus for selecting a specific fraction from a heterogeneous fluid-borne sample using optical gradient forces in a microfluidic or fluidic system are presented. Samples may range in size from a few nanometers to at least tens of micrometers, may be dispersed in any fluid medium, and may be sorted on the basis of size, shape, optical characteristics, charge, and other physical properties. The selection process involves passive transport through optical intensity field driven by flowing fluid, and so offers several advantages over competing techniques. These include continuous rather than batch-mode operation, continuous and dynamic tunability, operation over a wide range of samples, compactness, and low cost.
US08298722B2
A fuel cell includes a substrate layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first chamber layer and a second chamber layer, and all of which are integrally formed by co-firing. The substrate layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the second surface, and the first electrode, the second electrode are formed on the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first chamber layer, disposed on the first electrode, includes a first flow passage and a first fuel chamber connected thereto, and a first gas passes the first flow passage, enters the first fuel chamber and contacts the first electrode. The second chamber, disposed on the second electrode, includes a second flow passage and a second fuel chamber connected thereto, and a second gas passes the second flow passage, enters the second fuel chamber and contacts the second electrode.
US08298721B2
A reversible solid oxide fuel cell obtainable by a method comprising the steps of: providing a metallic support layer; forming a cathode precursor layer on the metallic support layer; forming an electrolyte layer on the cathode precursor layer; sintering the obtained multilayer structure; in any order conducting the steps of: forming a cathode layer by impregnating the cathode precursor layer, and forming an anode layer on the electrolyte layer; characterised in that the method further comprises prior to forming said cathode layer, impregnating a precursor solution or suspension of a barrier material into the metallic support layer and the cathode precursor layer and subsequently conducting a heat treatment.
US08298720B2
A proton conductor is formed of a porous body as a substrate and proton-conducting polymer covalently bonded to inner surfaces of pores of the porous body. The proton-conducting polymer comprises a main chain and a plurality of branched side chains extending radially therefrom. The branched side chains are each bonded to a proton-conducting salt at the end. The proton-conducting polymer has a substantially cylindrical structure in which the salts can be circumscribed by a virtual circle having a center on the cross-sectional center of the main chain such that a radial direction of the virtual circle is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main chain. The salts are located on the peripheral wall of the substantially cylindrical structure. Protons are transferred between the adjacent salts, so that a conduction channel is formed on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical structure.
US08298717B2
A fuel cell unit (1) according to the present invention comprises a fuel cell (6) having an inner electrode layer (16), an outer electrode layer (20) and a through passage (15); and inner and outer electrode terminals (24, 26) fixed at the opposite ends (6a, 6b) of the fuel cell (6). The fuel cell (6) has an inner electrode peripheral surface (21) electrically communicating with the inner electrode layer (16) and an outer electrode peripheral surface (22) electrically communicating with the outer electrode layer (20). The inner and outer electrode terminals are respectively disposed so that they cover over the inner and outer electrode peripheral surfaces (21, 22) and they are electrically connected thereto. The inner and outer electrode terminals have respective connecting passages which are communicated with the through passage (15).
US08298715B2
There is realized a structure particularly suitable for inhibiting deformation of separators having a structure where the shapes of projections and recesses are inverted from each other on the front side and the back side of each separator as in a pressed metal separator. Between adjacent separators, there is formed either a power generation region where MEAs and frame members for holding at least a part of the MEAs are inserted or a refrigerant flow region where neither the MEAs nor the frame members are inserted. A deformation inhibiting region for inhibiting deformation of each separator is formed by a projection provided on the separator. Also, a projection for inhibiting the separator from deforming at the deformation inhibiting region or nearby is formed on each frame member. The projection is projected toward the back side of the deformation inhibiting region, where the deformation inhibiting region is a recess on the back side of the separator.
US08298707B2
A positive active material including a compound expressed by a general formula LimMxM′yM″zO2 (here, M designates at least one kind of element selected from Co, Ni and Mn, M′ designates at least one kind of element selected from Al, Cr, V, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sn, Ti, Mg, Sr, B, Ga, In, Si and Ge, and M″ designates at least one kind of element selected from Mg, Ca, B and Ga. Further, x is designated by an expression of 0.9≦x<1, y is indicated by an expression of 0.001≦y≦0.5, z is indicated by an expression of 0≦z≦0.5, and m is indicated by an expression of 0.5≦m) and lithium manganese oxide expressed by a general formula LisMn2-tMatO4 (here, the value of s is expressed by 0.9≦s, the value of t is located within a range expressed by 0.01≦t≦0.5, and Ma indicates one or a plurality of elements between Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Sn, Cr, V, Ti, Mg, Ca, Sr, B, Ga, In, Si and Ge) are included, so that both a large capacity and the suppression of the rise of temperature of a battery upon overcharging operation are achieved.
US08298705B2
The sealed battery 10 includes an electrolyte pour hole 15 passing through the sealing plate 12; a rivet 16 having a shank part 16a, a flange part 16b covering a peripheral surface of the electrolyte pour hole 15, and a crimping part 16c in the electrolyte pour hole 15; and a gasket 18 interposed between the electrolyte pour hole 15 and the rivet 16 and adhering to the peripheral surface of the electrolyte pour hole 15 and to a back side of the flange part 16b of the rivet 6; on the peripheral surface of the electrolyte pour hole 15, an inner annular first convex part 17a and an outer annular second convex part 17b are formed; and on the back side of the flange part 16b of the rivet 16, an annular third convex part 16d is formed so as to be superimposed over the second convex part 17b.
US08298703B2
Disclosed herein is a battery module including at least one battery cell constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery case such that electrode leads of the electrode assembly protrude outside, wherein, when external impacts are directly or indirectly applied to the battery cell, with the result that the electrode leads move toward the electrode assembly of the battery cell, the external impacts are absorbed by the deformation of the electrode leads or the deformation of predetermined regions (‘electrode lead facing parts’) of the module in direct contact with or adjacent to the electrode leads, whereby the occurrence of a short circuit due to the contact between the electrode assembly and the electrode leads is prevented.
US08298698B2
Disclosed herein is a battery pack case in which a battery module (32) having a plurality of stacked unit cells (30) is mounted. The battery pack case is provided at an upper part and a lower part thereof with a coolant inlet port (10′) and a coolant outlet port (20′), respectively. The coolant inlet port (10′) and the coolant outlet port (20′) are directed in opposite directions. The battery pack case is further provided with a coolant introduction part (40′) and a coolant discharge part. An upper end inside part of the coolant introduction part (40′) is configured in a structure in which an incline plane starting from an end opposite to the coolant inlet port (10′) has an inclination increasing toward the coolant inlet port (10′) with respect to the top of the cell stack.
US08298694B2
A power supply device in which power storage bodies are disposed in a casing that houses a cooling medium is provided. The power supply device includes a moving portion that moves the power storage bodies in the cooling medium.
US08298693B2
A battery having an outer casing and an anode/cathode assembly within that casing, wherein the anode/cathode assembly includes plural anodes and cathodes and electrolyte therebetween. The battery has a pressure relief feature associated with the casing and a channel preservation element sufficiently rigid to preserve at least one gas passageway to the pressure relief feature under conditions of anode/cathode assembly warpage. Thus the gas in the passageway will not become impeded by anode/cathode assembly warpage.
US08298692B2
A system and method for collecting, storing and using the oxygen-rich effluent generated when charging a metal-air battery pack is provided.
US08298690B2
A magnetic recording medium includes a disk substrate, and recording cells arrayed on the disk substrate in a track direction, the recording cells includes a ferromagnetic pattern and a magnetic pattern formed on one of two sidewalls of the ferromagnetic pattern in the track direction and having a lower crystalline magnetic anisotropy constant Ku than that of the ferromagnetic pattern.
US08298684B2
Provided are a compound represented by Formula 1 or 2 below and an organic light emitting device including an organic layer having the compound: where Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, R1, R2 and R3 are as described in the detailed description. Since the compound represented by Formula 1 or 2 has excellent electrical properties and excellent charge transport capabilities, the compound can be efficiently used as a hole injecting material, a hole transporting material, and/or an emitting material which is suitable for a fluorescent or phosphorescent organic light emitting device which can realize all colors such as red, green, blue, and white. Thus, an OLED including the compound can have high efficiency, high current density, low driving voltage, excellent brightness, and long lifetime.
US08298674B2
An aqueous composition of a non-siliceous fluorocarbon polymer forms a dry deposit derived from the non-siliceous fluorocarbon polymer on the surface of construction material; the non-siliceous fluorocarbon polymer being characterized by the presence of fluorocarbon units of up to 6 carbon atoms; this non-siliceous fluorocarbon polymer is a protecting agent imparting an excellent water and oil repellency and also protection against stains and dirt, to bricks, clay roofing, different kinds of tiles, marble, granite, slate, stucco,paving stones, unglazed ceramic, sandstones, limestone, wood and other objects; it is durable and can be processed at low temperature; the composition may also include silicone based agents and acrylics and can provide a natural, satin or wet look to the construction material surface.
US08298668B2
The invention provides compositions of matter comprising coal body surfaces having improved characteristics for hydration and preservation of pristine surfaces, and which are compatible with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic liquid media. The coal body surfaces of the invention facilitate burning at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.
US08298667B2
The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.
US08298665B2
A power transmission belt comprising a polyester tensile cord having a heat shrinkage at 100° C. of less than 1% and/or a heat shrinkage at 150° C. of less than about 1.5% and/or a dimensional stability index of less than about 6%. The belt has a heat shrinkage after 24 hours at 100° C. of less than 1%. The polyester may be that sold under the trade name A360 or A363 by Performance Fibers, Inc. or equivalent polyethylene terephthalate. The tensile cord is particularly suited for use in V-belts for variable speed drives.
US08298664B2
A dental material comprising a symmetrically rod-shaped fiber-reinforced composite comprising at least two layers of preimpregnated fibers, wherein the preimpregnated fibers comprise fibers coated with a resin, wherein the layers are unbraided, and wherein each layer is unidirectionally disposed on the preceding layer in a direction that is different from the direction of the preceding layer. The rod-shaped composite may be hollow and contain a channel throughout the axial length of the rod or may contain a shaft or other material that is inserted into the channel.
US08298649B2
The invention relates to an article having a nanotextured surface with superhydrophobic properties, comprising an array of vertical tabs, preferably regular, wherein the pillar array fulfils the following conditions: the surface fraction of the pillars Øs is such that 3%≦Øs≦13%, preferably 5%≦Øs≦12%, preferably 5%≦Øs≦13%, even better 5.5%≦Øs≦13%, even better 6%≦Øs≦13%, and better still 8%≦Øs≦13%; the pitch p of the array is such that 100 nm≦p≦250 nm; the height h of the pillars is such that 100 nm≦h≦400 nm, preferably 250≦h≦400 nm, even better 300≦h≦400 nm; and the lateral surface of the pillars is inclined at most by an angle of ±20°, preferably ±10° or even better ±5°, in relation to the vertical axis of the pillars.
US08298648B2
A pad element may include a base member, a pair of cover layers, and a plurality of insert elements. The base member defines a plurality of apertures. The cover layers are secured to opposite surfaces of the base member and extend across the apertures. The insert elements are located within the apertures and between the cover layers. As examples, the base member and the insert elements may be formed from polymer foam materials, and the cover layers may be formed from textile materials. The pad element may be utilized to attenuate impact forces and provide one or more of breathability, flexibility, a relatively low overall mass, and launderability.
