US08335693B2

Systems and method of identifying shipping anomalies are provided. One anomaly detection module is configured to access data related to items in a delivery environment and determine the occurrence of anomalies based on the accessed data. The detected anomalies are evaluated with other accessed data to identify source, destination or routing errors and to correct same.
US08335678B2

Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for simulating a large, realistic computer network. Virtual actors statistically emulate the behaviors of humans using networked devices or responses and automatic functions of networked equipment, and their stochastic actions are queued in buffer pools by a behavioral engine. An abstract machine engine creates the minimal interfaces needed for each actor, and the interfaces then communicate persistently over a network with each other and real and virtual network resources to form realistic network traffic. The network can respond to outside stimuli, such as a network mapping application, by responding with false views of the network in order to spoof hackers, and the actors can respond by altering a software defined network upon which they operate.
US08335671B2

Determining the structure of permanent charge for an ion channel formulates an abstract operator, describing ion channel parameters, comprising equations that are ill-posed. The model of ion channel behavior relates the function of the ion channel to the structure of permanent charge within the ion channel and concentrations ions around the ion channel under certain properties and boundary conditions. The model also includes regularization of the abstract operator by approximating the ill-posed equations with a family of well-posed equations. An estimate of the closeness of the well-posed solution to the ill-posed solution is provided. Providing stable and convergent algorithms allows the model to determine a stability for the regularized solution, so that a regularization parameter can determine a balance between the stability and accuracy of the solution.
US08335662B2

The invention provides a sample analyzer by which a position of any error status in the sample analyzer can be easily found by a user to allow the user to carry out an error recovery operation in an accurate and prompt manner. The sample analyzer 1 comprises a sensor for detecting a status of a measurement unit 2 including an error status; a display section 400b; and a controller 400a for controlling the display section 400b so as to display recovery information for recovering the measurement unit 2 from the error status and an error-occurring place image regarding a place where an error has occurred, when the sensor detects the error status of the measurement unit 2.
US08335661B1

Various methods and systems for scoring applications are disclosed. One method involves generating a baseline measuring a parameter of a computer system. The parameter is related, directly or indirectly, to the energy consumption of the computer system. The method next involves installing and running an application on the computer system. The previously measured parameter is measured with the application running. Next, a score is calculated for the application based on the two measurements. This score indicates how green the application is.
US08335656B2

A short-circuit recognition method is disclosed, especially an early short-circuit recognition method, for an electric network. In at least one embodiment, in order to improve the switching times of protective devices, the current and the first and second temporal derivation thereof are continuously and consecutively determined at the same time and in the same temporal distance and are processed as respective digital sequences of numbers. Every sequence of numbers is associated with a defined threshold value, the numbers of the three sequences of numbers being compared with the respective threshold value associated therewith. Every number that exceeds the threshold value associated therewith is associated with a weighting variable and the weighting variables that pertain to the same time are added up to a first weighting sum. The first weighting sums are added to a second weighting sum for a defined number of directly subsequent times and the second weighting sum is compared with an additional defined threshold value. When the second weighting sum exceeds the defined threshold value, a short circuit is recognized.
US08335655B2

Mass spectrometer parameters used to tune a mass spectrometer for multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) are determined from a single injection of a sample. Two or more precursor ion scans and a plurality of product ion scans for each precursor ion scan are performed from the injection. Each precursor ion scan is produced with different mass spectrometer parameters that create a different level of ion current. The mass spectra of the precursor ion scans are analyzed to determine if saturation has occurred in any of the precursor ion scans. A precursor ion scan that produces the highest ion current with the least amount of saturation is selected. The mass spectrometer parameters used to tune the mass spectrometer for MRM are determined from (1) the mass spectrometer parameters of the selected precursor ion scan and (2) the mass spectrometer parameters of product ion scans from fragments of the selected precursor ion scan.
US08335653B2

A method of and system for evaluating performance of a plant population in an area of interest is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving input data from a user, the input data representative of at least one management parameter in the group consisting of: a total plant population in a selected sampling sub-area, a spacing of an individual plant relative to a nearest adjacent plant in the sampling sub-area, and a maturity of the individual plant relative to the nearest adjacent plant in the sampling sub-area. The system analyzes the input data in accordance with a mathematical model having an objective function for predicting a performance of a plant stand represented by a net effective plant population reduced from a benchmark plant population by deduction factors related to at least one of the management parameters.
US08335646B2

Techniques are provided for presenting a route using a route presentation that provides both a context map and one or more detail route maps. Narrative instructions for the route also may be presented. The presentation of the context map and the one or more detail route maps may be interactive. The route presentation also may be user controllable such that a user may control the portions of a route that are printed. The route presentation also may include a re-routing feature that allows a user to request that a new route be identified that avoids a particular maneuver or maneuvers in a route.
US08335635B2

A method of operating a vehicle including, during operation of the engine, receiving a control signal broadcast from outside the vehicle including instructions for modifying a vehicle operating parameter and modifying the vehicle operating parameter in accordance with the instructions.
US08335629B2

A method for controlling a valve of a crank case scavenged internal combustion engine includes determining a valve control sequence, wherein the valve is controlled in consecutive periods of revolutions each having a period length of at least ten revolutions, and controlling the valve according to the valve control sequence to adjust the ratio of fuel to air in a combustible mixture delivered to an engine combustion chamber. Determining the valve control sequence for each period includes providing a number of valve shut-off positions, wherein the number of valve shut-off positions corresponds to an amount of fuel or air to be supplied to the engine during the corresponding period, and determining which revolutions of the period that the valve is to be closed.
US08335620B2

A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.
US08335607B2

In one embodiment a control system for linking a plurality of electrically driven road vehicles together is disclosed, the control system having: a coupling input and a coupling output disposed on each of the plurality of vehicles, each coupling input of each vehicle being configured to releasably engage each coupling output of another vehicle to provide a mechanical and electrical coupling of the plurality of vehicles together; and a control system located on each of the plurality of vehicles, the control system communicating with the coupling input and the coupling output to detect when the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle via a respective coupling input or coupling output, the control system being further configured to operate in a lead vehicle mode or a trailing vehicle mode when the control system detects that the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle, wherein the lead vehicle mode causes the control system of the lead vehicle to control another vehicle coupled to the lead vehicle and the trailing vehicle mode causes the control system to be controlled by the lead vehicle coupled to the vehicle.
US08335596B2

A server device includes a storage device to store policies that govern the manner in which a curtailment operation or a replenish operation are performed. The policies include a threshold associated with a quantity of power consumption permitted by smart grid devices or another threshold associated with a minimum quantity of power to be supplied by a smart grid device. The server device also includes a processor to obtain, via a web service enabled by a tunneling protocol, a quantity of power consumed by the smart grid devices and another quantity of power to be supplied by the smart grid device; compare the threshold with the quantity of power; send an instruction to perform the curtailment operation when the quantity of power exceeds the threshold; compare the other threshold with the other quantity of power, when the quantity of power is less than the threshold; and send another instruction to perform the replenish operation when the other quantity of power is less than the other threshold.
US08335589B2

A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a semiconductor wafer handling robot and a semiconductor wafer cassette. A robot blade boot is attached to a robot blade of the semiconductor handling robot. The robot blade boot decreases a value of tolerance for the robot blade to move between two semiconductor wafers in the semiconductor wafer cassette. In one embodiment the vertical tolerance is decreased to approximately twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020″) on a top and a bottom of the robot blade boot. The use of the robot blade boot makes the calibration steps more critical and precise. The robot blade boot is removed from the robot blade after the calibration process has been completed.
US08335586B2

There is provided an automatic vending machine having a vending machine main unit, a gas supply unit furnished with a discharge mechanism section for discharging a gas, and a control means for controlling operation of the vending machine main unit and gas supply unit. The vending machine main unit and the gas supply unit are interconnected via the control means. The gas supply unit includes a cup-shaped breathing member to discharge gas toward the customer.
US08335583B2

An embroidery data generating apparatus that generates embroidery data for an embroidery pattern includes a boundary line acquisition device that acquires boundary line data that is data that specifies a boundary line that surrounds a closed region, a unit area arrangement device that contiguously arranges first unit areas over the entire closed region, each of the first unit areas being a rectangular area that includes a unit line segment, a coverage rate computation device that computes a coverage rate that is a ratio of the closed region in each of the first unit areas, a determination device that determines whether a stitch will be formed on the unit line segment in each of the first unit areas, based on the coverage rate, and an embroidery data generating device that generates the embroidery data for the embroidery pattern that is formed by the cross-stitches.
US08335579B2

A method of restoring a corrupted audio signal includes the steps of inputting the corrupted audio signal in a first channel, inputting one or more further correlated audio signals in one or more further channels, and restoring the corrupted audio signal using a Multi-Channel Autoregressive (AR) Model that models the corrupted signal as a linear combination of scaled time shifted portions of the further signal(s) and the corrupted signal. Embodiments are described in which the method is used to improve received audio signals in DAB receivers and mobile telephones.
US08335578B2

The present invention provides a reproducing apparatus for reproducing a plurality of pieces of content data stored in a content data storage unit according to a play list defining reproduction order of the content data. The apparatus includes a play list storage unit, a request information generating unit, and a play list reconstructing unit. The play list storage unit stores the play list having a play list generating rule and identifying information for identifying the content data matching the play list generating rule. The request information generating unit generates reconstruction requesting information for requesting reconstruction of the play list. The play list reconstructing unit reconstructs at least a part of the play list stored in the play list storage unit into a play list having the play list generating rule corresponding to an apparatus use condition in response to the reconstruction requesting information generated by the request information generating unit.
US08335574B2

A device for controlling power comprising a power source input, at least one power contact or outlet, a power control relay, a digital signal input port and a digital signal detector. The device controls power from the power source input to the at least one power contact or outlet by operation of the power control relay. The power control relay opens or closes based on the presence of a digital signal or lack thereof. The detection of the presence of the digital signal or the lack thereof is accomplished by the digital signal detector electrically coupled to the digital signal input port. Detection of a digital signal may be accomplished by using one or more Ethernet signal detectors capable of detecting data transmission or the presence of PoE. Additionally, a method is taught to control power to power consuming devices by using the aforementioned device.
US08335573B2

For the purpose of controlling safety functions as part of a system controller which is not oriented to safety functions in an automation system, the invention provides safety modules having a sound functionality and provides a safety protocol which transmits data in the form of safety messages, wherein input and output parameters from each safety module are encapsulated by the safety protocol, and the individual safety modules are logically combined with one another in terms of data and flow by means of a data transmission link in line with the system's safety functions which are to be controlled, the data interchange taking place between the safety modules on the basis of the safety protocol.
US08335564B2

An adaptive cardiac resynchronization therapy system delivers biventricular stimulation to the heart with dynamic AV delay and VV interval. The stimulation is modified continuously in correlation with the hemodynamic performance of the heart. The system uses a spiking neural network comprising spike controller (42) that learns to associate the VA interval based on hemodynamic sensor temporal patterns. The associated VA interval replaces the sensed atrial event signal during atrial fibrillation episodes.
US08335563B2

An implantable medical device with an inductive switching regulator having an inductor with a ferromagnetic core is described. The device incorporates a core saturation detector for detecting saturation in the inductor core indicating the presence of a magnetic field such as produced by an MRI scan. The device is configured to alter its behavior when core saturation is detected such as by entering an MRI mode that may include cessation of therapy, fixed-rate bradycardia pacing, and/or disablement of tachyarrhythmia therapy.
US08335557B2

There is described a system for carrying out and monitoring minimally-invasive interventions with an x-ray device, in which at least one x-ray emitter and a x-ray detector are attached to one or more robot arms of one or more multi-axis articulated-arm robots, with which they are able to be moved for recording images from different projection directions on a predeterminable path around a patient support facility. The system includes a control and evaluation unit with interfaces for catheters and devices for carrying out the minimally-invasive intervention. The control and evaluation unit is embodied for the processing of measurement and/or image data which it receives from the catheters and devices and for control of the catheters and devices for recording the measurement and/or image data. With the proposed system the workflow is covered completely and seamlessly from the examination to the therapy, especially in the treatment of tachycardial arrythmias.
US08335556B2

Smooth guiding through the inside of a body cavity is carried out by a magnetic field applied from the outside of the body. The provided capsule medical device (1) includes a bio-information detecting device (5) for detecting bio information of the inside of a body cavity; a magnet (12) for receiving a guidance magnetic field applied from outside the body and generating a driving force; a coil (7) for receiving a position-detection magnetic field applied from outside the body and generating a position-detection signal; a filter device (8), connected to the coil (7), for attenuating an induction signal component which is generated by the guidance magnetic field incident on the coil (7); and a wireless transmission device (10) for externally transmitting the position-detection signal which has passed through the filter device (8) and the bio information which has been detected by the bio-information detecting device (5).
US08335553B2

A system and method for generating three dimensional CT-type information from a conventional C-arm fluoroscope imaging system. A small number of fluoroscope images are used, taken from angles whose pose is determined by means of a three-dimensional target attached to the region of interest, aided by the participation of the surgeon or an image processing routine to pinpoint known anatomical features in the region of interest of the patient. This procedure enables the reconstruction of virtual images in any desired plane, even in planes other than those accessible by the C-arm imaging process, such as the axial plane of a vertebra. Use of this system and method of marking of the feature to be treated in a small number of angularly dissimilar images, enables the generation of CT-type information which can be used to accurately align a robotically guided surgical tool with the anatomical feature.
US08335551B2

A picafina device that is an electrode for measurement of neuron electrical activity where the number of measurement points is very large, and methods of selecting a subset of available measuring electrodes on the surface of the device. The device can keep the selection for a predetermined length of time, or for an indefinite length of time, both under control of the researcher or the neurosurgeon. Selecting a different measuring pad, or a combination of pads, is equivalent to making measurement at a different location or on a nearby neuron. Several parallel measurements can be made, in which case correlations can be made between the firing of different neurons.
US08335546B2

A slave device is charged directly from a cellular phone. The slave device can be charged along with the cellular phone or from the internal battery of the cellular phone. When the slave device is connected, a “click” sound is played through an enunciator of the cellular phone.
US08335535B2

A wireless base station controls to decrease a transmission power of a first wireless terminal corresponding to signal quality information exceeding lower limitation of a range in which a transmission scheme to be selected remains unchanged and being below a first threshold value, which is greater than the lower limitation and smaller than upper limitation of the range, among a plurality of wireless terminals corresponding to signal quality information belonging to the range, while controlling to increase a transmission power of a second wireless terminal corresponding to signal quality information being equal to or greater than the first threshold value so that a transmission scheme having a better transmission efficiency is selected, thereby to improve throughput of a communication between the wireless base station and the wireless terminal.
US08335526B2

A mobile participation platform enables a wireless network operator or third party to solicit response data related to a specific time and location specific event by signaling multiple mobile device users that meet predefined qualifications. The qualifications include presence at the specific location at the specific time, and may include other characteristics, such as prior consent to receive solicitations, and particular device type or data collection functionality. The platform locates mobile devices that may qualify for participation, and generates and transmits a solicitation. Mobile devices receiving the solicitation may activate a participation client to acknowledge the solicitation and to contribute by submitting the requested response data, which may include photos, text, sensor data, audio, video and the like. The qualifications are verified, the response data is validated, and anonymity and privacy are maintained by associating the mobile device and other pertinent non-identifying information with an encrypted identifier.
US08335525B2

Systems and methods for reporting of presence information associated with use of a mobile telephone are presented. In one example, a headset that is paired with a cellular mobile phone relays presence information to a presence application running on a computer.
US08335524B2

A method of providing advertisements to mobile devices located in a geographic region is disclosed. Current weather condition information and data representing an advertisement are obtained. A size of an advertisement area for the advertisement based on the current weather information is determined. The size of the advertisement area is decreased during a poor weather condition. A position of a first mobile device is obtained and if the position of the first mobile device is located in the advertisement area, the advertisement is provided to the first mobile device.
US08335514B2

Dynamically splitting jobs in wireless system between agnostic processor may comprise evaluating a job that a wireless mobile communication device may be requested to perform. The wireless mobile communication (WMC) device may evaluate a requested job to determine if one or more tasks may be sent to a remote device. The WMC device may consider such factors as information pertaining to the WMC device itself, information relating to the connection between the devices, and/or information pertaining to the remote device. This information may comprise such data as power availability in the wireless mobile communication device, processing load in the WMC device, processing and/or storage capabilities of the remote device, and characteristics of the connectivity between the two devices.
US08335504B2

Provided are exemplary embodiments including a methods, software and devices for providing Quality of Service (“QoS”) information the user of a mobile communications device while present at a geographic position. The embodiments include methods and devices for receiving a communication signal on a wireless communication device while located at the geographic location, measuring a characteristic of the communication signal pertinent to the proper operation of the wireless computing device in addition to signal strength; and providing a cognizable rendition of the quality of the characteristic to the user by the wireless communication device. The cognizable rendition may be a bar indicator or other audio, visual, vibratory, olfactory or tactile indicator.
US08335498B2

In one embodiment, a server maintains a plurality of fax messages associated with a user. Each fax message of the plurality of fax messages has a state that indicates at least a status of read or unread for the fax message. A HTTP connection is established between the server and a phone that serves as a client through which the plurality of fax messages are viewable. States of one or more fax messages are identified at the server and at the phone that serves as the client. One or more synchronization actions are performed, using the HTTP connection, to synchronize the one or more fax messages at the server and the one or more corresponding fax messages at the phone that serves as the client.
US08335496B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for playing local device information over a telephone connection. In one aspect, a method includes establishing, by a first electronic client communication device, an audio connection between the first electronic client communication device and a remote second electronic client communication device, determining that a user has selected a control of the first electronic client communication device, selecting, with a computer system and in response to determining that the user selected the control, text data that is associated with the user or the first client communication device, translating, with the computer system, the text data into a speech signal, and playing the speech signal to the remote second client device over the audio connection by electronically inserting the speech signal into the audio connection.
US08335495B1

The graphical display capability and the digital data communication capability of wireless mobile handsets are used to present a customized directory of a called enterprise on the display screen of the mobile handset to allow the caller to identify their desired call destination by name. A directory database stores directory information for each call destination of the enterprise. An incoming call to an enterprise IVR unit causes a directory manager to generate a request for user data which is forwarded to the mobile handset via a gateway. The mobile handset opens a data connection and forwards the user data to the directory manager. The directory manager evaluates at least one access rule in response to the user data to select relevant directory information from the directory database, and the directory manager forwards the relevant directory information to the mobile handset for display. Then the user of the mobile handset selects a call destination based on the displayed directory information.
US08335484B1

Systems and methods for dynamically controlling an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in order to conserve power are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a receiver device comprises a tuner configured to receive a signal, at least one programmable analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a digital signal processing hardware comprising a control logic. The exemplary control logic is configured to generate a control signal to configure components within the receiver device to conserve power at the ADC.
US08335483B2

A receiver device, A system and a method for reception of a signal having an amplitude that has been modulated with information, wherein a resistive element is provided that converts an electrical quantity into a physical parameter.
US08335469B2

An underwater communications system is provided that transmits electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals to a remote receiver. The transmitter includes a data input. A digital data compressor compresses data to be transmitted. A modulator modulates compressed data onto a carrier signal. An electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna transmits the compressed, modulated signals. The receiver that has an electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna for receiving a compressed, modulated signal. A demodulator is provided for demodulating the signal to reveal compressed data. A de-compressor de-compresses the data. An appropriate human interface is provided to present transmitted data into text/audio/visible form. Similarly, the transmit system comprises appropriate audio/visual/text entry mechanisms.
US08335467B2

A relay station that relays radio signals between a base transceiver station and a mobile station includes a downlink amplifier that amplifies a downlink signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile station, an uplink amplifier that amplifies an uplink signal from the mobile station to the base transceiver station, a paging response signal detection unit that detects a paging response signal with which the mobile station responds to a paging signal for paging the mobile station, and an amplification control unit that starts amplification control with respect to the downlink amplifier and the uplink amplifier when the paging response signal has been detected by the paging response signal detection unit.
US08335466B2

An access node comprising a processor configured to promote allocation of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) resource to a relay node. The PDCCH resource is configured for use by the relay node. The access node is further configured to exclusively control allocation of the PDCCH resource.
US08335461B2

An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable belt member; stretching means for stretching the belt member; steering means for stretching and steering the belt member, wherein the steering means includes a rotatable portion rotatable with rotation of the belt member, a frictional portion, provided at each of opposite axial end of the rotation portion, for slidable contact with the belt member, supporting means for supporting the rotatable portion and the frictional portion, a rotation shaft rotatably supporting the supporting means, and the steering means is capable of steering the belt member by rotation thereof by forces resulting from sliding between the belt member and the frictional portion, wherein each of the frictional portions is provided with an inclined surface which is inclined to be further from a rotational axis of the rotation portion axially toward an outside, and wherein the belt member is contacted to at least one of the inclined portions.
US08335447B2

A fixing device irradiates an unfixed toner image formed on the recording paper that is conveyed by an endless belt for conveying recording paper, with laser light so as to fuse the toner and fix the toner image. The fixing device includes a controller which makes such control as to convey the recording paper so as to pass through the position of the focal point of the laser light and bring the surface of the endless belt away from the position of the focal point of the laser light when conveyance of the recording paper is stopped.
US08335446B2

An image forming apparatus includes an encoder that detects a first pulse signal relevant to a conveyance velocity of an intermediate transfer belt, an encoder that detects a second pulse signal relevant to a conveyance velocity of a transfer-paper conveying belt, a print control unit that performs feedback control by using a count value of the first pulse signal per unit time and a target conveyance velocity value common between the conveyance velocity of the intermediate transfer belt and that of the transfer-paper conveying belt so that the conveyance velocity of the intermediate transfer belt attains the target value and also performs feedback-control by using a count value of the second pulse signal per unit time and the target value so that the conveyance velocity of the transfer-paper conveying belt attains the target value.
US08335438B2

According to particular embodiments, a signal communicated from a transmitter to a receiver is received. A frequency offset estimate of the signal is determined. The frequency offset estimate indicates a frequency difference between the transmitter and the receiver. The frequency offset estimate is provided as feedback. A next frequency offset is compensated for according to the feedback.
US08335437B2

A time synchronization method and a time synchronization device in a passive optical network (PON), and a PON are provided. The method includes receiving a synchronization packet sent after time synchronization of an optical line terminal (OLT) with a master clock (MC) is achieved, wherein the synchronization packet carries a timestamp TMt1i determined after the time synchronization of the OLT is achieved, adjusting a local clock according to the timestamp to achieve time synchronization of an optical network unit/optical network terminal (ONU/ONT) with the OLT, and after the time synchronization of the OLT is achieved, instructing an slave clock (SC) to perform time synchronization. A time synchronization device and a time synchronization system for implementing the method in a PON are further provided.
US08335436B2

An electronic apparatus is provided and includes a light transmitting module configured to convert an electric signal into an optical signal and emit light, a light receiving module configured to receive the light emitted from the light transmitting module and convert the optical signal into an electric signal, and a mover unit configured to cause at least one of the light transmitting module and the light receiving module to carry out linear movement along an optical axis of the light emitted from the light transmitting module and/or rotation about the optical axis.
US08335435B2

Provided is a network system for controlling devices which operate in response to an infrared signal. The network system includes modules and a home server. The modules output the infrared signal for controlling the devices in response to command data or analyze path information of the command data, forward the command data to next one of the modules, and receive infrared control signals generated by the devices. The home server includes ID numbers of the modules and the path information of the command data for allowing the command data to reach each of the modules and outputs the command data or receives the infrared control signals. Therefore, the network conveniently control the devices using the infrared control signal even when the modules are too distant from the home server for the infrared signal to reach the devices at a time or obstacles are placed in front of the modules. Also, the network system performs authentication processes among the modules using time information to prevent the modules from malfunctioning by another infrared signal or command data.
US08335434B2

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for all optical distributed arbitration for computer system components (1801-1804) communicatively coupled via a photonic interconnect in a computer system device. The embodiments of the optical arbitration in the computer system provides arbitration schemes with fixed priority (2000) and non-fixed priority (1830, 2200). The non-fixed priority scheme embodiments can provide fairness in arbitration. In some embodiments, delivery of light power and arbitration are combined (1830, 2001).
US08335431B2

An apparatus comprising an optical line terminal (OLT) configured to transmit a bandwidth map (BWmap) for a plurality of burst signals to be transmitted by a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), wherein the BWmap comprises a plurality of allocations, and wherein each allocation comprises a start time for the allocation, a grant size for the allocation, and a header error correction (HEC) for the allocation.
US08335425B2

In performing stereoscopic view, a shift information memory (21) stores, as a number of pixel lengths, an offset indicating how far in a right direction or a left direction to move coordinates of pixels to realize stereoscopic view. When realizing stereoscopic view, a plane shift engine (20) moves the coordinates of image data in a graphics plane in the right direction or the left direction by the number of pixel lengths indicated by the offset. When a scale of video data targeted for stereoscopic view is changed by a basic graphics plane (15), a shift distance of pixel coordinates by the plane shift engine (20) is based on a number of pixel lengths obtained by multiplying the offset by a changed scaling factor in the horizontal direction.
US08335421B2

An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitting unit that outputs at least one optical signal having a wavelength included in an operation wavelength band and a holey fiber that is connected to the optical transmitting unit. The holey fiber includes a core and a cladding formed around the core. The cladding includes a plurality of holes formed around the core in a triangular lattice shape. The holey fiber transmits the optical signal in a single mode. A bending loss of the holey fiber is equal to or less than 5 dB/m at a wavelength within the operation wavelength band when the holey fiber is wound at a diameter of 20 millimeters.
US08335418B2

A fiber optic cable includes a plurality of optical fibers, strength material surrounding the plurality of optical fibers, and a polymer jacket surrounding the strength material. If present, any lay length of the optical fibers is greater than or equal to about 500 mm. If present, any lay length of the strength material is greater than or equal to about 500 mm. When wrapped one turn around a 10 mm diameter mandrel, each of the optical fibers is configured to exhibit a bend-induced optical attenuation of less than 0.5 dB at an 850 nm wavelength.
US08335414B2

A diffraction grating coupler which includes an optical waveguide having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the optical waveguide having a grating on one of its surfaces. The diffraction grating coupler further includes an elastic polymer film deposited on and attached to the optical waveguide, the elastic polymer film partially surrounding the optical waveguide and leaving one of the two surfaces of the optical waveguide open, the diffraction grating coupler being mountable on a specimen by attaching the elastic polymer film to the specimen.
US08335412B2

An optical fiber coupler includes a receiving interface and two lenses. The receiving interface is configured for matching and connecting to an external optical fiber of a particular diameter within a range of 62.5 μm to 100 μm, and for receiving optical signals from the external optical fiber. The two lenses are configured for coupling the received optical signals. A distance between the two lenses falls within a range from 0.5 mm to 0.95 mm. A curvature radius of each of the two lenses falls within a range from 0.3579 mm to 0.3898 mm.
US08335405B2

An apparatus and accompanying method to measure fiber twist. The method includes independent determination of fiber bending by measuring strain sensing in outer cores of the same fiber. The apparatus includes a multi-core optical fiber comprising a center core and a plurality of peripheral cores at a distance radially from the center core and running parallel to the center core. The center core includes at least one fiber Bragg grating with polarization-dependent reflectivity. The fiber Bragg grating reflects the launched light as reflected light. The apparatus includes a multi-core optical fiber bend sensing system operable to communicate with the multi-core optical fiber. The multi-core optical fiber bend sensing system is operable to sense a bend in the multi-core optical fiber. The apparatus includes a processor operable to communicate with the polarization controller. The apparatus includes a polarization vector analyzer operable to communicate electronically with the processor, and optically with a portion of the light launched into the central core of the optical fiber. The polarization vector analyzer is operable to measure the state of polarization of the launched light. The polarization controller is operable to align the polarization of the launched light with the minor axis or the major axis of birefringence of the FBG. The processor is operable, after the polarization controller aligns the polarization of the launched light, to determine a twist in the multi-core optical fiber based on the polarization of the launched light and the bend in the multi-core optical fiber.
US08335401B2

Systems and methods of performing quantitative measurements of blocking artifacts in digital images and digital image sequences that are computationally efficient, and that employ no reference information in the measurement process. At least one normalized gradient image array is calculated, with reference to at least one specified gradient direction, from image pixel data contained in an image pixel array derived from a given digital image. The calculated results are accumulated into at least one profile array, and the data contained in the respective profile array is analyzed in the frequency domain to obtain a quantitative measurement of blockiness in the given digital image.
US08335396B2

An image output apparatus includes an addition amount calculation unit that calculates, based on a target pixel and each of adjacent pixels before and after the target pixel in an input image, an edge enhancement addition amount to be added to a pixel value of the target pixel; a variation calculation unit that calculates a linear variation in accordance with a shape of an edge gradient formed by the target pixel and each of the adjacent pixels; a weight processing unit that assigns a weight to the edge enhancement addition amount in accordance with the linear variation; and an addition amount addition unit that adds the weighted edge enhancement addition amount to the pixel value of the target pixel and outputs the added pixel value.
US08335389B2

The purpose of the invention is to improve the Bezier approximation accuracy with relatively high speed processing so far as data amount permits, and to provide an image processing device and image processing method thereof which improves the Bezier approximation accuracy within the predetermined processing time.
US08335379B2

A method, system, and product for separating an image into a set of layers (background, foreground, and selector) and processing those layers to produce an output image of reduced size with improved compression and greater image quality. Each pixel of image data is processed based on signals produced from the set of layers and their attributes. The method includes determining values for signals being processed based on a look-up table or template, as well as changing values based on each pixel and its neighboring pixels.
US08335369B2

A method of inspecting a photomask includes directing radiation from a radiation source onto a photomask so that at least a portion of the radiation is transmitted through the photomask. A first photomask image is detected from the transmitted portion of the radiation transmitted through the photomask and perceptible at a second side of the photomask. A second photomask image is created by applying an exposure simulation model to a photomask design. A difference between the first photomask image and the second photomask image is then determined.
US08335358B2

A method for reconstructing a medical image of an object in a reconstruction process, where image data is achieved by a medical imaging system by collecting a real measured projection image data of said object, in which method an antipriori component is deter-mined for modelling artifacts caused by the imaging system and/or reconstruction method. The antipriori component is used for attenuating said artifacts from the medical image of said object to be reconstructed in said reconstruction process.
US08335346B2

