US08356315B2
A television device is provided which is configured so that it will automatically cause a first predetermined television channel to be displayed on a television monitor when a television viewer sends a request signal to the television device to turn the television monitor off. The television device may be configured so that it will cause the television monitor to shut off after the first predetermined channel has been on for a dwell period of time after the request signal has been received. The dwell period of time may be approximately two seconds.
US08356313B2
A disc drive apparatus includes: an apparatus body to which a disc is inserted and from which the disc is ejected; a disc recording and reproducing unit having a disc loading unit configured to load the disc inserted into the apparatus body, a disc rotation drive mechanism configured to rotate the disc loaded onto the disc loading unit, an optical pickup configured to record and/or reproduce a data signal with respect to the disc, and a pickup feeding mechanism configured to convey the optical pickup in a radial direction of the disc; a disc conveying mechanism configured to insert the disc into the apparatus body and eject the disc from the apparatus body; and a conveyance drive mechanism provided in the apparatus body and configured to drive the disc conveying mechanism; wherein the apparatus body includes a shoulder which is reduced in thickness in the vicinity of an insertion end of the disc.
US08356306B2
A computer system comprises a workload management controller that detects and tracks resource consumption volatility patterns and automatically and dynamically adjusts resource headroom according to the volatility patterns. The controller can be hardware or a combination of software and hardware for executing the software. Also, a computer-implemented workload management method includes a computer detecting and tracking resource consumption volatility patters. The computer automatically and dynamically adjusts resource headroom according to the volatility patterns.
US08356303B2
A method for scheduling a plurality of computation jobs to a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) in a grid computing system 100. The method includes receiving a first computation job by a scheduling DPU from the plurality of computation jobs. Further, the method includes scheduling the first computation job at a first set of DPUs in the grid computing system based on first scheduling criteria. Furthermore, the method includes scheduling the first computation job at a first DPU from the first set of DPUs based on second scheduling criteria. The method also includes storing information about the first computation job and the first set of DPUs in a history table at the scheduling DPU. The method further includes storing information about the first DPU in a demand matrix of the first set of DPUs.
US08356299B2
A method for interrupt processing includes setting a buffer for buffering data packets received by a front-end or back-end of the virtual machine and setting a timer for timing data buffering time; determining, after receiving the data packets from the front-end or the back-end, whether the received data packets are interacting data packets and determining whether to enable or postpone the timer, and buffering the received data packets by the buffer and enabling the timer in the case that the data packets are not the interacting data packets; and sending the buffered data packets through a virtual machine manager to the back-end or the front-end of the virtual machine for processing in the case that the buffer reaches a maximum capacity limit or the timer reaches a predetermined time.
US08356294B2
In an embodiment, a computer apparatus comprises a network interface; a processor; a packet forwarding unit; and instructions which when executed cause storing a first executable software module in computer storage; receiving and storing, in association with the first software module, a first human-readable declaration of one or more available extension points within the first software module; receiving and storing an extension software module that implements a particular one or more of the extension points; installing and executing the first software module and the extension software module; and invoking the extension software module when the particular extension point is reached during execution of the first software module. In an embodiment, a declaration of extension points enables extending a software module while running in a host, by registering an extension matching the extension points, yet the author of the extension does not need to access any code of the extended module.
US08356290B2
System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
US08356289B2
A mechanism for encoding and reporting instrumented data is disclosed that requires less storage space and incurs less processor overhead than other methods of the prior art. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a bit vector in shared memory corresponds to nodes of a program's control-flow graph that have been instrumented, and the contents of the vector indicate which of these nodes have executed; in addition, character strings in shared memory indicate what file, class, and method each node belongs to. A process that executes concurrently with those of the program under test transmits instrumented data from the shared memory to a database. The illustrative embodiment enables efficient, rapid reporting and storage of instrumented data, and is therefore especially well-suited for run-time analysis of real-time concurrent systems.
US08356284B2
A method and computer program product for detecting an attempt by a first thread to engage a synchronization object. A determination is made as to whether an earlier thread has already engaged the synchronization object. In response to determining that the earlier thread has already engaged the synchronization object, a determination is made as to whether the number of threads waiting to engage the synchronization object is greater than a highwater mark.