US08298646B2
A composite article includes a matrix having first and second opposing surfaces defining a transverse dimension and a filler material embedded in the matrix. The filler material presents a density gradient in the transverse dimension wherein a minimum filler density is at the first surface. In one embodiment, the composite article is a non-laminated article defining first and second regions wherein the first region encompasses the first surface. The first region has a filler-to-matrix ratio that varies along the transverse dimension, the filler-to-matrix ratio being at a minimum at the first surface. The first region can include one or more additives. A method for forming a composite article includes injecting first and second compositions into a die head at different points so as to produce a partially mixed composition that is discharged from the die head. The second composition contains less filler material than the first composition.
US08298645B2
A composite velour fabric garment includes a laminate consisting of an outer woven shell layer, an inner thermal layer of knit construction, and an intermediate layer disposed between and laminated to each of the shell layer and the thermal layer. The outer woven shell layer contains spandex in at least a weft direction for stretch and recovery in a width direction. The knit construction of the inner thermal layer provides stretch in at least a width direction, in harmony with the shell layer, and the inner thermal layer has a raised surface facing inwardly, away from the shell layer. The raised surface includes a plurality of discrete pillar regions of sinker loop yarn arranged in a grid or box pattern and configured to form a plurality of intersecting channels between a wearer's body and the inner thermal layer. The intermediate layer has controlled air permeability, including zero air permeability. One or more of the outer, inner, and intermediate layers include flame retardant material.
US08298639B2
A pipe or a supplementary pipe article comprising a polyethylene composition comprising a base resin which comprises: (A) a first ethylene homo- or copolymer fraction having an MFR2 in the range of 300 to 700 g/10 min, and (B) a second ethylene homo- or copolymer fraction, wherein fraction (A) has a lower average molecular weight than fraction (B), wherein the base resin has a density in the range of 0.945 to 0.949 kg/cm3 and an MFR5 in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 g/10 min and a comonomer content of higher than 2.0 wt.-% and a SHI(2.7/210) in the range of 55 to 100.
US08298638B2
The invention includes a copolymer of vinylidene chloride with at least one monounsaturated comonomer and at least one branching monomer in an amount sufficient to increase molecular weight over that of a polymer prepared using the same process and same monomers in the same relative amounts except without the branching monomer, but preferably the branching monomer is present in a quantity not sufficient to result in measurable crosslinking as determined by solubility in tetrahydrofuran at up to 83° C. The invention includes a process for making the polymer and processes for forming the copolymer or compositions thereof as well as articles comprising the copolymer and compositions thereof. The copolymer exhibits improved bubble stability and is particularly useful for processes in which the copolymer is at least partially oriented in formation such as blow molding, formation of monofilament fiber and film blowing.
US08298637B2
The invention relates to an element, in particular a photopolymer unit, with a rear layer and a top layer which are joined to one another to form a sealed bag in which a precursor of a plastic which can be polymerised with electromagnetic radiation is contained, in particular a photopolymer. The top layer is made from a cast plastic. The invention further relates to the production of a printing plate from this element.
US08298636B2
Provided is an EVOH resin composition suitable for use as a multilayer structure serving as a material for molded articles, in particular, liquid container such as bags for bag-in-boxes. The EVOH resin composition has such flexibility that even when used in applications where the resin composition is repeatedly folded or deformed over a long period, the resin composition does not develop pinholes or the like, and further has excellent gas barrier properties and melt molding stability.
US08298626B2
A method for processing a substrate in a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes disposing a first confinement ring set in a first position. The method also includes depositing a first coating on a first portion of the plasma processing system using a first plasma in a first area defined by the first confinement ring set in the first position. The method further includes depositing a second coating on a second portion of the plasma processing system using a second plasma in a second area between the first confinement ring set in the first position and a second confinement ring set. The method yet also includes processing the substrate using a third plasma with the first confinement ring set disposed in a second position.
US08298614B2
Method of depositing a multilayer coating with a variety of oxide adhesion layers and organic layers
An improved vapor-phase deposition method and apparatus for the application of multilayered films/coatings on substrates is described. The method is used to deposit multilayered coatings where the thickness of an oxide-based layer in direct contact with a substrate is controlled as a function of the chemical composition of the substrate, whereby a subsequently deposited layer bonds better to the oxide-based layer. The improved method is used to deposit multilayered coatings where an oxide-based layer is deposited directly over a substrate and a SAM organic-based layer is directly deposited over the oxide-based layer. Typically a series of alternating layers of oxide-based layer and organic-based layer are applied.
US08298604B2
Technique for making a Low-Fat Yogurt-Cheese-Oil Composition, including: forming a milkfat-oil composition including a milkfat fluid and an oil; combining yogurt with the milkfat-oil composition to form a yogurt-milkfat-oil composition; combining milk protein with the yogurt-milkfat-oil composition; and forming a blend including the milk protein and the yogurt-milkfat-oil composition. Low-Fat Yogurt-Cheese-Oil Compositions.
US08298602B2
Highly purified Stevioside and Rebaudioside A were prepared from sweet glycoside extracts obtained from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves. The resulting sweeteners are suitable as non-calorie, non-cariogenic, non-bitter, non-lingering sweeteners, which may be advantageously applied in foods, beverages, and milk products.
US08298592B2
A hair growth stimulant having excellent hair growth stimulation and hair growth effects without any side effects, which contains a carbonized pine cone. The inventive hair growth stimulant has an excellent hair growth stimulation effect without causing any side effects or toxicity to the human body, while it can stimulate hair roots to greatly influence the growth of hair so as to prevent hair loss and white hair. Also, it can be provided in the form of creams or ointments having an excellent effect on hair growth stimulation, and thus can considerably shorten a treatment period. It can keep the anagen-stage hair by increasing the blood flow of the scalp, and it consists of a vegetable preparation, and so has no side effects to the human body. In addition, it can be used through smooth application to a head, and thus is easy to use.
US08298582B2
A polysaccharide-based solid material including, in its mass, at least one active agent having bactericidal, fungal, insecticidal and/or flame-retardant properties, and at least one complexing agent and/or at least one polymeric matrix having a complexing agent. The active agent includes at least one compound selected from the group including boron, silica, aluminum, phosphorus, iodine, derivatives thereof, aluminosilicate derivatives, and mixtures thereof. The solid material is characterized by an improved stability and by reduced environmental impact, and makes it possible to prepare materials based on wood particles and woods having a particular resistance against environmental attacks such as moisture.
US08298577B2
Opiate containing dosage forms and methods using same are described. These dosage forms include substantially less opiates by weight than known oral formulations. These dosage forms are intended for oral administration across the oral mucosa.
US08298567B2
The present invention provides a polymer delivery system for the in vivo binding and release of growth factors, preferably orthobiologic GF, comprising a hyperbranched polymer having physiologically-acceptable anionic phosphorous groups. The hyperbranched polymer is preferred to be a polyurea with phosphonate anions. This polymer can be cross-linked to form a network and provide a coating for implanted devices.
US08298566B2
The invention provides a bone material having a specific surface area of at least 80 m2/g and a protein content of less than 1800 ppm.
US08298565B2
A method for depositing a coating comprising a polymer and pharmaceutical agent on a substrate, comprising the following steps: discharging at least one pharmaceutical agent in a therapeutically desirable morphology in dry powder form through a first orifice; discharging at least one polymer in dry powder form through a second orifice; depositing the polymer and/or pharmaceutical particles onto the substrate, wherein an electrical potential is maintained between the substrate and the pharmaceutical and/or polymer particles, thereby forming the coating; and sintering the coating under conditions that do not substantially modify the morphology of the pharmaceutical agent.
US08298553B2
A personal care composition comprising a eutectic mixture, the eutectic mixture comprising a CB receptor activating agent, in which the CB receptor is preferably palmitoylethanolamide. A method of mitigating scalp itch.
US08298547B2
The present invention relates to the provision of novel immunogens comprising an antigenic IgE peptide preferably linked to an immunogenic carrier for the prevention, treatment or alleviation of IgE-mediated disorders. The invention further relates to methods for production of these medicaments, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositing thereof and their use in medicine.
US08298541B2
The invention relates to vaccine compositions including CEV serogroup immunogens, attenuated and inactivated viruses of the CEV serogroup and chimeric Bunyaviridae. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing CEV serogroup infection in a mammalian host, methods of producing a subunit vaccine composition or an immunogenic composition, isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a CEV serogroup immunogen, methods for detecting La Crosse virus (LACV) infection in a biological sample and infectious chimeric Bunyaviridae.
US08298530B2
This invention is directed to a stable lyophilized pharmaceutical formulation prepared by lyophilizing an aqueous formulation comprising a high concentration, e.g. 50 mg/ml or more, of an IgG antibody in about 5-25 mM histidine buffer having pH from about 5.5 to about 6.5, about 0.005%-0.03% polysorbate, sucrose, and optionally serine, and/or mannitol. This lyophilized formulation is stable at room temperature for at least 6 months, and preferably 1 year. This lyophilized formulation has a short reconstitution time of less than 2 minutes, and is suitable for parenteral administration such as intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous injection. This invention is exemplified by the anti-IL2 receptor antibody.
US08298529B2
Demethylation of a methylated DNA sequence in a eukaryotic cell is described, utilizing a molecule that includes at least a first domain that exhibits a cytidine deaminase activity and at least a second domain that confers either a specific or non-specific DNA binding activity. The molecules of the invention are useful in somatic cell nuclear transfer and also in cancer therapy.
US08298527B2
Helicobacter based preparations comprising a pharmacologically active molecule of interest are disclosed, as well as methods of preparing and using said preparations. In particular, Helicobacter pylori vectors, vector plasmids and recombinant cells that include a sequence encoding a pharmacologically active molecule of interest useful in therapeutic treatments and/or vaccination against disease are provided. Delivery of the pharamacologically active molecules is provided at the mucosal surface, such as the gastric mucosa or nasal membranes, to provide effective and continuous delivery of a pharmacologically active agent. Vectors and shuttle vector constructs are also provided.
US08298523B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical, dermatological, cosmeceutical, or cosmetic compositions comprising (a) interleukin-1 family members consisting of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 family member 5 (delta), interleukin-1 family member 6 (epsilon), interleukin-1 family member 7 (zeta), interleukin-1 family member 8 (eta), interleukin-1 family member 9, interleukin-1 family member 10 (theta), and interleukin-18; (b) a peptide of the general formula (I): Tyr-X1-X2-Phle-X3-X4-Y, wherein X1 is Gly, L-Ala or D-Ala; X2 is Gly, L-Ala or D-Ala; X3 is absent or independently Leu, Met, Iie, or Val; X4 is absent or independently Ala, Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln, Pro, Arg, Gly, Lys, Thr, or Ser; Y is absent or a sequence of 1 to 5 amino acid residues; and acceptable carriers or diluents.
US08298521B2
The present invention relates to altering the physical and/or chemical properties of at least part of at least one tissue in the eye. In a specific embodiment, it relates to the treatment of any eye disorder, although in particular embodiments the individual has a thickened Bruch's membrane. An activating energy source is utilized to effect a controlled diffusion enhancement and/or degradation of Bruch's membrane that enables improved diffusional transport between the choroid and retina. The individual is administered an inactivated diffusion-enhancing molecule that becomes associated with the membrane, which is then precisely exposed to an activating energy source, such as light or ultrasound.