In one aspect, a method to identify a candidate object includes receiving an image of the candidate object and projecting the received image onto an image subspace. The image subspace is formed from images of known objects of a class. The method also includes determining whether the candidate object is in the object class based on the received image and the image subspace using a likelihood ratio. The likelihood ratio includes a first probability density indicating a probability an object is in the object class and a second probability density indicating a probability an object is not in the class. The first probability density and the second probability are each a function of a distance of the received image to the image subspace.
US08335340B2

A loudspeaker comprising a housing provided with a magnet unit that generates a magnetic field, and a membrane which is mounted in a frame and which is provided with an electrical conductor arranged in a pattern on the membrane, which membrane is positioned in the magnetic field in such a manner that a force is exerted when current is fed through the conductor pattern on the membrane, which force is capable of setting at least part of the membrane in motion so as to produce sound, wherein a part of the conductor pattern extends beyond the plane of the aforesaid movable part of the membrane near at least one end of the membrane. Preferably, the aforesaid part of the conductor pattern makes an angle of about 90 degrees with the aforesaid movable part of the membrane.
US08335339B2

To propose a speaker unit and a speaker apparatus enabling to improve the strength of a voice coil bobbin and sound output in high quality with a simple structure, there are provided that a magnetic circuit forming a magnetic gap in slit form, a frame for storing and holding the magnetic circuit, a diaphragm attached to be vibratable to the frame, a flat-type voice coil bobbin disposed so as to pass through the almost center of the magnetic gap, in that its one end is combined with the diaphragm, a voice coil is adhered to its surface, and convex and concave parts for improving the strength of the diaphragm in the vibrating direction are formed on the surface, and a damper attached to the frame to support the other end of the flat-type voice coil bobbin.
US08335337B2

A loudspeaker is provided in which precise alignment is obtained between the frame and motor assembly before they are connected to one another so that a voice coil coupled to the frame may be properly radially and vertically positioned with respect to a magnetic gap in the motor assembly while allowing the motor assembly and frame to be easily and quickly separated from one another to perform repairs or complete replacement of the motor assembly.
US08335334B1

A convertible headset includes a headband having first and second ends, a first speaker affixed to the first end of the headband, and a termination member connected to the second end of the headband designed to be removably connectable to the second end of the headband.
US08335330B2

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a new spatial audio enhancing system including a novel Adaptive Sound Upmixing System (ASUS). In some specific embodiments the ASUS provided converts a two-channel recording into an audio signal including four channels that can be played over four different loudspeakers. In other specific embodiments the ASUS provided converts a two-channel recording into an audio signal including five channels that can be played over five different loudspeakersn even other specific embodiments the ASUS provided converts a five-channel recording (such as those for DVD's) into an audio signal including eight channels that can be played over eight different loudspeakers. More generally, in view of this disclosure those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the ASUS to process and provide an arbitrary number of audio channels both at the input and the output.
US08335324B2

The invention provides an apparatus capable of automatic volume adjustment. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a speaker, an array microphone located in the vicinity of the speaker, a beamforming module, a signal-to-noise ratio calculation module, and a volume adjustment module. The speaker first broadcasts a first audio signal. The array microphone converts a sound into a plurality of second audio signals. The beamforming module derives a speaker sound signal and an ambient noise signal from the second audio signals, wherein the speaker sound signal mainly comprises speaker sound components generated by the speaker and the ambient noise signal mainly comprises noises other than the speaker sound components. The signal-to-noise ratio calculation module calculates a ratio of a first power of the speaker sound signal to a second power of the ambient noise signal to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio. The volume adjustment module then adjusts a volume of the first audio signal according to the signal-to-noise ratio before the first audio signal is delivered to the speaker.
US08335323B2

A device (100) for processing audio data (101), wherein the device (100) comprises a mid-frequency filter unit (105) adapted to selectively filter a mid-frequency range component of the audio data (101) in such a manner that amplitudes of different frequency sub components of the mid-frequency range component of the audio data (101) are scaled so that the scaled amplitudes reflect relations between the original amplitudes of the different frequency sub-components.
US08335318B2

An active noise reduction system that reduces the incidence of divergence in the presence of high amplitude interfering noise. A limited frequency range threshold is established.
US08335317B2

Improper re-use of a static Diffie-Hellman (DH) private key may leak information about the key. The leakage is prevented by a key derivation function (KDF), but standards do not agree on key derivation functions. The module for performing a DH private key operation must somehow support multiple different KDF standards. The present invention provides an intermediate approach that neither attempts to implement all possible KDF operations, nor provide unprotected access to the raw DH private key operation. Instead, the module performs parts of the KDF operation, as indicated by the application using the module. This saves the module from implementing the entire KDF for each KDF needed. Instead, the module implements only re-usable parts that are common to most KDFs. Furthermore, when new KDFs are required, the module may be able to support them if they built on the parts that the module has implemented.
US08335313B2

When processing a data conversion function of a MISTY structure, such as the FO function of MISTY1, the logical calculation result t3 of the exclusive OR 614 of the process result of the FI function 602 of the MISTY structure in the second stage and a logical calculation result t1 of an exclusive OR 612 of the MISTY structure in the first stage is not stored in a register. The logical calculation result t3 and the logical calculation result of respective exclusive OR 642 and 643 are subject to a direct exclusive OR with the respective exclusive OR 642 and 643.
US08335311B2

A communication apparatus capable of echo cancellation is provided. The apparatus is configured to be provided with an input signal receiving interference. The input signal has a frequency range. The interference includes an echo component and a noise component. The apparatus has a first interference eliminator configured to reduce an echo component included in the input signal so as to produce an intermediate signal. The apparatus has a selector configured to select one of the input signal and the intermediate signal. The apparatus has a second interference eliminator configured to reduce at least one of a noise component and an echo component included in one of the input signal and the intermediate signal selected by the selector.
US08335310B2

A subscriber line interface circuit apparatus includes a linefeed circuit and a subscriber line control circuit (SLCC). In an embodiment, the linefeed circuit includes a signal conversion circuit having cross-coupled first and second MOSFETs for providing a differential mode signal and a common mode signal in response to at least a tip signal and a ring signal from the subscriber loop. The linefeed circuit includes a tip control circuit and a ring control circuit, each having two or more MOSFETs. In an embodiment, the SLCC is provided in a single integrated circuit chip and is coupled to the linefeed circuit which isolates the SLCC from the tip or ring signals. The SLCC includes a first and a second differential mode inputs for receiving the differential mode signal, and a common-mode input for receiving the common-mode signal.
US08335303B2

A system for controlling incoming and/or outgoing calls on a telephone system having a single incoming/outgoing telephone line to which multiple telephone ports are connected. The system includes a database of instructions for processing calls, with the instructions being determined by the line owner. The system also includes a central processing unit for applying one or more of the user-specified instructions to selectively process an incoming or outgoing telephone call. The system may additionally include a caller identification device for identifying incoming caller numbers, and may process incoming calls according to the identity of the caller. The system may also include instructions for processing calls according to the time of day, or other user-specified parameters. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for controlling incoming and/or outgoing telephone calls, using the system and instructions described above.
US08335302B2

The present invention provides a method and system for verifying a user alias. The method comprises: a calling terminal inserting a set alias and a calling user's own number into calling information when calling a called terminal; after the called terminal receives the calling information, when the calling terminal registers calling number display restriction or when the calling terminal cancels the calling number display restriction and the calling number of the calling is inconsistent with a calling user number stored locally in the called terminal, determining whether the calling user's own number matches successfully with the calling user number stored locally in the called terminal to display in different modes when the matching is successful and unsuccessful, respectively.
US08335300B2

A method for improving user satisfaction with automated response computer driven systems is provided. In one embodiment the automated computer system utilizes a Web browser accessing at least a Web site. In another embodiment, the automated computer system is a telephonic response system with voice recognition and generation capability. In each embodiment the user is first prompted to provide indications of user language usage preferences which are then analyzed and stored in a user profile. Thereafter, subsequent information from the automated system is modified in accordance with the stored user profile before presentation to the user.
US08335297B2

Methods for implementing emergency services on a telephony network are presented. A server receives an indication from a telephone handset that a “panic” button has been selected. A call connection is determined and a call is connected based on instructions associated with the emergency call connection. Telecommunication devices for implementing emergency services are also presented. A handset, associated with a location identifier, includes a “panic” button and predetermined emergency call connection instructions are sent/received when the panic button is selected. The telecommunications device may include a database to store information associated with different handsets, a call processor to determine and make emergency call connections over the network when the panic button is selected, and panic logic to store preferences that control how the panic button is implemented on the system.
US08335290B2

A receiving circuit includes a clock generation circuit that generates a clock signal, an integration filter that stores a signal potential of an input signal and generates a first storage potential in a period in which the clock signal indicates one logic, a first analog-to-digital circuit that converts the first storage potential into a first digital value, and a data determination circuit that determines a logic of the input signal on a basis of the first digital value.
US08335273B2

For the first wireless base station, a first correlation value based on a calculation result on channel estimation values having an identical signal timing and a calculation result on channel estimation values having different signal timings, and determines, for the second wireless base station, a second correlation value based on a calculation result on channel estimation values having an identical signal timing, and controls the weighting-adding at the equalizer based on these correlation values.
US08335270B2

A channel estimation method of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system and a corresponding receiving apparatus are provided. The technical solutions use the receiving apparatus to firstly perform channel estimation in time dimension on received signals, obtain channel information of pilot points from an effective sub-carrier frequency band on a frequency domain of each OFDM symbol, obtain information of the pilot points on frequency bands outside the effective sub-carrier frequency band by adding the information of the pilot points, and then perform Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), windowing, zero-padding, and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to obtain a channel frequency response, so as to obtain a channel estimation result. The technical solutions can achieve goals of restraining an edge effect and improving accuracy of the channel estimation.
US08335266B2

In one embodiment, a method is described that includes receiving a conditioned bitstream that includes a digital insertion location and primary network packets that contain compressed video data. The digital insertion location includes replaceable network packets. The method also includes receiving a second bitstream that includes replacement compressed video data. The method also includes determining a location of the digital insertion location. The method further includes adjusting the bitrate of the replacement compressed video data to create adjusted replacement compressed video data. The method further includes providing timestamp information with the replacement compressed video data. The method additionally includes packetizing the adjusted replacement compressed video data and timestamp information into replacement network packets. The method further includes combining the replacement network packets into the digital insertion location in the conditioned bitstream at the network packet level without depacketizing or decompressing the compressed video data in the primary network packets.
US08335252B2

In known video coding standards there are basically three types of pictures: I, P and B. Video sequences are usually coded in a group of picture structure wherein several P or B pictures are coded following one I picture. However, this GOP structure has some disadvantages with respect to error resilience and storage medium recording. If a P picture is lost e.g. due to transmission channel error, then the subsequent P pictures can not be reconstructed correctly, and the error will propagate temporally and cause unpleasing artifacts. This GOP structure is designed for forward play only and makes complicated a reverse play operation. According to the invention, a reversible GOP structure is used for the video encoding and decoding. The RGOP structure contains both, a forward encoding chain and a backward encoding chain. Each picture in the RGOP structure is assigned to only one of these chains and the video pictures of adjacent RGOP chains are interleaved.
US08335249B1

Equalizer circuitry on an integrated circuit (“IC”) includes first, second, and third continuous time, equalizer stages connected in series. Each stage includes peaking inductor circuitry. The equalizer circuitry may further include controllably variable, static, DC mode offset voltage compensation circuitry and/or dynamic, continuous mode, offset voltage compensation circuitry for respectively reducing DC voltage offset and/or time-varying, continuous mode voltage offset between an output of the third equalizer stage and utilization circuitry to which that output is applied. The first equalizer stage may be preceded by termination circuitry having controllably variable impedance. Differential circuitry and signalling may be used for various circuit components. The equalizer circuitry is particularly useful for fabrication as part of a programmable IC, using 28 nm CMOS technology, and as a receiver equalizer for a high-speed serial data signal having a bit rate of 20-25 Gbps.
US08335243B2

An optoelectronic semiconductor body comprises a substrate (10), which has on a first main area (12) an epitaxial semiconductor layer sequence (20), suitable for generating electromagnetic radiation, in a first region (14) and a first trench (24) in a second region (22) adjacent to the first region (14), and at least one second trench (30) arranged outside the first region (14). The invention also relates to an optoelectronic semiconductor body and a method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor body.
US08335239B2

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for conserving bandwidth. If a presence of a multimedia device is detected, then a stream of data is delivered to the multimedia device. If the presence of the multimedia device is not detected, then the stream of data is degraded to conserve bandwidth.
US08335235B2

One embodiment provides a media access control (MAC) module facilitating operations of an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON). The MAC module includes a frame formatter configured to generate a MAC control frame. The generated MAC control frame includes at least one of: an organizationally unique identifier (OUI) field, an OUI-specific operation code (opcode) field, and a number of fields associated with the OUI-specific opcode. Transmission of the MAC control frame facilitates realization of an EPON function based on the fields associated with the OUI-specific opcode.
US08335226B2

A communication system includes a supervisory node (e.g., a headend) and one or more remote nodes (e.g., cable modems). The supervisory node or a remote node monitors a characteristic associated with the communication system. Remote node transmits an upstream communication among a plurality of physical upstream channels based on the characteristic. The average transmit power used to transmit the upstream communication among the plurality of physical upstream channels is no greater than the average transmit power that would be necessary to transmit the upstream communication using a single physical upstream channel at a lower data rate.
US08335223B2

A household gateway subsystem, the subsystem includes: a host device, for connecting an external network with the interior of the household, and controlling various information appliances in the household based on a digital bus; a user operating device, for communicating with the host device via a digital bus interface, and providing various user operating interfaces and control units. A digital household system is also provided, the system includes: a household gateway subsystem, connected with an external communicating network by IP access; the household gateway subsystem includes: a host device; a user operating device, for communicating with the host device via a digital bus interface; a number of wireless signal transceivers, connected with the host device of the household gateway subsystem.
US08335217B2

Provided is an apparatus for filtering a multicast port identifier, the apparatus including: a processor to receive an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) message from a switching unit, to verify a traffic reception request received from a subscriber terminal based on the IGMP message, and to store a value in a filtering register based on the traffic reception request; and an Optical Network Unit (ONU) Media Access Control (MAC) manager to filter a packet to be forwarded to the subscriber terminal, using a port identifier for traffic forwarding and reception with the subscriber terminal, and using the value of the filtering register indicating an existence of traffic to be forwarded to the subscriber terminal.
US08335213B2

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a switch core that has a multi-stage switch fabric. The multi-stage switch fabric has a set of ingress ports and a set of egress ports. The switch core can be configured to be coupled to a set of edge devices via the set of ingress ports and the set of egress ports. The switch core can be configured to receive a packet from an ingress port from the set of ingress ports. The switch core can be configured to send a set of cells associated with the packet from the ingress port to an egress port from the set of egress ports without a store-and-forward delay associated with a zero-load latency for the switch core.
US08335205B2

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a technique for pre-bundling the received service data units (SDU) into an SDU bundle in a first communication layer before receiving a scheduling information from a second communication layer and adjusting the SDU bundle when the scheduling information is received.
US08335200B2

Provided are a method and device for separating and converting multiband signals. The device includes a photoelectric converter for converting an externally received optical signal into an electrical signal, a first switch for separating the converted electrical signal into signals according to frequency bands, a first mobile communication band-pass amplifier for amplifying a mobile communication network signal of the signals separated by the first switch, a broadband up-converter for up-converting a baseband signal of the signals separated by the first switch into a broadband signal, a first broadband amplifier for amplifying the broadband signal output from the broadband up-converter, and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the signals amplified by the first mobile communication band-pass amplifier and the first broadband amplifier.
US08335199B2

A method and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), including a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), for identifying a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell are disclosed. The WTRU receives a broadcast from a cell including a cell identifier (ID). If the cell ID is associated with a CSG cell, the WTRU determines whether the CSG ID is programmed in the USIM. The cell broadcast may include a single bit information element (IE) indicating that the cell is a CSG cell. If the cell ID is a CSG ID, the cell ID may further include a plurality of fields which indicate at least one of a country, a region, an operator, and a home evolved Node-B (HeNB) number. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating whether the CSG cell is public or private. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating that emergency calls are allowed from all users.
US08335194B2

A method of transmitting data in a multiple antenna system includes transmitting a precoding matrix index (PMI) of a first user through a control channel for the first user, and transmitting the PMI of the first user and a PMI of a second user through a data channel for the first user. Effective data decoding is possible regardless of whether radio resources to be allocated to multiple users are partially or entirely allocated to the users.
US08335188B1

A mobile station receives a neighbor list from a base station in an area of a public wireless network that borders a private wireless network. The neighbor list includes encrypted channel identifiers corresponding to private network channels transmitted by the private wireless network and unencrypted channel identifiers corresponding to public network channels transmitted by the public wireless network. If the mobile station does not subscribe to the private wireless network, the mobile station does not recognize the encrypted channel identifiers and simply ignores them. However, if the mobile station subscribes to the private wireless network, the mobile station decrypts the encrypted channel identifiers and determines whether it is able to initiate a handoff to any of the corresponding private network channels.
US08335187B2

A call routing system for use with a wireless telephone systems is disclosed. The system, which monitors the subscriber's current physical location, determines the device to which a call should be terminated, and routes the call. The device can be any IP telephone, including a cable television system adapted to IP telephony. The system routes calls without direct subscriber actions, without a second telephone number, regardless of the time of day and day of week. Various options can also apply to a call, determined by subscriber-established preferences, when specified criteria are met, or calls can be limited to/from specified telephone numbers. The system and method uses signaling techniques that will allow routing of the call, along with any authorization or restrictions, to be done remotely from the actual switching for the call. Call events are transmitted to the call routing system while the communications path of the call is held at the switching system awaiting call routing information. The identity of the subscriber is established using existing means that are used to authenticate the user. The wireless phone user does not have to enter any additional codes or identification to obtain access to the call routing system.
US08335185B2

A method of efficiently allocating a resource to a mobile station to support a real time service in a radio access system is provided. The method includes grouping one or more mobile stations and allocating a group resource area for transmitting bandwidth request information for transmitting real time service data of the grouped one or more mobile stations, and allocating respective individual resource areas of the one or more mobile stations included in the group resource area. Since the method of grouping the mobile service and efficiently allocating an uplink resource are provided, it is possible to reduce message overhead and efficiently use the resource.
US08335183B2

A method of providing a packetized data transmission service to a mobile terminal in a spread spectrum communication network, includes: at a transmitter, broadcasting an indication message to a cell on a downlink broadcast channel, the indication message providing notification of an available packetized data transmission service intended for the mobile terminal; at the mobile terminal, monitoring the broadcast channel for the indication message, and upon receipt, acknowledging detection of the indication message to the transmitter on an uplink contention channel; and at the transmitter, upon contention completion, transmitting packetized data transmission service configuration information to the mobile terminal on the broadcast channel.
US08335180B1

Starting up and synchronizing multiple access points in a wireline communications circuit using transceivers compatible with a wireless communications protocol with an adaptive Time Division Multiple Access scheme for a multi-channel medium with colocated transceivers. Synchronization readiness is asserted and the access points wait for a synchronization start signal's assertion. Methods of operating an access point, its implementation as a chip are further disclosed. An access point assembly including the access points and a synchronization circuit are also disclosed.
US08335174B2

A system and method for registering network information strings. An information string server device receives a request to register a network information string from a computing device. The network information string may be included in a message broadcast by a string broadcast station. The information string server device determines whether the network information string has been previously registered with the information string server device. The information string server device stores the network information string in a record of an information string datastore when the network information string has not been previously registered with the information string server device. A registration acceptance message may be sent by the information string server device to the computing device when the network information string has not been previously registered with the information string server device.
US08335173B2

A device whose location is to be determined (target device) generates a plurality of frames (messages) and time of departure (TOD) timestamp information indicating when the target device transmits the plurality of frames in a sequence or burst. The target device transmits the plurality of frames and the TOD information, wherein the plurality of frames are transmitted such that at least two of the frames are on different radio frequency (RF) channels. Within a sequence or burst (or across multiple sequences or bursts), multiple widely spaced transmissions on the same channel are included to allow for estimation of the crystal frequency offset of the transmitting device. The TOD information included in the transmitted packets allows devices that receive the packets not to change their channels of operation solely for the purpose of receiving packets from the device to be located.
US08335160B2

An improved network flow sampling apparatus and corresponding method more intelligently selects flows to be reported beyond random flow or packet sampling intervals. Evaluation of flows selects top talkers or heavy hitters as important flows that most impact traffic and therefore should be reported. Top talkers are flows defined based on a customized definition according to, for example, number of packets in a flow, number of bytes in a flow, or bandwidth consumed by a flow. An external collector can thus proceed with traffic profiling or other flow monitoring purposes with a more intelligently determined network flow sample.
US08335152B2

When transmitting data from a transmission unit to a reception unit over a channel in a wireless communication system, it has been observed that there are inherent losses in throughput, especially for a channel experiencing high channel quality variations over its frequency range. To improve the throughput over such a channel, it is proposed to: estimate the quality of each subchannel of a channel. classify the subchannels into a number of quality groups based on the estimated quality, and select a code rate per quality group. This selected code rate per quality group is then used when a data word to be transmitted is coded. Simulations have shown that by grouping the subchannels into a limited number of groups, for example one to four groups depending on the channel quality variation, a high throughput could be achieved with a minimum of signaling cost in the form of extra overhead.
US08335150B2

In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.
US08335140B2

The present invention provides a multilayer optical disc and an optical disc drive which can identify recording layers without performing tracking servo control or changing the structure of the disc. In a multilayer optical disc 100, the recording layer includes a layer identification region 101 having a recording pattern for layer identification, the layer identification region 101 including a layer specific region 102 having a specific pattern and a common region 103 having a common pattern different from the specific pattern, the layer specific region 102 being provided at a different radial position in each of the recording layers. The optical disc drive detects the layer specific region 102 having the specific pattern from the layer identification region 101 of the multilayer optical disc 100, and identifies the current layer based on the radial position of the layer specific region.
US08335133B2

A power reserve display mechanism includes a differential (22) having: a first input (22a) connected to a ratchet (16) of a barrel (24) and to an oscillating mass automatic winding system, a second input (22b) connected to the drum of a barrel (24), an output (22c) connected to a display system. The display system includes at least one disc (40) provided with digits for displaying numbers between a minimum number and a maximum number. Moreover, the disc is connected to the output (22c) of the differential (22) via a reduction train (26), arranged such that the display system displays the minimum number when the barrel is empty and the maximum number when the barrel is maximally loaded. The reduction train and the automatic winding system are arranged such that the disc advances by one pitch each time the oscillating mass performs on revolution.
US08335129B2

In an embodiment, a correlation SONAR system is adapted for use in shallow water. A pulse generator transmits an initial burst of pulses towards a bottom of a body of water. Echoes of the initial burst of pulses are received on a hydrophone array. After the receiving the echoes of the initial burst of pulses, a second burst of pulses is transmitted towards the bottom of the body of water. The echoes of the second burst of pulses are received on the hydrophone array, and a SONAR processor correlates a pulse from the initial burst of pulses and a pulse from the second burst of pulses to calculate a velocity estimate.
US08335115B2

A semiconductor memory module includes a memory module board having at least one semiconductor memory device, an advanced memory buffer (AMB) for receiving the data and the command/address signal from a host and providing the data and the command/address signal to the at least one semiconductor memory device, and a second termination resistor unit located on the memory module board and electrically connected to the AMB. The at least one semiconductor memory device includes a data input buffer for receiving data via a first input terminal and receiving a first reference voltage via a second input terminal, a command/address input buffer for receiving a command/address signal via a first input terminal and receiving a second reference voltage via a second input terminal, and a first termination resistor unit connected to the first input terminal of the data input buffer.
US08335112B2

A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is provided which can accurately read data with low consumption current. The flash memory selects a memory cell according to an external address signal in response to the leading edge of a clock signal and reads data from the memory cell in response to the leading edge of the clock signal in the normal read mode, whereas, in the low-speed read mode for performing a read operation with lower power consumption than that of the normal read mode, reads data from the memory cell in response to the trailing edge of the clock signal. Therefore, data can be accurately read even if noise is generated in response to the leading edge of the clock signal in the low-speed read mode, because the noise level has dropped at the trailing edge of the clock signal.
US08335108B2

A nonvolatile memory structure with pairs of serially connected threshold voltage adjustable select transistors connected to the top and optionally to the bottom of NAND series strings of groups of the dual-sided charge-trapping nonvolatile memory cells for controlling connection of the NAND series string to an associated bit line. A first of the threshold voltage adjustable select transistors has its threshold voltage level adjusted to a first threshold voltage level and a second of the threshold voltage adjustable select transistors adjusted to a second threshold voltage level. The pair of serially connected threshold voltage adjustable select transistors is connected to a first of two associated bit lines. The NAND nonvolatile memory strings further is connected to a pair of serially connected threshold voltage adjustable bottom select transistors that is connected to the second associated bit line.
US08335107B2

A semiconductor memory device comprises memory blocks having a plurality of memory cells coupled to a plurality of bit lines, a first latch group coupled to a sense node and configured to store data to be programmed into memory cells, where the memory cells are coupled to the bit lines and the sense node is coupled to at least one of the bit lines, a second latch group coupled to the sense node and configured to receive data of the first latch group, and a sense node voltage control circuit configured to control a voltage of the sense node according to data stored in the first latch group.
US08335101B2

A resistance-based memory with a reduced voltage I/O device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a circuit includes a data path including a first resistive memory cell and a first load transistor. A reference path includes a second resistive memory cell and a second load transistor. The first load transistor and the second load transistor are input and output (I/O) transistors adapted to operate at a load supply voltage similar to a core supply voltage of a core transistor within the circuit.
US08335100B2

Methods, systems, structures and arrays are disclosed, such as a resistive memory array which includes access devices, for example, back-to-back Zener diodes, that only allow current to pass through a coupled resistive memory cell when a voltage drop applied to the access device is greater than a critical voltage. The array may be biased to reduce standby currents and improve delay times between programming and read operations.
US08335099B2

A nonvolatile memory device and method using phase changes in a substrate to alter optical properties of the substrate for the purpose of data storage. The memory device includes a substrate containing a phase change material having phases comprising amorphous and crystalline phases. The phase change material has optical properties that change depending on whether the phase change material is in the amorphous phase or the crystalline phase. The memory device is further equipped with one or more devices that generate light and transmit the light into the substrate, and one or more devices that cause the phase change material to change between the amorphous and crystalline phases thereof. At least one optical sensing device detects light that passes into the phase change material to the optical sensing device and generates electrical signals based thereon, which are converted into bit values if they exceed a threshold.
US08335098B2

Provided is a memory device in which the circuit structure is simplified while the functions of a memory including an OTP memory and a memory including a pseudo-MTP memory are maintained. A memory device includes a plurality of memory sets each including a mark bit storage area for storing a mark bit, which indicates that an object is deleted data, and a data bit storage area for storing data to be stored, the memory device being built from a one time programmable (OTP) memory including an OTP memory block and a pseudo-MTP memory block, the OTP memory block containing a given number of memory sets selected out of the plurality of memory sets to operate as an OTP memory, the pseudo-MTP memory block containing the rest of the plurality of memory sets which remains after the memory sets of the OTP memory block are excluded and operates as a pseudo-MTP memory. The mark bit is written in advance in the mark bit storage area of the OTP memory block.
US08335095B2

A one cycle control method for power factor correction based on a boost circuit and a main control chip of system comprises the steps of: (1) Determining whether soft-start ends or not; if the soft-start ends, processing step (2) directly, if not, increasing reference value Uref of output voltage and then processing step (2); (2) Reading sampling output voltage Uo, and sampling inductive current ig according to A/D sampling triggering instant; (3) Calculating duty ratio of PWM signal for driving the switch transistor; (4) Outputting PWM signal; (5) Calculating the next A/D sampling triggering instant according to the duty ratio of PWM signal; (6) Returning to step (2). The present invention can implement the function of power factor correction by integrating the software of the method into the main control chip of the existing system and cooperating with the simple boost circuit, without using the traditional circuit for power factor correction and the specific one cycle control chip for PFC, which reduces the cost of the system. Also the present invention ensures the sampling data true and correct, and the stable operation of system, by simple processing of the sampling triggering instant.
US08335094B2

A current control circuit (active element) is provided that is connected between a rectifier of a DC power source and a smoothing capacitor in a power frequency converter and that controls a variation in the rectified current caused by a variation in the instantaneous power consumption of the load device. When the rectified current increases, the current control circuit limits the current to have a reference current value or lower and, when the rectified current decreases, the current control circuit increases the current to have a value close to the reference current to thereby suppress the rectified current from the rectifier to a substantially-constant value. This consequently mitigates the influence on the primary power source by the variation in the instantaneous power consumption of the load device, thus clearing the Load Demand Variation specification required for the power source to be used in an aircraft.
US08335090B2

A solar power supply system includes at least one solar power conversion circuit and an inverter circuit. Each solar power conversion circuit comprises a solar module and a direct current (DC) module. The solar module converts the solar power into the DC signals. The DC module with two-stage conversion comprises a DC transformer circuit and a maximum power point tracking circuit, to boost the DC signals and adjust output power of the solar module to a maximum value. The inverter circuit converts the boosted DC signals output from the solar power conversion circuits into AC signals and combines the AC signals into the AC utility network.
US08335083B2

An apparatus includes a plurality of islands each carrying multiple cantilevers. The apparatus also includes a fluidic network having a plurality of channels separating the islands. The channels are configured to provide fluid to the islands, and the fluid at least partially fills spaces between the cantilevers and the islands. Heat from the islands vaporizes the fluid filling the spaces between the cantilevers and the islands to transfer the heat away from the islands while driving the cantilevers into oscillation. The apparatus may also include a casing configured to surround the islands and the fluidic network to create a vapor chamber, where the vapor chamber is configured to retain the vaporized fluid. The islands and the fluidic network could be formed in a single substrate, or the islands could be separate and attached together by a binder located within the channels of the fluidic network.
US08335082B2

A heat dissipating apparatus comprises a cooler, an air duct, and a cooling fan. a cooler secured to a circuit board of a host; the cooler is secured to a circuit board of a host; the air duct, covers the cooler, comprises a side tray that is substantially perpendicular to the circuit board; the cooling fan is secured to the cooler and located on a side of the cooler, and adjacent to the side tray; a gap is defined between the side tray and the cooler, an air guiding board is located in the gap and extends towards a VRM that is secured to the circuit board, and the air guiding board is configured to direct air flowing towards the VRM.
US08335076B2