US08356282B1
Integrated application of specific CASE tools that allow a user to accomplish instrument programming and control when generating, capturing and/or analyzing electronic signals, and in doing so automatically generate automation code to replicate a desired instrument setup, acquisition, analysis and sequence control. The CASE tools include, but are not limited to, GUI instrument programming tools, an electronic signal redisplay tool, a waveform analyzer tool, automated code generation tools, macro generation tools, macro and sequence playback tools, a test creation tool, a test sequencer tool, a decision engine that may be part of the test sequencer tool, and test result data logger. A method for analyzing electronic signals that enables multiple tests to be performed after a single signal acquisition, and enables results from the multiple tests to be analyzed is also disclosed.
US08356279B2
A program generating device configured to be capable of reducing an operation burden on the user who has conventionally been required to extract portions to be changed from a script. A script acquiring section acquires script information for execution of a predetermined process. An attribute information-acquiring section acquires attribute information representing conditions for operation of a control target of the program generating device. A difference extracting section extracts difference. A script correcting section changes the script information based on difference between the attribute information and the script information.
US08356278B2
Under the present invention, a best practice violation (BPV) engine resource is first built. This typically occurs by: receiving sets of source code from a plurality of sources; detecting a programming language of each of the sets of source code; extracting code patterns from the sets of source code; defining meta data for each code pattern that indicates a quality thereof, classifying each code pattern; and assigning a rank to each of the code pattern based on it's corresponding meta data as well as a skill level and an experience level of the developer thereof. Once the BPV engine resource is built, it will be used to detect best practice violations in other sets of source code.
US08356262B1
A method includes selecting a cell stored in a non-transient computer readable storage medium, arranging a plurality of the cells on a model of a semiconductor device, and creating a mask for the semiconductor device based on the model of the semiconductor device. The cell is designed according to a design rule in which a first power-supply-connection via satisfies a criterion from the group consisting of: i) the first power-supply-connection via is spaced apart from a second power-supply-connection via by a distance that is greater than a threshold distance such that the cell can be fabricated by a single-photolithography single-etch process, or ii) the first power-supply-connection via is coupled to first and second substantially parallel conductive lines that extend along directly adjacent tracks.
US08356261B1
The Hessian (second derivative) of the image log slope (ILS) can be quickly and accurately calculated without the need to use approximate methods from the gradient of the ILS with respect to mask transmission and source intensity. The Hessian has been traditionally calculated using a finite-difference approach. Calculating the Hessian through a finite-difference approach is slow and is an approximate method. The gradient of the ILS improves the speed of calculation of the Hessian, and thus accelerated SMO operation is realized. The results of ILS evaluation can be used in design for manufacturing (DFM) to suggest changes in the design rules to improve imaging. For a fixed illumination, this information can help remove forbidden pitches and help select design rules for 1-D and 2-D patterns on a mask design layout.
US08356255B2
Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In the case of a staged excavation project, the input image, or a plurality of associated images, may include indicia of multiple dig areas corresponding to multiple stages of the staged excavation project.
US08356253B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for creating, editing, sharing and distributing high-quality, media-rich web-based communications. The communications are created in a layered fashion that integrates user-selected text, colors, background patterns, images, sound, music, video, or other media. The systems and methods are used to generate, edit, broadcast, and track electronic presentations, brochures, advertisements (such as banner advertisements on highly trafficked media websites), announcements, and interactive web pages, without the need for the user to understand complex programming languages.
US08356247B2
A system and method for controlling of rendering of content via electronic networks, whereby content is rendered at a content page only when and to the extent that a pre-defined area of the content page is within the viewer's browser window dimensions and scrolling position, or within a pre-defined distance outside of said browser window dimensions and scrolling position. When a viewer accesses a content page and as the viewer scrolls up or down or left or right on the page, or increases or decreases the dimensions of the viewer's browser window, content that has been designated to render in the content page area corresponding to the viewer's then current browser window dimensions and scrolling position is rendered. Content relating to areas of the content page that are not within (or within such pre-defined distance from) the viewer's browser window dimensions and scrolling position is not rendered unless or until such area is within such browser window dimensions and scrolling position or said pre-defined distance outside of same.