US08298519B2
The invention provides a hair treatment composition comprising a hair substantive polymer, the hair substantive polymer comprising a polymeric backbone bearing: (a) at least one side chain which is formed from a hair fiber targeting group which is covalently linked to the polymeric backbone, the hair fiber targeting group being a non-cationic species which is capable of specifically interacting with the protein surface of the hair fiber in a non-covalent interaction having a bond energy ranging from 0.5 to 3 Kcal/mol, when the composition is applied to hair; (b) preferably, at least one side chain which is different to side chain (a) and which comprises a hair benefit agent. Compositions of the invention provide for deposition and delivery of benefit agents to hair in a more efficient and targeted manner.
US08298515B2
A pharmaceutical aerosol foam composition, comprising: an effective amount of a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein said pharmaceutically active ingredient is a vitamin or analogue thereof; an occlusive agent; an aqueous solvent; an organic cosolvent; wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is insoluble in both water and the occlusive agent; and the occlusive agent being present in an amount sufficient to form an occlusive layer on the skin, in use. In a second embodiment, an oil-in water emulsion having a vitamin, an occlusive agent; an aqueous solvent; and an organic cosolvent, wherein the occlusive agent is present in an amount sufficient to form an occlusive layer on the skin.
US08298509B2
A method is provided for electro-gasification of pet-coke, including the steps of providing a pet-coke material; treating the pet-coke material to obtain a treated pet-coke material having an average particle size of between about 20 and about 106 μm; and exposing the treated pet-coke material to electro-gasification conditions to produce synthesis gas and/or hydrogen. Extraction of metals from the pet-coke is facilitated.
US08298508B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for improving the production of alumina hydrate. The invention involves adding one or more polysaccharides to liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the production process. The one or more polysaccharides can be a cross-linked polysaccharide (such as cross-linked dextran or cross-linked dihydroxypropyl cellulose). The various polysaccharides can impart a number of advantages including at least some of: greater flocculation effectiveness, increasing the maximum effective dosage, faster settling rate. The production process can be a Bayer process.
US08298500B2
A process and apparatus are disclosed for the purification of epichlorohydrin. The process includes distilling and/or fractionating a feed stream containing epichlorohydrin, dichlorohydrin(s), and one or more other substances, subjecting at least a portion of the liquid phase effluent to a dichlorohydrin dehydrochlorination process for converting residual dichlorohydrin(s) in the liquid phase effluent to epichlorohydrin, and recovering purified epichlorohydrin from the vapor phase effluent in which the distillation/fractionation pressure and/or temperature of step (1) is adjusted to retain at least 5 weight-percent epichlorohydrin in the liquid phase effluent. The apparatus for making purified epichlorohydrin includes a dehydrochlorination apparatus, a first liquid-vapor contacting apparatus, and a second liquid-vapor contacting apparatus connected to the dehydrochlorination apparatus for recycling a distillate to the dehydrochlorination apparatus. Advantages include more efficient recovery of epichlorohydrins and reduced capital investment in recovery equipment.
US08298499B2
The present disclosure provides for a chemical reactor which includes elongate chambers defining an arrangement and including first, second, and third elongate chambers adapted to support respective distinct first, second, and third reactor functions associated with respective first, second, and third process feeds, and a distributor arranged in fluidic communication with each of the elongate chambers and for connecting the elongate chambers to at least one fluid source. The distributor is dimensioned to produce a two-dimensional radial distribution of fluidic flow through the first, second, and third elongate chambers with respect to the first, second, and third process feeds. The chemical reactor may further include a monolith catalyst support including an N×M array of channels including the elongated chambers. The elongate chambers and the distributor may manifest an interchangeable cartridge-based system wherein the arrangement of the elongate chambers is selectably detachable from the distributor and replaceable.
US08298498B2
An apparatus and method of loading reagent in a specimen handling device is disclosed, where the apparatus includes a deck with a plurality of positions defined thereon and each of the positions visually marked by a distinct one of a first set of icons. Each of a plurality of trays is removably securable to a selected one of the positions on the deck and includes the distinct one of the first set of icons visually marking the selected one of the positions. Reagent receptacles on each of the plurality of trays are visually marked by a distinct one of a second set of icons, and a kit is provided with a plurality of containers with selected reagents therein, each of the containers being visually marked by the distinct one of the second set of icons visually marking the receptacle into which that reagent is to be poured. The fluids including specimen samples and reagents are moved between tubes during processing without directly passing over tubes which the reagents could contaminate. The apparatus may be used in a method including emptying reagents into the reagent receptacles that are visually marked with the same distinct one of the set of icons visually marking the reagent container, and mounting the trays in selected positions in the specimen handling device.
US08298496B2
A fluidic configuration, both structural and methodological, for the injection of sample greatly reduces dead volume allowing rapid transition to 100% sample in a flow cell. For a continuous flow injection analysis system the structure and method provide counter flows to remove in one direction the dispersed region of the sample to waste before injecting non-dispersed sample into the flow cell by reversing the effective flow direction. The injection point itself is directly adjacent to the flow cell where all channels are microfluidic channels. Therefore, only the flow cell volume needs to be displaced during injection of sample in order to achieve 100% transition to sample within the flow cell. This greatly accelerates the rise and fall times thereby extending the kinetic range of the real-time interaction analysis instrument. In addition such rapid transition to sample improves overall data quality thereby improving kinetic model fitting.
US08298493B2
The heat exchange apparatus provides a flow passage for the heat exchange fluid comprising a succession of flow passage chamber portions separated from one another by intervening throttle forming passage portions of smaller cross section, and therefore of smaller flow capacity, transverse to the flow direction, so that the heat exchange fluid moves at a higher velocity in the throttle forming portions than in the chamber portions. The fluid is moved at a rate such that its velocity in the throttle forming portions is high enough to reduce the thickness of the fluid boundary layer on the passage wall and thereby facilitate the heat exchange. Alternatively, or in addition, the velocity is high enough to at least reduce the rate of fouling of the passage wall surface. Alternatively, or in addition, the fluid flows as eddy vortices, the spacing of the chamber portions along the passage being such that wake interference flow is established which enhances the rate of heat exchange. The exchanger is intended principally for use in combination with a spinning tube in tube reactor with a very small annular cross section reaction passage between them, the exchanger also being of tubular form with the stator tube constituting a wall of the heat exchanger.
US08298490B2
The present invention is directed to systems and methods of synthesizing trichlorosilane. The disclosed systems and methods can involve increasing the concentration of the solids in the slurry to recover or separate the volatilized metal salts and reduce the obstructions created by the solidification of the metal salts in downstream operations of the during trichlorosilane synthesis. Rather than heating to raise the temperature to vaporize chlorosilane compounds, and subsequently condensing the volatilized chlorosilane compounds, the present invention can involve increasing the solids concentration in the slurry stream by utilizing a non-condensable gas, such as hydrogen, to volatilize the chlorosilane components, which can consequently promote evaporative conditions that can reduce the slurry temperature. The lower slurry temperature results in a lower volatility of the metal salts, which reduces the likelihood of carryover to downstream unit operations.
US08298482B2
Compositions and methods for reducing or eliminating malodors from air and surfaces in contact with air within indoor environments are described. One method provided is for the reduction or elimination of malodors from air and surfaces in contact with air within an indoor environment using hydrogen peroxide in the vapor phase generated and passively emitted from pH neutral to mildly acidic aqueous-based liquid compositions. A second method is provided for the reduction or elimination of malodors from air and surfaces in contact with air within an indoor environment using hydrogen peroxide in the vapor phase as sublimed from solid compositions containing at least one pH neutral to mildly acidic solid hydrogen peroxide-containing compound.
US08298481B2
A method for sterilizing a plastic bottle in an aseptic filling system according to which at least an inner surface or an outer surface of a bottle is sterilized by injecting a heated sterilizing fluid at 65° C.-90° C. while maintaining internal pressure of the bottle at 1 kPa-20 kPa.
US08298465B2
Provided is a microporous film which is made of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising (a) 100 parts by mass of a polypropylene resin and (b) 5 to 90 parts by mass of a polyphenylene ether resin, and which has a sea island structure comprising a sea portion comprising the polypropylene resin as a principal component and an island portion comprising the polyphenylene ether resin as a principal component, wherein pores are formed at an interface between the sea portion and the island portion and within the sea portion.
US08298461B2
A method for the measurement of the temperature of a plastified plastic material at the exit of an extruder, characterized in that the function of the sound velocity in dependence of the temperature is measured and memorized for at least one plastified plastic material, the sound velocity is measured during the extrusion of the plastic material, and the respective temperature is determined from the velocity measurement values and the function.
US08298460B2
The invention relates to a method for granulating and crystallizing thermoplastic polymers, the granules being contained in a liquid after granulation of a polymer melt and the granules being nucleated in the liquid once the pressure of the liquid is increased and the temperature of the liquid is increased, and the granules being crystallized in the liquid once the pressure of the liquid is again increased and the temperature of the liquid is again increased. According to the invention, the granules are removed from the liquid once the pressure and the temperature of the liquid containing the granules have been reduced.
US08298459B2
Methods and systems for fabrication of injection molded optical components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a moldplate having one or more cavities is configured to receive injected optical material within walls of the cavities. The cavities are designed with a predetermined geometric profile approximately corresponding to a predetermined optical profile of an optical element to be formed therein. When molten optical material is injected into the cavities of the moldplate, the injected optical material forms a meniscus due to surface tension between the optical material and the wall of the cavities. The meniscus thus provides a shape corresponding to the predetermined optical profile. The optical material is then rapidly cured with actinic radiation, and a desired optical element with high-precision dimensions is formed within the cavities of the moldplate. In some embodiments, the moldplate is spun around a spin axis such that the meniscus is adjusted to match the predetermined optical profile within a certain tolerance.
US08298456B2
The present invention relates to a silicone resin composition including a silicone resin and metal oxide fine particles dispersed therein, the silicone resin being obtained by reacting a siloxane derivative having at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkoxysilyl group and a silanol group at a molecular end thereof and having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) as determined by a gel permeation method of 300 to 6,000, with silica fine particles having silanol groups on a surface thereof.
US08298452B2
A negative type resist composition for a color filter including (A) a pigment dispersant, (B) a pigment, (C) an alkaline-soluble resin, (D) a polyfunctional monomer, (E) a photo initiator and (F) a solvent.
US08298451B2
This invention relates to reformer distillates as gassing additives for transformer oils. The reformer distillates have a 1-ring and 2-ring aromatics content of at least 98%, and are added such that the transformer oil contains less than 10 wt % of reformer distillate. The invention also relates to a method for preparing transformer oils containing reformer distillates and having excellent gassing tendency, oxidative stability, viscosity and volatility.