A server includes a chassis, a middle plate, a transfer plate, a hard disc module, a main board module and a cable arranging module. The chassis has a bottom plate, two side plates, a front end and a back end. The middle plate divides the chassis into first and second sub-spaces. The transfer plate is disposed in the first sub-space. The main board module and the hard disc module are disposed in the two sub-spaces respectively and suitable for being pulled out from the front end. The cable arranging module includes a fixing frame, a chain structure and a cable set. The fixing frame is fixed on the middle plate. The chain structure is connected between the fixing frame and the hard disc module. The cable set is fixed on the fixing frame and the chain structure and electrically connected to the transfer plate and the hard disc module.
US08335073B2

A dielectric ceramic composition includes, as a main component, a compound having perovskite type crystal structure shown by a general formula ABO3, as subcomponents, in terms of respective element with respect to 100 moles of the compound, and 0.6 to 2.0 moles of an oxide of Mg, 0.010 to 0.6 mole of oxide of Mn and/or Cr, 0.010 to 0.2 mole of an oxide of at least one selected from V, Mo and W, 0.10 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of R1 (R1 is at least one selected from Y, Yb, Er and Ho), 0.10 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of R2 (R2 is at least one selected from Dy, Gd and Tb) and 0.2 to 1.5 moles of a component consisting of an oxide of Ba and/or oxide of Ca and an oxide of Si. According to the present invention, even when a dielectric layer is made thinner, a dielectric ceramic composition having good characteristics can be provided.
US08335059B2

A magnetoresistive effect element includes a first ferromagnetic layer, Cr layer, Heusler alloy layer, barrier layer, and second ferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer has the body-centered cubic lattice structure. The Cr layer is formed on the first ferromagnetic layer and has the body-centered cubic lattice structure. The Heusler alloy layer is formed on the Cr layer. The barrier layer is formed on the Heusler alloy layer. The second ferromagnetic layer is formed on the barrier layer.
US08335055B2

A head suspension has a load beam and a piezoelectric actuator, the actuator base being connected to the base part of the load beam and having at least an opening. A nonconductive adhesive applied at least between the circumferential edge of the opening and a circumferential side face of the piezoelectric element and between a bottom receiver and the bottom face of the piezoelectric element is configured to adhere the piezoelectric element to the opening.
US08335053B2

In one general embodiment, a magnetic head includes a touch-down pad, comprising at least one shielding element positioned between a leading edge of a main magnetic pole and a trailing edge of a lower return pole; an embedded contact sensor (ECS) in an electrically isolating layer, the ECS positioned near an ABS side of the magnetic head and between the leading edge of the main magnetic pole and the trailing edge of the lower return pole; and a first thermal fly-height control (TFC) element positioned away from the ABS side of the magnetic head. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08335050B2

A method for forming a seal for hermetically sealing a hard disk drive assembly. The method includes forming a solder channel within a top cover of a disk drive enclosure and disposing a solder preform on a base of the disk drive enclosure such that the solder preform aligns with the solder channel when the top cover is positioned on the base.
US08335047B2

Patterned discrete track magnetic media compatible with the constraints imposed by the use of self-assembly technology are described in which the PES servo portion of each servo sector has at least one offset segment used for the position error signal (PES). The downtrack length of the PES offset segment systematically varies according to the track position to encode information about the track position usable by the servo system. The downtrack length of the offset segment and, therefore, the time between the corresponding signal shifts is systematically varied from the inner diameter (ID) to the outer diameter (OD) according to the track position to provide coarse information to the servo system even if part of the track ID code cannot be read. Alternative embodiments include a preamble timing mark formed by another offset segment. A self-servo writing method is described using the preamble timing marks.
US08335045B2

This disclosure is directed to an optical element and method in which a UV-curable adhesive, used along the edge of the optic to keep it in a holder, has been stabilized against degradation by below 300 nm radiation. The technical solution to the degradation of the adhesive includes both 193 nm scatter light reduction and protective coatings of plasma modified AlF3 films on at least that part of the optical element that is in contact with the adhesive.
US08335035B2

One embodiment of the present invention is a multi-color display panel, including: a transparent substrate, a color filter layer, a transparent electrode layer, a microcapsule layer, an adhesive layer, a rear electrode plate, wherein the transparent substrate, the color filter layer, the transparent electrode layer, the microcapsule layer the adhesive layer and the rear electrode plate are arranged in this order, the microcapsule layer is directly formed on the transparent electrode layer, the microcapsule layer has a structure in which microcapsules are dispersed in a binder resin, a dispersion liquid in which an electrophoresis particle is dispersed in a transparent dispersion medium is enclosed in the microcapsule, and an optical reflection property of the microcapsule changes according to a change of electric field by application of a voltage, and wherein the electrode plate has a rear substrate with a pixel electrode.
US08335034B2

The present invention provides an optical device comprising a pair of specifically designed plate-like diffractive optical elements successively arranged in parallel to each other. Placing the two diffractive optical elements in succession and in parallel to each other in a certain distance, the combination optically corresponds to a single diffractive optical element, and it can perform similar tasks, acting as a lens, an axicon, a phase shifter, or a spiral phase plate. If one of the diffractive optical elements is rotated with respect to the other around a common central axis, the property of the optical device, like the focal length, the refractive power, helical index, or phase shift changes continuously.
US08335033B2

A modular routing node includes a single input port and a plurality of output ports. The modular routing node is arranged to produce a plurality of different deflections and uses small adjustments to compensate for wavelength differences and alignment tolerances in an optical system. An optical device is arranged to receive a multiplex of many optical signals at different wavelengths, to separate the optical signals into at least two groups, and to process at least one of the groups adaptively.
US08335031B2

An optical module 1A is an optical module, which is manufactured from an SOI substrate having a support substrate 10 and a semiconductor layer 14 disposed on a surface 10a of the support substrate 10 via an insulating layer 12, the optical module including a movable mirror 22 in which a mirror surface 22a is formed on a side face intersecting with a Y-direction, that is movable in the Y-direction, a photodiode 32 which is provided on the surface 10a of the support substrate 10, and is optically coupled to the mirror surface 22a of the movable mirror 22, a cap member 34 which is provided on the surface 10a of the support substrate 10, that airtight-seals the movable mirror 22 and the photodiode 32, and an element electrode part 36 which is provided through the support substrate 10 and the insulating layer 12, and is electrically connected to the photodiode 32. Thereby, it is possible to realize an optical module which is capable of enhancing the airtightness of an optical system including a movable mirror, and which also can be downsized.
US08335030B2

A method of driving light controlling apparatus which includes a substrate, which has an aperture, a plurality of incident-light controlling unit which are displaced on the substrate, a plurality of driving unit which exert on the incident-light controlling unit, an aperture-displacing driving force which displaces the incident-light controlling unit to an aperture position, and a retracting-displacement driving force which displaces the incident-light controlling unit to a retracted position which is different from the aperture position, and in which, the incident-light controlling unit is displaced by the driving unit to the aperture position and the retracted position alternately, and incident light passing through the aperture is adjusted, and the displacement of each incident-light controlling unit to the aperture position is exclusive for the other incident-light controlling unit, includes a step of displacing the incident-light controlling unit, which includes a step of displacing a first incident-light controlling unit disposed at the aperture position, to the retracted position, and a step of displacing a second incident-light controlling unit disposed at the retracted position, to the aperture position, after completion of the step of displacing the first incident-light controlling unit to the retracted position.
US08335021B2

An image reading apparatus including a shading correction mechanism that can be formed by fewer component parts than conventional ones, and is increased in the degree of freedom of design, thereby enabling reduction of the size and weight thereof. A contact glass guides an original to an image reading position. A glass holding member holds the glass. A line image sensor reads an image on the original conveyed to the image reading location, through the contact glass. A reference member is disposed at a location different from the image reading location on the contact glass. A moving mechanism relatively moves the line image sensor and the reference member so that the line image sensor can alternatively read the original conveyed to the image reading location and the reference member. A drive section externally drives the moving mechanism to move the line image sensor and/or the reference member.
US08335016B2

An image processing apparatus includes a storing unit that stores an image forming information including an image type information indicative of a type of an image for each image, an index value to be a decision source related to a suppression in a consumption of a recording material, and a print setting information; a discriminating unit that discriminates a type of an image to be an image forming target; a calculating unit that calculates the index value; and a selecting unit that selects any of the image forming information which is stored in the storing unit and takes top priority based on a result of the discrimination obtained by the discriminating unit and a result of the calculation obtained by the calculating unit.
US08335015B2

Color separation systems and methods improve color constancy and smoothness of a color lookup table (LUT) for a printer. A plurality of nodes of the LUT may be defined in colorimetric space, and the nodes out of the printer gamut may be mapped to the printer gamut surface. A set of possible colorant combinations are then determined that produce each node in the LUT in a device independent color space using a non-linear minimization algorithm, such as, for example, a conjugate gradient algorithm. Next, a colorant combination may be determined for each and every node in the LUT based on an image quality metric. In some implementations, a smoothing filter may be used to smooth the lookup table.
US08335009B2

An image forming device is disclosed that is able to easily deal with image data stored in plural image forming devices. The image forming device includes an image reading unit that reads image data; a storage unit that stores the image data read by the image reading unit; a printing unit that prints the image data; and an image information transmission unit that transmits at least attribute information of the image data to an information management device through a network, which manages at least the attribute information transmitted from the plural image forming devices.
US08335007B2

A facsimile image reception portion obtains a facsimile image received through a communication line. An image storage portion stores a facsimile image obtained by the facsimile image reception portion. A destination storage portion stores at least one transfer destination of the facsimile image and a set value for limiting received data by making connection with each other for each of transfer destinations. A character recognition portion obtains character data by performing character recognition from a facsimile image obtained by the facsimile image reception portion. A character recognition operation control portion compares a set value for limiting received data to character data obtained by a character recognition portion to control whether or not character recognition by the character recognition portion is continued. An electronic mail creation portion creates an electronic mail in which character data obtained by the character recognition portion is described.
US08334978B2

In a method for gauging a color measurement chart which includes at least one row of color measurement fields, a hand-held color measurement device is moved over the color measurement fields and gauges the color measurement fields. The measurement device is guided over the color measurement fields in two measurement runs. In a first run, first color measurement data is measured using a first type of illumination light (typically, white), covering a sufficient portion of the spectrum to enable the fields to be identified by means of the first color measurement data, and the fields are identified on the basis of the first color measurement data. In a second run, second color measurement data is measured using a second type of illumination light (typically, UV), and is then assigned to the color measurement fields on the basis of the fields identified in the first run.
US08334971B2

An apparatus for imaging the inner surface of a cavity in a workpiece has an optical system including a panoramic field of view that is linked to an imager and a downstream evaluation device by an image communication link. The apparatus furthermore has an illumination system including a light source to illuminate an imaging region of the inner surface, which region has been captured by the optical system. According to the invention, the illumination system is disposed in such a way relative to optical system, and for which the beam path is selected in such a way, that a first axial section of the imaging region is able to be illuminated under brightfield illumination, while simultaneously a second axial region spaced apart from the first axial region is able to be illuminated under darkfield illumination.
US08334966B2

A watermark formed of a bistable material, and a method of forming the watermark, are described.
US08334963B2

A display device includes a plurality of spacer rows that are provided outside a display region on one of a pair of substrates, and each of the spacer rows is defined by a plurality of spacers arranged in a row at predetermined intervals along an outer edge of the display region. Each spacer has a substantially elongated shape extending along the outer edge of the display region. A gap between adjacent spacers in each spacer row is defined by a slit portion having a shorter length than a longitudinal length of the spacer, and the plurality of spacer rows are entirely covered by the seal member between the pair of substrates.
US08334962B2

A liquid crystal display device comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate facing and spaced apart from each other, the first substrate and the second substrate including an active area, a signal input area and a pad area, the signal input area and the pad area being disposed at a periphery of the active area; a gate line and a data line on the first substrate in the active area, the gate line and the data line crossing each other; first connection lines and second connection lines in the signal input area, the first connection lines extending to the pad area and crossing the second connection lines; a gate connection pattern contacting the first connection lines and the second connection lines; a common electrode on the second substrate; a shortage-preventing pattern on the common electrode and corresponding to the gate connection pattern; a seal pattern surrounding the active area, the seal pattern including a conductive ball; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates in the seal pattern.
US08334958B2

A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate including a first electrode and a second electrode formed thereon, a second substrate including a third electrode formed thereon, wherein the second substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate by a gap, and at least one cutout formed in the third electrode, wherein the at least one cutout is aligned with a space between the first and second electrodes.
US08334957B2

The present invention realizes a bright image display by enhancing a numerical aperture of pixels. At least a portion of a pixel electrode is overlapped to a thin film transistor by way of a first insulation film, the pixel electrode is connected to an output electrode of the thin film transistor via a contact hole which is formed in the first insulation film, the counter electrode is arranged above the pixel electrode by way of a second insulation film in a state that the counter electrode is overlapped to the pixel electrode, the counter electrode is formed at a position avoiding the contact hole formed in the first insulation film as viewed in a plan view, and at least a portion of the counter electrode is overlapped to the thin film transistor.
US08334949B2

An optical recording display medium comprises: a display layer whose display changes according to an applied voltage; a photoconductive layer that is provided opposing the display layer and changes a voltage applied to the display layer according to irradiated light; and a selective transmission layer that is provided on a light path to where light irradiated toward the photoconductive layer arrives at the photoconductive layer, and whose transmissivity with respect to the irradiated light increases as an intensity of the irradiated light increases.
US08334946B2

A flat panel display includes a backlight with a plurality of lasing elements. A light distributor distributes light from the lasing elements across the flat panel display. In edge-lit backlights, the light distributor may be a light guide. In direct-lit backlights, the light distributor may be one or more light diffusers that randomize the polarization of light. A polarization enhancement film increases the polarization of light from the light distributor by allowing light of a first polarization to pass through the film and reflecting light that is not of the first polarization back into the backlight. The light reflected back into the backlight is randomly re-polarized within the backlight. An array of light modulators arranged across the flat panel display modulates light emitted by the backlight.
US08334945B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a back light for irradiating a liquid crystal panel with light. An LED as a light emitting element is provided on a light guide panel provided in the back light, and a reflection member is provided on an optical sheet in the vicinity of an inclined plane of the light guide panel to reflect the light going out of the inclined plane toward the light guide panel. Furthermore, a convex portion of the light guide panel is formed between a plurality of light emitting elements, and an adhesive member is also provided between the convex portion and the optical sheet to ensure tight adhesion between the light guide panel and the optical sheet.
US08334943B2

A backlight unit 12 includes LEDs 16, a first light guide plate 18A, a second light guide plate 18B and a fitting structure. Each of the first light guide plate 18A and the second light guide plate 18B has a light entrance surface 34 and a light exit surface 36. The light entrance surface 34 faces the corresponding LED 16 and light from the LED 16 enters through the light entrance surface 34. The light exit surface 36 through which light exits is arranged along an arrangement direction in which the LED 16 and the light entrance surface 34 are arranged. The light guide plates 18 are arranged in a parallel layout in the arrangement direction and partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 36. A light exit portion 31 is an overlapping area OA that is provided on the first light guide plate 18A on a relatively light output side. A fitting structure restricts relative movement of the light exit portion 31 toward the light output side with respect to the second light guide plate 18B provided on a side relatively opposite to the light output side. Accordingly, uneven brightness is less likely to occur.
US08334939B2

A four-mask process and a three-mask process proposal are constructed for a TN-type liquid crystal display device and an IPS-type liquid crystal device in which the formation of a passivation insulating layer is not required by streamlining the formation of a scan line and a pseudo-pixel element, both comprising a laminate made of a transparent conductive layer and a metal layer, at the same time and the formation of the transparent conductive pixel electrode by removing the metal layer on the pseudo-pixel electrode at the time of the formation of the opening in the gate insulating layer, by streamlining the treatment of the formation process of the contact and the formation process of the protective insulating layer using one photomask due to the introduction of half-tone exposure technology, and the formation of source-drain wires for etch-stop type insulating gate-type transistor using a photosensitive organic insulating layer and leaving the photosensitive organic insulating layer unchanged on source-drain wires or on the source wire (signal line), or by forming an anodized layer, which is an insulating layer, on source-drain wires.
US08334936B2

According to one embodiment, a television includes a display, a supporting member, a cover member and an attaching member. The display has a display screen which displays an image. The supporting member supports the display. The cover member is attached the supporting member. The attaching member consists of parts different from those of the supporting member. The attaching member is attached to the cover member at a position that is different from a position at which the supporting member is attached. And an anti-topple restraint is attached to the attaching member.
US08334920B2

An image playback apparatus has a recording section which records shot images, and a display section which displays the images. The apparatus includes a motion detection section which detects a motion applied to the image playback apparatus in a state where hold of the image playback apparatus is detected, and a display control section which, when application of a particular motion set in advance is detected by the motion detection section, sorts and displays the images displayed on the display section.
US08334916B2

A solid-state image sensor includes a semiconductor layer having a first conductive type, diffusion layers which are arranged in the semiconductor layer, each having a second conductive type, and each includes a pixel, a pixel transistor disposed on the semiconductor layer, and an insulating layer which is disposed under the pixel transistor and which is not disposed under the diffusion layers. The pixel transistor is disposed between the other pixels different from the pixel being electrically connected to the pixel transistor.
US08334914B2

Plural areas defined by contours in a through image (live view image) are previously set as object segments whose luminance levels are to be altered. When a user touches a point within an object segment seen in the through image displayed on a touch panel LCD 12, a gamma curve is changed to alter a luminance level of the object segment including the touched point. This arrangement allows the user to make more bright the whole of the object segment simply by touching a point within the object segment, and also to select any segment of an object as the object segment whose luminance level is to be altered.
US08334910B2

An image capturing apparatus having a three-dimensional grid data table holds a matrix coefficient which is a basis of the three-dimensional grid data table, and editing data for editing grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table. To set the three-dimensional grid data table, the grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table is calculated by performing a matrix operation using the matrix coefficient, and the calculated grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table that is calculated based on the editing data is edited based on the editing data. Image data acquired by image capture is thus processed using the edited three-dimensional grid data table.
US08334903B2

The present invention provides a camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. A second imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area. A third imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor opposite the second imaging sensor. The third imaging sensor has a focal axis that intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within the intersection area.
US08334892B2

An image obtainment apparatus images an observation target to obtain an ordinary image by illuminating the observation target with illumination light and by receiving, at an imaging device, reflection light reflected from the observation target. Further, the apparatus generates spectral estimation image signals of a predetermined wavelength by performing spectral image processing on image signals output from the imaging device. A spectral image processing unit generates spectral estimation image signals of a specific wavelength related to an agent administered to the observation target, as spectral estimation image signals for obtaining luminance information, based on the image signals output from the imaging device. Further, a luminance information obtainment unit obtains luminance information about each of the spectral estimation image signals for obtaining luminance information that have been generated at a predetermined time interval, and obtains a rate of change in the luminance information.
US08334887B2

An apparatus (100) and method (200) that determines beam delays in a printing device is disclosed. The apparatus can include a photosensitive surface (110) and a raster output scanner (120) optically coupled to the photosensitive surface, an integrated scan detector (130) configured to detect the beams from the raster output scanner and configured to produce a signal based on the beams detected from the raster output scanner, and a beam calibration controller (140) coupled to the integrated scan detector. The beam calibration controller can be configured to determine at least one beam delay between the first optical emitter and the at least one second optical emitter based on signals from the integrated scan detector and can also be configured to delay operation between the first optical emitter and the at least one second optical emitter based on the at least one beam delay.
US08334885B2

An ion generator for generating positive ions and negative ions is externally attached above a main body of an image forming apparatus. A ratio between positive ions and negative ions which are generated by the ion generator is switched between two ratios in accordance with whether the image forming apparatus is in an operating state or a standby state so that more negative ions are emitted during the operating state. This makes it possible to suppress an effect of an exhaust gas which contains chemical emissions such as an odor and a VOC and which is discharged from the image forming apparatus and to purify an indoor air.
US08334879B2

A system and method for placing reference locators on a streaming video image taken from a camera mounted on a vehicle. Sensors monitoring the camera field of view and direction of the optical axis along with sensors monitoring the vehicle's position are used to generate a video overlay having various indicia. The calculated positions of the indicia may be compared to the position of landmarks taken from the video image to compensate for any inaccuracies in the calculated position taken from the various sensors.
US08334875B2

An operation displaying device including: an operation screen which receives an instruction for operation; a computing device which executes computation; and a performance monitoring unit which monitors a performance of an application software that executes display processing, wherein: when an operation mode of the operation displaying device is in a power saving mode and a remaining memory capacity of a memory, which is used as temporary storage by the computing device, is less than or equal to than a predetermined threshold, the performance monitoring unit restarts the application software which is running.
US08334874B2

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for processing data, capable of controlling the use of a graphic controller based on data usage in a memory, a variation speed of a memory data value, and/or operating states/conditions of a system.
US08334872B2

A method for a computer system comprising receiving a displacement for a first object model surface from a user determined in response to a first physical motion captured pose, determining a weighted combination of a first displacement group and a second displacement group from the displacement, wherein the first displacement group is determined from displacements between the first object model surface and a second object model surface, wherein the second object model surface is determined from displacements between a second physical motion captured pose, wherein the second displacement group is determined from displacements between the first object model surface and a third object model surface, wherein the third object model surface is determined from a third physical motion captured pose, determining a fourth object model surface from the first object model surface and the weighted combination, and displaying the fourth object model surface to the user on a display.
US08334867B1

A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set.
US08334858B2

For the purpose of providing a display apparatus capable of improving display quality by expanding the light-emission area of pixels by improving the layout of pixels and common power-feed lines formed on a substrate, pixels (7A, 7B) including a light-emission element (40), such as an electroluminescence element or an LED element, are arranged on both sides of common power-feed lines (com) so that the number of common power-feed lines (com) is reduced. Further, the polarity of a driving current flowing between the pixels (7A, 7B) and the light-emission element (40) is inverted so that the amount of current flowing through the common power-supply lines “com” is reduced.
US08334854B2

The present invention includes a display device for displaying an image and receiving light simultaneously or alternately. The display device includes: a plurality of display elements for displaying the image on a display surface of the display device by emitting light; a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light incident on the display surface formed by the display elements; a storing unit for storing, as an initial value, a difference between two amounts of light received by the light receiving elements; and a detecting unit for detecting a state of contact with or proximity to the display surface and subtracting the initial value stored by the storing unit from a difference between the two detected amounts of received light.
US08334851B2

A display includes: display pixel electrodes; common electrodes; a display layer; a display control circuit; touch detection electrodes; and a touch detection circuit detecting an external proximity object based on a detection signal obtained from the touch detection electrodes with use of a common drive voltage for display applied to the common electrode as a touch sensor drive signal. The touch detection circuit includes: a first filter allowing a fundamental detection signal, contained in the detection signal and having a frequency same as a fundamental frequency of the touch sensor drive signal, to pass therethrough, a plurality of second filters separately allowing two or more harmonic detection signals, contained in the detection signal and having frequencies same as respective harmonic frequencies of the touch sensor drive signal, to pass therethrough, and a detection section performing a detection operation based on the fundamental detection signal and the harmonic detection signals.
US08334847B2

A system includes a touchscreen display and an interface application. The interface application may control the touchscreen display to provide a container and a selectable user interface control. The user interface control may be selected through manipulation of the touchscreen display in an area of the container proximate the user interface control. The user interface application may identify a gesture function in response to manipulation of the touchscreen display in an area of the container when the manipulation has a motion magnitude in a plane of the touchscreen display exceeding a threshold value.
US08334842B2

Techniques for facilitating interaction with an application in a motion capture system allow a person to easily begin interacting without manual setup. A depth camera system tracks a person in physical space and evaluates the person's intent to engage with the application. Factors such as location, stance, movement and voice data can be evaluated. Absolute location in a field of view of the depth camera, and location relative to another person, can be evaluated. Stance can include facing a depth camera, indicating a willingness to interact. Movements can include moving toward or away from a central area in the physical space, walking through the field of view, and movements which occur while standing generally in one location, such as moving one's arms around, gesturing, or shifting weight from one foot to another. Voice data can include volume as well as words which are detected by speech recognition.
US08334839B2

Disclosed are a remote control method in a remote control system including a display panel, and a terminal for remote-controlling the display panel, and the remote control system. The remote control system includes a terminal for transmitting a light signal to a point on the screen of a display panel according to user input, and a display panel for executing an operation corresponding to the light signal received point.
US08334836B2

A driving method for driving an electrophoretic display apparatus, which has a display section including a plurality of pixels each having a pixel electrode and a common electrode opposing each other and an electrophoretic element interposed therebetween which includes electrophoretic particles, includes erasing a first image displayed on the display section, during a process of rewriting the first image into a second image. The driving method includes displaying the second image on the display section, during the process of rewriting the first image into the second image, wherein the corrected image data is image data obtained by correcting image data associated with the second image so as to reduce an area displaying the one gradation and expand an area displaying the other gradation in the second image.
US08334835B2

A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel provides touch panel function. When the LCD panel is contacted, one or more internal piezoelectric elements respond to the pressure via one or more corresponding photo spacers and generate electrical signals.
US08334834B2

A backlight control system and method are disclosed. An overdrive device modifies a backlight duty signal according to a current-frame backlight duty signal and a previous-frame backlight duty signal. In one embodiment, the overdrive device is implemented with a lookup table that outputs the modified backlight duty signal. The backlight driven by the modified backlight duty signal then emits light to a display panel, thereby increasing a response time of the backlight.
US08334829B2

A liquid crystal display and method for driving the same are proposed. The liquid crystal display includes a pixel matrix. The pixel matrix includes two first pixel groups each having a first pixel and a second pixel are at one side of the data line, and two second pixel groups each having a third pixel and a fourth pixel are at the other side of the data line. The driving method includes steps of: driving one of the two second pixel groups to transmit a first signal to a fourth pixel of the driven second pixel group, driving one of the two first pixel groups to transmit a second signal to a first pixel of the driven first pixel group, driving the other second pixel group to transmit a third signal to a fourth pixel of the other second pixel group, and driving the second group to transmit a fourth signal to a third pixel of the driven second pixel group.
US08334822B2

Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a pixel array section configured to have a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix thereon, each of the pixels including an electro-optical element, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, and a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode and the source electrode of the driving transistor for storing an image signal written by the writing transistor, each of the pixels carrying out a mobility correction process for applying negative feedback to a potential difference between the gate and the source of the driving transistor with a correction amount determined from current flowing to the driving transistor; a detection section configured to detect variation of a characteristic of any transistor in the pixels; and a control section configured to control the period of the mobility correction process based on a result of the detection by the detection section.
US08334818B2

This display unit comprises screens (4, 6, 8, 10) positioned in parallel to a plane of display between a retracted position in which at least two screens overlap to reduce a cumulated display surface and a fully deployed position in which the overlapping of the screens is reduced or eliminated to increase the cumulated display surface, and a computer (12) capable of commanding the display of a complete image on the totality of the cumulated display surface both in the retracted position and in the fully deployed position.
US08334814B2

An antenna for circular polarization having an electrical dipole radiator which is oriented essentially parallel to an electrically conductive base surface in a plane of symmetry SE oriented perpendicular to the electrically conductive base surface. The dipole is in connection with a slot radiator which is configured in an electrically conductive base surface, with its longitudinal expanse along the intersection line between the plane of symmetry SE and the electrically conductive base surface. The slot radiator connection location is formed by means of connection points situated at the longitudinal edges and lying opposite one another. The electrical dipole radiator and the slot radiator are tuned to one another in their resonance frequencies. The slot radiator and the electrical dipole radiator with dipole feed line are connected with the antenna connection location by way of a combining network, in terms of magnitude and phase, in such a manner that circular polarization exists in the remote field at the frequency at which the radiators are tuned to one another.
US08334810B2

An antenna architecture containing a broadband resonant cap positioned over a radiating patch is disclosed. The resonant cap consists of a rectangular resonant patch at the center with parasitic patches in close proximity of the four edges of the resonant patch. The parasitic patches may be coplanar with the resonant patch or may be mounted at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of the resonant patch. The resonant cap reduces the HPBW of the emitted radiation and improves emission directivity.
US08334797B1

A method of performing analog to digital conversation of an analog signal Vin(t), the method including the steps of: utilizing both of the complementary arms of an electro-optic modulator to recover the analog input signal Vin(t), while using only one time-stretch element and one λ-demultiplexer after the electro-optic modulator. The single time-stretch element and one λ-demultiplexer serve to stretch and demultiplex the signals from both of the complementary output arms of the electro-optic modulator thereby improving and simplifying post-processing algorithms used to correct for static distortions and nonlinearities that originate from imperfect photonic hardware. Double-balanced photoreceivers are preferably coupled to outputs of the single λ-demultiplexer. The single time-stretch element is preferably implemented by a chirped fiber grating. Apparatus for carrying out the method is described.
US08334796B2

An on-chip DC voltage generator and hardware efficient method provide for generating linear DC voltages with a programmable negative temperature coefficient. A temperature-dependent DC voltage is digitally derived from an on-chip temperature readout, a programmable digital word to control the temperature coefficient and a programmable digital word to adjust the digital level. The digital result is applied to a resistor string digital to analog converter (DAC) to generate an analog DC voltage with a negative temperature slope. Additionally, another programmable digital word for trimming allows convergence at a given temperature of voltages having a common level but different temperature coefficients. These voltages can be applied to the word line in the flash memory and track the threshold voltage of the memory cell, which has a negative temperature coefficient, such that the difference between the gate voltage and the threshold voltage is constant over temperature.
US08334793B2

A method may include selecting a media file and determining if the selected media file has been indexed. If the media file has not been indexed, the method may include playing the selected media file on a media device while simultaneously measure a brainwave signal of a user with a sensor, where the brainwave signal indicates an attention level of the user. Next, the method may include indexing the media file by correlating the measured brainwave signal to the media file and storing the media file and the measured brainwave signal in storage device.
US08334791B2