US08356233B2
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for inserting pseudo-noise in a data stream based on an unacceptable input data sequence in an optical network thereby preventing unnecessary loss of frame in SONET/SDH or Optical Transport Network (OTN) systems. The present disclosure includes a SONET/SDH or OTN framer, a transceiver, and a method for detecting an unacceptable data sequence or pattern and inserting a keep-alive or pseudo-noise sequence in the data sequence to maintaining framing on subsequent network elements, framers, transceivers, etc. For example, the present invention, upon receiving an unacceptable pattern of zeros or low ones density caused by a loss of signal condition or the like, may insert a pseudorandom noise pattern into the transmitted frame. This allows the downstream network element to continue a frame lock on the incoming signal, and thus keep the frame overhead and data communications channels from being lost.
US08356229B2
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) data are disclosed. For part 1 data encoding, a mask may be generated using a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) identity (ID) and a generator matrix with a maximum minimum Hamming distance. For part 2 data encoding, cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits are generated based on part 1 data and part 2 data. The number of CRC bits is less than the WTRU ID. The CRC bits and/or the part 2 data are masked with a mask. The mask may be a WTRU ID or a punctured WTRU ID of length equal to the CRC bits. The mask may be generated using the WTRU ID and a generator matrix with a maximum minimum Hamming distance. The masking may be performed after encoding or rate matching.
US08356226B2
An approach is provided for efficient retransmissions by allocating a transmission resource for transmitting data and allocating a retransmission resource for retransmitting the data according to a transmission scheme that specifies relationship between the transmitted data and the retransmitted data for providing communication over a radio network.
US08356211B2
Embodiments are configured to improve the stability of a Web browser by identifying plug-in modules that cause failures. Data in memory at the time of a failure is analyzed, and a failure signature is generated. The failure signature is compared to a database of known failure signatures so that the source of the failure may be identified. If a plug-in module to a Web browser is identified as the source of a failure, options are presented to the user who may update the plug-in module with code that does not produce a failure or disable the plug-in module altogether.
US08356207B2
A system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis includes a data collection function that acquires time histories of selected variables for one or more of the components, a pre-processing function that calculates specified characteristics of the time histories, an analysis function for evaluating the characteristics to produce one or more hypotheses of a condition of the one or more components, and a reasoning function for determining the condition of the one or more components from the one or more hypotheses.
US08356206B2
The present principles include methods and apparatus for repairing corrupted files systems of storage devices. In accordance with aspects of the present principles, a listing of sectors to which data is most recently written is retrieved upon interruption of writing operations on a storage medium. The listing is employed to implement a targeted search for sectors that are most likely to be corrupted. The sectors providing in the listing are examined and sectors including errors are identified. Thereafter, the errors are corrected.
US08356191B2
A method and apparatus are provided for determining resistive power loss through a channel between Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and a Powered Device (PD). The method includes (1) receiving indication that a PSE signal measurement is available from the PSE or a PD signal measurement is available from the PD, (2) selecting, as an input parameter to a processing operation, at least one of the PSE signal measurement or the PD signal measurement, (3) performing the processing operation to calculate a resistance value indicative of the resistive power loss through the channel between the PSE and PD based on the input parameter, and (4) outputting the resistive power loss value as a result of carrying out the processing operation.
US08356190B2
Network devices coupled via serial and/or parallel interfaces may determine a power level mode of operation according to an energy efficient network communication control policy and may configure one or more of the interfaces for the lower power mode. The network devices may comprise a PHY, a MAC and/or higher layer devices. The interfaces may comprise a XGMII extender, a XAUI and/or a XFI device. The interfaces may comprise a backplane PHY, for example, a 10 GBASE-KR, a 10 GBASE-KX4 and/or a 1 GBASE-KX PHY which may perform FEC. The interfaces may comprise direct attach copper such as SFP+ and/or InfiniBand and/or 10 GBASE-CX4 PHYs. The interfaces may comprise a pluggable transceiver module. Energy efficient network control data may be communicated to and/or from the network devices which may enter and/or exit a lower power mode of operation.
US08356182B2
A key creating device creates a first public key and a first secret key of the electronic signature method satisfying the noncounterfeitability and a second public key and the first secret key of the chameleon commitment method. The signature device generates a commitment, a first random number according to the Com algorithm, and a first signature by using the first secret key. The signature device further generates a second random number according to the Cam algorithm by using the message written by adding a first signature to an object message, and creates an electronic signature by combining the first signature and the second random number. A verifying device receives the signed message written by adding the first signature included in the electronic signature to the object message, creates a commitment according to the ComVer algorithm, and performs verification by using the commitment and the first signature.