US08298448B2
A low-temperature fired ceramic circuit board with little warpage, few conductor wrinkles, low hygroscopicity, excellent dielectric properties, and a glass-free flat surface formed by simultaneously firing a conductor paste and a green sheet at 800 to 900° C. The green sheet comprises (1) glass powder including 35 to 39 wt. % SiO2, 9 to 17 wt. % Al2O3, 21 to 40 wt. % B2O3, 10 to 20 wt. % R′O (R′ being at least one of Mg, Ca, and Ba), 0.2 to 2 wt. % Li2O, and 0.5 to 2 wt. % MO2 (M being at least one of Ti and Zr), and (2) alumina powder, the weight ratio of glass powder to alumina powder being 4:6 to 6:4. The conductor paste comprises Ag-containing metal particles, binder, and a heat decomposable alkali metal compound, with 0.13 to 7.8 alkali metal atoms in the paste per 100 metal atoms in the particles.
US08298445B2
Microstructures, microdevices and related methods are disclosed.
US08298440B2
Methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting the polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer, such as styrene monomer, during elevated temperature processing thereof or during storage or shipment of polymer containing product. The compositions comprise a combination of a quinone methide derivative A) and a phenol compound B). The methods comprise adding from about 1-10,000 ppm of the combination to the monomer containing medium, per one million parts of the monomer.
US08298436B2
Fire extinguishing compositions and methods of extinguishing a fire comprising compounds of formula (I) where Rf is a fluorocarbon group. The compounds and compositions described herein are useful as intermediates in the preparation of or as additives to AFFF (aqueous film forming foam) formulations used for the extinguishment of fuel and solvent fires.
US08298434B2
A method of forming an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed. The method includes etching a surface of a substrate, followed by immersing the substrate in a solution containing surfactants to form a conditioner layer on the surface of the substrate, and immersing the substrate in a solution containing polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein to form a polymer-protected electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioner layer.
US08298431B2
Manufacturing method of flexible display panel and manufacturing method of electro-optical apparatus
A first etching stop layer and an active layer are formed on an inner surface of a first glass substrate, and a second etching stop layer and a cover layer are formed on an inner surface of a second glass substrate. A display media is formed between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate. A first passivation layer is formed on an outer surface of the second glass substrate. A first etching process is performed to expose the first etching stop layer. A first flexible substrate is formed on the exposed first etching stop layer, and a second passivation layer is formed on the first flexible substrate. The first passivation layer is removed. A second etching process is performed to expose the second etching stop layer. A second flexible substrate is formed on the exposed second etching stop layer, and the second passivation layer is removed.
US08298429B2
An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.
US08298426B1
A counter current supersaturation oxygenation method includes an apparatus, which includes a down flow tube, an upflow tube and a gas diffuser. The gas diffuser preferably includes a porous tube and a support frame. The porous tube is preferably wrapped in a spiral from a bottom of the support frame to a top of the support frame. A non-porous gas supply hose is connected to the porous tube. The gas diffuser is suspended inside the down flow tube at substantially a bottom thereof. One end of the upflow tube is connected to substantially a bottom of the down flow tube. A second embodiment of the apparatus preferably includes a down flow tube, the gas diffuser and a buoyant platform. A stream of liquid becomes oxygenated by passing down the down flow tube. The oxygenated liquid may flow up the upflow tube or down to any appropriate destination.
US08298409B2
A filter element for filtering liquids or gases, having a concentrically arranged filter medium with zigzag pleats. The filter medium is provided with end disks on its axial end faces, each end disk having an inside that is connected to the filter medium and an outside that faces away from the filter medium. At least a first end disk carries a valve element which is situated concentrically inside the filter medium. This valve element includes a valve seat which bulges outward above the plane of the outer side of the end disk. The valve element includes a valve body which cooperates with the valve seat and which is arranged on the first end disk so that it is axially movable and is inside of and surrounded by the filter medium.
US08298407B1
Embodiments of the Gas Vent are comprised of a horizontal float assembly, and a vertical gas valve assembly. The horizontal float assembly is connected via a fluid connection to a surge tank or any other connection to the overall gas processing system. The horizontal float assembly is comprised of a housing; a horizontal float; a flange; a sight glass; one or more sight glass valves; a horizontal float lever arm; a vertical valve hinge arm, and a hinge. The housing of the horizontal float assembly is essentially a large hollow process vessel with various openings and fittings formed by the housing to accept the various devices and. The horizontal float is a large, hollow vessel that partially floats on top of any liquid contained within the horizontal float assembly. As the horizontal float rises and falls in conjunction allowing gas to vent as it is accumulated.
US08298404B2
A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
US08298401B2
Analytes in a liquid sample are determined by methods utilizing sample volumes of less than about 1.0 μl and test times within about six seconds. The methods are preferably performed using small test strips including a sample receiving chamber filled with the sample by capillary action.
US08298397B2
A method for corrosion protection in a marine construction including a plurality of metal elements and at least one reference electrode at least partly immerged in water, the metal elements including an anode and a metal part, the anode being provided for corrosion protection of the metal part includes measuring an electric potential of the metal part with the reference electrode as a ground reference. At least one of the metal elements and at least one of the at least one reference electrode are connected to a DC electrical power outlet so as to allow an electrical regeneration current through an electrical circuit including the at least one of the metal elements, the at least one of the at least one reference electrode and the electrolyte so that the reference electrode is anodized.
US08298395B2
An apparatus for electroplating a rotogravure cylinder out of a plating solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plating tank adapted to support the cylinder and to contain a plating solution so that the cylinder is at least partially disposed into the plating solution. The apparatus also includes a non-dissolvable anode at least partially disposed within the plating solution. A current source is electrically connected to the non-dissolvable anode and to the cylinder. An ultrasonic system may be provided to introduce wave energy into the plating solution includes at least one transducer element mountable within the tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the transducer element. A holding tank having a circulation pump, a mixing system and heating and cooling elements for the plating solution may be provided.
US08298393B2
A device for electrophoretic analysis of multicomponent solutions comprises a capillary and vials for electrolyte and sample solutions. The device comprises streaming potential measurement means implemented to measure a potential difference between capillary ends and to form an electric connections with said capillary ends during capillary rinsing in such a way that said streaming potential measurement means and electrolyte inside capillary and vials form a closed measurement electric circuit. A means for generation of electrolyte flow is implemented so as to build up and maintain a preset differential pressure between capillary ends and wherein that streaming potential measurement means comprises means to disconnect said measurement electric circuit during electrophoretic analysis.
US08298391B2
An amperometric sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reference electrode. The sensor further includes a switch to selectably electrically connect the first electrode as a working electrode and to electrically connecting the second electrode as an auxiliary electrode during a first time interval. During a second time interval, the switch electrically connects the first electrode as the auxiliary electrode and electrically connects the second electrode as the working electrode. The switching of the two electrodes is repeated continuously as amperometric measurements are performed. Preferably, the sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer proximate the working electrode and the auxiliary electrode to clean the electrodes.
US08298385B2
A method and an apparatus are provided in which non-directional and directional metal (e.g. Ni) deposition steps are performed in the same process chamber. A first plasma is formed for removing material from a target; a secondary plasma for increasing ion density in the material is formed in the interior of an annular electrode (e.g. a Ni ring) connected to an RF generator. Material is deposited non-directionally on the substrate in the absence of the secondary plasma and electrical biasing of the substrate, and deposited directionally when the secondary plasma is present and the substrate is electrically biased. Nickel silicide formed from the deposited metal has a lower gate polysilicon sheet resistance and may have a lower density of pipe defects than NiSi formed from metal deposited in a solely directional process, and has a lower source/drain contact resistance than NiSi formed from metal deposited in a solely non-directional process.
US08298382B2
Apparatus for connection to a metallic structure, the apparatus comprises a transformer rectifier unit operable to output a DC current for cathodic protection of a metallic structure, and a modulator unit connected to receive a DC output from the transformer rectifier unit. The modulator unit is arranged for connection to a metallic structure, and is operable to produce a modulated current which is applied to such a metallic structure when the apparatus is in use, such that the metallic structure is detectable by a wireless locating device. The modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely.
US08298379B2
A chamber component for a substrate processing system is described. The chamber component comprises a primary member, and a deposit absorbing member coupled to the primary member, wherein the deposit absorbing member comprises a porous material configured to absorb material that is deposited on a surface thereof.
US08298367B2
A pressure sensitive adhesive composition includes (A) a bodied MQ resin containing (i) a resinous core and (ii) a nonresinous polyorganosiloxane group, where the nonresinous polyorganosiloxane group is terminated with a silicon-bonded hydroxyl group; (B) a treated MQ resin, where (B)/(A) ratio has a value of 0.3 to 5.0, and (C) a polydiorganosiloxane terminated with a condensation reactable group; where resin/polymer ratio has a value of 2.0 to 3.0; optionally (D) a crosslinker; optionally (E) a catalyst; and optionally (F) a solvent. A pressure sensitive adhesive product prepared by curing the pressure sensitive adhesive composition is useful in structural attachment applications such as structural glazing applications.
US08298366B2
Disclosed is an adhesive film having high dimensional stability which can be suitably used for two layer FPCs. Specifically, disclosed is an adhesive sheet composed of an insulating layer and an adhesive layer arranged on one side or both sides of the insulating layer. This adhesive sheet is characterized in that the insulating layer has a ratio E′2/E′1 between the storage elasticity modulus E′1 at 25° C. and the storage elasticity modulus E′2 at 380° C. of not more than 0.2 and a coefficient of thermal expansion in the MD direction of 5-15 ppm at 100-200° C. It is further characterized in that the change in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the adhesive sheet at 100-250° C. after heat treatment at 380° C. for 30 seconds under tension of 20 kg/m is not more than 2.5 ppm in the tension direction and not more than 10 ppm in the direction perpendicular to the tension direction.
US08298363B2
A manufacturing method of a solar module according the embodiment includes a step A of disposing one of the wiring members 11 on the light receiving surface of one solar cell of n solar cells, with a thermosetting resin adhesive 12 interposed therebetween, the wiring member being to be connected to a solar cell adjacently located on one side of the one solar cell, and disposing another one of the wiring members 11 on the back surface of the one solar cell with the resin adhesive 12 interposed therebetween, the wiring member 11 being to be connected to a solar cell 10 adjacently located on the other side of the one solar cell; a step B of bonding the wiring members 11 to the one solar cell by heating the resin adhesive 12 at a temperature higher than a softening temperature of the resin adhesive 12 but lower than a hardening temperature of the resin adhesive 12; a step C of bonding the wiring members 11 to all the n solar cells by repeating the step A and the step B alternately; and a step D of hardening the resin adhesive 12 by heating the resin adhesive 12 at a temperature equal to or higher than the hardening temperature of the resin adhesive 12 with the resin adhesive 12 being pressed against the wiring members 11.
US08298362B2
The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method for a PDP which allows even high-definition and ultra-high-definition PDPs to demonstrate an excellent image display capability at improved luminous efficiency, by suppressing variation of a discharge gas composition, and by eliminating an impurity gas in a discharge space effectively.To achieve the aim, deterioration of an absorbent material 39 composed of copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5-type zeolite is prevented, by performing both sealing and evacuation steps for the front substrate 2 and back substrate 9 in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere. This maintains properties of the absorbent material 39 for absorbing the impurity gas without degradation, even if the absorbent material 39 absorbs a Xe gas in a discharge gas introducing step.