A communication system includes a roadside unit and a mobile communication unit that communicates with the roadside unit by using one of a plurality of communication channels. The mobile communication unit obtains, for each communication channel, a reception condition measurement representing the reception condition of a radio signal received from the roadside unit, creates information of a candidate channel for a receiving channel to be used to receive the radio signal from the roadside unit, and reports the candidate channel information to the roadside unit. On the other hand, the roadside unit assigns the receiving channel by selecting it from among the candidate channels, and reports the receiving channel to the mobile communication unit.
US08334779B2

A hospital bed includes a frame having at least one movable frame portion and circuitry coupled to the frame. The hospital bed also has a touch screen coupled to the frame and coupled to the circuitry. The touch screen is operable to display a plurality of screens for controlling bed functions, including displaying a frame control screen having at least one icon which is touched by a user to command the circuitry to actuate movement of the movable frame portion of the frame.
US08334773B2

Techniques for monitoring and tracking assets and providing notifications to users are disclosed. In one aspect, a request to track an asset and enterprise data describing the asset are received, a tag is selected to associate with the asset, an event notification is received from the tag, and a user notification is generated from the event notification and the enterprise data. In another aspect, a request for a tag is received, a tag is selected in response to the request, a tag is routed to the origin location for the tag, a notification is received that the tag has arrived at a destination location, and the tag is routed from the destination location to a tag pool.
US08334769B2

A tracking device is provided. A position determiner is configured to determine a position of the tracking device. The tracking device has first and second operating modes, the first operating mode being in response to at least the absence of a data communications link with an external wireless node, the second operating mode being in response to at least the presence of communication with an external wireless node. In the first operating mode, the tracking device periodically determines its position from the position determiner and maintains a position history of the tracking device. In the second operating mode, the tracking device reduces the operations of the position determiner relative to the first operating mode. In association with the tracking device transitioning from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the tracking device wirelessly transmits the position history.
US08334755B2

Provided is a method and apparatus for recognizing a radio frequency identification tag reader. In order to obtain protocol addresses of a plurality of radio frequency identification (hereinafter referred to as RFID) tag readers, a request message including a timestamp indicating a generation time is generated and transmitted, and a response message for the request message from one of the plurality of RFID readers is received. When the timestamp included in the response message satisfies a set condition, a hardware address and a protocol address of the RFID reader are extracted from the response message.
US08334742B2

An electromagnetic actuator (20) comprises a stator (22), a piston (24), and a key (26). The stator comprises a stator frame (30) having an axial direction (32), the stator frame in turn comprising a magnetic member (50) and a base (52). The base (52) is separated by a gap (56) in the axial direction from the magnetic member (50) and positioned so that magnetic flux extending through the magnetic member (50) also extends through the base (52). The piston (24) is configured to reciprocate within the stator frame (30) in the axial direction (32). The key (26) is configured and position both to locate the base (52) with respect to the stator frame (and thereby provide the gap) and to absorb energy when the piston (24) strikes the base. A flux transfer flange (60) is configured to concentrate magnetic flux extending through the magnetic member (50) in a radial direction into the base (52).
US08334737B2

An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, an IDT electrode on the substrate, an internal electrode above the substrate, a side wall above the internal electrode, a lid on the side wall, an electrode base layer on the internal electrode, a connection electrode on the electrode base layer, and an anti-corrosion layer between the internal electrode and the side wall. The internal electrode is electrically connected to the IDT electrode. The side wall surrounds the IDT electrode. The lid covers the IDT electrode to provide a space above the IDT electrode. The electrode base layer is provided outside the space and the side wall. The anti-corrosion layer protrudes outside the side wall, and is made of material less soluble in plating solution than the internal electrode. This acoustic wave device prevents the internal electrode from breaking due to plating solution, hence being manufactured at a high yield rate.
US08334734B2

Printed multilayer filter design techniques and filters based on metamaterial structures including an extended composite left and right handed (E-CRLH) metamaterial unit cell.
US08334732B2

Aspects of a method and system for generating quadrature signals utilizing an on-chip transformer are provided. In this regard, a pair of phase-quadrature signals may be generated from a single-phase signal via a transformer, one or more variable capacitors, and one or more variable resistors integrated on-chip. The transformer may comprise a plurality of loops fabricated in a plurality of metal layers in the chip. Each of the one or more variable capacitors may comprise a configurable capacitor bank and each of the one or more variable resistors may comprise a configurable resistor bank. The one or more capacitor banks may be programmatically configured on-chip, based on a frequency of the single-phase signal. The one or more resistor banks may be programmatically configured on-chip, based on a frequency of said single-phase signal.
US08334726B2

The semiconductor integrated circuit incorporates a PLL circuit including a phase-frequency comparator 1, first and second charge pumps 2 and 3, a loop filter 4, a voltage-control oscillator 5 and a divider 6. The operation mode of the PLL circuit includes a standby state where locking is stopped, a lock response operation where locking is started and a steady lock operation where the locking started by the lock response operation is continued. In the steady lock operation, setting is made so that the second charge pump 3 is smaller in charge/discharge current than the first charge pump 2. The first and second charge pumps 2 and 3 charge and discharge the loop filter 4 in response to outputs of the phase-frequency comparator 1 in reverse to each other in phase. In the lock response operation where locking is started, the second charge pump 3 is stopped from charging and discharging in reverse in phase.
US08334723B2

A distortion compensation amplification device includes a level detecting means that detects a signal level, a correspondence storage means that outputs a distortion compensation coefficient depending on the signal level, a pre-distortion executing means that gives distortion with an inverse characteristic to the signal, a filtering means that outputs a distortion component from a feedback signal output from an amplifier, and a correspondence acquiring means that updates a learning coefficient constituting a function that gives the inverse characteristic so as to reduce the distortion component. Each orthogonal function is the total sum of products of functions of the input signal and parameters. The parameter values are set to cause the orthogonal functions to be orthogonal to each other when functions are replaced for the functions of the input signal constituting the orthogonal functions.
US08334719B2

An object is to provide a semiconductor device that can realize a function of a thyristor without complication of the process. A semiconductor device including a memory circuit that stores a predetermined potential by reset operation and initialization operation is provided with a circuit that rewrite data in the memory circuit in accordance with supply of a trigger signal. The semiconductor device has a structure in which a current flowing through the semiconductor device is supplied to a load by rewriting data in the memory circuit, and thus can function as a thyristor.
US08334715B1

An apparatus comprising a first circuit, a state machine, a compare circuit and a calibration circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a slew rate control signal and a calibration signal in response to (i) a plurality of control bits and (ii) an operation signal. The state machine may be configured to generate the operation signal and a plurality of intermediate control signals in response to (i) a compare signal and (ii) clock signal. The compare circuit may be configured to generate the compare signal in response to (i) a reference voltage and (ii) a capacitance signal. The calibration circuit may be configured to generate the capacitance signal in response to (i) the calibration signal and (ii) the plurality of intermediate control signals.
US08334706B2

An impedance calibration mode control circuit includes: a first signal generating unit configured to generate a first calibration control signal in response to a ZQ calibration command received after a power-up operation; and a second signal generating unit configured to generate a second calibration control signal during a refresh operation of a semiconductor device.
US08334697B2

A generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30, 80) includes primary coil windings (12, 32, 82) and shield coil windings (14, 34, 84) at a larger radial position than the primary coil windings, and an arcuate or annular central gap (16, 36, 86) that is free of coil windings, has an axial extent (W) of at least ten centimeters, and spans at least a 180° angular interval. Connecting conductors (24, 44, 94) disposed at each edge of the central gap electrically connect selected primary and secondary coil windings. In a scanner setting, a main magnet (62, 64) is disposed outside of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings. In a hybrid scanner setting, an annular ring of positron emission tomography (PET) detectors (66) is disposed in the central gap of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings.
US08334692B2

A magnetic resonance (MR) device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body placed in an examination volume includes a main magnet or generating a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field in the examination volume, and an RF coil arrangement for generating RF fields in the examination volume and/or for receiving MR signals from the body. In order to provide such an MR device, which is arranged to operate at the resonance (Larmor) frequencies of two or more different nuclear species at the same time, the RF coil arrangement includes independent resonator elements which are adjacently arranged in or near the examination volume. The adjacent resonator elements are alternately tuned to one of two or more different MR resonance frequencies, and each resonator element is associated with a separate signal transmission and/or signal reception channel of the MR device.
US08334680B2

Provided is a field winding type generator-motor capable of minimizing cost increase and structure modification while preventing a failure due to a temperature rise, without mounting a temperature sensor. The field winding type generator-motor according to the present invention includes: a dynamo-electric machine that has a field winding; a field current detecting section for detecting field current; a field current restriction deciding section for deciding whether or not the decision value has reached a predetermined decision threshold value by calculating a decision value based on the field current detected by the field current detecting section; and a field current controller for controlling the field current flowing in the field winding so that the field current is restricted to a predetermined permissible value in a case where the field current restriction deciding section decides that the decision value has reached the predetermined decision threshold value.
US08334678B2

A voltage control apparatus for an electric generator includes a load response controller and a voltage response controller. The electric generator includes a field winding and is driven by an engine of a motor vehicle. When the output voltage of the generator decreases below a threshold voltage upon the application of an electrical load, the rotational speed of the engine fluctuates to repeatedly increase and decrease until it is stabilized. During the time periods in which the rotational speed of the engine decreases, field current supplied to the field winding of the generator is gradually increased under a load response control performed by the load response controller. During the time periods in which the rotational speed of the engine increases, the field current is gradually increased under a voltage response control by the voltage response controller.
US08334677B2

A method of controlling charging of a battery (16) of a totally implantable auditory prosthesis and a control system (50) therefor. The method comprises determining a first charge related characteristic of the battery (16) such as the predetermined minimum amount of charge (58), and a second charge related battery characteristic such as the preset charge level or charge rate of the battery (16). The method further comprises detecting when a charge cycle of the battery (16) commences and monitoring where the charge level of the battery (16) is in relation to the first charge related battery characteristic when the charge cycle commences and adjusting the second charge related battery characteristic depending on the relationship between the charge level and the first charge related battery characteristic at the commencement of the charge cycle. The control system and method has the potential to increase the operational life of the battery (16).
US08334671B1

The present invention features a portable charger comprising a handle bar attachment means, a charger receptacle attached to the handle bar attachment means, a charging contact disposed within the charger receptacle for accepting a cigarette lighter charger head, wherein the cigarette lighter charger head is operatively connected to a first wire that can be plugged to an electronic device that needs battery recharge; and a set of power source wires operatively connecting the charging contact to a battery unit.
US08334666B2

A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is described herein. The system comprises a variable speed drive for powering the motor via a power cable; and a controller, the controller having a memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The computer program product comprises the instructions of: monitoring an input current or impedance on the power cable to determine changes in motor current impedance, comparing changes in the motor current impedance to a historical threshold value for backspin events to determine whether the motor is backspinning; impeding operable power to the motor when it is determined the motor is backspinning; supplying a low AC voltage to the motor after it is determined the motor is backspinning; and determining whether or not the motor has stopped backspinning by monitoring the low AC voltage.
US08334664B2

A light emitting diode (LED) illuminating system includes a LED illuminating circuitry, which includes a plurality of LEDs connected in parallel, and an actuator connected to the LED illuminating circuitry to actuate the plurality of LEDs. The actuator includes a sensor and a control circuitry, which includes a controller connected to the actuator. The sensor is configured to detect an output signal of the actuator and to output the detected data value to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the detected data value with a predetermined data value, and to output a scan signal to the actuator when a LED is found to be malfunctioning. The actuator is configured to scan each LED and to output a location parameter of the malfunctioning LED to the controller based on the scan signal. A method for controlling the LED lighting system is also provided.
US08334663B2

A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a power supply having an energy storage capacitor and a charge pump circuit adapted to conduct an input charging current through the load and to conduct an output charging current through the energy storage capacitor to thus generate a DC supply voltage across the energy storage capacitor, where the output charging current has a magnitude greater than the input charging current. The charge pump circuit includes a switched capacitor operable to charge through the load during a first half-cycle, and to discharge into the energy storage capacitor in a second, subsequent half-cycle. The charge pump circuit operates at line frequency and the magnitude of the input charging current is substantially small so as to avoid generating noise in a noise-sensitive circuit of the load control device.
US08334659B2

An electronic driver apparatus and methods are disclosed for driving power an organic LED or other large area solid state light source, in which a switch mode DC current source provides DC current to drive the light source according to a control input and a controller provides a ramped pulse modulated control input to the current source for at least some values of a dimming setpoint signal or value to mitigate damaging current spikes by controlling di/dt of the drive current.
US08334654B2

A light source device having a large cooling action on the base member of a discharge lamp. A connector on the sides of the power supply and the air blower and the base-side connector of a discharge lamp are connected to each other through a connection cable having a power cable in which an air blow pipe is contained. An electric power is supplied from the power supply to a base part through the power cable of the connection cable, the base-side connector and a flow passage bending member. The cool air from the air blower is supplied to the groove part of the base part through the air blow pipe of the connection cable, the base-side connector and an air blow passage in the flow passage-bending member.
US08334648B2

An organic electroluminescence device having a layer of an organic light emitting medium which comprises (A) a specific arylamine compound and (B) at least one compound selected from specific anthracene derivatives, spirofluorene derivatives, compounds having condensed rings and metal complex compounds and is disposed between a pair of electrodes and an organic light emitting medium comprising the above components (A) and (B) are provided. The organic electroluminescence device exhibits a high purity of color, has excellent heat resistance and a long life and efficiently emits bluish to yellowish light. The organic light emitting medium can be advantageously used for the organic electroluminescence device.
US08334643B2

A lamp for internal lighting of an electric household appliance includes an LED, a printed circuit for supporting and powering the LED, and a supporting body made of an electrically non-conductive material and provided, at a first end thereof, with a reflecting/diffusing element for light emitted from the LED. The LED is carried on a flat face of the printed circuit, at a first end of the printed circuit. The supporting body has a tubular shape and the printed circuit being supported inside the supporting body, with the flat face arranged substantially coplanar with an optical axis of the reflecting/diffusing element and the first end of the printed circuit overhangingly protruding from the first end of the supporting body, so that the reflecting/diffusing element collects at least a part of the light emitted from the LED. The printed circuit extends over an entire length of the supporting body.
US08334639B2

A package for an electronic component includes a first substrate and a second substrate. In the package, an interior space capable of housing the electronic component is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a sealing hole communicating with the interior space and an exterior is formed in at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, the interior space can be airtightly sealed by melting a solid sealant provided in the sealing hole, and an interior wall of the sealing hole has a curved surface extending in directions of penetration and inner periphery of the sealing hole.
US08334635B2

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.
US08334632B2

A stator includes a stator-core having slots and teeth, and a back-yoke having convex and concave portions. The convex portions are partially inserted into the slots, and the concave portions receive the teeth. The teeth include tip portions whose circumferential widths become larger along a radial direction from the inside to the outside of the stator. The back-yoke includes convex portions whose circumferential widths become larger along the radial direction from the outside to the inside of the stator. The tip portions and the convex portions have substantially the same shape. The length of a joint portion between the tip portion and the convex portion, the circumferential width of the tooth corresponding to a tip surface of the convex portion, the width of a root portion of the tooth, and the circumferential width of the convex portion corresponding to a bottom face of the concave portion are substantially the same.
US08334630B2

A stator core for a stator of an electrical machine includes an elongate stator yoke having an interior surface that defines an axial central opening through the stator yoke. The interior surface further defines a plurality of axial channels about a perimeter of the central opening. A plurality of stator teeth are retained in the plurality of axial channels and spaced apart from one another to define to define axial channels to receive windings of the stator.
US08334628B2

A stator coil for an axial gap electrical rotating machine includes first coil pieces, second coil pieces, and an annular base member having recesses for arranging and holding the first and second coil pieces in back and front faces of the annular base member. The first and second coil pieces are arranged in a circumferential direction of the annular base member in the recesses in both back and front faces of the base member. The first joint portion of one first coil piece faces and is connected to the first joint portion of another first coil piece. The second joint portion of one first coil piece faces and being connected to the second joint portion of another second coil piece or the third joint portion of one second coil piece to provide a coil loop.
US08334625B2

A storage disk drive motor 12 includes a stator unit 2, a rotor unit 3, a shaft 41 arranged in a coaxial relationship with a center axis 9, a sleeve unit 22 including a flange portion 223, and a base member 21, having a through-hole, fixed to the sleeve unit 22 by caulking. The flange portion 223 includes a flange lower surface 223b making contact with an upper surface 21a of the base member 21 and a jut 24 protruding downwards from a radial inner side of the flange lower surface 223b. The jut 24 includes a first outer circumferential surface 241 opposed to the inner circumferential surface 21c of the base member 21, a second outer circumferential surface 242 positioned below the first outer circumferential surface 241, and a groove 243 radially inwardly indented from the first outer circumferential surface 241 and the second outer circumferential surface 242.
US08334615B2

A system for supplying electric power from a main power grid to a plurality of ships moored at a respective berth of a quay. The system includes a connection point for connecting to the grid supplying electrical power at a first frequency, a frequency converter arrangement for converting electric power from the grid at the first frequency to electric power at a second frequency, a first connector, arranged to provide power from the grid at the first frequency, a second connector, arranged to provide power at the second frequency from the frequency converter arrangement, a plurality of switches, each switch being configured to supply of power from either of the two connector to a respective berth, the system further includes a plurality of ship connection arrangements connected to a respective switch, each ship connection arrangement being adapted for connection to an electric system of a ship. A corresponding arrangement and method are also presented.
US08334607B2

A rotational speed controlling device for a wind turbine is provided. The controlling device includes a first input node for receiving a first signal, indicative of an actual rotational speed of the rotor, a second input node for receiving a second signal, indicative of a reference rotational speed for the rotor, a detection unit for detecting a defective operational state in which the wind turbine is impeded to export electrical power to an electricity network, a control unit for providing a reference signal for a characteristic operational parameter of the wind turbine based on the first signal and the second signal, and a pulse generator adapted to send a kick pulse to an integral control element of the control unit in response to the detection of the defective operational state. The characteristic operational parameter is indicative of the rotational speed of the rotor.
US08334600B2

A low-noise flip-chip package, comprising: a carrier substrate having first and second opposing main faces; and a flip-chip substrate connected in a face-down manner onto the first main face of the carrier substrate via a connection array, wherein: the flip-chip substrate comprises at least first and second circuitry portions spaced apart from one another; the flip-chip substrate comprises a substrate-contact boundary located between the first and second circuitry portions; and each of the first circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion and the substrate-contact boundary has its own separate signal-reference connection extending via a respective connection of the connection array through the carrier substrate to a respective electrical contact at the second main face of the carrier substrate for connection to a common signal-reference element in an external circuit.
US08334596B2

A semiconductor device includes an electrode pad provided on a semiconductor chip, in which the electrode pad includes aluminum (Al) as a major constituent and further including copper (Cu), a coupling ball primarily including Cu, the coupling ball is coupled to the electrode pad such that a plurality of layers of Cu and Al alloys are formed at a junction between the electrode pad and the coupling ball, and an encapsulating resin including a halogen of less than or equal to 1000 ppm, the encapsulating resin covering at least the electrode pad and the junction between the electrode pad and the coupling ball. A dimensional area of the plurality of layers of Cu and Al alloys is equal to or larger than 50% of a dimensional area of the junction between the electrode pad and the coupling ball. The plurality of layers of Cu and Al alloys includes a CuAl2 layer, a CuAl layer formed on the CuAl2 layer, and a layer including one of Cu9Al4 and Cu3Al2 formed on the CuAl layer.
US08334594B2

The present invention relates to a chip having a metal pillar structure. The chip includes a chip body, at least one chip pad, a first passivation layer, an under ball metal layer and at least one metal pillar structure. The chip body has an active surface. The chip pad is disposed on the active surface. The first passivation layer is disposed on the active surface, and has at least one first opening so as to expose part of the chip pad. The under ball metal layer is disposed on the chip pad. The metal pillar structure is disposed on the under ball metal layer, and includes a metal pillar and a solder. The metal pillar is disposed on the under ball metal layer. The solder is disposed on the metal pillar, and the maximum diameter formed by the solder is shorter than or equal to the diameter of the metal pillar. Therefore, when the pitch between two adjacent metal pillar structures of the chip is a fine pitch, the defect of solder bridge can be avoided, so that the yield rate is improved.
US08334593B2

A semiconductor device package is provided. The semiconductor device package includes a laminate comprising a first metal layer disposed on a dielectric film; a plurality of vias extending through the laminate according to a predetermined pattern; one or more semiconductor devices attached to the dielectric film such that the semiconductor device contacts one or more vias; a patterned interconnect layer disposed on dielectric film, said patterned interconnect layer comprising one or more patterned regions of the first metal layer and an electrically conductive layer, wherein a portion of the patterned interconnect layer extends through one or more vias to form an electrical contact with the semiconductor device. The patterned interconnect layer comprises a top interconnect region and a via interconnect region, wherein the package interconnect region has a thickness greater than a thickness of the via interconnect region.
US08334588B2

A circuit component comprising a substrate, and a conductive layer over the substrate, wherein the conductive layer comprises a first portion between a first opening in the conductive layer and a second opening in the conductive layer, wherein the first and second openings are enclosed by the conductive layer, wherein a void is over the substrate and under the conductive layer, wherein the first portion and the first and second openings are over the void.
US08334584B2

A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a base array having terminals and an open region; attaching a coverlay layer directly on the base array; placing a component in the open region and directly on the coverlay layer; forming an encapsulation over the base array and the component; removing the coverlay layer to leave a plane of the terminals and a plane of the component partially exposed and substantially coplanar; and removing a portion of the base array between the terminals, the terminals electrically isolated.
US08334571B2

An ESD protection device includes a first well of a first semiconductor type disposed in a substrate of a second semiconductor type forming a first diode. A second well of the second semiconductor type is formed in the substrate to form a second diode with the first well. A first plurality of doped regions of the first semiconductor type are formed in an upper surface of the first well. A second plurality of doped regions of the second semiconductor type are formed in the upper surface of the first well forming a third diode with the first well. A plurality of STI regions are formed in the upper surface of the first well. Each STI region is disposed between a doped region of the first and second semiconductor types. The third diode provides a current bypass when an ESD voltage spike is received at one of the first or second plurality of doped regions.
US08334567B2

First example embodiments comprise forming a stress layer over a MOS transistor (such as a LDMOS Tx) comprised of a channel and first, second and third junction regions. The stress layer creates a stress in the channel and the second junction region of the Tx. Second example embodiments comprise forming a MOS FET and at least a dummy gate over a substrate. The MOS is comprised of a gate, channel, source, drain and offset drain. At least one dummy gate is over the offset drain. A stress layer is formed over the MOS and the dummy gate. The stress layer and the dummy gate improve the stress in the channel and offset drain region.
US08334565B2

A vertical and trench type insulated gate MOS semiconductor device includes a plurality of regions each being provided between adjacent ones of a plurality of the straight-line-like trenches arranged in parallel and forming a surface pattern of a plurality of straight lines. A plurality of first inter-trench surface regions are provided, each with an n+-type emitter region and a p+-type body region formed thereon, and the surfaces of regions are alternately arranged along the trench in the longitudinal direction thereof with an emitter electrode being in common contact with both of the surfaces of the n+-type emitter region and the p+-type body region. A plurality of second inter-trench surface regions are provided each of which is formed along the trench in the longitudinal direction thereof with one of the surface of the p base region and the surface of the n-type semiconductor substrate.
US08334559B2

A semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first conductivity type in between respective regions of an opposite conductivity type, at least the first region being covered by a first dielectric layer, a polysilicon floating gate placed on the first dielectric layer over the first region, said floating gate being surrounded by an insulating material; and a metal control gate structure adjacent to the polysilicon floating gate, the metal control gate structure being capacitively coupled to said floating gate. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor storage device is also disclosed.
US08334557B2

A first diffused region is formed in a surface of a semiconductor substrate located under a gate electrode. A second diffused region is formed in a surface of the semiconductor substrate adjoining the first diffused region on a first side thereof. A third diffused region is formed in a surface of the semiconductor substrate adjoining the first diffused region on a second side thereof. The first side and the second side are opposite to one another. A first wire is disposed above an overlapping region where the first and third diffused regions overlap. The first wire is supplied with at least a certain voltage for preventing formation of a depletion region in the third diffused region when transfer transistor transfers the voltage used for writing.
US08334554B2

An image sensor includes a first region of a substrate having photoelectric conversion elements formed therein, and includes a second region of the substrate outside of the first region. The image sensor includes a plurality of lenses, a plurality of embossing structures, and a protective layer. The lenses are formed over the first region. The embossing structures are formed over the second region, and the embossing structures are separated from each-other. The protective layer is formed over the lenses and the embossing structures that prevent crack propagation.
US08334546B2

A light emitting diode is provided, including an LED chip, a reflector, a lens, a circuit plate, a circuit substrate and an electrical conductivity device. The LED chip is disposed in the reflector and the lens is disposed on the reflector, covering the reflector and the LED chip. The LED chip is electrically connected to the circuit plate. The circuit plate further includes a first through hole therein and the circuit substrate further includes a second through hole therein. The electrical conductivity device passes through the first through hole and the second through hole so that the circuit plate is electrically connect to the circuit substrate. The reflector is installed between the circuit plate and the circuit substrate. The first through hole and the second through hole are not connected to the reflector.
US08334544B2

A nitride semiconductor laser device with a reduction in internal crystal defects and an alleviation in stress, and a semiconductor optical apparatus comprising this nitride semiconductor laser device. First, a growth suppressing film against GaN crystal growth is formed on the surface of an n-type GaN substrate equipped with alternate stripes of dislocation concentrated regions showing a high density of crystal defects and low-dislocation regions so as to coat the dislocation concentrate regions. Next, the n-type GaN substrate coated with the growth suppressing film is overlaid with a nitride semiconductor layer by the epitaxial growth of GaN crystals. Further, the growth suppressing film is removed to adjust the lateral distance between a laser waveguide region and the closest dislocation concentrated region to 40 μm or more.
US08334541B2

A SiC semiconductor device includes a reverse type MOSFET having: a substrate; a drift layer and a base region on the substrate; a base contact layer and a source region on the base region; multiple trenches having a longitudinal direction in a first direction penetrating the source region and the base region; a gate electrode in each trench via a gate insulation film; an interlayer insulation film covering the gate electrode and having a contact hole, through which the source region and the base contact layer are exposed; a source electrode coupling with the source region and the base region through the contact hole; a drain electrode on the substrate. The source region and the base contact layer extend along with a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and are alternately arranged along with the first direction. The contact hole has a longitudinal direction in the first direction.
US08334535B2

To provide a wireless identification semiconductor device provided with a display function, which is capable of effectively utilizing electric power supplied by an electromagnetic wave. The following are included: an antenna; a power source generating circuit electrically connected to the antenna; an IC chip circuit and a display element electrically connected to the power source generating circuit; a first TFT provided in the power source generating circuit; a second TFT provided in the IC chip circuit; a third TFT provided in the display element; an insulating film provided to cover the first to third TFTs; a first source electrode and a first drain electrode, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, and a third source electrode and a third drain electrode which are formed over the insulating film; and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the third source electrode or the third drain electrode. The first source electrode or the first drain electrode is electrically connected to the antenna.
US08334532B2

The invention provides an IGZO-based oxide material and a method of producing the same, the IGZO-based oxide material being represented by a composition formula of In2-xGaxZnO4-δ, where 0.75
US08334520B2

An exemplary a charged particle beam apparatus converts an inspection position on a test sample (wafer coordinate system) to a setting position of an inspection mechanism (stage coordinate system (polar coordinate system)), a rotating arm and a rotating stage being rotated to be moved for the inspection position on the test sample. In this case, inspection devices are arranged over a locus that is drawn by the center of the rotating stage according to the rotation of the rotating arm. A function for calculating errors (e.g., center shift of the rotating stage) and compensating for the errors is provided, by which the precision of inspection is improved in a charged particle beam apparatus equipped with a biaxial rotating stage mechanism.
US08334517B2

Apparatus and method for adjusting an ion beam between a mass analyzer and a substrate holder. Herein, one or more bended, such as arch-shaped, curved or zigzag shaped, bar magnets are configured to apply one or more magnetic fields to adjust the shape or cross section of an ion beam passing through a space partially surrounded by the one or more bended bar magnets. At least one of the gap width between neighbor bended bar magnets, the curvature of each bended bar magnet and the current flowing through each bended bar magnet may be fixed or adjusted dependently or independently. Therefore, the Lorentz force applied on the ion beam along different directions may be changed in a desired manner, and then the ion beam may be flexibly elongated, compressed or shaped to meet the process requirement.
US08334516B2

A radiographic image capturing system includes an image capturing apparatus for applying radiation to a subject, a radiation detecting apparatus for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject, a power feeder for supplying electric power contactlessly to a contactless power receiver of the radiation detecting apparatus, a feeding-state determining unit for determining whether power-feeding by the power feeder is being performed or not, and a signal generator for generating an image-capturing inhibition signal for inhibiting radiographic image-capturing by the image capturing apparatus if the feeding-state determining unit judges that the power-feeding is being performed.
US08334512B2

A detector system for a transmission electron microscope includes a first detector for recording a pattern and a second detector for recording a position of a feature of the pattern. The second detector is preferably a position sensitive detector that provides accurate, rapid position information that can be used as feedback to stabilize the position of the pattern on the first detector. In one embodiment, the first detector detects an electron energy loss electron spectrum, and the second detector, positioned behind the first detector and detecting electrons that pass through the first detector, detects the position of the zero-loss peak and adjusts the electron path to stabilize the position of the spectrum on the first detector.
US08334510B2

An interface, a scanning electron microscope and a method for observing an object that is positioned in a non-vacuum environment. The method includes: generating an electron beam in the vacuum environment; scanning a region of the object with the electron beam while the object is located below an object holder; wherein the scanning comprises allowing the electron beam to pass through an aperture of an aperture array, pass through an ultra thin membrane that seals the aperture, and pass through the object holder; wherein the ultra thin membrane withstands a pressure difference between the vacuum environment and the non-vacuum environment; and detecting particles generated in response to an interaction between the electron beam and the object.
US08334501B1

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to interrupt a light beam that is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float, and includes part of the switch as a glowable member.
US08334497B2

An image sensor includes a pixel array with a plurality of pixels, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes: a photoelectric conversion unit; and a waveguide structure in which a side face of a substance that has a higher refractive index than a refractive index of a plurality of insulation films is surrounded by the plurality of insulation films so that light is guided to the photoelectric conversion unit, and wherein an insulation film that surrounds a region where the light is concentrated of the side face of the substance has the lowest refractive index among the plurality of insulation films.
US08334489B2

Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
US08334488B2

A cooker of the invention includes: a heating chamber; a detachable heating pan; a high-frequency wave supply unit which generates microwaves; an antenna which radiates the microwaves generated by the high-frequency wave supply unit; a heat supply unit which heats an object placed on the heating pan by heat radiation; and a control unit which controls heating treatment of the objects to be heated. When a first object to be heated is placed on a placing table used also as a bottom surface of the heating chamber, and a second object to be heated is placed on the heating pan, the control unit controls the second object to be heated so as to be heated by the heat supply unit after subjecting at least the first object to be heated to the microwave radiation, and stops operation after heating of the objects to be heated is completed.
US08334472B2

In a feeder assembly, an automatic document feeder is electrically connected to a scan-sorting unit. The scan-sorting unit scans, one by one, front sides of originals fed by the automatic document feeder to obtain a plurality of original image signals, and sorts, one by one, the original image signals to output a plurality of sorting signals. The automatic document feeder includes a sheet input tray, a sheet output module and a sheet-feeding mechanism. The sheet-feeding mechanism feeds the originals from the sheet input tray to the sheet output module. The sheet output module is configured to sort the originals into a plurality of original groups placed in the sheet output module according to the sorting signals. The scan-sorting unit sorts the original image signals into signal groups corresponding to the original groups according to the sorting signals, and stores the original image signals according to the signal groups.
US08334466B2

A multilayer printed wiring board including a core substrate, a built-up wiring layer having a first surface in contact with the substrate and a second surface, the second surface including a mounting area for mounting a semiconductor device, the built-up layer including circuits and insulating layers, first through-hole conductors formed in a first portion of the substrate which corresponds to the mounting area, second through-hole conductors formed in a second portion of the substrate which corresponds to an area of the second surface other than the mounting area, third through-hole conductors formed in a processor core area of the first portion of the substrate which corresponds to a processor core section of the device, and pads provided on the second surface. The first conductors have a pitch smaller than a pitch of the second conductors, and the third conductors have a pitch smaller than the pitch of the first conductors.
US08334462B2

A wired circuit board assembly sheet includes a plurality of wired circuit boards spaced to each other, and a plurality of striated portions extending between the respective wired circuit boards along a direction intersecting the lengthwise direction of the wired circuit boards.
US08334461B2

A wiring board adapted for mounting an electronic component has the form of a structure in which a plurality of wiring layers are stacked one on top of another with an insulating layer interposed therebetween and are interconnected through via holes formed in the insulating layers, respectively. A plurality of openings are formed through the structure in a region where a wiring is not formed, extending through the structure in a thickness direction thereof. Further, solder resist layers are formed on the outermost wiring layers, respectively, and exposing pad portions defined in desired locations in the outermost wiring layers.
US08334457B2

The invention provides systems and methods for power connection, which may be a sealed power connection. The sealed power connection may be used with an electric machine or any device that may require electrical and/or mechanical connection for power. The sealed power connection may provide an effective electrical connection while providing a robust mechanical connection. The electric machine or device may be fluid-sealed and/or fluid-cooled. The sealed power connection may provide for electrical insulation of the connection from the machine or device enclosure, and may also be sealed to provide for fluid sealing and/or internal fluid cooling of the electric machine or device, as well as fluid cooling of the connection.
US08334453B2

A shaped tab conductor configured to allow more incident light to strike a cell substrate, improving the photovoltaic efficiency of the cell. The shaped tab conductor is configured to reduce the amount of incident light that is blocked by the tab from reaching the surface of the cell substrate. The tab may also be configured to redirect light reflected from the cell surface back to the cell surface. The cross-section of the tab conductor may be polygonal, such as a rhombus, with at least one generally planar surface that forms an acute angle with the substrate.
US08334434B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016082. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016082. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016082 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016082 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08334433B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016109. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016109. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016109 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016109 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08334429B2

Auxotrophic Agrobacterium and methods employing auxotrophic Agrobacterium are provided. Auxotrophic Agrobacterium may be used in a variety of methods including biologically containing Agrobacterium comprising a transgene and transforming a plant cell without using an Agrobacterium counter-selective agent. Transforming maize immature embryos using an Agrobacterium auxotrophic for thymidine results in comparable transformation efficiency as transformation achieved using prototrophic Agrobacterium. Methods for producing an Agrobacterium thymidine auxotroph and using the auxotroph in transformation methods are disclosed. Transformed tissues and plants produced using methods of the present invention are also provided.
US08334424B2

An animal incontinence device comprises a base layer of a liquid-impervious polymer film, an intermediate absorbent layer comprising superabsorbent polymer particles intermediate a plurality of layers of tissue, and a top layer comprising a porous, hydrophilic, woven or non-woven polymer fiber mat.
US08334415B2

A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, water, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts while minimizing formation of heavies is disclosed.
US08334412B2

The present invention provides a process for preparing 3-(methylthio)propanal which can sufficiently decrease the production of high-boiling impurities as a by-product. The process comprises reacting acrolein and methyl mercaptan in the presence of Allylamines (I), Triallylamines (II), and preferably an optional organic acid. The preferred amount of Allylamines (I) is 0.001 to 0.50 mol per 1 mol of Triallylamines (II).
US08334406B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing carboxamides by hydrolysing carbonitriles in the presence of a catalyst comprising manganese dioxide, wherein the reaction mixture added to the catalyst comprising manganese dioxide has a pH in the range of 6.0 to 11.0 and the hydrolysis is performed in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing alkyl (meth)acrylates, the process having a hydrolysis step according to the process described above.
US08334404B2

A non-aqueous electrolyte usable in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries including a solution of LiPF6/carbonate based electrolytes with low concentrations of LiFOP such that the thermal stability is increased compared to a standard lithium battery. A method of making lithium tetrafluorophospahte (LiF4C2O4, LiFOP) including, reacting PF5 with lithium oxalate, recrystallizing DMC/dichloromethane from a 1:1 mixture of to separate LiF4OP from LiPF6 to form a lithium salt. An electric current producing rechargeable Li-ion cell. The rechargeable lithium ion cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a solution of a lithium salt in a non-aqueous organic solvent containing lithium tetrafluorooxalatophosphate (LiPF4(C2O4), LiF4OP).
US08334403B1

Compounds and methods for double-stranded DNA cleavage of light-activated lysine conjugates are enhanced at the slightly acidic pH suitable for selective targeting of cancer cells by the presence of two amino groups of different basicities. The first amino group plays an auxiliary role enhancing solubility and affinity to DNA whereas the second amino group which is positioned next to the light-activated DNA-cleaver undergoes protonation at the desired pH threshold. Protonation results in two synergetic effects which account for the increased DNA-cleaving ability at the lower pH: tighter binding to DNA at the lower pH; and the unproductive pathway which quenches the excited state of the photocleaver through intramolecular electron transfer is eliminated once the donor amino group next to the chromophore is protonated. The utility of these molecules for phototherapy of cancer is confirmed by the drastic increase in toxicity of five conjugates against cancer cell lines upon photoactivation.
US08334398B2

The present invention provides organic arsenicals. Many of these compounds have potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against numerous human tumor cell lines, both of solid and hematological origin, as well as against malignant blood cells from patients with leukemia.
US08334384B2

A process for preparing 5,7,12,14-tetrahydro-5,7,12,14-tetraazapentacene compounds and derivatives of Formula (A): comprises reacting at least one 1,2-diaminobenzene compound of Formula (I) with a 1,2,4,5-tetrahydroxybenzene compound of Formula (II): wherein R1-R14, Ra-Rj, R′, and R″ are as described herein.
US08334373B2

This invention relates to modified double-stranded oligoribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having improved stability in cells and biological fluids, and methods of making and identifying dsRNA having improved stability, and of using the dsRNA to inhibit the expression or function of a target gene.
US08334351B2

An FEP pellet having a volatile content of 0.2% by weight or less. The FEP pellet satisfies the following requirements (i) and (ii) when used to form a insulating material coating a core wire by extrusion coating at a coating speed of 2,800 ft/min.: (i) an adhesive strength between the insulating material and said core wire of 0.8 kg or more; and (ii) an average number of cone-breaks in the insulating material of one or less per 50,000 feet of the coated core wire.
US08334340B2

A sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound, useful as a crosslinker for filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer compositions, is represented by the general formula: G[—CaH2a—S—S(═O)b—R]n wherein G is a saturated, monocyclic aliphatic group of valence n containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally containing at least one halogen or a saturated monocyclic silicone [RSiO—]n[R2SiO—]p group of valence n; each R independently is a monovalent hydrocarbon of up to 20 carbon atoms; each occurrence of subscripts a and b independently is an integer wherein a is 2 to 6 and b is 1 or 2; n is an integer of from 3 to 6; and p is an integer of from 0 to 3.
US08334338B2

A composition for forming a resist lower layer film, which contains (A) a resin, (B) a butyl ether group-containing crosslinking agent and (C) a solvent.
US08334327B2

A breathable film having a base layer comprising first filler particles and second filler particles dispersed within a biodegradable polymer matrix is provided. The first filler particles constitute from about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of the base layer and the second filler particles constitute from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the base layer. The ratio of the average size of the first filler particles to the average size of the second filler particles being from about 2 to about 100. The film exhibits a water vapor transmission rate of about 2,000 g/m2/24 hours or more and a peak load in the machine direction of about 800 grams-force per inch or more.
US08334317B2

The present invention relates generally to novel calcimimetic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. The invention also relates to methods of treating of diseases or disorders related to the function of the calcium sensing receptor using the compounds represented in Formula I.
US08334313B2

The invention encompasses ureido substituted benzoic acid compounds, compositions comprising the compounds and methods for treating or preventing diseases associated with nonsense mutations of mRNA by administering these compounds or compositions.
US08334308B2

The present invention relates to biphenyl-based renin inhibitor compounds having amino-terminal groups, and their use in treating cardiovascular events and renal insufficiency.
US08334305B2

Novel substituted amide inhibitors, their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, the use of said compounds in the manufacture of medicaments, and therapeutic methods comprising the administration of said compounds are described. The present compounds modulate the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and are accordingly useful in the treatment of diseases in which such a modulation is beneficial, such as the metabolic syndrome.
US08334304B2

The present invention is concerned with novel compounds of formula (I) having 5HT4-antagonistic properties. The invention further relates to methods for preparing such novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said novel compounds as well as the use as a medicine of said compounds.
US08334302B2

This invention provides for compounds, compositions, and methods that involve anti-proliferative and anti-neoplastic activity in cancer cells. In particular, a series of benzimidazole, purine, imidazopyridine, and imidazopyrizine compounds having selected substitution patterns are disclosed, and the activity of various subject compounds is demonstrated. In particular, the disclosure provides for substituted imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine compounds having the general formula their salts, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment using the subject compounds and compositions.
US08334296B2

The present invention provides 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades that lead to the release of chemical mediators, intermediates and methods of synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated with the release of chemical mediators via degranulation and other processes effected by activation of the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades.
US08334289B2

The invention relates to novel pyridin-2-one compounds of general formula (I), in which A represents a 4- to 6-membered hydrocarbon chain that can have 1 or 2 methyl groups as substituents, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms can be replaced by oxygen, a carbonyl group or sulfur, and the hydrocarbon chain can have a double bond or a triple bond; R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings as cited in the claims and in the description. The invention also relates to the tautomers of compounds I, the physiologically acceptable salts of compounds I, and to the physiologically acceptable salts of the tautomers of compounds I. The invention also relates to the use of compounds of general formula (I) and of the tautomers, and to the use of the physiologically acceptable salts of compounds I and of the tautomers for producing a pharmaceutical agent for treating diseases that respond to the influence of dopamine D3 receptor antagonists or agonists.
US08334287B2

The present invention relates to imidazole derivatives of the general formula wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Compounds of formula I are metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists. They can be used in the treatment or prevention of mGluR5 receptor mediated disorders.
US08334286B2

The invention refers to compounds of general formula (I) wherein the R groups are, independently, H, C1-6alkyl, aryl, CF3; Y is CH2, C═O; X is bond, C═O, SO2, or C═N—CN; m is 0, 1; n is 0, 1; A is a heterocycle, or a phenyl group optionally substituted as defined in the specification. The compounds are active on chronic pain conditions of different origin; they can be administered alone or with other drugs. Most of these compounds are new. The invention include a process to prepare said compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for their administration to a patient.
US08334281B2

Nasal formulations of metoclopramide, which remain stable and/or colorless upon storage over a period of time, are provided. Also provided are methods of treating disorders treatable with metoclopramide, comprising administering the nasal solutions to patients in need thereof.
US08334279B2

The present invention relates to compounds and methods which may be useful as treatments of neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and as inhibitors of NF-κB for the treatment or prevention of muscular wasting disease, including muscular dystrophy.
US08334275B2

This invention provides cellular gene products which have anti-apoptotic activity in HIV-1 infected cells and provides agents for the inhibition of the cellular gene products.
US08334266B2

A process for and intermediates in the preparation of canfosfamide and its salts. Some of the intermediates have anticancer activity.
US08334261B2

The present invention provides a method for producing an osteopenia animal model by RANKL administration and an osteopenia animal model.Also, a method for producing an osteopenia animal model, comprising administering soluble RANKL or a fused protein of soluble RANKL with an epitope tag to a non-human animal so as to promote vivo osteoclast differentiation and activation in the non-human animal, and an osteopenia animal model produced by the method are provided.
US08334260B2

This disclosure relates to a peptide motif and proteins containing the motif that are capable of binding to secreted Frizzled-related protein family members. Accordingly, the disclosure also includes methods of regulating the interaction of sFRP-1 with proteins containing the motif.
US08334255B2

A compound of the formula X1-M-SEQ ID NO:1, or a derivative thereof, is provided, wherein X1-M- represents an optional group comprising a protein transduction domain conjugated to the N-terminus of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising and therapeutic methods using the compound are also provided.
US08334254B2

The invention concerns the use of a recombinant nucleotide sequence containing a cDNA coding for a lactoferrin, in particular human lactoferrin, or the derived proteins, and elements enabling a plant cell to produce lactoferrin or the derived proteins, coded by the cDNA, in particular a transcription promoter and terminator identified by the plant cell transcription machinery, to transform plant cells in order to obtain, from these cells, or plants obtained therefrom, lactoferrin or derived proteins.
US08334253B2

The disclosure is directed to methods and compositions that include MNTF peptides and their analogs for cosmetic and dermatological purposes.
US08334249B2

The present invention relates to a coated detergent composition and a process of manufacturing thereof. More in detail the present invention refers to a coated detergent tablet wherein the coating is applied to the tablet by bringing a powder coating material in direct contact with the tablet and thereafter equalizing the powder particles in a way that a homogenous “fused” coating (film) layer is obtained.
US08334246B2

A composition for stripping a color filter and a color filter regeneration method are provided. A composition for stripping the color filter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes glycol and potassium hydroxide (KOH), in which either (a) the concentration of the glycol is in the range of 83 wt % to 91 wt % and of the concentration of the potassium hydroxide satisfies the condition: (wt % of KOH)≧6−(0.065*(wt % of the glycol)), or (b) the concentration of glycol is more than 91 wt % and the concentration of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is more than 0.2 wt %.
US08334245B2

The present invention relates to a cylinder lubricant having a BN determined according to standard ASTM D-2896 greater than or equal to 15, preferably greater than 20, preferably greater than 30, advantageously greater than 40 milligrams of potash per gram of lubricant, comprising: one or more lubricating base oils for marine engines, at least one detergent based on alkali or alkaline-earth metals, overbased with metallic carbonate salts, optionally in combination with one or more neutral detergents, one or more fatty amines and/or derivatives of oil-soluble fatty amines having a BN determined according to standard ASTM D-2896 comprised between 150 and 600 milligrams of potash per gram, preferably comprised between 200 and 500 milligrams of potash per gram. This lubricant has sufficient neutralization power vis-à-vis the sulphuric acid formed during the combustion of high-sulphur fuel oils, while limiting the formation of deposits during the use of low-sulphur fuel oils.
US08334236B2

Provided are 2-pyridone derivatives which have excellent herbicidal activity and exhibit high safety to useful crops and so on; salts thereof; and herbicides containing same. In more detail, 2-pyridone derivatives represented by general formula [I] or agrochemically acceptable salts thereof, and herbicides containing these compounds are provided. In general formula [I], X1 is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X2, X3, and X4 are to each CH or N(O)m; m is an integer of 0 or 1; R1 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-12 alkyl group, or the like; R2 is a halogen atom, a cyano group, or the like; n is an integer of 0 to 4; R3 is a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, or the like; A1 is C(R11R12); A2 is C(R13R14) or C═O; A3 is C(R15R16); and R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, and R16 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group.
US08334234B2

The invention provides hard coat and image receiving layer structures and related methods used in ID document production. These structures and methods provide ID documents that offer hard protection in areas where needed (e.g., in optical windows for machine readable data), and also provide image receiving layers for later printing of variable data, such as personalization information of the bearer. Implementations of the structure provide an effective interface between hard coat and image receiving layers that provides enhanced durability in manufacture and field use.
US08334231B2

The present invention provides a hydrocracking catalyst comprising a moulded composite support of a zeolite molecular sieve with alumina, at least one of VIII Group metal components, at least one of VIB Group metal components and an organic additive; said organic additive is one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of oxygen-containing or nitrogen-containing organic compounds; the content of said zeolite molecular sieve is 3˜60 wt %, the content of said alumina is 10˜80 wt %, and the content of said organic additive is 0.1˜40 wt % based on the weight of said catalyst; the content of said VIII Group metal component is 1˜15 wt % and the content of said VIB Group metal component is 5˜40 wt % as calculated on oxide and based on the weight of said catalyst. The present invention relates also to a preparation method of said hydrocracking catalyst and use of the catalyst in the hydrocracking process of hydrocarbon oil. In comparison with the method in existing arts, the hydrocracking catalyst provided according to the present invention has the aromatic-hydrogenation conversion activity increased obviously.
US08334230B2

A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit which includes walls. The walls have a thickness of from about 0.10 mm to about 0.50 mm and extend along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structure to define through-holes. The honeycomb structure has a center area inside a boundary line passing through positions located at substantially a half of a length from a center of the honeycomb structure to a periphery of the honeycomb structure in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The honeycomb structure has a peripheral area outside the boundary line. A thickness of the walls located in the peripheral area is larger than a thickness of the walls located in the center area. A first opening ratio in the center area in the cross section is larger than a second opening ratio in the peripheral area in the cross section.
US08334225B2

Stretchable artificial leather comprising a fibrous substrate comprising tricot knitted fabric, and a polyurethane resin layer laminated on the surface of the fibrous substrate, the stretchable artificial leather having fixed load elongation of from 30 to 60% in each of a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a bias direction.
US08334220B2

A method for selectively forming a dielectric layer. An embodiment includes forming a dielectric layer, such as an oxide layer, on a semiconductor substrate, depositing a silicon layer on the dielectric layer, and treating the silicon layer with nitrogen, thereby converting the silicon layer into a silicon nitride layer. This method allows for a protective silicon nitride layer to be formed, while also preventing and/or reducing the nitrogen itself from penetrating far enough to contaminate the substrate. In another embodiment the treating with nitrogen is continued to form not only a silicon nitride, but to also diffuse a small portion of nitrogen into the dielectric layer to nitridized a portion of the dielectric layer. Optionally, an anneal could be performed to repair any damage that has been done by the treatment process.
US08334219B2

A method of forming stress-tuned dielectric films having Si—N bonds on a semiconductor substrate by modified plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), includes: introducing a nitrogen-and hydrogen-containing reactive gas and an additive gas into a reaction space inside which a semiconductor substrate is placed; applying RF power to the reaction space using a high frequency RF power source and a low frequency RF power source; and introducing a hydrogen-containing silicon precursor in pulses into the reaction space wherein a plasma is excited, thereby forming a stress-tuned dielectric film having Si—N bonds on the substrate.
US08334208B2

A film forming method includes arranging a target substrate to be processed in a chamber; supplying a processing gas including a chlorine containing gas through a supply path to the chamber in which the target substrate is arranged; and arranging a Ti containing unit in the supply path of the processing gas and making a reaction between the chlorine containing gas of the processing gas and Ti of the Ti containing unit by bringing the chlorine containing gas into contact with the Ti containing unit, when the processing gas is supplied to the chamber. The method further includes depositing Ti on a surface of the target substrate by a thermal reaction by supplying to the target substrate a Ti precursor gas produced by the reaction between the chlorine containing gas and Ti of the Ti containing unit while heating the target substrate provided in the chamber.
US08334206B2

The invention relates to a method for producing metallic interconnect lines on the surface of a substrate comprising: an etching step for defining trenches within said substrate; a step for filling said trenches using electrodeposition of a metal exhibiting a crystalline lattice, further comprising the production of a so-called metal invasion layer, on top of said trenches filled with grains of metal so as to define said interconnect lines, characterized in that it also comprises the following steps: determination of a first direction (D1) of orientation of grains along a trench and of a second direction (D2) of orientation of grains in a direction perpendicular to a trench; determination of a third direction (D3) of ion channelling in the crystalline lattice of said metal; determination of at least one direction of orientation (Di1, Di2, Di3) of an ion implantation beam in said metal invasion layer, by performing the scalar products: of a first vector relative to said first direction (D1, <110>) and of a third vector relative to said third direction (D3, <110>); of a second vector relative to said second direction (D2, <111>) and of the third vector relative to said third direction (D3, <110>); the ion implantation of the so-called invasion layer by an ion beam according to one of the previously defined orientations of the ion implantation beam (Di1, Di2, Di3).
US08334202B2

A method for fabricating a device includes providing a substrate including at least one contact and applying a dielectric layer over the substrate. The method includes applying a first seed layer over the dielectric layer, applying an inert layer over the seed layer, and structuring the inert layer, the first seed layer, and the dielectric layer to expose at least a portion of the contact. The method includes applying a second seed layer over exposed portions of the structured dielectric layer and the contact such that the second seed layer makes electrical contact with the structured first seed layer. The method includes electroplating a metal on the second seed layer.
US08334197B2

The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate structure over the semiconductor substrate, first gate structure including a dummy dielectric and a dummy gate disposed over the dummy dielectric; removing the dummy gate and the dummy dielectric from the gate structure thereby forming a trench; forming a high-k dielectric layer partially filling the trench; forming a barrier layer over the high-k dielectric layer partially filling the trench; forming an capping layer over the barrier layer partially filling the trench; performing an annealing process; removing the capping layer; forming a metal layer over the barrier layer filling in a remainder of the trench; and performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to remove the various layers outside the trench.
US08334196B2

A method of forming a conductive contact includes forming a structure comprising an upper surface joining with a sidewall surface. The sidewall surface contains elemental-form silicon. Silicon is epitaxially grown from the sidewall surface. Dielectric material is formed over the upper surface and the epitaxially-grown silicon. A conductive contact is formed through the dielectric material to conductively connect with the upper surface.
US08334195B2

CMOS pixel sensors with multiple pixel sizes and methods of manufacturing the CMOS pixel sensors with implant dose control are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of pixel sensors in a same substrate and forming a masking pattern over at least one of the plurality of pixel sensors that has a pixel size larger than a non-masked pixel sensor of the plurality of pixel sensors. The method further includes providing a single dosage implant to the plurality of pixel sensors. The at least one of the plurality of pixel sensors with the masking pattern receives a lower dosage than the non-masked pixel sensor.
US08334189B2

A method for forming trench isolation on a substrate includes providing a substrate having thereon a pad layer and a hard mask; forming a first shallow trench in a first area and a second trench in a second area on the substrate; forming a resist layer covering the first area while exposing the second area; etching the second shallow trench to form a deep trench; forming oxide liner within the first shallow trench and the deep trench; and filling the shallow trench and the deep trench with an oxide layer.
US08334181B1

A double gate germanium metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) includes a germanium fin, a first gate formed adjacent a first side of the germanium fin, and a second gate formed adjacent a second side of the germanium fin opposite the first side. A triple gate MOSFET includes a germanium fin, a first gate formed adjacent a first side of the germanium fin, a second gate formed adjacent a second side of the germanium fin opposite the first side, and a top gate formed on top of the germanium fin. An all-around gate MOSFET includes a germanium fin, a first sidewall gate structure formed adjacent a first side of the germanium fin, a second sidewall gate structure formed adjacent a second side of the germanium fin, and additional gate structures formed on and around the germanium fin.
US08334169B2

A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing an integrated circuit having an active side and a non-active side; forming a channel through the integrated circuit; forming an indent, having a flange and an indent side, from a peripheral region of the non-active side; and forming a conformal interconnect, having an offset segment, a sloped segment, and a flange segment, under the indent.
US08334159B1

A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor includes a silicon spacer defining an opening, a silicon membrane layer mounted above the spacer, a silicon sensor layer mounted above the silicon membrane layer, and a capacitance sensing circuit. The silicon membrane layer forms a diaphragm opposite of the spacer opening, and a stationary perimeter around the diaphragm and opposite the spacer. The silicon sensor layer includes an electrode located above the diaphragm of the silicon membrane layer. The capacitance sensing circuit is coupled to the electrode and the silicon membrane layer. The electrode and the silicon membrane layer move in response to a pressure applied to the diaphragm. The movement of the silicon membrane layer causes it to deform, thereby changing the capacitance between the electrode and the silicon membrane layer by an amount proportional to the change in the pressure.
US08334156B2

A nitride semiconductor single crystal substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a method for manufacturing a vertical nitride semiconductor device using the same. According to an aspect of the invention, in the nitride semiconductor single crystal substrate, upper and lower regions are divided along a thickness direction, the nitride single crystal substrate having a thickness of at least 100 μm. Here, the upper region has a doping concentration that is five times or greater than that of the lower region. Preferably, a top surface of the substrate in the upper region has Ga polarity. Also, according to a specific embodiment of the invention, the lower region is intentionally un-doped and the upper region is n-doped. Preferably, each of the upper and lower regions has a doping concentration substantially identical in a thickness direction.
US08334133B2

In method of injecting a substance into a living cell having a cell membrane, the substance, the cell and a liquid are placed into a tapering passage. Energy is applied to the cell, thereby inducing poration. To sort cells, a cellular suspension is placed in a tapering passage, including a narrow end that defines an opening that has a dimension corresponding to a cell size. An acoustic wave is applied, thereby forcing cells having a cell size smaller than the selected cell size through the opening, with a portion of the cells having a cell size not smaller than the selected cell size not forced through the opening. To extract material from a cell, an electric field and an acoustic wave are applied, thereby causing the cell membrane to allow the material to pass out of the cell.
US08334132B2

According to the present invention, by using 4-halogeno-3-hydroxybutanamide as a substrate in quaternary amination reaction with trialkylamine which is an important step in betaine (such as carnitine) preparation processes, it becomes possible to reduce the production of crotonic acid derivatives (the major by-product) greatly compared to conventional processes. Consequently, it becomes possible to prepare a betaine, such as carnitine, at a high yield.
US08334128B2

The present invention relates to the novel Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153 strain (Accession No: KCTC 11493BP) having probiotic activity, precisely Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153 having antimicrobial activity against Vibrio genus pathogenic microorganisms and other pathogens. The Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153 strain of the present invention has excellent intestinal adherence and growth inhibitory effect on pathogenic microorganisms including Vibrio genus microorganisms, so that it can be effectively used as a composition for the prevention and treatment of disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
US08334121B2

The assemblies of the invention can comprise a fine fiber layer forming a multilamellar web or matrix, having dispersed within the fine fiber layer a bioactive particulate material, including cells, enzymes or microorganisms. Fluid that flows through the assemblies of the invention can have any material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid react with, be absorbed by, or adsorbed onto, the bioactive particulate within the nanofiber layer. The assemblies of the invention can be used to treat or purify fluid streams. The assemblies of the invention can be used in conjunction with a bioreactor system, a bioartificial organ, or a culture container.
US08334119B2

The invention relates to the development of appropriate cultivation conditions for a bacteria to grow anaerobically (fermentatively) on a glycerol substrate. The method requires culturing bacteria having a functional 1,2-propanediol pathway and a functional type II glycerol dehydrogenase-dihydroxyacetone kinase pathway in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glycerol, a neutral to mildly acidic pII, low levels of potassium and phosphate, and high levels of CO2, such that glycerol is thus converted into a desirable product, such as ethanol, hydrogen, formate, succinate, or 1,2-propanediol.
US08334117B2

A device for controlling temperature in a reaction chamber is disclosed. The device comprises: a bladder assembly comprising a housing dimensioned to hold a reaction chamber disposed within an interior volume of the housing; and a first temperature-control bladder disposed within the housing, the first temperature-control bladder is configured to receive a temperature-control fluid and comprises a flexible, heat conductive surface that comes in contact with at least a portion of an exterior surface of the reaction chamber after receiving the temperature-control fluid. Also disclosed are a bladder thermal cycler, a temperature-control bladder assembly and methods for producing a thermal cycle in a reaction chamber.
US08334109B2

A reagent for blood analysis includes: (1) a compound having the general formula I; and (2) at least one surfactant selected from cationic surfactants and nonionic surfactants. In another aspect a method for differentiating and counting blood cells is provided, the method includes the following steps: (a) mixing a blood sample with the reagent for blood analysis according to the present disclosure to form a cell suspension; (b) detecting scattered light signals and fluorescence signals of cells in the blood sample; and (c) differentiating and counting the cells in the blood sample based upon the scattered light signals and fluorescence signals. The reagent for blood analysis may be effective for identifying and counting erythroblasts and/or basophils in a blood sample to be detected, and meanwhile counting leukocytes therein.
US08334102B2

The invention teaches human-compatible monoclonal antibodies which are specific against human CD28 and human T-lymphocytes of several to all subgroups to activate without occupancy of an antigen receptor of the human T-lymphocytes and thus antigen-non-specifically.
US08334101B2

Provided herein are methods of identifying and using compounds that modulate an AIM2 polypeptide-mediated immune response. Further provided herein are methods of treating disease comprising administering to a patient a compound that decreases expression of an AIM2 polypeptide. Further provided herein are methods of providing gene therapy to a patient comprising administering to the patient a gene therapy agent and a compound that decreases expression of an AIM2 polypeptide. In certain embodiments, a compound that decreases expression of an AIM2 polypeptide comprises an siRNA or an shRNA.
US08334099B2