US08356176B2
A system and method for authenticating a peer device onto a network using Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). The key lifetime associated with the keying material generated in the peer device and the authentication server is communicated from the authenticator to the peer device within the EAP Success message. The peer device, having been provided with the key lifetime, can anticipate the termination of its authenticated session and initiate re-authentication prior to expiry of the key lifetime.
US08356170B2
The management-apparatus card capable of being attached to a management apparatus receives, from the measuring apparatus, first unique information indicating the measuring apparatus, and identification information indentifying a user of the measuring apparatus; stores second unique information indicating the management-apparatus card; generates a decryption key corresponding to an encryption key, using the first unique information, the second unique information, and the identification information; stores the generated decryption key; receives encrypted vital sign data from the measuring apparatus; decrypts the received vital sign data using the stored decryption key; and obtains the decrypted vital sign data.
US08356165B2
An approach to region selection which extends beyond traces and selects super-regions. A super-region (SR) contains arbitrary control flow, such as interprocedural nested loops, that provides a larger scope for transformation (e.g. optimization) than traces. Hardware samples are used to identify SRs that contain the hot code of a client process without requiring any static program information.
US08356163B2
A disclosed SIMD microprocessor includes plural processor elements each having n arithmetic circuits and n registers configured to temporarily store data pieces to be input to the arithmetic circuits, n being a natural number equal to or greater than 2, and; a control circuit configured to determine an arrangement order of the processor elements and an arrangement order of the arithmetic circuits in the processor elements and determine whether to use the n arithmetic circuits as a single arithmetic circuit or as n arithmetic circuits. Each processor element further includes n shifter pairs each including a PE shifter and a bit shifter; and n shift data selection circuits configured to select arbitrary data pieces from the data pieces in the shifter pairs, perform bit extension on the data pieces, and transfer the data pieces to the arithmetic circuits.
US08356161B2
The present invention concerns a new category of integrated circuitry and a new methodology for adaptive or reconfigurable computing. The preferred IC embodiment includes a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled to an interconnection network. The plurality of heterogeneous computational elements include corresponding computational elements having fixed and differing architectures, such as fixed architectures for different functions such as memory, addition, multiplication, complex multiplication, subtraction, configuration, reconfiguration, control, input, output, and field programmability. In response to configuration information, the interconnection network is operative in real-time to configure and reconfigure the plurality of heterogeneous computational elements for a plurality of different functional modes, including linear algorithmic operations, non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, memory operations, and bit-level manipulations. The various fixed architectures are selected to comparatively minimize power consumption and increase performance of the adaptive computing integrated circuit, particularly suitable for mobile, hand-held or other battery-powered computing applications.
US08356160B2
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for executing a multiple operand minimum or maximum instructions. Executing the multiple operand minimum or maximum instruction comprises transferring more than two operands to one or more processing lanes of a vector unit. A first compare operation may be performed in at least one processing lane of the vector unit to determine a greater or smaller of a first operand and a second operand. The greater (or smaller) operand may be transferred to a dot product unit, wherein, in a second compare operation, the transferred operand is compared to at least a third operand to determine one of the greater and smaller of the more than two operands.
US08356158B2
One or more methods and systems of improving performance and reducing the size of a translation lookaside buffer are presented. In one embodiment, the method comprises using a bit obtained from a virtual page number to store even and odd page frame numbers into a single page frame number field of a miniature translation lookaside buffer (mini-TLB). In one embodiment, even and odd page frame number fields are consolidated into a single page frame number field. In one embodiment, the mini-TLB facilitates the use of a buffer or memory of reduced size. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, aspects of the invention may be found in a system and method that easily incorporates and adapts the use of existing control processor instruction sets or commands of a typical translation lookaside buffer.
US08356157B2
A virtualization system, upon judging that a write operation from a higher-level device is an operation to write in the format of the virtual volume, even when the write position of the write operation is in a virtual area different from a virtual area to which an allocated actual area has been allocated, if there is an unused area in the allocated actual area, writes management information to the unused area according to the write operation, and if there is no unused area in the allocated actual area, newly allocates an unallocated actual area, and writes management information to the newly allocated actual area according to the write operation.