US08298357B2
The present invention provides a high-strength aluminum alloy extruded product exhibiting excellent corrosion resistance and secondary workability and suitably used as a structural material for transportation equipment such as automobiles, railroad vehicles, and aircrafts, and a method of manufacturing the same. The aluminum alloy extruded product has a composition containing 0.6 to 1.2% of Si, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mg, and 1.3 to 2.1% of Cu while satisfying the following conditional expressions (1), (2), (3) and (4), 3%≦Si %+Mg %+Cu %≦4% (1) Mg %≦1.7×Si % (2) Mg %+Si %≦2.7% (3) Cu %/2≦Mg %≦(Cu %/2)+0.6% (4) and further containing 0.04 to 0.35% of Cr, and 0.05% or less of Mn as an impurity, with the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities. The cross section of the extruded product has a recrystallized structure with an average grain size of 500 μm or less.
US08298352B2
A magnet core (1) made of a composite of platelet-shaped particles of a thickness D and a binder has a particularly linear relative permeability curve over a pre-magnetised constant field. For this purpose, the platelet-shaped particles (5) are provided with an amorphous volume matrix (8), wherein areas (9) with a crystalline structure having a thickness d of 0.04*D≦d≦0.25*D and covering a proportion x of x≧0.1 of the surface (6, 7) of the particle (5) are embedded on the surface (6, 7) of the particle (5).
US08298342B2
A dedusting device and method is disclosed for the dry or moist dedusting (i.e., cleaning, dusting, or removal of dirt, dust, or other debris) from components, e.g., of motor vehicles. An exemplary method may generally include positioning a dusting tool driven by a drive motor in a predetermined dusting position such that the tool contacts or touches the component, and determining a first operating variable of the drive motor of the dusting tool when positioning the dusting tool in the predetermined dusting position. The first operating variable may reflect a mechanical load of the drive motor due to the contact with the component to be dusted. The method may further include calculating a corrected dusting position as a function of the predetermined dusting position and the first operating variable of the drive motor, and positioning the dusting tool in the corrected dusting position.
US08298341B2
A method is used for removing a metal contaminant deposited on a quartz member selected from the group consisting of a reaction tube, wafer boat, and heat-insulating cylinder of a vertical heat processing apparatus for a semiconductor process. The method includes obtaining the quartz member unattached to the vertical heat processing apparatus; then, performing diluted hydrofluoric acid cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of diluted hydrofluoric acid; then, performing first purified water cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of purified water; then, performing hydrochloric acid cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of hydrochloric acid; and then, performing second purified water cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of purified water.
US08298323B2
The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting information between a device within a housing to a second device, preferably a test or monitoring unit, outside of the housing. There are numerous issues associated with transferring information from within a sealed housing to an external device. In some cases, the use of wires inside the housing may be impractical, due to internal conditions, such as fluid flow, pressure or temperature. In one embodiment, the antenna of the external RF reading device is electrically connected to the dome of the housing. In another embodiment, the device within the housing is electrically connected to a housing component. In another embodiment, the gasket is used to pass information from within the housing to an external device.
US08298318B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and methods for the recovery of isotopes. In at least one exemplary method of the present disclosure at least one gas comprising a plurality of isotopes is provided. An electric field is generated in a radial direction to at least partially ionize the gas. A magnetic field is generated in an axial direction perpendicular to the radial direction and at least one isotope is recovered from the gas.
US08298315B2
The present invention relates to the use of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), and to processes for the recycling thereof. The processes according to the invention are characterised in that the LCDs are employed at least partly as replacement for other raw materials. In general, the LCDs are thermally treated here at a temperature in the range from 900 to 1700° C.
US08298312B2
A composter device is provided including a mixer and a grinder commonly driven and commonly located in a composting chamber of the device. A large opening at the top of the composting chamber permits large objects to be inserted into the chamber to permit the object to be ground and left to decompose to produce compost material in the same chamber. The grinder includes grinding elements arranged to produce a shearing action while the mixer includes an auger to produce a churning action when the ground matter requires periodic mixing during the decomposition process to produce compost.
US08298309B2
A liquid separator for separating a liquid from a gas flow comprising a housing (1) includes a baffle plate (4) provided between an upper housing portion (1A) and a lower housing portion (1B). The baffle plate prevents liquid contained in the gas flow from escaping from the liquid separator. Liquid separated at the baffle plate (4) is returned to the inlet (2) of the liquid separator.
US08298307B2
An abrasive that can impart a mirror finish, glossiness, or the like to a surface of a workpiece by blasting is provided. A crosslinked polyrotaxane compound having a network structure where crosslinking points are circular molecules of polyrotaxane and also having abrasive grains dispersedly mixed therein is obtained by causing chemical bonding between the circular molecules of the polyrotaxane in a state where the abrasive grains and the polyrotaxane are mixed. Then, the crosslinked polyrotaxane compound is granulated to a predetermined grain diameter to obtain a gel-like abrasive where a part of the dispersedly mixed abrasive grain is exposed at the surface. By using the thus-obtained gel-like abrasive in blasting by projecting the abrasive at an angle tilted with respect to a surface of a workpiece, mirror finishing or the like is possible without making the surface of the workpiece pearskin-like.
US08298304B1
A coal treatment process containing a coal-beneficiation process module. The module is implemented into the conventional coal treatment process of a coal-fired power plant after a first step of grinding the coal in a coal mill. The process module sequentially extracts chemical substances of non-combustible ash, water, mercury and oil that are found in coal before the coal is fired, so that present invention can produce valuable products and achieve a high quality cleaned powdered coal-char to burn in a furnace to thereby reduce pollution and increase the efficiency of energy production from the coal.
US08298297B2
Provided is a hair-treatment composition containing an amphoteric surfactant having a structure represented by general formula (1) below, and a sugar nonionic surfactant. In general formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group the carbon number of which is 6 to 20; R2 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a hydroxyethyl group; R3 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a —CH2COOH group; and n is an integer from 1 to 3.
US08298296B2
The present invention relates to a composition and a method of levelling hair color, especially lighter colored hair or including lightened streaks or bleached streaks or bleached as a whole and after certain period of time contrast—difference in color—between the re-growth and formerly lightened parts is clearly visible. The first objective of the present invention is an aqueous composition for levelling hair color comprising at least one fatty acid salt, preferably an in-situ formed ammonium salt, and one or more non-ionic surfactants at a total concentration between 5 and 30% by weight, calculated to total of the composition, and having a pH between 5 and 12, with the condition that non-ionic surfactant system has an HLB value not exceeding but including 10, calculated from the mol fraction of individual non-ionic surfactants excluding non-ionic silicone surfactants in the non-ionic surfactant mixture and individual HLB values of non-ionic surfactants. Furthermore, use of the composition for levelling hair color and a method of levelling hair color are disclosed.
US08298287B2
This invention relates to an intervertebral motion disc having two opposing endplates, a central articulating core, and a peripheral helical shock absorber.
US08298286B2
A vertebral augmentation system comprising a biocompatible mesh sheet having a first end and a second end. The mesh sheet includes a plurality of first strands having a first maximum extension intertwined with a plurality of second strands having a second maximum extension. The mesh sheet also includes a first interface portion adapted to contact a first vertebral bone and a second interface portion adapted to contact a second vertebral bone. The plurality of first strands have a greater elasticity than the plurality of second strands, and the plurality of second strands limit the plurality of first strands from reaching the first maximum extension when the first vertebral bone moves relative to the second vertebral bone.
US08298284B2
A whip stitched graft construct and method of formation. The whip stitched graft construct includes a plurality of tendon strand regions or soft tissue grafts placed together so that at least a portion of the plurality of the tendon strand regions are stitched together by employing multiple suture passes placed according to a whip stitching technique. Preferably, the multiple suture passes start at about the mid length of the plurality of tendon strand regions and are advanced toward one of the free ends of the tendon strands. The whip stitched graft construct is provided with at least two regions, one region formed of at least a plurality of tendon strand regions tied and whip stitched together, and the other region formed of untied segments of the plurality of tendon strands.
US08298276B2
A stent delivery system which is inserted into an endoscope and is for placing a stent inside a body cavity, this stent delivery system being provided with a long pusher catheter which is flexible; a guide catheter which can pass through the lumen of the pusher catheter in a freely advancing and retracting manner; and a stent which is disposed to the front end of the pusher catheter, and has a cylindrical stent main body into which the guide catheter can be inserted, and a grip piece that is attached so as to extend from the main body and consists of a long narrow member that is pliable and can be disposed in the space between the guide catheter when it is inserted into the lumen of the pusher catheter.
US08298275B2
A bone anchor assembly is provided, which may be used in cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral areas of the spine or other orthopedic locations. The anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver mounted to the bone anchor, a saddle within the receiver, a spacer within the receiver, and an engaging member. The receiver extends along a central longitudinal axis proximally away from the bone anchor. A rod or other elongated connecting element is received in a passage of the receiver in contact with the saddle, and the engaging member engages the connecting element against the saddle, which engages the saddle against the spacer, which in turn engages the proximal head of the bone anchor in the receiver. The orientation of the saddle in the receiver is adjustable to correspond to the orientation of the connecting element relative to the central longitudinal axis of the receiver.
US08298271B2
An instrument for insertion and placement of dynamic spinal fixation plates is provided. In general, the instrument is a clip that holds the plate at its maximum extension for implantation.
US08298270B2
Methods of assembling a vertebral anchor to a body shaped to receive a longitudinal member. The methods may include inserting a wear member and a head of an anchor into a cavity through an inlet in a first end of a body. The body may further include a second end with a channel to receive the longitudinal member. The method may include deforming the first end of the body and reducing a width of the inlet measured perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body and capturing the wear member and the head in the cavity. The method may also include compressing the wear member against the head of the anchor and increasing an amount of interference between the wear member and the head.
US08298269B2
A connector apparatus for use in orthopedic procedures includes a base portion and an extending leg portion that forms a channel. Part of the base portion can be placed atop or adjacent implanted fixation members (e.g. bone screws), and a locking member can be inserted through the base and into the fixation member to anchor the connector to the fixation member. A rod can be inserted into the channel and fixed to the connector by a set screw. The apparatus is useful in connecting a rod to a fixation member, particularly in situations in which a rod is already connected to the fixation member, as by a previous implantation procedure, for example.
US08298268B2
A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming washer (60) that is rotatably coupled to the set screw (50), the conforming washer including reduced ends to induce a coupled rod (80) to bend. A rod reduction system including an inner and an outer cannula (90, 100), the inner cannula (90) including a left and right arm (92, 94) that engage the swivel top head's (30) left and right arm (34, 36) and the outer cannula (100) dimensioned to securely slide over the inner cannula (90) to reduce the rod (80) into the swivel top head's (30) rod receiving area (38).
US08298263B2
The technology disclosed herein provides a device, system, and method for weaning a child off a sucking device, such as a pacifier, by introducing a series of sucking devices with successively smaller nubs. A child is given a first sucking device having a nub of a certain size, and, after a time period, the child is given a second sucking device having a nub smaller than that of the first sucking device. This method may be repeated in multiple iterations, until the child is weaned off sucking devices.
US08298262B2
A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.