The present invention provides a method for amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence or signal, wherein an amplification reaction mixture is used which contains at least one reversibly modified oligonucleotide having a non-hydroxyl group 3′ end which can be converted into a hydroxyl 3′ end upon exposure to a chemical and/or irradiation and/or a range of temperature. The present invention also provides a reversibly modified oligonucleotide as described above, and a nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture and kit comprising such an oligonucleotide.
US08334086B2

An electroluminescent device including a substrate on which a first electrode is formed; a transparent substrate disposed on the first electrode side of the substrate; a color filter disposed between the first electrode and the transparent substrate; an electroluminescent layer disposed between the first electrode and the color filter; and a second electrode disposed between the electroluminescent layer and the color filter.
US08334083B2

A method of patterning a multi-layer mask is described. The method includes preparing a multi-layer mask on a substrate, wherein the multi-layer mask includes a lithographic layer and an intermediate mask layer underlying the lithographic layer, and wherein the intermediate mask layer comprises a carbon-containing compound. The method further includes: establishing an etch process recipe for transferring a pattern, that is formed in the lithographic layer and characterized by an initial pattern critical dimension (CD), to the intermediate mask layer; establishing at least one parametric relationship between an intermediate pattern CD to be formed in the intermediate mask layer and at least one process parameter, wherein the at least one parametric relationship provides process conditions capable of increasing and decreasing the initial pattern CD to the intermediate pattern CD; selecting a target process condition to achieve a target CD adjustment between the initial pattern CD and the intermediate pattern CD; and transferring the pattern from the lithographic layer to the intermediate mask layer using the target process condition.
US08334077B2

A fuel cell system capable of suppressing noise caused by backflow of air when a compressor stops. Also, there is provided a fuel cell vehicle provided with this fuel cell system. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and a compressor that compresses air taken in from outside and supplies compressed air to the fuel cell. Operation of the compressor is stopped after a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the compressor has become equal to or smaller than a predetermined value by using a control unit. In this case, the predetermined value can be a pressure difference corresponding to a predetermined noise level.
US08334073B2

A method of manufacturing a negative electrode includes: a first step of forming a plurality of columnar active material blocks capable of electrochemically storing and releasing lithium ions on the surface of a current collector; and a second step of disposing particulate lithium in the gaps between the active material blocks.
US08334070B2

Provided is an electrode material, which contains an electrode active material, comprising a clay mineral in an amount of the range of 5% by weight or less based on the total weight of the electrode material for increasing the mechanical strength of the electrode material and improving the impregnation ability of an electrolyte.
US08334065B2

A battery cover latch assembly comprises a battery housing member, a battery cover releasably secured to the battery housing member, a latch system and an adjustment system. The latch system is formed between the battery cover and the battery housing member, to secure the battery cover to the battery housing member. The adjustment system is formed between the battery cover and the battery housing member, to adjust the securing engagement between the battery cover and the battery housing member.
US08334063B2

A secondary battery capable of being formed to be relatively small by reducing the sizes of internal devices and compactly locating the internal devices. Accordingly, the volume of the secondary battery is reduced and the capacity thereof is maintained, thereby increasing the capacity density of the secondary battery. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes a bare cell having a cap plate and a protection circuit module on the bare cell and including a printed circuit board surface-contacting the cap plate.
US08334062B1

The present invention relates generally to a multi-layered article suitable for service in severe environments. The article may be formed of a substrate, such as silicon carbide and/or silicon nitride. The substrate may have a first layer of a mixture of a rare earth silicate and Cordierite. The substrate may also have a second layer of a rare earth silicate or a mixture of a rare earth silicate and cordierite.
US08334046B2

The present invention relates to the field of overmolded polyamide composites structures and processes for their preparation. The disclosed overmolded composite structures comprise a first component having a surface, which surface has at least a portion made of a surface polyamide resin composition, and having a fibrous material impregnated with a matrix resin composition, and comprise a second component comprising an overmolding resin composition. The second component is adhered to the first component over at least a portion of the surface of said first component. One of the overmolding resin composition and the surface polyamide resin composition is made of a polyamide composition comprising a blend of one or more semi-aromatic polyamides (A) and one or more fully aliphatic polyamides (B) and the other of the overmolding resin composition and the surface polyamide resin composition is made of one or more polyamides.
US08334044B2

A hydrogel-metal assembly is provided. An intervening polymer network is used to bond together a water-swollen hydrogel layer and a biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer. The hydrogel layer is a water-swollen hydrogel layer of at least two interpenetrating polymers. The surface of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer is surface-modified with an inorganic material. The intervening polymer network has been chemically grafted to the inorganic material of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer through bi-functional linker molecules. The intervening polymer network is further physically or chemically cross-linked with the polymers of the water-swollen hydrogel. The hydrogel-metal assembly can be adapted to form a medical device, medical implant, an artificial implant, an orthopedic implant, or at least as part of a joint. The hydrogel-metal assembly is attractive for use as such implants or devices due to its characteristics such as, for example, low coefficient of friction, impact-absorption capacity or strength, and/or biocompatibility.
US08334043B2

A ceramic honeycomb structure comprised of at least two separate smaller ceramic honeycombs that have been adhered together by a cement comprised of inorganic fibers and a binding phase wherein the smaller honeycombs and fibers are bonded together by the binding phase which is comprised of an amorphous silicate, aluminate or alumino-silicate glass and the cement has at most about 5% by volume of other inorganic particles. The cement may be made in the absence of other inorganic and organic additives while achieving a shear thinning cement, for example, by mixing oppositely charged inorganic binders in water together so as to make a useful cement for applying to the smaller honeycombs to be cemented.
US08334038B2

A release liner is provided according to the present invention. The release liner includes a clay coated paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a silicone coating provided on one of the first surface or the second surface of the clay coated paper substrate, and a friction coating provided on the other of the first surface of the second surface of the clay coated paper substrate. The clay coated paper substrate includes a paper base sheet having a first side, a second side, and a basis weight of about 50 lb/3,000 ft2 to about 100 lb/3,000 ft2, and a clay coating on each of the paper base sheet first side and second side at a weight of about 0.75 lb/3,000 ft2 to about 10 lb/3,000 ft2 per side. Laminates including a release liner and an adhesive backed article are described, and additionally described are methods for manufacturing and using.
US08334036B2

It is provided a multi-layer material comprising a self-adhesive layer coated on the reverse side of a first web, a release layer coated on the front side of a second web, the release layer being attached to the self-adhesive layer of the first web, wherein on the reverse side of the second web a cold seal adhesive layer is coated. Furthermore, a multi-layer tag manufactured from said multi-layer material is provided.
US08334033B2

A sodium/zinc mixed ionomer comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an α-olefin and an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Further provided are articles comprising or prepared from the sodium/zinc mixed ionomer.
US08334028B2

A method of forming a protective film for a magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The protective film suppresses cobalt elution out of the magnetic recording layer and has a thickness not larger than 3 nm. The method of the invention of forming a protective film for a magnetic recording medium comprises (1) a step of forming a protective film, on a lamination including a substrate and metallic film layers formed on the substrate, by means of a plasma CVD method using a raw gas of a hydrocarbon gas, wherein a flow rate of the hydrocarbon gas is in a range of 50 sccm to 200 sccm and a emission current is in a range of 0.1 A to 0.3 A, and (2) a step of surface treatment on the protective film that has been formed in the step (1), including sub-steps of (2a) a plasma treatment in an argon gas and (2b) a plasma treatment in a gas containing a nitrogen gas.
US08334019B2

The invention relates to a method of depositing a layer of material onto the surface of an object, of the type comprising the deposition of a layer of solution of said material in a first liquid followed by the evaporation of the first liquid to form the layer of material. According to the invention, the method comprises the formation of a layer of a second liquid interposed between the object and the layer of solution, the second liquid being immiscible with the first liquid, of density greater than that of the first liquid and with an evaporating temperature higher than that of the first liquid.
US08334016B2

Metal silicates or phosphates are deposited on a heated substrate by the reaction of vapors of alkoxysilanols or alkylphosphates along with reactive metal amides, alkyls or alkoxides. For example, vapors of tris(tert-butoxy)silanol react with vapors of tetrakis(ethylmethylamido)hafnium to deposit hafnium silicate on surfaces heated to 300° C. The product film has a very uniform stoichiometry throughout the reactor. Similarly, vapors of diisopropylphosphate react with vapors of lithium bis(ethyldimethylsilyl)amide to deposit lithium phosphate films on substrates heated to 250° C. Supplying the vapors in alternating pulses produces these same compositions with a very uniform distribution of thickness and excellent step coverage.
US08334011B1

A method for regenerating oxide coatings on selected gas turbine engine components in situ, comprising the steps of defining an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop for the gas turbine engine, identifying one or more target locations within the EGR loop for purposes of monitoring the level of metal oxide degradation occurring in key gas turbine engine components over time, collecting and analyzing data corresponding to the level of metal oxide degradation with a fixed time period at each of the target locations, determining which ones of the target locations within the EGR loop require oxide regeneration using injected oxygen, and controlling the amount of oxygen injection at the target locations sufficient to regenerate the metal oxide coatings to desired levels.
US08334004B2

The present invention involves an intelligent cooking method, especially a cooking method defined as oil stir-fry in Chinese cuisine. The present cooking method is comprised of the following steps: feeding heat transfer medium, feeding cooking materials, dispersing and/or turning-over cooking materials, separating cooking materials from oil, re-feeding cooking materials, stir-frying and/or turning-over cooking materials, etc. The method can perform intelligent cooking and can accurately control the duration and degree of heating to achieve the effect of stir-fry which is one of main cuisine techniques.
US08334003B2

The present invention relates to a receptacle which comprises a generally elongate tubular body, a plurality of pellets of a predetermined size and shape containing a predetermined measure of active ingredient and filtration means disposed at or adjacent each end of the tubular body to retain the pellets substantially within the body. The receptacle is sized to allow a carrier liquid to be drawn through it. The passage of the carrier liquid through the receptacle causes the pellets to progressively dissolve, thereby releasing the active ingredient into the beverage upon consumption.
US08333984B2

An implantable device including conjugate formed of an acrylamide-based copolymer and a bioactive agent is provided.
US08333981B2

A fungus treatment composition used to deliver active drugs trans-nail as well as a method for producing the fungus treatment composition, which may contain up to 50% additive ingredients. Preferred embodiments of the invention may include fungus treatment compositions which provide high nail penetrating power, which have antifungal agents, which have antifungal essential oils, which have optimum drying and barrier properties, which have pharmaceutically elegant properties, or most preferably an embodiment having a total combination thereof.
US08333975B2

Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.
US08333974B2

The present invention provides effective dosing regimes for neural stem cell proliferating agents, kits containing effective dosing regimes for neural stem cell proliferating agents, and uses thereof. In particular, neural stem cell proliferating agents, such as hCG, prolactin and EPO are delivered to mammalian subjects at low doses in a continuous fashion over several days, as opposed to delivery of high doses in a short period of time.
US08333971B2

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment of HIV infection in a subject. The compositions may comprise a targeting molecule against an HIV antigen, such as an anti-HIV antibody or antibody fragment. The anti-HIV antibody or fragment may be conjugated to a variety of cytotoxic agents, such as doxorubicin. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody or fragment is P4/D10. Other embodiments may concern methods of imaging, detection or diagnosis of HIV infection in a subject using an anti-HIV antibody or fragment conjugated to a diagnostic agent. In alternative embodiments, a bispecific antibody with at least one binding site for an HIV antigen and at least one binding site for a carrier molecule may be administered, optionally followed by a clearing agent, followed by administration of a carrier molecule conjugated to a therapeutic agent.
US08333968B2

The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-23. Antagonists include antibodies and antibody fragments that bind IL-23 and that bind IL-17A or IL-17F, such as antibodies that are cross-reactive for IL-17A and Il-17F. Antagonists that include an antibody or antibody fragment that binds IL-23 and an antibody or antibody fragment that binds IL-17A or IL-17F on one molecule are also disclosed. Antibodies and antibody fragments that bind IL-23 and IL-17F but that do not bind IL-17A are also disclosed. IL-17 and IL-23 are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease.
US08333966B2

The present disclosure provides a humanized anti-CD37 small modular immunopharmaceutical (SMIP) molecule, as well as synergistic combination therapies of CD37-specific binding molecules (such as anti-CD37 SMIP proteins or antibodies) with bifunctional chemotherapeutics (such as bendamustine) that can be administered concurrently or sequentially, for use in treating or preventing B cell related autoimmune, inflammatory, or hyperproliferative diseases.
US08333949B2

In a method for producing high carbon content products from biomass, a biomass oil is added to a cracking reactor vessel. The biomass oil is heated to a temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 800° C. at a pressure ranging from about vacuum conditions to about 20,700 kPa for a time sufficient to crack the biomass oil. Tar is separated from the cracked biomass oil. The tar is heated to a temperature ranging from about 200° C. to about 1500° C. at a pressure ranging from about vacuum conditions to about 20,700 kPa for a time sufficient to reduce the tar to a high carbon content product containing at least about 50% carbon by weight.
US08333948B2

Provided are aligned carbon nanotubes for a fuel cell having a large surface area, a nanocomposite that includes the aligned carbon nanotubes loaded with highly dispersed nanoparticles of a metallic catalyst, methods of producing the carbon nanotubes and the nanocomposite, and a fuel cell including the nanocomposite. In the nanocomposite, nanoparticles of the metallic catalyst are uniformly distributed on external walls of the nanotubes. A fuel cell including the nanocomposite exhibits better performance.
US08333946B2

Partly hydrophobic metal oxides are prepared by silylating a metal oxide with I) an organosilane of the formula R1nSiX4-n where n is 1, 2 or 3 or mixtures of these organosilanes, R1 each being an identical or different monovalent, optionally halogenated hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and being saturated, aromatic, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturation, X being halogen, a nitrogen-containing radical, OR2, OCOR2, O(CH2)xOR2, R2 being hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, x being 1, 2 or 3; or II) an organosiloxane composed of units of the formula (R13SiO1/2), and/or (R12SiO2/2), and/or (R1SiO3/2), the number of R1 units in one organosiloxane being at least 2; I and II used individually or in any desired mixture in a total amount of from 0.015 mmol/g to 0.15 mmol/g per 100 m2/g of metal oxide BET surface area.
US08333943B2

A method for obtaining particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle size less than about 12 microns is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) withdrawing from a pulp mill a mixture containing calcium carbonate; (2) treating the mixture to remove contaminants contained in the mixture to produce a treated mixture containing calcium carbonate and further having a chemical composition and/or purity which substantially inhibits the fusing together of calcium carbonate particulates; (3) recovering from the treated mixture particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle size less than about 12 microns. The calcium carbonate produced has a high surface area to volume ratio and is therefore highly reactive and suitable for numerous applications such as in the treatment of soil, filler paper production, paint production, and contaminant containment in coal stack emission assemblies.
US08333935B2

Disclosed is a microfluidic device including a microfluidic structure formed in a platform in which various examinations, such as an immune serum examination, can be automatically performed using the biomolecule microarray chip. The biomolecule microarray chip-type microfluidic device using a biomolecule microarray chip comprises: a platform which is rotatable; a microfluidic structure disposed in the platform, comprising: a plurality of chambers; a plurality of channels connecting the chambers each other; and a plurality of valves controlling flow of fluids through the channels, wherein the microfluidic structure controls flow of a fluid sample using rotation of the platform and the valves; and a biomolecule microarray chip mounted in the platform such that biomolecule capture probes bound to the biomolecule microarray chip contact the fluid sample in the microfluidic structure.
US08333928B2

Provided is an apparatus for producing carbon nanotubes. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber and a rotating member. The reaction chamber provides a reaction space in which metal catalysts and a source gas react with one another to produce carbon nanotubes. The rotating member increases fluidizing of the metal catalysts in the reaction space to increase productivity and raise the gas conversion rate, thereby reducing the price of carbon nanotubes and preventing adhering of metal catalysts to the sidewall of the reaction chamber.
US08333927B2

The present invention relates to a hole-jetting type reactor and its applications, in particular to a process for the production of isocyanates by the phosgenation of aliphatic or aromatic diamines or triamines in the gas phase using this reactor. The present invention achieves a good mixing and reacting result of the gas-phase phosgenation reaction at a high temperature by improving the mixing of reactants in the reactor to reduce the possibility of forming swirls and eliminate negative pressure produced at a local jet area, which can finally reduce back-mixing and formation of solid by-products.
US08333921B2

A coupling assembly includes a motor driven drive shaft. A rotatable refractory shaft is adapted to be connected to a rotor. Locking recesses are formed in an upper end of the refractory shaft. A rotatable coupling includes a body and a device for affixing the drive shaft to the body. Lever arms are fastened to the body and can be pivoted. A recess in the body receives the refractory shaft. Openings in the body extend from an exterior surface of the body to the recess. Each of the lever arms includes a protruding locking member positioned in the opening in the body. Each locking member engages a locking recess. A device exerts a force against the lever arms forcing the locking members into the locking recesses.
US08333910B2

A microencapsulated silane coupling agent includes adduct particles of an epoxy compound and an imidazole silane coupling agent, and an ethyl cellulose film coating a periphery of the adduct particles, in which the ethyl cellulose film is crosslinked by a polyfunctional isocyanate compound. Preferred examples of the imidazole silane coupling agent include a compound represented by the formula (1), wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and R3 is a lower alkyl group.
US08333909B2

The invention provides an electrolyte comprising an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts and methods for the use of the resin.
US08333906B2

The instant invention relates to mesogenic systems comprising a) a polymeric component, component A, obtained or obtainable from polymerization of a precursor comprising one or more mesogenic mono-reactive compounds, one or more di-reactive compounds, which optionally are also mesogenic compounds and optionally a photo-initiator and a low molecular weight component, component B, comprising one or more mono-reactive, mesogenic compounds, one or more mesogenic compounds and one or more chiral dopants, exhibiting a Blue Phase, as well as to the use of these systems in deices and to these devices.
US08333902B2

Disclosed are compositions comprising HFC-245eb and at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234ze, HFC-245fa, HFC-236cb, HFC-236ea, HFC-236fa, HFC-227ea, HFC-227ca, HFO-1225yc, HFO-1225zc, HFO-1225ye, methane, ethane, propane, HFC-23, HFC-143a, HFC-134, HFC-134a, FC-1216, HFO-1234yf, HFC-254eb, HFO-1243zf, and HFC-254fb. Compositions comprising HFC-245eb are useful in processes to make HFO-1234yf. Also disclosed are compositions comprising HFO-1234yf and at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234ze, HFC-254eb, HFC-254fb, HFO-1243zf, HFCHFC-245eb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245cb, HFC-236cb, HFC-236ea, HFC-236fa, HFC-227ea, HFC-227ca, HFO-1225yc, HFO-1225zc, HFO-1225ye, methane, ethane, propane, HFC-23, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFO-1132a and FC-1216. Compositions comprising HFO-1234yf are useful as heat transfer compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems.
US08333897B2

A method for making a device includes providing a tubular member which will be formed into the device, masking at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member with a removable sacrificial material, selectively removing a portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material using a laser device, and mechanically removing the sacrificial material from the inner surface of the tubular member. Ultrasonic energy could be applied to a workpiece which is being laser cut to prevent any generated slag from welding itself to an exposed surface of the workpiece. A compressed fluid or gas, such as air, could be used to clean the surface of the laser-cut workpiece to remove slag formation which adheres to the surface of the cut workpiece.
US08333894B1

The present invention is directed to a method for filtering fluid, preferably effluent fluid in a septic system, by providing a staged, filtering array in an effluent flow path, the stages positioned in an orientation designed to maximize filtering capability in conjunction with predetermined apertures.
US08333881B2

The disclosure pertains to an electrochemical reactor (1, 13), in particular but not exclusively for vatting sulphur dye or vat dye as well as to methods of using such a reactor and to uses of such a reactor. The electrochemical reactor comprises at least one liquid compartment (3) in which a multitude of freely suspended granules (14) is enclosed, wherein at least one of the side walls (5) of the compartment is an electrode and an opposite side wall is formed by a separator element (6), typically a membrane (6), wherein there is provided a bottom inlet (7, 9) and a top outlet (8, 10) of the compartment for a liquid catholyte (9) or a liquid anolyte (7), wherein the inlet region as well as the outlet region of the compartment (3) are provided with an upper grid (11′) and a lower grid (11″), the width of the mesh and the positioning of which is chosen such as to allow the liquid catholyte (9) or the liquid anolyte (7) to pass through from bottom to top but to prevent the granules (14) to pass through the grids (11′,11″) to leave the compartment (3), and wherein the upstream flow of the liquid catholyte (9) or of the liquid anolyte (7) can be adjusted so that in operation the multitude of granules (14) is dragged against the upper grid (11′) while the lower grid (11″) is substantially not in contact with the granules (14).
US08333876B2

An ion concentration measurement system is provided. The ion concentration measurement system has: at least an end system having a sensing unit for measuring the ion concentration of a test solution to generate at least a sensing signal; a control unit for controlling the acquisition of the sensing signal; a display unit for displaying the sensing signal in real time; and an end wireless transmission interface for transmitting the sensing signal wirelessly.
US08333872B2

Additives for paper making are disclosed herein. Specifically, the additives are wax-free alternatives to conventional coatings, including ASA, AKD and optionally an acrylic containing composition. Other additives may be included in the coating, such as cationic particles or compositions. The coatings may be used at a variety of points during the paper making process, including on the calender stack and in the wet end.
US08333859B2

An efficient lamination presses can rapidly heat and precisely control the temperature of a laminate assembly to create final products with excellent structural and aesthetic properties. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can include a radiant heating assembly. The radiant heating assemblies can uniformly heat one or more platens using radiation. The platens in turn can comprise material having a high thermal conductivity, which can allow them to quickly transfer heat to a laminate assembly. The platens can further comprise one or more fluid channels that enable rapid cooling. The rapid heating and cooling capability can enable fast processing times for laminate panels at much lower energy levels than with conventional presses.
US08333852B2

In a method and with a device for preparing process gases (3) for heat treatments of metallic materials/workpieces, the respective process gas (3) is to be fed into at least one treatment chamber (1.1) in an industrial furnace (1) having been practically fully prepared, homogenised and heated, and the method is to be carried out both with newly built and particularly with already existing installations of industrial furnaces (1) with the aid of the device, wherein the process gas (3) is prepared with compression at temperatures uncoupled from the temperature in the treatment chamber (1.1), in a process separate from the heat treatment process in the treatment chamber (1.1), and in a temperature range up to about 1250° C., and is rendered usable for economical and low-emission heat treatment (FIG. 3).
US08333846B2

A manufacturing method of oriented Si steel with high electric-magnetic property comprises the following steps: smelting steel in converter or electric furnace; refining molten steel in two stages; continuous casting to obtain slab; hot rolling; first cold rolling; decarburizing annealing; secondary cold rolling; applying an annealing separator based on MgO and annealing at high temperature; applying an insulating coating and leveling tension annealing. The slab comprises (in wt %): C 0.020-0.050%, Si 2.6-3.6%, S 0.015-0.025%, Als 0.008-0.028%, N 0.005-0.020%, Mn 0.15-0.5%, Cu 0.3-1.2%, balance Fe and inevitable impurities, in which 10≦Mn/S≦20 and Cu/Mn≧2. The method could produce oriented Si steel with high magnetic induction intensity and low iron loss at low cost.
US08333838B2

Provided is an apparatus capable of producing a fluoride crystal in a very short period of time, and a method suitable for producing a fluoride crystal using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a window material, and the like, and is modified such that it can evacuate air from the chamber to provide a high degree vacuum there. The apparatus further includes a crucible, which has a perforation at its bottom. The capillary portion of the perforation is adjusted to facilitate the contact of a seed crystal with a melt. By using the apparatus it is possible to stably produce high quality single crystals of fluorides in a short period of time.
US08333837B2

Disclosed is a concrete repair composition including an aggregate, a binder, and a fiber reinforcement, wherein the fiber reinforcement includes jute fiber having an average thickness of 65 to 75 μm and an average length of 3 to 6 mm. The jute fiber used for reinforcement has excellent dispersion and bonding when mixing. Also, the jute fiber has high moisture holding capacity, and thus the concrete repair composition can retain water therein during curing, thereby preventing a false-set problem caused by rapid hardening of cement.
US08333835B2

A silica-containing composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a compound having the following formula: (SiO2)x(OH)yMzSaF. M comprises at least one metal or metalloid cation S is a sulfur-based species optionally exists and F is at least one of the following: a functionalized organosilane, a sulfur-containing organosilane, an amine-containing organosilane, and an alkyl-containing organosilane at a surface area coverage of about 0.01 to about 100%. The molar ratio of y/x is equal to about 0.01 to about 0.5, the molar ratio of x/z is equal to about 0.5 to about 300 or from about 0.5 to about 100, and the molar ratio of a/z is about 0.5 to about 5.
US08333833B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a low thermal expansion filler for low thermal expansion glasses which has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and exhibits superior flowability in a molten state, and a glass composition containing the same.It has been found that a low thermal expansion filler composed of a hexagonal zirconium phosphate powder where a specific particle size of 0.8 μm to 50 μm is 95% or more on a volume basis has excellent low thermal expansion property and excellent flowability, and a glass composition containing the filler has been accomplished.
US08333832B2

The present disclosure is directed to a pigment preparation comprising aluminum effect pigments, a solvent and at least one additive, wherein the aluminum effect pigments have a d98 value of the volume averaged particle size distribution curve of less than 15 μm, the at least one additive is a phosphorous containing additive, and the solvent has a viscosity equal to or more than 1.8 mPa's at 25° C. The disclosure is further directed to an ink jet printing ink as well the use thereof.
US08333828B2

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to degassing and cleaning of hydrocarbon fuel. Degassing of hydrocarbon fuel is a way to remove the dissolved gases which aid in the oxidation of the fuel as well as the removal of sulfur, water and other particulate matter through radial cavitation. This process allows for both improvements in efficiency as well as decrease in emissions of standard fuel and the re-refining of fuels which have broken down. University of Idaho did a study on the breakdown of diesel fuel and found out that 26% of the efficiency is lost by the 28th day after fuel processing. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.
US08333816B2

A ventilation device uses a cross-flow fan and one or more filters, where the filter preferably has a J-shape that at least partially surrounds the rotor of the cross-flow fan. In one embodiment, the filter includes a plurality of pleats, preferably along a bottom surface of the filter. The filters preferably remove particles, undesired gases, and micro-organisms. A filtration and ventilation system with at least one first ventilation device and at least one second ventilation device larger than the first ventilation device, as well as a method of filtering contaminants out of air using a personal ventilation device, are also disclosed.
US08333807B2

A modular femoral hip implant trialing system. The system generally includes a proximal body, a fastener, and a fastener retention member. The proximal body includes a proximal bore, a tapered distal bore, and a passageway connecting the proximal bore to the distal bore. The proximal bore, the distal bore, and the passageway are aligned along a first axis. The fastener includes a head in the proximal bore and a stem in the distal bore, the fastener is aligned along the first axis. The fastener retention member is positioned in the proximal bore and is operable to retain at least a portion of the fastener within the proximal bore.
US08333790B2

A dynamic spine stabilization device is provided that includes at least one force imparting member, e.g., a spring. The force imparting member is adapted to deliver a force of between about 150 lb/inch and 450 lbs/inch, and restrict the relative travel distance between said first and second pedicles to a distance of between about 1.5 mm and 5 mm. The spinal stabilization devices also have a minimal impact on the location of the center of rotation for the spinal segment being treated. By providing resistance in the noted range and restricting the travel distance to the noted range, it has been found that the stabilization device provides a desired level of stabilization, as reflected by range of motion values that closely approximate pre-injury range of motion levels. In addition, the resistance levels are not so high as to alter the location of the center of rotation of the treated spinal segment from its normal anatomical location to levels previously obtained, thereby permitting substantially unimpeded angular motion despite the posterior presence of a stabilization device.
US08333789B2

A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The inferior implant may comprise an inferior strut, and a polyaxially adjustable, lockable mechanism which couples the inferior articular surface with a first end of the inferior strut. A second end of the inferior strut may be secured to a polyaxially adjustable, lockable fixation assembly securable in a vertebra. The first end of the inferior strut may be post-shaped, and the second end ring-shaped, and vice versa. The superior implant may be secured to a polyaxially adjustable lockable fixation assembly securable in a vertebra. Inferior and superior implants may be implanted individually, paired on one lateral vertebral side, bi-laterally, and/or in multiple vertebral levels. A crosslink may be secured to one implant and extend across a vertebral sagittal plane to a second implant. A clip may align the articular surfaces during implantation.
US08333786B2

A method of treating a vein comprises accessing a vein at an access point spaced from a sapheno-femoral junction. A bioabsorbable fibrous body is implanted into the vein through the access point. The body is moved in the vein toward the sapheno-femoral junction.
US08333785B2

A filter with translating hooks is described. The filter can include strut members having first and second struts connected by a connecting portion. A translating hook is disposed adjacent the connecting portion of the strut members, the hook including a first elongate member attached at one end to the first strut and a second elongate member attached at one end to a second strut, the opposite ends of the elongate members connected together to define a tip. The translating hooks are configured to bend toward a central axis of the filter when the filter is in a collapsed configuration for delivery to a blood vessel and recovery from a blood vessel, and away from the central axis of the filter when the filter is in an expanded configuration within a blood vessel such that the hooks engage a vessel wall.
US08333784B2

A catheter assembly includes a catheter shaft, a balloon and a pair of collars. The collars may be fixed or rotatable about a catheter shaft prior to exposure to an electric current. Where the collars are fixed to the shaft, the balloon is rotatable about the collars. When exposed to the electric current the collars expand to engage the waists of the balloon thereby sealing the balloon. Where the collars are rotatable about the shaft, each waist of the balloon is engaged to a respective collar. When the rotatable collars are exposed to the electric current the collars expand to engage the shaft of the catheter thereby sealing the balloon.
US08333781B2

The lancet device includes a housing and a lancet having a puncturing element. The lancet is disposed within the housing and is adapted for axial movement between an initial or pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing, and a puncturing position wherein the puncturing element extends through a forward opening in the housing. The lancet device includes a drive spring disposed within the housing for biasing the lancet toward the puncturing position, and a retraction or return spring for returning the lancet to a position within the housing where the puncturing element is disposed within the housing. The retraction spring thereafter maintains engagement with the lancet to assist in preventing the puncturing element from again projecting outward from the forward opening in the housing.
US08333780B1