US08356150B2
In one embodiment, systems and methods are provided for nonlinear journaling. In one embodiment, groups of data designated for storage in a data storage unit are journaled into persistent storage. In one embodiment, the journal data is recorded nonlinearly. In one embodiment, a linked data structure records data and data descriptors in persistent storage.
US08356147B2
A system comprises a first storage system including a first storage controller, which receives input/output commands from host computers and provides first storage volumes to the host computers; and a second storage system including a second storage controller which receives input/output commands from host computers and provides second storage volumes to the host computers. A first data storing region of one of the first storage volumes is allocated from a first pool by the first storage controller. A second data storing region of another one of the first storage volumes is allocated from a second pool by the first storage controller. A third data storing region of one of the second storage volumes is allocated from the first pool by the second storage controller. A fourth data storing region of another one of the second storage volumes is allocated from the second pool by the second storage controller.
US08356140B2
A system comprises a plurality of storage systems, which provides different storage functions, and is controlled by a management server. The management server determines whether to change the control of the storage controller between the storage systems, or to mount the target volume as an external volume and keep the storage controller under control so that the storage function provided to the source volume is maintained even after the configuration change between the storage systems. After the determination, the management server instructs the storage system to perform according to the determination.
US08356138B1
Methods for implementing programmable memory controller for distributed DRAM system-in-package (SiP)
A multi-port memory controller (MPMC) can be parameterized to selectively connect to different memory configurations. In particular, a programmable device that is combined with a DRAM in a die-stacked distributed memory in a single chip is provided with the programmable device forming the MPMC. The programmable device is parameterized to form a memory controller that can either aggregate or segment memory controller components to control different DRAM memory banks either together or separately. The aggregation or segmentation of the memory devices can be configured dynamically during operation of the programmable device.
US08356133B2
A touch module switch circuit includes a universal serial bus (USB) display circuit, a touch module, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first diode, a second diode, a USB switch chip, and a USB interface. The touch module selectively communicates with one of the USB display circuits and the USB interface by control of the USB switch chip together with the first resistor, the second resistor, the first diode, and the second diode.
US08356121B2
A communication control device in an audio visual device system has disconnection detection unit for detecting that an audio visual device is disconnected from the audio visual device system, device detection unit for detecting an audio visual device which has not acquired a logical address according to a device type, and control unit for performing control for causing the audio visual device without a logical address to acquire a logical address, when disconnection of a audio visual device is detected by the disconnection detection unit. With this configuration, in an audio visual device system in which an upper limit is set to the number of logical addresses according to a device type, it is possible to cause an audio visual device which cannot acquire a logical address according to the device type to acquire a logical address when it is made available.
US08356119B2
A data processing apparatus is disclosed that is configured to communicate via an output port with a plurality of devices and to issue a stream of transaction requests to the output port, the stream of transaction requests comprising at least some device transaction requests destined for the plurality of devices. Device transactions are transactions that may affect each other and therefore should be completed in an order in which they are received at the output port in. The output port is configured to output the received transaction requests as a single serial stream of transaction requests. The data processing apparatus comprises: a destination device detector for monitoring the device transaction requests and for determining which of the plurality of devices each of the device transaction requests are destined for; the output port comprises ordering circuitry configured to treat the plurality of devices as at least two subsets of devices, at least one of the subsets comprising at least two devices; the ordering circuitry being configured to receive the stream of transaction requests and to classify each of the device transaction requests into one of the at least two subsets in response to determination of a destination device by said destination device detector, and to maintain said order that said device transaction requests within each subset are received in, such that device transaction requests within each subset are output by the output port and executed by their respective destination devices in the received order, while device transaction requests within different subsets may be output in an order that is different to the received order.
US08356117B2
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer readable media for controlling one or more electronic devices are described. According to one described aspect, an embodiment of a method includes providing a plurality of schemes, each scheme defining features that are operable on an electronic device and which features each of the features in the scheme can use, and receiving data for identifying the type of the electronic device, and selecting, based on the type, one of the schemes, and controlling the electronic device based on the selected scheme.