US08298252B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for removing obstructive material within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a macerator device deployable from a sheath that includes an expandable cage carried by a shaft and within a constraint tube. The shaft is movable relative to the constraint tube for deploying and expanding the cage within a body lumen such that an open end of the cage is oriented towards obstructive material. The cage is advanced to capture the material or the material is directed into the cage using an expandable member expanded beyond the material and retracted to direct the material into the cage. The cage is withdrawn into the constraint tube to compress the cage radially inwardly. Material extending through apertures in the cage are sheared off by a sharpened edge of the constraint tube. The smaller, sheared off particles are then aspirated from the body lumen through the sheath.
US08298250B2
A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible sheath and a proximal manipulating section, and a cutting member for cutting the ligating member. The cutting member is provided on the manipulating device and is movably provided on the ligating member.
US08298242B2
Systems, devices and methods are provided for bending an elongate member used in a medical procedure. In one form, the device includes a bending mechanism having a plurality of engaging members are selectively positioned relative to a receiving area. In one embodiment, a first set of engaging members is positioned in a select arrangement, and a second set of the engaging members is movable relative to the select arrangement of the first set of engaging members to compressingly engage the elongate member to bend the elongate member to a desired shape/contour. The device also includes a heating element configured to apply heat to one or more portions of the elongate member to facilitate bending. In one form, the elongate member is formed of a heat deformable material, and heat is applied to soften one or more portions of the elongate member to provide added flexibility to facilitate bending.
US08298241B2
The invention relates to a universal extractor for total endoprostheses (TEP) of the knee joint. The object of the invention, namely to make available a universal extractor for artificial knee joints that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, is achieved by the fact that the universal extractor comprises the following parts: a T-piece with an extraction plate and with a securing arm, the securing arm being fork-shaped and slotted at its distal end and supporting the extraction plate at its proximal end; a scissor mechanism with clamping jaws located at its free distal ends, said securing arm holding the scissor mechanism by means of a securing pin about which the scissor mechanism can move; and an eyebolt which is mounted on the proximal end of the scissor mechanism and has a knurled nut, the eyebolt being adjustable and connecting the ends of the scissor mechanism to each other, so as to permit fixing or release of the clamping jaws which have a shovel-shaped, U- to V-shaped geometry.
US08298239B2
A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device comprising: a distal portion including a body and a distal arm extending from the distal end of the body, and an outrigger configured to be held by a user. The outrigger and the distal portion are selectively rotatable relative to each other such that the distal portion and the outrigger may be selectively moved out of alignment relative to each other when viewed from above.
US08298221B2
A sheath for use with a cryoprobe in a cryosurgical procedure can have an opening at its proximal end configured to be inserted over a tip portion of a cryoprobe. The sheath can be connected to the cryoprobe with an end connector. Sheath can have a tip located at its distal that can have a trocar configuration for tissue penetration. A cylindrical section located inwardly from the tip can have a spiral groove defined on an exterior surface. At least one wire can be disposed within the groove so as to fit within the outer perimeter of the sheath. Wires disposed in grooves can include heating elements and temperature sensing elements. Sheath can further include a graduated catheter located inwardly from the cylindrical section and a handle located inwardly from the graduated catheter.
US08298220B2
The present disclosure is directed to a cryoprobe capable of improving the cooling power of a cryosurgical system. A representative cryoprobe can comprise an inner cooling chamber and a radial chamber, positioned between the inner cooling chamber and an exterior wall of the cryoprobe. Preferably, the radial chamber is formed to have a low thermal conductivity so as to significantly reduce the transfer of heat between the body and the refrigerant in the inner chamber during a cryosurgical procedure. The radial chamber can be fabricated such that a vacuum can be applied to the radial chamber to further reduce heat transfer between the body and the inner cooling chamber. The radial chamber extends partially along the length of the cryoprobe such that inner cooling chamber is in direct thermal contact with the exterior wall at a cryoprobe tip.
US08298219B2
A method of cryogenically treating a tissue region is provided, including positioning a treatment region of a medical device proximate the tissue region; transferring coolant in a substantially liquid phase from a coolant reservoir to a subcooler; transitioning the coolant from the liquid phase into a supercritical state; transferring the supercritical coolant to the treatment region; changing the coolant from the supercritical state to at least one of a liquid phase and a gaseous phase at the treatment region; ablating the tissue region; and evacuating coolant from the treatment region of the medical device.
US08298218B2
A cryogenic medical device is provided, including a catheter body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion; a expandable treatment element on the distal portion of the catheter body; a plurality of granules disposed within the expandable treatment element; an encapsulation member surrounding the plurality of granules, the encapsulating member having a plurality of selectable geometric configurations; and an actuator element coupled to the encapsulation member for the selective adjustment thereof. A method for thermally treating a selected region of tissue is also provided.
US08298217B2
An elongated catheter device with a distal balloon assembly is adapted for endovascular insertion. Coolant injected through the device may, in different embodiments, directly cool tissue contacting the balloon, or may cool a separate internal chamber. Plural balloons may be provided, wherein a secondary outer balloon surrounds a primary inner balloon, the primary balloon being filled with coolant and acting as the cooling chamber, the secondary balloon being coupled to a vacuum return lumen to serve as a robust leak containment device and thermal insulator around the cooling chamber. One or more sensors may be disposed between the balloons or the vacuum return lumen, to detect leaks and control the flow of fluid through the device. Examples of sensors include pressure and temperature sensors, optical sensors, magnetic flow switches and flow meters.
US08298213B2
A medical instrument comprises a funnel having a tube with opposite first and second ends, respectively, with a conical portion at the first end. Conical portion has an outer conical surface which increases in outer diameter in a direction from the second end to the first end. A mouth is provided at an end of the conical portion distant to the end, and a lip extends about a part of the circumference of the mouth. The lip protrudes from the conical surface. A first grip is formed axially along the tube and provides a visual reference to the lip.
US08298197B2
A wound dressing includes a chamber (12) defining a treatment space (14) and at least one opening (20) communicating with the treatment space. In one embodiment, a plurality of channels are defined on an inner wall of the chamber. In another embodiment, a tube (31) extends through the chamber and into the treatment space and defines a plurality of openings (35) in a portion of the tube extending into the treatment space. In yet another embodiment, a tube extends through the chamber and into the treatment space and comprises a plurality of branches (37) extending to different regions of the treatment space.
US08298196B1
A positive-displacement needleless access connector includes a housing with a female luer fitting, a base with a male luer fitting, and a valve element with a proximal end that creates a seal in the housing, a septum, and a distal end that fastens to the base to vent the septum; the base and the valve element coupling to each other to create an assembly that has a greatest outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the housing.
US08298194B2
A refillable injection device (1) having a dose setting mechanism with a dose setting member (4) and a dose rod (11). The dose setting member and the dose rod engage during normal operation of the injection device, and they do not engage during change of cartridge. The dose setting member and the dose rod need to be moved into engagement when a new cartridge is inserted in the injection device. Thereby there is a risk that stress is build-up in the piston rod. In order to prevent this, the cartridge holder is operatively connected to the dose rod in such a manner that when a cartridge is being inserted in the cartridge holder, the dose rod is caused to move along with the piston rod in an axial direction, at least while the dose setting member and the dose rod are moved into engagement.
US08298191B2
A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient is disclosed in which an anchoring device comprising an anchor and a retainer is used. The retainer is attached to an upper surface of the anchor and comprises a base, a cover and a post. The base is disposed on the upper surface of the anchor and the cover is connected to the base so as to move between an open and a closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, it lies above at least part of the base. The post is attached movably to either the base or the cover and is arranged so as to lie at least partially between the cover and the base when the cover is in the closed position. When securing a medical article, the cover is placed in the open position and the medical article placed onto the retainer. The cover may then be closed over the medical article and the anchoring device attached to the patient.
US08298189B2
A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a splittable valve (150) and a split cap (180). The valve (150) is of the elongated duckbill type and having a slit (158) almost completely across the distal end wall (154) such that two diverging sides (156) of the distal valve portion may be moved apart during insertion therethrough of a dilator or a catheter. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps a seating flange (168) of the valve between itself and a seating groove (136) of the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with frangible sections or seams (108) of the sheath tube (102) and frangible sections (172) and slits (166) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.
US08298184B2
Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.
US08298171B2
After pressing a part of the exterior of a body of an administration instrument against a body region of a patient to which a drug solution is to be administered, an injection needle that is housed in the instrument body is automatically protruded from the body to insert the needle into the body region, and further, the injection needle being inserted into the body region is automatically housed in the instrument body to remove the needle from the body region. Thereby, the pain of the patient during needle insertion and needle removal is reduced, and administration at a constant speed is possible during injection of the drug solution. Furthermore, even when two kinds of drug solutions or a dissolving and mixing type drug solution are/is used, mixing can be easily and reliably carried out.
US08298170B2
A method for making a peritoneal dialysis therapy machine having a tubing set includes: packaging an end of each of a plurality of the tubes of the set in a body; arranging the tubes according to a sequence of steps of a dialysis treatment set-up so that a user is urged to remove the tubes from the single body in a desired order; and configuring the body to plug connectors attached to each of the ends of the tubes.
US08298164B2
Provided is a motion assisting device capable of assisting a periodical walking motion of a creature so as to conduct a smooth motion of a leg thereof. According to the motion assisting device, an assisting force applied to the creature so as to assist a leg of the creature in moving with respect to a body thereof is reinforced by an increment in an auxiliary coefficient increased in a reinforcement duration. Accordingly, the stretch motion of the leg at the on-ground state is assisted by a relatively stronger assisting force. Thereby, the body is conducted to translate forward by a floor reaction force subjected to the leg at the on-ground state. A flexion motion of the leg at an off-ground state is induced by a reflex (stretch reflex) to the stretch motion of the leg by the assisting force at a previous off-ground state.
US08298163B1
Non-invasive apparatus and methods are disclosed for treatment of soft-tissues of a human or animal body, and, more particularly, non-invasive treatment apparatus and methods for destruction of adipose tissues of a patient using focused delivery of ultrasonic energy in a group of focal zones.
US08298152B2
The present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring an access to a patient, in particular a vascular access in extracorporeal blood treatment, in which a patient's blood is withdrawn from the patient via an arterial conduit and is returned to the patient via a venous conduit. In the device according to the present invention and in the method according to the present invention, an alternating voltage signal, relative to a common ground potential, is coupled in and out of the arterial and venous conduits, and the blood flowing through the arterial and venous conduits is at ground potential. In this way, disturbances, which can be attributed particularly to movements of the conduits, are reduced.
US08298151B2
The present invention discloses a method and related apparatus for determining a cardiac parameter from either the arterial blood pressure signal or the photoplethysmographic signal to quantify the degree of amplitude modulation due to respiration (pulse pressure variation) and predict fluid responsiveness. The method involves the application of Lempel-Ziv complexity to a filtered and segmented physiologic signal for direct determination of the fluid status of a patient. Real-time monitoring of fluid status involves the implementation of the disclosed method as part of a bedside monitoring apparatus.
US08298148B2
A device for monitoring the heart of a patient including a housing, a computing device, an optical sensor adapted to provide signals to the computing device indicative of a distance from the optical sensor to a vessel carrying blood, as well a diameter of the vessel, a Doppler sensor adapted to provide signals to the computing device indicative of a velocity of the blood through the vessel, and an ECG sensor adapted to provide signals to the computing device indicative of a plurality of electrical stimuli that cause the heart to pump. The computing device uses signals from the optical sensor, the Doppler sensor, and the ECG sensor to compute parameters including oxygen saturation of the blood, blood flow, blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output.