A surgical tool and method of operation are provided. The surgical tool includes an end effector, such as a surgical scissor. The end effector is coupled to an actuating mechanism having a clevis and a pulley. A cable engages the pulley and is attached to one side of the clevis. When one portion of the cable is pulled, the clevis is moved in a first direction causing the end effector to open. When a second portion of the cable is pulled, the clevis moves in the opposite direction and the end effector is closed. The system also includes a mechanism for changing the orientation of the end effector. Another embodiment includes a mechanism for actuating the cable and the end effector.
US08333765B2

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. A rigid structural support is included which is configured to support the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface and includes at least one flow channel defined therein.
US08333764B2

A tissue ablation device has a handle and an ablation head coupled to the handle. The ablation head has a first jaw, a second jaw, and an ablative element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaws. A thickness measurement device may be coupled to the ablation device to indicate the distance separating the first and second jaws. Further, a force measurement device may be coupled to the ablation device to measure the force being applied by the first and second jaws to a piece of tissue. Further, a strain measurement device may be coupled to the ablation device to indicate the strain resulting in a piece of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws when a stress is applied to the tissue.
US08333758B2

Improved systems, devices, and methods for delivering cryogenic cooling fluid to cryosurgical probes such as cryosurgical endovascular balloon catheters take advantage of the transients during the initiation and termination of cryogenic fluid flow to moderate the treatment temperatures of tissues engaged by the probe. A flow limiting element along a cryogenic fluid path intermittently interrupts the flow of cooling fluid, often cycling both the fluid flow and treatment temperature. This can maintain the tissue treatment temperature within a predetermined range which is above the treatment temperature provided by a steady flow of cryogenic fluid. In another aspect, room temperature single-use cooling fluid cartridges are filled with a sufficient quantity of cryosurgical fluid to effect a desired endovascular cryosurgical treatment.
US08333749B2

A disposable absorbent article with a central body and a pair of elasticized side panels that extend longitudinally along the sides of the central body. Each side panel has a front longitudinal edge and a rear longitudinal edge opposite the front longitudinal edge, and a front or rear fastening element positioned adjacent the front or rear edge. The front edge of the side panel is positioned closer to the front waist portion than the rear edge. The fastening element is constructed for fastening the front and rear waist portions of the central body when the disposable absorbent article is worn by a user. Further, each side panel includes elastic elements that are positioned along the length of the side panel such that the side panel has generally greater elasticity in the vicinity of the rear edge than in the vicinity of the front edge.
US08333748B2

An outer cover for a disposable absorbent article including waist regions elastically stretchable in the cross machine direction and activated in the cross machine direction, activated leg cuff regions elastically stretchable in one or more directions other than the cross machine direction, and an inelastic crotch region having a nonwoven crotch patch for providing the outer cover with suitable tensile strength, opacity, and poke-through properties.
US08333743B2

This invention relates to methods and compositions for materials having a non-leaching coating that has antimicrobial properties. The coating is applied to substrates such as gauze-type wound dressings. Covalent, non-leaching, non-hydrolyzable bonds are formed between the substrate and the polymer molecules that form the coating. A high concentration of anti-microbial groups on multi-length polymer chains and relatively long average chain lengths, contribute to an absorbent or superabsorbent surface with a high level antimicrobial effect.
US08333737B2

Systems and methods for administering drugs to a patient, including a syringe system. The syringe system includes a plastic needle coupled to an end of a syringe barrel, the needle including a proximal taper and a distal taper. A cannula assembly is removably coupled to the plastic needle, the cannula including mating surfaces for the proximal and distal tapers of the plastic needle. The syringe system can also include a cannula cover with a first and second end with different sizes to respectively attach to the cannula assembly and the barrel when the cannula assembly is removed. The cannula may have a distal tip cut at an angle to ensure maximum removal of drug from a given vial.
US08333730B2

A single-use injector comprising a housing (200) accommodating a mechanical spring energy reservoir (50), a cylinder/piston unit (100), a piston-actuating ram (60) and a trigger unit (80), the spring-loaded piston-actuating ram being supported on the housing via support rods (240) or draw hooks (250) and each contact zone between an individual support rod or draw hook and the piston-actuating ram representing a wedge gear pairing that forces the respective support rod or draw hook radially outwards. The housing of the injector consists of a thin-walled sheet metal part. Said sheet metal part has at least two limbs (220, 250) arranged parallel to each other. The sheet metal part has at least two pressure bars or at least two draw hooks the free ends of which are bent in an angular fashion to define a supporting section for the piston-actuating ram.
US08333726B2

Lacrimal implants for treating diseases or disorders are disclosed. More particularly, lacrimal implants, methods of making such implants, and methods of treating ocular, respiration, inner ear or other diseases or disorders using such implants are disclosed.
US08333722B2

A method, includes recording first regimen data in a controller. The first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen. The method also includes controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data, and recording progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed. The method also includes transmitting the progress data from the controller to a remote user, and receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data. The second regimen data is different from the first regimen data. The method further includes controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.
US08333719B2

An oscillation arm moves in a seesaw fashion about an oscillation axis which is supported by a support rod and which serves as a fulcrum. A rotation arm and a pressurizer are provided on one end of the oscillation arm. One end of the rotation arm is rotatably attached to the oscillation arm, and a load weight is placed on the other end of the rotation arm. By rotating the rotation arm, the magnitude of a force to be applied by the load weight to the pressurizer is adjusted. More specifically, by displacing the load weight to a predetermined position by rotation and then causing the load weight to stop at this position, a static load corresponding to the rotation angle can be applied to the pressurizer. Further, by causing the load weight to perform rotational motion, the magnitude of the force to be applied to the pressurizer is periodically varied, so that a load which varies periodically can be applied to hard tissue.
US08333705B2

Catheter navigation is coupled with ultrasound imaging to yield a context map showing the location on a heart of the ultrasonically imaged frame.
US08333696B2

A system for predicting risk for perioperative complications is described including a user device for receiving a set of risk factors to determine perioperative complications for a patient including patient data useful to determine the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. The system also includes an acquisition module to receive data from an obstructive sleep apnea sleep study of the patient. Further a determination module can determine the severity of obstructive sleep apnea for the patient. The system can also include an analysis module having a predictive model that incorporates one or more prediction equations for predicting perioperative complications derived from one or more databases having multiple patient data relevant to predict perioperative complications. The analysis module can be configured to apply the one or more prediction equations to the set of risk factors and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea for the patient in order to identify perioperative complication risks of that patient and to generate a perioperative complications report for the patient.
US08333691B2

An endoscope comprising a flexible catheter probe 1 having a plurality of lumens, a handle 12 provided at the proximal end of the probe, an optical system 6 provided in at least one optical system lumen of the catheter probe 1, at least one working lumen for a surgical instrument and a control element which is fixed to the distal end 20 of the probe or in the proximity thereof for bending the end of the probe and is guided movably in the axial direction at the probe, wherein the optical system 6 which projects beyond the proximal end of the catheter probe 1 is guided in a flexible tube which is elastically resilient in its longitudinal direction and exerts a prestressing on the optical system in the longitudinal direction thereof in a direction towards the translucently closed optical system lumen.
US08333679B2

An arrangement for mounting and fixing a planetary gear system (3) onto a camshaft (2). The planetary gear system comprises a planetary carrier (5) that forms the drive input of the camshaft (2), with planetary gears (7) mounted on planetary bolts (6). A ring gear (10) is rotationally fixedly connected to the camshaft (2), and a sun gear (8) is connected with a sun shaft (9). The ring gear (10) is arranged at the end of and coaxially with the camshaft (2) and is rotationally fixedly connected to the camshaft (2) by eccentrically arranged fixing elements (4).
US08333678B2

A journal bearing includes a main body and a connection portion. The main body extends radially outward from a central cavity to an interface surface. The connection portion supports an end of the main body and extends radially around the central cavity. The connection portion has a dimension selected as a proportion of a reference dimension of the main body to achieve a desired spring rate for the journal bearing.
US08333676B2

A gear train of an automatic transmission realizes at least ten forward speeds and one reverse speed by combining four simple planetary gear sets with four clutches and two brakes. In addition, three friction elements are operated at each shift-speed. Therefore, the gear train has advantages of simplifying structures of the automatic transmission and improving power delivery performance and fuel economy.
US08333673B2

A rotation direction switching device for switching the rotation direction of a drive shaft includes a pulley unit for switching the rotation direction of the drive shaft. The pulley unit has a forward rotation drive belt and a reverse rotation drive belt. The forward rotation drive belt extends between the forward rotation drive pulley and a forward rotation driven pulley. The reverse rotation drive belt extends between a reverse rotation drive pulley and a reverse rotation driven pulley. When the drive shaft is forwardly rotated, the forward rotation belt is placed in a tensioned state, and the reverse rotation belt is switched to a relaxed state. When the drive shaft is reversely rotated, the reverse rotation belt is placed in a tensioned state, and the forward rotation belt is switched to a relaxed state.
US08333669B2

A golf ball having a reduced distance while maintaining the appearance of a normal high performance trajectory. The golf ball has a core, an inner cover layer, and a cover. The core has a diameter of from about 1.300 to 1.620 inches, while the ball has a weight from 1.30 to 1.620 ounces, a diameter from 1.670 to 1.800 inches and a maximum Coefficient of Restitution from about 0.600 to about 0.790 as measured at 125 ft/sec incoming ball velocity. The ball has a drag to weight ratio of greater than 3.0 at a Reynolds number of about 230,000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085.
US08333663B2

To provide a game device capable of allowing a user to feel a difference in state of mind between a player of a winning team and a player of a losing team when defending. A selection unit (56) selects one or more player characters from among the player characters belonging to a team not in possession of a moving object. In a case where control by a first player character control unit (58) is applied, a determination unit (62) determines whether or not a reference period has elapsed after a given reference time. In a case where elapse of the predetermined period after the reference time is determined, a switching unit (66) switches the state in which control by the first player character control unit (58) is applied to a state in which control by a second player character control unit (60) is applied. A reference period data control unit (64) changes the length of the reference period, based on game state information.
US08333657B1

The gaming system disclosed herein changes the focal point of a display device at different points in time to assist the player in focusing on different simultaneously or concurrently played games at different points in time. Specifically, the gaming system displays a plurality of simultaneously or concurrently played games on a display device. In response to a designated event occurring in association with a specific one of the plurality of simultaneously or concurrently played games, the gaming system changes the focal point of the display device to draw the player's focus or attention to that specific one of the simultaneously or concurrently played games. Put differently, the gaming system dynamically allocates and/or indicates different portions of a display device to different simultaneously or concurrently played games at different points in time to account for different events occurring in such simultaneously or concurrently played games.
US08333654B2

Described herein are various systems and methods for managing carbon credits. For example, in some embodiments a lottery is used as a means for distributing carbon credits to consumers, optionally to feed a retail-level carbon market. It will be appreciated from the discussion herein that such an approach leverages general notions whereby lotteries have been traditionally used as a vehicle for funding public works.
US08333643B2

Various embodiments facilitate location-aware distributed competitions. In one embodiment, a system facilitates a distributed sporting event that includes multiple players traveling over courses that are remote from one another. The system includes a manager that receives state information, such as location information, from client devices used by each of the players. The manager then transmits location information for each of the players to the client devices, which are each configured to present a graphical representation, such as a map annotated with the locations of each of the players. The manager asserts a course to each of the players, by providing specific instructions to travel along a particular path. The client devices provide the players with the appearance of competing over the same course, even though they are all actually competing over courses remote from one another.
US08333641B2

A method and system for operating a multi-player wireless video-game session is disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless device is configured to establish a wireless ad-hoc connection with another wireless device capable of serving a video game over the ad-hoc network. The wireless device is capable of communicating with the ad-hoc connection through other networks such that a video-game player in one region may move between geographic regions without loss of game play and/or may join other video games associated with other networks. In one embodiment, in response to the user joining the video game, a selection of characters along with personalities and behaviors based on attributes supplied by the user is presented to the user for selection thereof. In another embodiment, the user may transfer a selected personality to another character associated with the video game, such as a computer operated video-game character.
US08333640B2

An axial separator for a combine harvester has a separating rotor which is rotatably supported in a housing including, as viewed in the conveyance direction, a receiving region for crop material, a separating region, and a transfer region for crop material residue, a wall that limits the transfer region in sections and a guide element disposed in the transfer region. The guide element influences the flow of crop material residue conveyed from the transfer region to a further-handling unit and, is disposed on the housing such that its position is changeable in the circumferential direction.
US08333638B2

An abrading device features a flexible abrading membrane supported by two supports. The device may be used in either linear or rotary configurations. The device can be used in conjunction with devices that impart continuous or vibratory linear or rotary motion.
US08333628B2

An outboard engine includes a buoyant member (20). The buoyant member has concavities (20L, 20R; 120L, 120R) formed in at least one side thereof. A plurality of outboard engines is mounted in parallel on the stem, and the concavities prevent interference with the other adjacent outboard engines when any of the outboard engines are tilted up.
US08333624B2

Provided is a terminal fitting capable of reliably press-bonding a core wire made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. A terminal fitting 3 is made of copper or copper alloy and includes: a bottom wall 34 which is overlapped with a core wire 41 made of aluminum or aluminum alloy; and a pair of crimping pieces 35 which is upright from each corresponding end portion of the bottom wall 34 and is bent inward so that a front end 35a faces the bottom wall 34 and the pair of crimping pieces is press-bonded to the core wire 41. The pair of crimping pieces 35 is bent so that outer surfaces 35b are tightly overlapped with each other, and has a pair of intermeshing portions 38 respectively formed in the outer surfaces 35b in the length direction of the core wire 41 to mesh with each other.
US08333623B2

Electrical devices may be tested using test equipment. A device may have an associated cable with a connector. The test equipment may have an associated cable with a connector. An adapter may have a pair of connectors. One of the adapter connectors may be connected to the connector of the cable associated with the device and the other of the adapter connectors may be connected to the connector of the cable that is associated with the tester. A retention clip may be attached to a groove in the adapter. Flexible members in the clip may each grasp an opposing side of the adapter within the groove. A retention member in the clip may bear against the connector on the cable that is associated with the device to hold the connectors for the device cable and the adapter together.
US08333620B2

A terminal member having a plurality of clamp members to electrically connect a plurality set of terminals. Each clamp member includes a pressing member and an insertion body. The terminal member includes a pressing member and an insertion body. The pressing member presses and electrically connects a pair of terminals facing each other. The insertion body presses the pressing member in a direction toward the pair of terminals when the pressing member and the pair of terminals are inserted into the insertion body.
US08333614B2

An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) defining a main body (10) and a tongue plate (11) extending from the main body, and a number of terminals (2) retained in the insulative housing and being arranged in two rows. Each terminal has a contacting portion (201) extending into the tongue plate, a retaining portion (202) retained in the main body, a bending portion (22) extending from the retaining portion, and a tail portion (23) extending from the bending portion and comprising a mounting portion (231) for being mounted on a PCB. The bending portions (22) in each one of the two rows bending oppositely to the other row from the respective retaining portions. A distance between the two rows of the mounting portions (231) is greater than a distance between the two rows of the contacting portions (201). A distance between each two adjacent mounting portions (231) in each row is greater than a distance between the two respective contacting portions (201).
US08333611B2

The invention relates to a coaxial plug connector element comprising a metal union nut that is arranged in a rotatable manner on a metal outer conductor and can be screwed onto the external thread of the counter plug connector element. Means for the thermal decoupling of the plug connector element are provided on the inside of the device.
US08333608B2

A cable connector assembly (100) comprises a mating member (3), a printed circuit board (2), a LED (24) attached to the printed circuit board, a cable (6) having a positive wire (61) and a negative wire (62) connected with the mating member, an insulative shell (1), and a light pipe (4). The insulative shell is enclosing the printed circuit board, the cable and the mating member. The light pipe has a first transmitting member (40) and a second transmitting member (45) molded on a rear end of the first transmitting member, the first transmitting member is made of transparent material and the second transmitting member is made of untransparent material.
US08333604B2

A loading plate includes a substantially rectangular primary plate with a central opening thereof and a pair of sidewalls extending downwardly from opposite edges of the primary plate. The primary plate includes a plurality of depressing portions distributed along the inner periphery of the opening, a pair of opposite mounting holes located at opposite ends thereof, and a pair of slits respectively formed adjacent the mounting holes.
US08333602B2

A socket assembly includes a rotor, a housing, and first and second conductors. The rotor includes a channel formed therein and defines an axis of rotation. The channel has a length about perpendicular to the axis of rotation and defines first and second ends. The housing receives the rotor such that the rotor is rotatable about its axis of rotation between first and second positions when secured therein. The housing includes a notch. The channel of the rotor aligns with the notch of the housing when in the first position such that first and second lamp pins can be received through the notch of the housing and into the channel of the rotor. The first conductor has first and second ends each disposed on opposite sides of the rotor. The first end of the conductor contacts the first lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position and the second end of the conductor contacts the second lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position. The second conductor is electrically isolated from the first conductor when the rotor is in the first position and is in electrical communication with the first conductor when the rotor is in the second position.
US08333601B2

A transportable device includes a housing, a handle portion, a biasing portion, a locking portion, a lever portion, and a link portion. The housing has a power plug insertion opening into which a power plug is inserted. The handle portion can move between the inside and outside of the housing. The biasing portion biases the handle portion in the direction where the handle portion is moved to the outside of the housing. The locking portion locks the handle portion so that the handle portion does not move to the outside of the housing by a biasing force of the biasing portion. The lever portion moves in the insertion direction of the power plug when the power plug is inserted into the opening, while moving in the pull-out direction of the power plug when the power plug is pulled out. The link portion links the locking portion and the lever portion.
US08333599B2

A modular jack (3) has an insulative housing (6), a printed circuit board (92), a number of cores (931-934) and a magnetic core (935), a number of conductive wires (936-939) respectively wind around the cores and then around the magnetic core together, and a number of grounding wires. The grounding wires has a first grounding wire having one end connected to the conductive wire and another end winding around the magnetic core for grounding, and other grounding wires respectively having one end load connected to the corresponding conductive wire and opposite end load directly connected to the first grounding wire.
US08333591B2

A bionic dental implant includes a main root (1), a basal platform (2) and a platform bolt (3). The main root (1) includes a fixing root part (11), a neck part (12) located on the upper end of the fixing root part (11), and a mounting channel (13) located inside the main root (1). An aperture (21) is provided inside the basal platform (2). The platform bolt (3) communicates with the aperture (21) to make the basal platform (2) to be fixed on the main root (1). The main root (1) also includes at least one subsidiary root (4). The main root (1) has the same number of inclined holes (14) as the subsidiary root. The inclined holes (14) form a sharp angle with respect to the mounting channel (13) and communicates with it. The upper ends of the subsidiary roots (4) are fixed inside the inclined holes (14) of the main root.
US08333581B2

The invention relates to a molding unit attachment system enabling the attachment of at least one interchangeable molding part (11) into a seating arranged on a support (12) of a complementary shape. Said system comprises, on one of the sides of said interchangeable part (11) which is parallel to its axis, at least one fixed device (2) acting as a stop, and on the other side, a mobile locking device (3) which moves between an active locking position and an inactive locking position. The mobile locking device (3) comprises an elastic return means for automatically returning it from said inactive locking position to said active locking position, the locking device (3) being able to be manually placed in inactive position by an operator. The system is noteworthy in that it comprises on one of the sides of said interchangeable part (11) which is parallel to its axis, at least one fixed device (2) acting as a stop, the mobile locking device (3) being positioned on the other side of the interchangeable part.
US08333562B2

A steam turbine rotor blade has a profile and a cover integrally formed on and at an end of the profile, the leading edge of the cover formed on the profile and the trailing edge of a cover formed on an adjacent preceding profile being in contact and connected with each other by the torsional return force produced during rotation. The cover formed on the profile is provided with a radially-formed stepped portion at the trailing edge, the stepped portion having a height large than the thickness of the cover.
US08333545B2

A windpower generator apparatus having a rotor with an axis of rotation placed in a frame adapted to a ridge of a roof. The frame has a pair of deflectors suitable for focusing air flow toward the rotor. Each of the deflectors has a pair of side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall defining a tunnel narrowing toward the rotor. The pair of deflectors having parts respectively at the upper walls and the lower walls so as to conform to a slope of the roof and to maintain a same ratio between openings at opposite ends of the deflectors.
US08333541B2

A process and an arrangement for covering a flat-lying blank, preferably made of cardboard with a cover, in particular applicable in the production of book covers is described. The covering takes place in cycles in a number of working stations, whereby an overall cycle time can be given to each working station in advance. Each working station contains at least one working means, to which at least one sub-cycle time is assigned. It is provided that in the case of a constant remaining overall cycle time, at least one sub-cycle time assigned to the working means of a procedural step can be adapted to the processed materials.
US08333540B2

A clip has a head portion and a locking leg. The locking leg includes a shaft portion vertically extending from the head portion and a plurality of elastic locking legs which are arranged at given intervals at the outer periphery of the shaft portion. Upper ends of the elastic locking legs are connected to the lower surface of the head portion, and each of the elastic locking legs has two portions on two sides, respectively, of a lower end connected to connection ribs extending from the shaft portion. The outer periphery of the shaft portion except for the connection ribs is arranged within an inner side of an inner periphery of the elastic locking members, such that the locking leg can pass through a mounting hole of a panel without the outer periphery of the shaft portion contacting the inner periphery of the elastic locking members.
US08333531B1

A coupling device 1 for releasably coupling first and second axially aligned hollow tubes 10 and 11 end to end. The coupling device comprises a substantially cylindrical body 2 that is adapted to be received within the adjacent ends of the first and second tubes 10 and 11, wherein the device includes an adjustment mechanism 3 operable for radially expanding and contracting the cylindrical body 2. In an expanded state of the cylindrical body 2, the coupling device forms a friction joint with each of the tubes, locking the tubes relative to each other. The cylindrical body 2 includes one or two longitudinal slots 4 to allow expansion and contraction of the cylindrical body. The coupling device is particularly used for the joining of pole sections of dance exercise poles.
US08333529B2

A fastener (10) is adapted to releasably fix a first element (12) and a second element (14). The fastener (10) includes a channel (22) having a plurality of spaced lockers (28). The lockers (28) are movable into the channel (22). The fastener (10) also has a locking tongue (30), having a plurality of spaced blockers (32). The tongue (30) is movable within the channel (22) between a locked position in which the blockers (32) prevent movement of the lockers (28) into the channel (22) and an unlocked position in which the lockers (28) are not prevented from moving into the channel (22).
US08333527B2

A mechanical joint system includes a joint, an arm, a plurality of teeth, and an engaging member. The joint defines a pivot hole and a joint receiving hole communicating with the pivot hole. The arm is rotatable relative to the joint. The arm includes a pivot portion and a pivot hole defined in the pivot portion, the pivot portion is received in the joint receiving hole. The teeth are formed on an inner surface adjacent to an end of the pivot hole. The engaging member is fixed to the joint. The engaging member includes a prong for engaging with the teeth.
US08333526B2

A 3DOF universal joint includes a first connecting base, a second connecting base, a two-way hinged member, and a third connecting base. The first connecting base and the second connecting base are rotatably mounted together via the two-way hinged member along a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The third connecting base is rotatably assembled to the second connecting base along a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes.
US08333524B2

The present invention provides a cartridge providing ribbon tension. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having walls. A first spool and a second spool are contained in at least in part in the cartridge and have a ribbon extending therebetween. The first spool and the second spool extend between a pair of ends with at least one of the pair of ends having a driving portion. At least one resistance-applying part extends around a portion of each of the first spool and the second spool. The first spool and the second spool have a loaded and an unloaded position. In the loaded position, at least one of the resistance applying part is disengaged from the walls of the cartridge. In the unloaded position, at least one resistance-applying part engages the walls of the cartridge.
US08333519B2

The present disclosure relates to techniques for facilitating installing a fiber optic connector at the end of a fiber optic cable. One aspect of the disclosure involves splicing a first fiber optic cable to a second fiber optic cable. The second fiber optic cable may be pre-connectorized. In certain embodiments, a plurality of splice enclosure components are positioned to form a splice enclosure that encloses the portion of an optical fiber of the first cable that is spliced to an optical fiber of the second cable. The splice enclosure protects the optical fibers at the site of the splice and securely holds the strength members of the fiber optic cables. Furthermore, splice enclosure components are positioned to form a cable enclosure that encloses the splice enclosure and exposed portions of the fiber optic cables.
US08333517B2

A semiconductor submodule includes a substrate (10) as a first substrate having at least one hole, and at least one optical semiconductor device (16) disposed such that light travels through the hole, a substrate (11) as a second substrate having a semiconductor device (26) for driving the optical semiconductor device (16) and amplifying signals and an electrical connector (28) for inputting and outputting electrical signals from and to the outside, and a flexible cable (12) electrically connecting an end of the substrate (10) and an end of the substrate (11) and allowing the first substrate to be folded opposite to the surface on which the optical semiconductor device is mounted.
US08333510B2

A peelable pouch (1) comprises: a first layer (2), a second layer (3), a compartment (4) for housing the product (7), the compartment (4) being formed between the first and second layers (2, 3) by peelably sealing the first and second layers (2, 3) along a compartment sealing portion (40), which extends along the proximal portion (23, 33) and along at least a part of the two lateral portions (20, 21, 30, 31) of the first and second layers (2, 3) as well as along first (24, 34) and second branch portions (25, 35), a first tear promoting means (50) provided on the first layer (2) only, a second tear promoting means (51) provided on the second layer (3) only, and a third tear promoting means (52) provided on both the first and second layers (2,3) and extending in a direction towards the location (26) where the first and second branch portions (24, 34, 25, 35) meet.
US08333491B1

The emergency light of the invention includes a base (1), a lighting module (2), a rechargeable battery (3) and a retractable support (4). The base (1) has a back (11) with a trough (111). The lighting module (2) is installed in the base (1) and electrically connects a lighting device (21) and a circuit board (22). The rechargeable battery (3) is installed in the base (1) and electrically connects the circuit board (22). The retractable support (4) is pivotally connected to the back (11) and received in the trough (111).
US08333481B2

A lighting apparatus includes a primary lighting source powered by from a facility A-C power source, and backup LED lighting source powered by batteries.
US08333455B2

A vibration damping member, for dampening vibration triggered by movement of a carriage, is driven to move by a vibration-damping drive motor that is a different drive source from a drive source of the carriage. The vibration-damping drive motor includes a stepping motor which may be controlled by an input of a pulse. A carriage-position detecting unit for detecting the position of the carriage in a moving direction updates the position count each time the carriage is moved by a predetermined amount. Each time the position count of the carriage-position detecting unit is updated by a predetermined amount, a first pulse generating unit generates a pulse that causes the vibration-damping drive motor to move by one step. The vibration-damping drive motor is driven with the pulse, thereby causing the vibration damping member to move.
US08333447B2

An appliance is provided that includes a storage compartment comprising a first storage bin and a second storage bin configured to move relative to the storage compartment along a parallel path of movement, a first tab located on the first storage bin, and a second tab located within a perimeter of a surface of the second storage bin. The second tab is in a location that is configured to interact with the first tab at a point along the parallel path of movement. The second storage bin moves simultaneously with the first storage bin while the first tab interacts with the second tab. Either the first storage bin or the second storage bin can be placed in the storage compartment in at least a first orientation and a second orientation, where the second orientation disables the second storage bin from moving simultaneously with the first storage bin.
US08333444B1

A furniture kit that is configured to be transformed into a furniture piece. The furniture kit includes a folding unit comprising a front member and a back member, both of which are interconnected by folding arms. The front and back members are movable between retracted and extended positions. There is also provided a pair of side panels with each side panel being connectable through a tongue and groove arrangement to the front and back members. A top is secured to the folding unit. The entire furniture kit can be packaged in a compact container with the folding unit in a collapsed or retracted position and other individual components of the kit placed adjacent thereto.
US08333435B2

A holder for holding a tooth on a body of a cutting blade or grinding drum for cutting or grinding rock or hard earth formations. The selectively-positionable holder includes a portion for holding the tooth in a manner such at that a portion of the tooth projects from the holder and a base surface for attaching the holder to an attachment surface of the body. When the holder is positioned in one of a plurality of orientations, the base surface has, within an area over the attachment surface, a shape which is profiled so that a region defined between the base surface and the attachment surface is, for at least one of the plurality of different orientations, smaller than a region that would be defined if the base surface would have a flat shape.
US08333433B2

A harness apparatus including a first adjustable harness strap, a second adjustable harness strap, and a retainer apparatus. The retainer apparatus includes a first retainer portion slidably attached to the first harness strap, a second retainer portion slidably attached to the second harness strap, and a braking mechanism configured to prevent the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion from moving along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The braking mechanism includes a braking device configured to apply resistance to the first harness strap and/or the second harness strap and to hold the retainer apparatus in a stationary position along the first harness strap and the second harness strap.
US08333425B2

A vehicle front structure related to the invention includes a front side member having a kick section extending obliquely downward toward the rear, a member front half section, and a member rear half section. A sub-frame juxtaposed below the front side member abuts on the member rear half section. A rear end portion of the sub-frame is formed with a first inclination portion which extends obliquely downward toward the rear and abuts on the front side member. The front side member 1 is formed with a second inclination portion which abuts on the first inclination portion. The first inclination portion is held so as to be movable relative to the second inclination portion.
US08333402B2

The present application is directed to a system and related methods for connecting a vehicle with a trailer. The system includes, but is not limited to, embodiments featuring (a) a docking assembly for securing to the vehicle, the docking assembly being pivotable; and (b) a coupler assembly comprising a first part operationally configured to secure to a trailer, and a second part operationally configured for releasable securement to the docking assembly.
US08333393B2

A stroller with a braking mechanism that automatically configures itself in a braking position provides protection against the unattended stroller from rolling away. By applying force to a handle, the braking mechanism is released and the stroller is able to be pushed as usual. The handle and braking mechanism are biased in the braking position by a spring located near the rear wheels. The braking mechanism applies sufficient frictional force against the tire of the wheel to prevent the wheel from rolling.
US08333388B2

This is a mandrel used to fabricate seamless belts including those used in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel has a center core unit with two circular caps on each side. In between the caps is sandwiched a deformable O-ring which is outwardly deformed upon tightening of the two caps together. Once a tubular sheet is placed over the mandrel, the elastomeric O-ring will hold the sheet in place for further processing.
US08333383B2

An improved poker card game that provides a player with as many as eleven unique cards from which the player can form a five-card poker hand is provided. Game play can begin by dealing two cards to at least one player. A first community card is provided face-up. A first group of four community cards are dealt face-up and positioned diagonally from two of the corners of the first community card. A second group of four community cards are dealt face-up and positioned diagonally from the remaining two corners of the first community card. A best five-card poker hand is determined for each player. The best five-card poker hand can include between zero and two cards from the two cards dealt to each player and at least three cards from the first community card and the first group of four community cards and the second group of four community cards.
US08333379B2

A method and a system for administering a greeting card and lottery game combination are provided. The method includes the step of providing the greeting card with an identifier associated therewith, which greeting card is provided at a location accessible to a consumer. A lottery game is maintained at a secure point of sale separate from the greeting card. A vendor of the lottery game obtains information from the identifier associated with the greeting card, which identifier contains sufficient information for the vendor to select the lottery game absent instruction from the consumer, and the lottery game is selected by the vendor based upon the information obtained from the identifier. The selected lottery game is provided to the consumer to produce the greeting card and lottery game combination. The combined greeting card and lottery game system comprises the greeting card and the lottery game, with the lottery game maintained separate from the greeting card.
US08333371B2

A creasing device includes: a first member on which a linear convex-edged blade is formed in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction; a second member on which a concave-edged blade pairing with the convex-edged blade is formed; and a drive unit that drives the first and second members to relatively come close to and away from each other, thereby making a crease on the sheet, wherein in a standby state, the drive unit keeps faces of the first member and second member not parallel; and in making a crease on the sheet, causes the convex-edged blade and the concave-edged blade to have point contact with each other via the sheet held therebetween so as to initiate a creasing movement by a rotation movement thereof.
US08333369B2

An apparatus and method for holding a plurality of arrow shafts in alignment for applying a heat-shrinkable sleeve thereto. The apparatus includes a support and an arrow holding assembly for holding more than one arrow shaft relative to the support. An adjuster ring is moveable along the support to hold the sleeves in the desired positions on the shafts. The apparatus and method of this invention allows for consistent positioning of shrinkable sleeves around multiple arrow shafts and simultaneous shrinking of sleeves onto the multiple arrow shafts.
US08333367B2

Various embodiments of an air spring end closure are disclosed. One has an outer part and an inner part joined together to provide a moment of inertia along an axis that is transverse to axial expansion and contraction of the air chamber that is greater than that of the outer part alone. Another has a part that is concave toward the chamber and contains one of a riser and a depression having a generally rectangular shape whose length runs transverse to the direction of expansion and contraction and that is widthwise centered on a diameter of the part. Still another has a part having an elliptical perimeter margin curled onto a similarly shaped axial end of a sleeve that provides the axial expansion and contraction.
US08333366B2

A carburetor includes a body, a throttle valve positioned in an air/fuel passageway in the body, a fuel bowl coupled to the body, a fuel bowl chamber at least partially defined by the fuel bowl, and a one-piece fuel-metering insert coupled to the body. The insert includes an idle circuit passageway having a first end in fluid communication with a fuel passageway in the body and a second end in fluid communication with the fuel bowl chamber. The insert also includes a main circuit passageway having a first end in fluid communication with the air/fuel passageway and a second end in fluid communication with the fuel bowl chamber.
US08333351B2

A device for keeping lawn waste or other flexible refuse bags open while filling. The device is made of a resilient and flexible material so that it can be squeezed and easily inserted into the top opening of a refuse bag. The device has a generally-rectangular frame, a pair of spaced apart, substantially-parallel, upwardly-curved members each having a proximal end and a distal end; and a pair of spaced apart, substantially-parallel downwardly-curved members. One of the pair of downwardly-curved members connects to the proximal ends of the upwardly-curved members and another one of the pair of downwardly-curved members connects to the distal ends of the upwardly-curved members.
US08333348B1

The disclosure provides in one embodiment a wing tip device for a wing of an air vehicle. The device comprises a tip tail element, a boom element attaching the tip tail element to a wing tip, a hinge element connecting the tip tail element to the boom element, and an actuator element connected to the hinge element. One or more wing load sensors sense wing loads, and a flight control system controls the actuator element. A load alleviation method and system for an air vehicle are also provided.
US08333341B2

A wooden cable reel has a drum made of a plurality of staves and flanges secured at the ends of the drum. A steel support ring is rolled from a strip to have a diameter corresponding to the interior diameter of the drum and the ends of the strip are welded together. The support ring extends around the interior of the drum intermediate its ends and is secured to the drum from the inside by fasteners extending through the ring and into the interior surface of the drum. The support ring resists inwardly directed forces applied to the drum when cable is wound onto the reel and thus prevents the drum from deforming or collapsing.
US08333340B2

A system for reinforcing a substrate includes a rotary device, a first guide connected to the rotary device, and a form positioned against the first guide. A reinforcement is supplied to wind around the form and against the first guide. A method for reinforcing a substrate includes connecting a first guide to a rotary device and positioning a form on a first side of the first guide. The method further includes winding a reinforcement around the form and against the first side of the first guide.
US08333331B1

A decorative water display provides a laminar water bell. A gas burner may be provided inside the laminar water bell to produce a decorative flame. A laminar nozzle having an outlet arranged to eject a laminar jet of water upwardly in a substantially vertical direction may strike an impactor suspended directly above the outlet of the laminar nozzle such that the laminar jet of water forms the laminar water bell. Alternatively, a vertical pipe may supply water to a thin annular region between two plates such that water flowing between the two plates assumes a generally laminar flow characteristic and forms the laminar water bell when ejected from between the two plates. Alternatively, a hemispherical nozzle may have a slot arranged to eject a sheet of water upwardly to form a segment of the laminar water bell.
US08333323B2

A mobile device comprising: a data collection device; a trigger to activate the data collection device; a communication system for wireless communications; a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data for the processor; a power supply for providing power to the mobile device, the power supply comprising a fuel cell or an ultracapacitor; and a housing for supporting the data collection device, trigger, communication system, display, processor, keypad and power supply.
US08333313B2

A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and/or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and/or cutting member relative to the end effector.
US08333306B2

An ice-making device includes a duct through which ice is dispensed and a duct-covering part opening and closing the duct. When an operation load applied to the duct-covering part while the duct-covering part closes the duct is greater than a preset normal load, the duct-covering part operates to open the duct.
US08333296B1

A thermally insulated foldable cup for hot or cold beverages including a flexible inner liner, an outer shell, and an insulating layer between the outer shell and inner liner. The foldable cup includes reinforcing rings at the bottom and top of the cup and two vertical reinforcing strips on opposing sides of the cup. The foldable cup can be folded from an expanded configuration, in which liquids can be poured into and held in the cup, to a folded configuration in which two sides of the cup can be folded about a vertical plane through the cup in order to reduce the size of the cup while it is not in use. The foldable cup further includes a base member and a cap member connected by a anchor strip. A locking strap extending from the base member can be used to maintain the folded cup in the folded configuration.
US08333288B2

A child proof or child resistant container made primarily from fiber based materials is provided. The container comprises a tubular body, a cap that slides onto the body and a separate locking ring that fits within the cap. The locking ring is provided with diametrically opposed squeeze tabs that extend through openings in the cap and locking detents that fit into openings in the container body wall to lock the cap onto the body. The container body and cap may both be made from fiber based materials such as paper and the locking ring may be made from plastic. To open the container the user simultaneously squeezes the squeeze tabs while lifting and rotating the cap.
US08333283B2

The present invention discloses a cyclone separator (1) which comprises an inlet section (2), a first cone (3) and a steady flow section (7) that are connected in succession, wherein the inlet section (2) is provided with at least one tangent inlet (11) with which a inflow pipe (8) is connected; the first cone (3) is tapered downwards; the steady flow section (7) is an elongated cylindrical pipe with an outlet (12) at its tail; characterized in that it further comprises a second cone or tapered body (4) positioned above the inlet section (2) and connected with the same, wherein the second cone or tapered body (4) is tapered upwards and has a top opening (14).
US08333280B2

A child-resistant package (100) is formed from a sleeve (14) comprising a top (16) and a base (18), at least one of which is an outer wall of the sleeve (14). A release mechanism (20) for facilitating access to the contents of the package (100) is disposed in the outer wall (16). A decoy cover (60) having at least one outermost panel (62) is disposed in relation to the outer wall (16) to obscure the release mechanism (20). The package (100) may include an insert (12) that is held within the sleeve (14) by a locking mechanism that is disengaged by the release mechanism (20). The decoy cover (60) is attached to the outer wall (16) in a manner that facilitates repeated successive removal and reattachment of the decoy cover (60). The decoy cover (60) may further include one or more additional panels (64) disposed in flat-face condition with the outermost panel (62).
US08333279B2

A packaging system comprising a panel and a storage device, wherein the panel comprises an insulator and a primary pouch enclosing the insulator. The primary pouch may have a ventilation hole. The storage device is configured to contain the panel in a compressed state. The storage device may be a secondary impermeable pouch, a set of rigid or semi-rigid platforms, or a set of restraint devices. The packaging system may be compressed using a press.
US08333276B2

A mechanism for enabling application of information to an object. The mechanism includes a base portion and a panel operatively coupled to the base portion. The panel has a first surface for application of information thereon. An interface operatively couples the panel to the base portion such that the first surface is positionable and maintainable in a first angular orientation and in a second angular orientation different from the first angular orientation.
US08333274B1

The present invention relates to a sorting system including a conveyor comprising a plurality of carts for carrying articles, in particular for sorting articles such as parcels and baggage. The conveyor has a linear synchronous motor drive system with stators arranged along a track which the carts follow. Accordingly, embodiments include an improved sorting system that provides an improved energy utilization and efficiency. Reaction elements are mounted on each of the carts. The reaction elements each comprise a number of permanent magnets arranged on a carrier plate. The magnets on reaction elements of adjacent carts are arranged to form a row of magnets with constant pitch and alternating polarity, said row having an interruption situated at a transition between adjacent carts. A maximum number of coils in the stator may thereby be active at the same time, when driving the conveyor.
US08333272B2

A dual clutch transmission has a driving plate defining concentric engagement surfaces, concentric friction plates, concentric pressure plates, and first and second clutch springs for operation of the pressure plates in clamping the friction plates against their respective engagement surface on the driving plate. The driving plate has a top hat type configuration, whereby the engagement surfaces are axially off set from one another. Cooling passages may be provided in the driving plate. The dct is preferably nested, wherein the outer pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially inner portion of the driving plate, the inner pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially outer portion of the driving plate, and the friction plates are arranged in axial alignment with one another.
US08333268B2

A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
US08333264B2

A side cover for use in a transmission includes an inner surface and a wall. The wall extends along the outer periphery of the side cover. The inner surface and the wall cooperate to define a cavity. A fluid control valve is disposed in the bottom of the side cover within the cavity. The fluid control valve controls the height of hydraulic fluid in the side cover by varying flow to the sump. The cavity includes a fluid storage portion in communication with the valve. The fluid storage portion has a volume that is greater at a bottom of the side cover than at a top of the side cover. The fluid storage portion controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the valve.
US08333263B1

This implement attaches to the hydraulic system of a front-end loader for a tractor or similar vehicle. It has two planar surfaces, a deck and a back, that are fastened together at an approximately 90 degree angle. The deck is constructed primarily of wooden or synthetic boards or sheets, supported below or above by two or more steel angle irons or channel irons bolted to the boards or sheets. The back consists of a similar combination of boards or sheets, irons, and bolts, with a grill or strips possibly replacing some boards or sheets in the upper part. Each deck support is fastened to a back support using one or two steel braces or gussets, bolted or welded to the supports. Two steel yokes are fastened to the back, suitable for attaching the carrier to the front-end loader hydraulics. The carrier can be lifted and tilted by the front-end loader system, just as the system would do with its normal bucket attachment.
US08333227B2

A tire tread intended to be fitted on heavy vehicles, comprising a plurality of elements in relief (30), this tread being divided in the axial direction into three parts, a central part (33) and axially on either side a first edge (31) and a second edge (32), the first and the second edge parts comprising elements in relief (30) arranged at a pitch Pe corresponding to the average circumference of the edge in question divided by the number of elements in relief on the edge in question, the elements in relief of each edge part having a line of leading ridges and a line of trailing ridges. The lines of ridges (312, 322) of the elements in relief of the first edge part (31) have profiles which cannot be superposed on the profiles of the lines of ridges (321, 322) of the elements in relief of the second edge part (32), and the difference between the absolute value of the angle of the average direction of each line of ridges (311, 312) of an element in relief of the first edge part and each of the absolute values of the angles of the average directions of the lines of ridges (321, 322) of each element in relief of the second edge part is at least equal to 10 degrees and at most equal to 20 degrees.
US08333215B1

Disclosed are various embodiments of a lockable toilet fill valve and methods according to the present invention. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a float/arm assembly. The toilet fill valve is closed when the float/arm assembly is disposed in a first position. The toilet fill valve being open when the float/arm assembly is disposed in a second position. A valve lock is associated with the float/arm assembly. The valve lock includes an unlock position and a lock position, wherein the valve lock fixes the float/arm assembly in the first position when the valve lock is in the lock position.
US08333210B1

A method for isolating a leak in a closed-volume liquid system comprises circulating a fluid through a plurality of isolatable zones and a non-isolatable zone in a closed-volume liquid system, detecting a leak in the closed-volume liquid system, isolating all of the isolatable zones from the non-isolatable zone, sequentially detecting if the leak is present in the non-isolatable zone and each of isolatable zones, and taking corrective action after the leak is detected.
US08333205B2

A lip substrate applicator kit includes upper and lower applicators adapted to facilitate the application of lip substrates onto the upper and lower lips of a wearer. The lip substrates typically includes an image layer featuring one or more of a variety of colors, graphic designs and text elements. Edges of the applicators may be pre-cut to ensure that the applied substrate presents a symmetrical and clean appearance at the vermillion borders of the wearer's lips. Each applicator includes an adhesive layer, a peel layer and a guide layer. The guide layer has a guide pattern configured to aid a user in trimming excess portions from the applicator generally along a curved pathway, so that the substrate may be customized to fit the lips of the wearer. The kit may include a die cut applicator sheet from which the upper and lower applicators are die cut, suspended and detachable.
US08333198B2

A breathing circuit is described for the supplying of low pressure oxygen to a patient that is at risk of hypoxia. The breathing circuit includes a patent airway maintaining device, a first tube that includes a substantially rigid elbow and connectors and a flexible tubular extension. An inflatable bag is coupled to the first tube and has a pressure relief valve that exhausts into the atmosphere. A second tube has a first end that terminates in proximity to the patent airway maintaining device and a second opposed end that terminates external to the first tube. A third tube connects an external source of oxygen to the second tube. A method for an oxygen breathing circuit is also described that further includes the use of a carbon dioxide monitor and the inflatable bag for assisted breathing. The breathing circuit uses only non-metallic polymer or composite type materials.
US08333196B2

The cooling module (2) is provided in particular for the internal cooling of a medical device (20) and is constructed as an assembled unit, with a coolant conveyed in a primary-side coolant circuit, with an air-water heat exchanger (8), with a ventilator (6) for generating a secondary-side airstream for cooling using the air-water heat exchanger (8), and with a controller (18A, 18B) for controlling the operation of the cooling module (2), wherein at least a major part of the controller is integrated in the ventilator (6) as a partial control unit (18A). The partitioning of the controller achieves an efficient use of space within the cooling module (2) in such a way that an optimal use of space is obtained in a restricted assembly space for the cooling module (2), and the air-water heat exchanger (8) can be made comparatively large. The speed of the airflow through the air-water heat exchanger (8) can therefore be reduced while the cooling power remains constant, such that the risk of entrainment of condensate droplets is reduced.
US08333195B2

An apparatus for providing breathing gas to a patient that includes a base unit to provide a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas and a humidification canister to be coupled to the base unit is described. The humidification canister includes a first gas flow path to receive and humidify the first flow of gas. A delivery tube assembly includes a first lumen configured for fluid communication with the first gas flow path to receive the humidified first flow of gas and a second lumen to receive the second flow of gas. A method of heating and humidifying the first flow of gas and insulating the first flow of gas with the second flow of gas is also described.
US08333193B2

The present invention provides a novel dry powder inhalation system suitable for transpulmonary administration. The dry powder inhalation system of the invention characterized by using a combination of: (1) a vessel housing a freeze-dried composition that contains a single dose of an active ingredient, and has: (i) a non-powder cake-like form, (ii) a disintegration index of 0.015 or more, and (iii) a property of becoming fine particles having a mean particle diameter of 10 microns or less or a fine particle fraction of 10% or more upon receipt of an air impact having an air speed of at least 1 m/sec and an air flow rate of at least 17 ml/sec; and (2) a device comprising means capable of applying said air impact to the freeze-dried composition in said vessel, and means for discharging the powder-form freeze-dried composition that has been made into fine particles.
US08333184B2

A fireplace including a body, a heating unit within the body, a duct within the body and in communication with the heating unit, an opening defined by a terminal end of the duct, an insert attached to the terminal end of the duct and arranged to dispel a heated air, and wherein the insert remains at a lower temperature than the duct during a heating operation.
US08333177B2

A fuel system (10) of an engine (16) has a first fuel tank (12), a second fuel tank (14), and a pump (36) for pumping fuel from the tanks to the engine. A first valve mechanism (32) is selectively operable to a first position that allows fuel to be pumped concurrently from both the first and second tanks to the engine, a second position that allows fuel to be pumped from the first tank, but not the second, and a third position that allows fuel to be pumped from the second tank, but not the first. A second valve mechanism (34) is selectively operable to a first position that allows fuel to return from the engine concurrently to both the first and second tanks, a second position that allows fuel to return to the first tank, but not the second, and a third position that allows fuel to return to the second tank, but not the first.
US08333173B2

A camshaft assembly may include a shaft and a lobe member fixed for rotation with the shaft. The lobe member may include a lobe extending radially outward from a base circle. The lobe may include a valve closing profile defined between a peak of the lobe and an ending point of the lobe on the base circle. The valve closing profile may define a closing flank and a closing ramp extending from an end of the closing flank to the ending point. The closing ramp may have a radial extent from the base circle at the end of the closing flank that is less than ten percent of the radial extent of the peak from the base circle and may have a first angular extent of at least ten degrees. A second angular extent defined between the peak and the ending point may be at least eighty degrees.
US08333172B2

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for controlling operation of an electric water pump configured to circulate a cooling fluid. The method may include detecting a startup of an electric power source associated with the electric water pump. In addition, the method may include monitoring a voltage available to the electric water pump in response to the detected startup of the power source. The method may also include providing an activation signal to the electric water pump if the monitored voltage is equal to or greater than a first threshold voltage.
US08333167B2

An installation with animal enclosures includes a nipple assembly with a feeding nipple for dispensing liquid feed to animals in the installation, where a single feeding nipple is pivotable between at least two animal enclosures, the nipple assembly including the feeding nipple mounted on a pivot, which pivot is biased to maintain the feeding nipple in a neutral position between the extremes of a range of pivotability.
US08333162B2

A marine deck structure for rope contact having an impermeable cover for the purpose of preventing chaffing and wear of ropes is disclosed. Provided is a marine deck structure, such as a bullnose, or H-Bit covered with a durable impermeable cover that protects the structure from the harsh elements and provides a smooth low abrading surface. In another embodiment, rope chaffing surfaces on a marine vessel or dock are covered with an impermeable cover to reduce rope wear. The impermeable cover in one embodiment comprises ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A number of ways of covering the marine deck structures are provided, such as positioning cover sheets around or on the support member and attaching the cover by, for example, welding, adhering, or thermally shrinking.
US08333150B2

A method for starting up a web-fed printing press is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes: a) a first start-up sequence is executed while using predetermined preset parameters that are specific to the printing press and/or the print job for the color register adjustment, cut-off compensator control and the ink density control; b) the web-fed printing press is subsequently stopped, where copies printed during the first start-up sequence are evaluated with respect to the color register, the cut-off compensator and the ink density, and where the preset parameters are adjusted as a function of this evaluation while the printing press is stopped; c) following this, a second start-up sequence is executed, where the preset parameters that are adjusted during the standstill are not used for printing until defined printing press speeds are reached and/or exceeded.
US08333148B2

A photopolymer plate manufacturing process utilizes a modified substrate and mask to generate pre-cut and interchangeable single and multi-part stamp dies. Using a modified substrate and mask, a conventional photopolymer plate can be manufactured with a plurality of independent pattern or stamp areas that are readily removable and replaceable on the substrate and do not require cutting. The resulting material is also securable to a plastic stamp or the like without an adhesive, thereby facilitating a stamp with exchangeable patterns. Additionally, with a further modified mask, the stamp dies can be manufactured in two or more separable pieces, which can then be selectively interchanged among multiple stamp dies. An alignment tool facilitates installation of the stamp dies on the stamp mechanism.
US08333138B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a frame portion made of metal and having a substantially elongated shape. The frame portion comprises one or more cavities situated in a longitudinal direction, and a composite material is disposed within the cavities to structurally reinforce the frame portion. The frame portion includes one or more missile guides situated in the longitudinal direction and configured to slidingly engage a weapon.
US08333132B2

A cutting edge portion intermediate form that is a pre-sintered body of the cutting edge portion and a supporting portion intermediate form that is a fully sintered body of the supporting portion are manufactured separately. Full sintering is then performed where front end portion of the supporting portion intermediate form is inserted into an insertion hole of the cutting edge portion intermediate form. During sintering, cobalt particles in powdered materials are converted into a liquid phase, and contracting occurs. Because the supporting portion intermediate form has already been fully sintered, only the cutting edge portion intermediate form contracts. The front end portion of the supporting portion intermediate form is squeezed by the cutting edge portion intermediate form. The carbide tip is therefore created in which the cutting edge portion and the supporting portion are strongly bonded.
US08333121B2

A measuring system comprises: a measuring transducer, through which medium flows and which produces oscillatory signals dependent on medium viscosity and/or a Reynolds number of the flowing medium; and transmitter electronics for driving the measuring transducer and for evaluating oscillatory signals. The measuring transducer includes: four, mutually spaced, flow openings; an outlet-side flow divider with four, mutually spaced, flow openings; four, mutually parallel, straight, measuring tubes for conveying flowing medium, connected to the flow dividers electromechanical exciter mechanism. The transmitter electronics feeds, by means of an electrical driver signal supplied to the exciter mechanism, electrical excitation power into the exciter mechanism, while the exciter mechanism converts electrical excitation power at least partially into torsional oscillations of the first measuring tube, opposite-equal torsional oscillations of the second measuring tube, as well as into torsional oscillations of the third measuring tube, opposite-equal torsional oscillations of the fourth measuring tube.
US08333120B2

A measuring transducer comprises: a transducer housing, an inlet-side, flow divider having exactly four spaced flow openings and an outlet-side, housing end by means of an outlet-side, flow divider having exactly four spaced flow openings; as well as exactly four, straight, measuring tubes connected to the flow dividers. Each of the four measuring tubes opens with an inlet-side, measuring tube end into one the flow openings and with an outlet-side, measuring tube end into one the flow openings of the outlet-side, flow divider. Additionally, the measuring transducer includes an electromechanical exciter mechanism, wherein the exciter mechanism is embodied in such a manner, that, therewith, the measuring tubes are excitable pairwise to execute opposite phase bending oscillations in, in each case, a shared imaginary plane of oscillation. The measuring transducer is suitable, especially, for measuring a density and/or a mass flow rate of a medium flowing in a pipeline, at least at times, with a mass flow rate of more than 2200 t/h.
US08333110B2

The invention relates to a device that includes: a first chamber (3) for measuring a constant volume, and in which the fuel is injected; pressure (5a, 5b) and temperature (6) sensors associated with said first chamber (3); and a second measuring chamber (8) located downstream from the first, into which the fuel drained from the first chamber is sent. The volume of the second chamber (8) varies according to the movement of a piston (11), the movement of which is measured by means of a sensor (13). One or more additional measuring chambers (8a, 8b, . . . 8n) of variable volumes are connected in parallel with the second chamber (8) and also receive the fuel drained from the first chamber (3), the volumes received in said different chambers being added up to obtain the total volume supplied for a single injection step. The device can be used for high injection rates.
US08333108B2

The present invention relates to the field of automotive heat exchanger assemblies, and, in particular, assemblies with cores with headers and end tanks and/or male and female connections. The present invention also relates to a method of making a positive leak path to determine leaks prior to employment of heat exchanger assembles. The present invention further relates to a method of determining whether or not a leak seal is temporary by providing a positive leak path at the point of assembly or initial evaluation or testing a heat exchanger.
US08333106B2

An oscillatory measurement system is disclosed that includes a visual recorder for detecting irregularities such as bubbles in a fluid to be measured. Techniques are provided for scanning the recorder across the oscillatory tube.
US08333104B2

A measuring device for detecting and evaluating an impact, jolt or the like is formed with an impact face, against which the impact, jolt or pulse which is to be evaluated strikes. A sensor, for example a force sensor, detects values of the force which act on the impact face as a result. A sensor, for example an acceleration sensor, detects values of the acceleration which act on the impact face as a result. An evaluation unit processes the determined force and acceleration values.
US08333102B2

An assembly for actuating a pipe expander, the assembly comprising a first actuator, arranged to engage a pipe expander head and actuate the same a second actuator, spaced apart from the first actuator and operatively engaged therewith such that operation of the second actuator effects operation of the first actuator to actuate the pipe expander head.
US08333101B2

A shiftable workpiece transfer apparatus for transferring a workpiece to a press while simultaneously shifting the workpiece centerline. Such a transfer apparatus includes cooperating workpiece transfer tables, the movement of which is directed by respective guide rails. A first workpiece transfer table is directed along a path that is substantially parallel to the centerline of the press line. The second workpiece transfer table is directed along a path that is skewed with respect to the centerline of the press line by an amount sufficient to produce a desired shift of the workpiece centerline. As the second transfer table moves along the skewed guide rail and toward the first transfer table, the workpiece is automatically moved across the surface of the first transfer table to a desired centerline offset point.
US08333098B2

A bending method for forming, in a material in which several straight portions extending in parallel with each other and a first-end side coupling portion and a second-end side coupling portion provided alternately to couple first-end portions and second-end portions, respectively, of adjacent ones of the straight portions with each other are successively formed, folded portions respectively in a pair of the straight portions provided on both sides of the first-end side coupling portion. A length from one of the folded portions to the first-end side coupling portion is different from a length from the other of the folded portions. The bending method includes shaping the material such that the first-end side coupling portion is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to the pair of the straight portions in accordance with a difference between the lengths of the folded portions to be respectively formed in both the straight portions; and thereafter forming the folded portions in both the straight portions at the same time. The folded portions being bent in the same direction as each other.
US08333085B2

An evaporator, in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioner, is provided that includes at least one block constructed largely of tube elements and rib elements, whereby it is possible for a refrigerant to flow through the tube elements, at least one section of the block being provided with a condensation water overflow protection means, which includes at least one restriction plate, the height of the restriction plate in at least one section being lower than a height in at least one second section adjacent to the first section.
US08333084B2

Disclosed are a refrigerator and a lighting device therefor. Since an optical source, an LED is installed at a height to overlap a guide member, light emitted from the LED is widely dispersed through the guide member. This may allow a user to easily check a discharged degree of ice cubes or water, and to have sophisticated aesthetic feeling. Furthermore, since the optical source is fixed to an optical source accommodation portion by being encompassed thereby, a water leakage prevention function may be enhanced, and an additional coupling member for coupling the optical source may not be required. This may allow the number of components and assembly processes to be decreased, and the production costs to be reduced.
US08333081B2

An ice-making device includes a duct through which ice is dispensed and a duct-covering part opening and closing the duct. A sensor part senses whether the duct-covering part closes the duct and a control part controls the duct-covering part to open the duct when the sensor part senses that the duct-covering part fails to close the duct and the duct-covering part has been attempting to close the duct for at least a preset period of time.
US08333079B2

An adsorption heat pump is provided in which water vapor can be efficiently adsorbed and desorbed using a heat source having a lower temperature than ones heretofore in use because the pump employs an adsorbent which has a large difference in water adsorption amount in adsorption/desorption and can be regenerated (release the adsorbate) at a low temperature.The invention provides an adsorption heat pump which comprises an adsorbate, an adsorption/desorption part having an adsorbent for adsorbate adsorption/desorption, a vaporization part for adsorbate vaporization which has been connected to the adsorption/desorption part, and a condensation part for adsorbate condensation which has been connected to the adsorption/desorption part, wherein the adsorbent, when examined at 25° C., gives a water vapor adsorption isotherm which, in the relative vapor pressure range of from 0.05 to 0.30, has a relative vapor pressure region in which a change in relative vapor pressure of 0.15 results in a change in water adsorption amount of 0.18 g/g or larger.
US08333078B2

In a method for controlling an aircraft air conditioning system, a correlation is established between a plurality of values of a process air mass flow supplied to an air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system and the fuel consumption of the aircraft. A correlation is also established between a plurality of values of an ambient air mass flow which is used to cool the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system and the fuel consumption of the aircraft. The process air mass flow and the ambient air mass flow are controlled in dependence on a predetermined cooling capacity of the aircraft air conditioning system such that the fuel consumption of the aircraft is minimized.
US08333076B2

A supersonic inlet employs relaxed isentropic compression to improve net propulsive force by shaping the compression surface of the inlet. Relaxed isentropic compression shaping of the inlet compression surface functions to reduce cowl lip surface angles, thereby improving inlet drag characteristics and interference drag characteristics. Supersonic inlets in accordance with the invention also demonstrate reductions in peak sonic boom overpressure while maintaining performance.
US08333073B2

An internal combustion engine is provided with an exhaust gas pipe for taking exhaust gases from the engine's combustion chamber and an intake pipe for supplying air to the combustion chamber. The engine includes a turbo charging system with a high-pressure turbine that interacts with a high-pressure compressor and a low-pressure turbine that interacts with a low-pressure compressor, for recovery of energy from the engine's exhaust gas flow and pressurizing of the engine's intake air. The high-pressure turbine is connected to the low-pressure turbine via a duct. An exhaust gas pressure regulator is located in the duct between the high-pressure turbine and the low-pressure turbine.
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