US08298144B2
The present disclosure is directed to a combined photoacoustic (PA) and ultrasound imaging system capable of generating PA and ultrasound images simultaneously. These images can be combined and displayed in real-time. The PA images are acquired by firing a illumination system into a sample being imaged and beamforming the received photoacoustic signals. Ultrasound images are formed by transmitting ultrasound energy into the object and beamforming the reflected signals. The present disclosure describes a timing controller to allow the illumination system and ultrasound transmissions to be timed relative to one another. This allows both modalities to operate at close to their maximum frame rates while preventing signal interference.
US08298138B2
A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.
US08298129B2
A selectively loadable/sealable bioresorbable carrier assembly for retaining and positioning elements used in brachytherapy procedures comprises a bioresorbable tube having a closed distal end and a proximal open end. The bioresorbable tube is loaded with a selectable arrangement of elements, including at least one radioactive seed, through the proximal open end. After the bioresorbable tube is selectably loaded, the bioresorbable tube is heat sealed at a sealing position adjacent a proximalmost element. Once sealed, the bioresorbable tube maintains the arrangement of elements throughout the treatment duration.
US08298120B2
An acceleration shock reduction control system for a vehicle which can reduce a shock at a transition to an accelerating state without deteriorating an acceleration response. An acceleration shock reduction control system for vehicle includes a control unit which determines a transition from a decelerating state to an accelerating state, and which thus controls the ignition of an internal combustion engine to adjust the output of the engine. In the acceleration shock reduction control system, upon detecting the transition from the decelerating state to the accelerating state, the control unit gives an instruction for an ignition cut which is executed over a predetermined time period Tr after a predetermined waiting time period Tw elapses.
US08298118B2
A method for operating a motor vehicle hybrid powertrain having an engine, a motor-generator and a multi-speed automatically-shiftable transmission, wherein the engine and the motor-generator operate to supply torque to the transmission for driving a vehicle. The method includes modulating the torque supply from the motor-generator to the transmission during a gear shift to minimize a transmission output torque disturbance.
US08298116B2
Control of operation of a hybrid powertrain is provided, wherein mechanical power flow to an output is controlled through selective actuation of torque-transfer clutches. Electric machines are coupled to an energy storage system for electric power flow. The electro-mechanical transmission is operated in a continuously variable operating range state, and, operation of the transmission is monitored. Absence of a mismatch between the commanded continuously variable operating range state and an actual operating state of the transmission is determined. Presence of a mismatch between the commanded operating range state and the actual operating state of the transmission may be determined. Operation of the powertrain is modified when a mismatch between the commanded operating range state and the actual operating state of the transmission is detected.
US08298114B2
A planet gear assembly, including: a planet pin; a bearing comprising an inner race secured to the planet pin at a planet pin bearing end; a planet gear; and a compliant annular plate arranged to secure the planet gear to the planet pin. Compliance of the annular plate permits rotation of the planet gear when a planet gear axis of rotation is not coincident with an axis of rotation of a portion of the planet pin in the annular plate.
US08298113B2
The invention relates to a wind power turbine and a gearbox for same. In wind power turbines, the incoming moment is transmitted from a hub to a gearbox via a shaft, and from the gearbox to a generator. According to the invention, the gearbox is at least partially built into the shaft and/or the shaft is at least partially embodied as a rotary gearbox housing. The resulting compact construction not only renders the wind power turbine more compact and therefore significantly more economical and lighter, but in the event of a suitable design and use of a coupling gearbox, the moment generated can be transmitted in a highly secure manner.
US08298111B2
An automatic transmission includes an input shaft, an acceleration/deceleration output unit that is coupled to the input shaft and has a first element that selectively outputs a decelerated rotation or an accelerated rotation of the input shaft and a second element that outputs a same number of rotations as the input shaft, a multiple planetary gear set for shifting having third, fourth, fifth and sixth elements, a first clutch coupling the first element and the sixth element selectively, a second clutch coupling the input shaft and the fourth element selectively, a third clutch coupling the first element and the third element selectively, a fourth clutch coupling the second element and the third element selectively, a first brake fixing the third element selectively, a second brake fixing the fourth element selectively and an output shaft coupled directly to the fifth element.
US08298109B2
A transmission lubrication assembly includes a stator tube having a fluid passage and a sleeve bore, and a stator tube sleeve having a lubrication path provided along an external peripheral service thereof. In another aspect, the transmission lubrication assembly may include a solid input shaft rotatably received within the stator tube, a valve body, and a lubrication tube that provides fluid communication between the fluid passage and the valve body. In yet another aspect, a method of lubricating a transmission assembly includes providing a pressurized source of lubricating fluid, providing a stator tube comprising a fluid passage, and directing a portion of the lubricating fluid to a section of the transmission assembly by way of a stator tube sleeve, wherein the stator tube sleeve has an axial channel through which the lubricating fluid flows.
US08298101B2
The invention relates to a racket handle insert which is intended to be placed around at least part of the core (2) of the handle and which, once in position, forms a first bulbous configuration (40, 50) having a central bulge (R, R′), the transverse dimensions of each bulbous configuration diminishing continuously from the bulge towards the two axial ends thereof.
US08298094B1
A golf training apparatus for training short game and putting game techniques includes (1) an upright support having an upright post, (2) a sliding track assembly having a first track bar transversely mounted at the upright post, a second track bar movably coupled to the first track bar and ball bearings set between the first track bar and the second track bar for guiding sliding movement of the second track bar along the first track bar, and (3) a golf club lock having a locking unit for locking a golf club and a universal joint connected to the locking unit and joined to the second track bar of the sliding track assembly for enabling the golf club to be swung with the universal joint and moved with the second track bar relative to the first track bar by a user.
US08298093B2
A telescopic shaft including a male shaft including a plurality of first splines formed on an outer circumferential surface in an axial direction and a fixing groove and a derail prevention protrusion which are formed on outer circumferential surfaces at one end and a middle portion of the male shaft in a radius direction, a female shaft including a hollow and a plurality of second splines formed on an inner circumferential surface of the hollow corresponding to the plurality of first splines, a plurality of balls disposed between grooves of the plurality of first splines and grooves of the plurality of second splines, a leaf spring having a plate shape and inserted into the plurality of first spline grooves, and a fixing ring connected to the fixing groove and surrounding one end of the leaf spring to prevent the leaf spring from derailing.
US08298090B2
An attachment includes an attached portion that is attachable to, and detachable from, the outer circumferential surface of a game controller and a grip to be held by a user. The attached portion is formed such that the front end thereof is positioned further rearward than the light emitting part when the attached portion is attached to the game controller. According to the attachment, it is possible to prevent deterioration in recognition of the light emitting part by the image capturing unit.
US08298082B2
An information processing device (100) (game device) sequentially measures the distance between a display (290) and a controller (210). When the distance is equal to or smaller than an alerting distance, the information processing device determines that a player operating the controller (210) has come too close to the display (290), and suspends the progress of a game. After this, when the distance becomes equal to or larger than a release distance, the information processing device (100) determines that the player has gone sufficiently away from the display (290) and resumes the progress of the game. At this time, the information processing device (100) resumes the progress of the game by rewinding the progress by a certain stretch of time so that the player can easily continue the suspended game.
US08298074B1
A method for providing a personalized rewards program for slot machine players may involve monitoring activity of slot machine players on one or more slot machines during a reward event. The method may also involve determining reward credits to be provided to the slot machine players. The reward credits that are provided to a player may depend on that player's level of play during the reward event. The method may also involve distributing the reward credits to the slot machine players.
US08298072B2
A slot machine 10 of the present invention is provided with a lower image display panel 141 and a motherboard 70. The slot machine 10 carries out (a1) a process of running a game in which a predetermined number of game media are paid out according to the number of game media having been bet, (a2) a process of counting the number of games run in (a1), (a3) a process of displaying, by a gauge table divided into plural stages, the number of games counted in (a2), and (a4) a process of awarding a predetermined benefit when the number of games counted in (a2) reaches a predetermined game count.
US08298071B2
A slot machine of the present invention is provided with a plurality of BET input devices with each of which a player can bet game media in a different amount. The number of times that a game is played is counted in association with the BET input device with which a BET has been inputted in that game. A predetermined profit is offered based on the number of times counted in association with the BET input device.
US08298062B2
The present invention has an object of providing a gaming system that can allow a game to be advanced even by an inexperienced dealer. CPU counts a time by a timer as upon triggering at a predetermined timing, on a time axis on which the roulette game is advanced based on control of the roulette game control unit and displays on dealer-used display an instructional image stored to be associated with a timing data, in response to a time counted by the timer matching a time indicated by timing data stored in ROM.
US08298055B2
In a process and a system for controlling the pressure in an aircraft cabin the status of at least one aircraft door is detected by at least one detection device by transmitting a signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door to a unit for controlling an avionics ventilation system which is controlled in dependence upon the signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door in such a way that a build-up of pressure in the aircraft cabin is prevented when the signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door indicates that the aircraft door is not fully closed and secured.
US08298046B2
Retaining rings are presented with specially designed inserts that increase rigidity and improve heat dissipation. Inserts that are more rigid, and that have better ability to conduct heat, are inserted into pockets positioned along the outer portion of the rings. The pockets do not compromise the upper, lower or inner portion of the rings. Because the inserts are more rigid than the material used in the body of the ring, they absorb the deforming forces resulting from fastening the ring to the carrier head. Because they are better conductors than the material used in the body of the ring, the ring is better able to dissipate heat generated during polishing. Moreover, because the inserts are positioned in the outer portion of the ring, the inserts are not exposed to the polishing surface during polishing and therefore are less likely to react undesirably with the chemicals used during polishing.
US08298044B2
An inlaid stone composite broadly includes a stone body and a stone inlay secured to the stone body. The inlaid stone composite is constructed by forming a groove in the stone body, securing the stone inlay to the stone body by inserting the stone inlay within a groove of the stone body, with the stone body and stone inlay cooperatively forming an inlaid margin, and cutting longitudinally through the stone body and stone inlay to separate an inlaid margin strip from a remainder of the inlaid margin.
US08298043B2
Methods for extending the service life of a CMP pad dresser having a substrate and a plurality of superabrasive particles disposed thereon which is used to dress a CMP pad are disclosed and described. The method may include dressing the chemical mechanical polishing pad with the dresser; determining superabrasive particle wear by measuring a mechanical property of the pad, dresser, or combination thereof; and responding to the mechanical property measurement by varying pressure and RPM between the pad and the dresser in relation to the superabrasive particle wear in order to extend dresser life. Additionally, a method may include dressing the chemical mechanical polishing pad with the dresser; vibrating, in a direction substantially parallel to a working surface of the pad, a member selected from the pad, the dresser, a wafer being polished by the pad, or any combination thereof, to minimize a mechanical stress on the pad, dresser, wafer, or combination thereof; and varying the pressure and RPM between the pad and the dresser, including gradually increasing the pressure and/or the RPM between the pad and the dresser in a non-linear manner over time as the dresser is used, such that the dresser life is extended, wherein the pressure and the RPM is increased when the chemical mechanical polishing pad surface exhibits wear.
US08298038B2
A reconfigurable structure for use with toy vehicles is provided, the structure having a first tower structure having a plurality of floors each having an entrance and an exit; a lift movably secured to the first tower, the lift being positionable at any entrance of the plurality of floors of the first tower; a ramp movably secured to the first tower, the ramp being positionable at any exit of the plurality of floors of the first tower; a second tower structure having a plurality of floors each having an entrance and an exit; a lift movably secured to the second tower, the lift being positionable at any entrance of the plurality of floors of the second tower; a ramp movably secured to the second tower, the ramp being positionable at any exit of the plurality of floors of the second tower; and wherein the reconfigurable structure is capable of having a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration and the first tower has a connecting member configured to engage the second tower when the reconfigurable structure is in the stowed configuration.
US08298034B2
This invention relates to a method for the fabrication of electrical and electronic devices using a photoresist deposited in pre-existing through holes in a device structure and a thick film paste, and to the devices made by such method. The method allows thick film paste deposits in the corners of the holes. This invention also relates to devices made with thick film pastes that are patterned using a diffusion layer made from residual photoresist deposits in a hole.
US08298030B2
There is provided according to the present invention a manufacturing method of a spark plug that includes a cylindrical metal shell, a cylindrical ceramic insulator retained in the metal shell, a center electrode retained in the ceramic insulator and extending in an axial direction and a ground electrode having a rear end portion fixed to the metal shell and a front end portion formed with a protruding region facing a front end portion of the center electrode with a gap left therebetween and being of substantially uniform thickness except for an area where the protrusion is formed. The spark plug manufacturing method includes a press forming step for pressing the whole of a ground electrode material for constituting the ground electrode, so as to form a protruding region on a front end portion of the ground electrode material and a welding step for, after the press forming step, welding a rear end portion of the ground electrode material to the metal shell.
US08298028B2
A personal visibility mark may increase the visibility of a person in the water to operators of watercraft or the like and may be used in combination with a personal flotation device. The personal visibility mark may include a housing including at least one intake opening. The housing may be removeably coupled to a personal flotation device or may be an integral component of the personal flotation device. A pump may be disposed within the housing and may be fluidly coupled to the intake opening and at least one nozzle for expelling a stream of water from the nozzle to increase the visibility of a user. The stream of water may include an interrupted stream. The interrupted stream may be provided by modulating the power to the pump and/or providing a self-resonating nozzle.
US08298023B2
There is provided a hybrid outboard motor capable of transmitting motive power of a power source appropriately and efficiently in a limited space while achieving compactness, high performance, and the like. The hybrid outboard motor includes: a casing; a power unit housed in the casing; a screw disposed outside the casing, the screw being driven by the power unit; a power transmission system transmitting motive power of the power unit to the screw; an internal combustion engine and an electric motor serving also as a generator, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor being arranged in parallel in a beam direction in the casing; and a first clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, wherein one or both of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are connected to a propulsion unit including the screw so as to rotate it.
US08298021B2
A contacting terminal electrically connecting with an electrical element includes a soldering plate, a pair of facing confining plates extended upward from two opposite side edges of the soldering plate, an upward flexible arm extended from one end of the soldering plate, and a contacting portion extended from a free end of the flexible arm and beyond tops of the confining plates. The contacting portion is elastically pressed downward by the electrical element to realize an electrical connection therebetween and restricted between the confining plates. Tops of the confining plates are capable of stopping the electrical element pressing the contacting portion downward excessively.
US08298020B1
A central conductor of coaxial cable connector includes a barrel, at least one first spring plate group, and at least one second spring plate group. The barrel has two ends forming connection bores, opposite side surfaces respectively forming a first slit and a second slit, and top and bottom walls respectively forming a wall opening and a bottom wall opening. The first spring plate group and the second spring plate group are arranged opposite in direction to each other and each includes spring plates that are arranged to engage each other from upper and lower sides. Each of the spring plates has an end connected to the top or bottom wall of the barrel and an opposite end extending inward of the top wall opening or the bottom wall opening. As such, clamping force is enhanced, contact area is increased, and resiliency limit is improved, so as to provide excellent engagement between conductors.
US08298015B2
An electrical connector provides shielded signal pathways. The electrical connector includes a shield plate, a first finger that extends from an edge of the shield plate, and a second finger that extends from the edged of the shield and that is adjacent to the first finger. A channel is formed between the first finger and the second finger. A coupling is placed within the channel adjacent the first finger. The coupling includes a contact, a first connecting arm extending from a first end of the contact to a first portion of the first finger, and a second connecting arm extending from a second end of the contact to a second portion of the first finger. The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm provide at least two current paths from the contact to the first finger.
US08298013B1
An electrical connector has a housing that includes a carrier and a shield matable to define the housing. The carrier has terminal channels and terminal latches extending into the terminal channels. The shield having lead-in channels through a face of the shield. Terminals are received in corresponding terminal channels. The terminals are held in the terminal channels by the terminal latches. The carrier and the shield are molded as a single piece with a bridge connecting the carrier and the shield. The bridge is broken during assembly to allow coupling of the shield to the carrier. The lead-in channels are aligned with, and positioned forward of, the terminal channels when the shield is mated with the carrier. The lead-in channels guide mating contacts for mating with the terminals held in the terminal channels.
US08298011B2
A method for making a semiconductor device including: element isolation regions formed in a state of being buried in a semiconductor substrate such that an element formation region of the semiconductor substrate is interposed between the element isolation regions; a gate electrode formed on the element formation region with an gate insulating film interposed between the gate electrode and the element formation region, the gate electrode being formed so as to cross the element formation region; and source-drain regions formed in the element formation region on both sides of the gate electrode, wherein a channel region made of the element formation region under the gate electrode is formed so as to project from the element isolation regions, and the source-drain regions are formed to a position deeper than surfaces of the element isolation regions.
US08298007B2
Provided is an RF plug connector which includes: a conductive terminal portion; and an annular conductive coaxial portion that is arranged around the terminal portion, wherein a pair of conductive lead portions extending in the same direction is provided at the outer circumference of the coaxial portion, the terminal portion comprises a lead portion that is arranged between the pair of lead portions so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof, and impedance control is performed by adjusting the distance between the lead portion of the terminal portion and the lead portions of the coaxial portion.
US08298005B2
The present invention provides a coaxial connector element comprising: a body defining at least part of the outside surface of the connector element and carrying mechanical coding means of the connector element; a ground contact placed inside the body; an insert including a portion defining an insulator; and a central contact mounted inside the ground contact with the insulation interposed therebetween; wherein the body and the ground contact are made as a single part and by the fact that the insert includes a locking portion.
US08298004B2
Concepts and technologies described herein provide for securing a connector shell to a circuit board using a separate connector hat with elongated mounting posts. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a connector hat includes a one-piece body with a top surface and a pair of mounting posts. The mounting posts extend downwards from opposing side edges of the top surface. The posts are of sufficient length to extend beyond a bottom surface of a connector shell to which the connector hat is configured to attach, and through a bottom surface of an associated circuit board. The two-piece connector assembly design utilizing the connector hat with mounting posts allows the mounting posts to be manufactured at any desirable length to facilitate installation of the connector assembly to a circuit board.
US08297999B2
A connector structure of electrical equipment is for electrically connecting a PCU with a wire, including a waterproof cover having a projection formed at a position adjacent to a recess, a connector provided on a bottom surface of the recess and electrically connected to a control board provided in a casing, and a connector to be fitted to connector from outside of the casing. Connector is formed to include a fitting member to be fitted in connector, and a turn lever, pivotally supported to be rotatable about the fitting member and having a projection to be aligned with the projection when the fitting member is correctly fit in the connector.
US08297995B2
The invention relates to a device for preventing the establishment of an electric arc between two adjacent parts, which have no electrical insulation, of at least two electrically conductive elements, comprising at least one piece made of a dielectric material, said device having at least one through-opening for receiving at least one of said at least two electrically conductive elements so as to surround at least one of said at least two adjacent parts, which have no electrical insulation, of said at least two electrically conductive elements.
US08297989B1
A motherboard includes a printed circuit board and a number of power connectors mounted on the printed circuit board. Each of the power connectors includes a connector body, a cover, and a connecting arm connecting the cover to the connector body. The connecting arm includes a first connecting portion extending from the connector body, and a second connecting portion extending from the cover and rotatably connected to the first connecting portion. The connector body includes a number of pins. The cover defines a number of retaining slots correspondingly to retain the pins of the connector body.
US08297988B2
A plate-like terminal mounting structure is configured to attach a plurality of plate-like terminals in multiple tiers to a terminal holder for facilitated and effective positioning of the terminals in the terminal holder and prevention of undesirable impacts of the terminals upon a connection between the terminals and a circuit board. The terminal holder includes a plurality of ribs tapering toward their tips and parallel to each other. The terminal includes a recessed portions or holes for engaging the plate-like terminals with the ribs in a regular mounting position without gap left therebetween. The rib includes sloping surfaces on its four sides (front, rear, right, and left sides). The terminal holder includes a partition wall separating the terminals from each other, the partition wall being in one piece with the ribs. The plate-like terminals are arranged in multiple tiers in a height direction of the ribs. The recessed portion or the hole of the terminal in a lower tier is large, and the recessed portion or the hole of the terminal in the upper tier is small depending on tapering of the ribs.
US08297986B2
Various sockets for packaged integrated circuits and methods of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of mounting a semiconductor chip is provided that includes providing a package that has a base substrate with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second side has a central region. The package includes a semiconductor chip and a lid coupled to the first side. A socket is provided for receiving the base substrate. The socket includes a mound that projects toward the second side of the base substrate when the base substrate is seated in the socket to provide support for the central region of the base substrate. The package is mounted in the socket. The mound provides support for the central region of the base substrate.
US08297979B2
An interactive electronic device (10, 100) is disclosed. The device (10, 100) has a sequence of language symbols (18) and control electronics (16) operatively coupled to a graphic user interface (14) and a language-symbol selector (20, 20′) having a sight (22, 22′). The sequence of language symbols (18) and the language-symbol selector (20, 20′) are movable in relation to one another such that each language symbols of the sequence is viewable in the sight (22, 22′). The control electronics (16) has an electronic memory (30) having stored therein a plurality of traceable templates (32) representing each language-symbol of the sequence (18). Selection of a language symbol when the language symbol is viewable in the sight (22, 22′) causes the graphic user interface (14) to produce the traceable template (32) corresponding to the language symbol and to produce a visible rendering (34) of a movement of an affector (36) as the affector (36) races the traceable template (32).
US08297975B2
A reaction-curable adhesive composition exhibiting acidity is formed form a weakly acidic to alkaline composition (I) comprising (a) a polymerizable monomer and (b) a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a strongly acidic composition (II) comprising (a) a polymerizable monomer. R1—C6H4—NR2CH2COOR3 (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a functional group, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or a metal atom. The composition containing the polymerizable monomer can be stably stored for a long period of time.
US08297967B2
An ejector device is mounted in an injection molding machine and has a base, a driving assembly mounted through the base and a hydraulic cylinder and a transmission assembly driving the driving assembly. The driving assembly is further connected to a rotating die of a die assembly and moves recipricatorily and rotates the rotating die to displace a semi-manufactured plastic article from one set of die faces to another set of die faces to form another plastic layer. Thus, a plastic article with multiple layers or multiple colors is formed in one injection molding machine.