US08356101B2
Methods for establishing an SSL/VPN session on behalf of a user of a client where the user has a previously existing session are described. Methods include receiving, by an appliance, a request from a first client operated by a user to establish a virtual private network session; creating, by the appliance, a temporary virtual private network session with the client; identifying, by the appliance, an existing virtual private network session previously established on behalf of the user; terminating the previous session; and creating a new virtual private network session with the client using the temporary session. Other methods may further include transmitting a request to a user corresponding to whether to terminate one or more previous sessions, and transferring session data from a previously existing session to a current session. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08356100B2
Systems and methods for reducing the cost but increasing the performance caused in streaming data between a client and a server are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing the cost but increasing the performance by the traditional data streaming where two TCP connections, one for each direction of traffic is used. Further embodiments allow a server in communication with one or more clients using a RPC based communication protocol to bi-directional stream not on two TCP connections but a single TCP connection. In one embodiment, this is achieved, by transmitting from the client to the server an initial handshake. If the server receives the handshake, then the client streams a request stream to the server and the server streams a response stream to the client simultaneously over the same single TCP connection establishing full-duplex streaming.
US08356097B2
Site metrics are presented in association with search results. The site metrics are derived from site analytics that uses clickstream data collected from a panel of internet users to generate and present internet activity metrics. Data collected from a community of internet users may be augmented by clickstream data store content, third party content, search results, and other sources to form estimates of internet activity that is structured and analyzed to produce metrics of nearly any internet web site or domain. The data may be further augmented with ratings, retail deals, and analysis of web site content to form a comprehensive set of data that is mined to formulate various metrics of internet activity about web sites. Metrics of internet activity, provides analysis that represents aspects of internet user access to a web site. Such aspects may include activity related to visitors, engagement, growth, trust, deals, and the like.
US08356096B2
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A REAL-TIME MULTI-HOP ROUTE REPORTER (“REPORTER”) facilitates generation and provision of relevant and descriptive network performance reports that are efficient, economical and useful to executives, managers and other non-IT professionals and/or personnel. The REPORTER may be implemented as a multi-tiered web application that may collect, analyze and update database records which facilitate generation of the descriptive report. The REPORTER may include facilities for establishing correlations between various devices in the same network in order to evaluate and report the network performance.
US08356095B2
A method for transferring context information on a web server that contains a context pool. The method includes: in response to the web server receiving a message, obtaining context information from the message, generating a unique identifier according to a thread for processing the message, associating the context information with the generated unique identifier, and storing the context information and the associated unique identifier in context pool of web server correlatively. In response to a web server obtaining the context information, generating an identifier according to a thread that is executed currently in the web server, and extracting context information for which an associated unique identifier is matched with the generated identifier from the context pool.
US08356091B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element having a controller to obtain network information associated with establishing a network among a group of communication devices, and provide the network information to a plurality of network set-up devices removably connected to the network element, where each of the plurality of network set-up devices is connectable with a communication device of the group of communication devices to provide at least a portion of the network information to the communication device, and where the network is established based at least in part on the at least a portion of the network information. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08356079B2
The challenge of communicating document caching policies from document servers to client processes in the most generally applicable manner is solved by enabling the application of caching policies to classes of documents, rather than single instances of documents. Caching policies are applied to a given class of documents by specifying caching policies in metadata that describes the structure of the class of documents that conform to the metadata. In the context of XML data documents and document fragments, an XML schema can be annotated to include a representation of a caching policy, thereby specifying the caching policy for XML data documents and fragments that conform to the corresponding XML schema.
US08356077B2
A system and method that uses interne content and/or content metadata as a means to establish social networks. Examples include linking internet users, searchers, viewers and/or listeners of the same and/or similar internet content to each other via a platform that enables any of the following in n-dimensional environments: social networking, communications, sharing, e-commerce, advertising, search, hosting and registry services, push and pull applications, anonymous communications, and rich presence.
US08356076B1
A system and method are described for using different types of image fingerprints to detect spam. Specifically, one embodiment of the invention dynamically calculates both an image-specific signature (e.g., MD5 checksum) and a generic signature for each image and, if a specified number of images have the same generic signature but different image-specific signatures, then a feature is fired within a spam engine to indicate that the images are spam. By way of example, a computer-implemented method is described for detecting spam images within a stream of messages comprising: generating generic signatures and image-specific signatures for images within the stream of messages; determining if two or more images with matching generic signatures have different image-specific signatures; and updating a spam filtering engine to include the matching generic signatures if the number of images with matching generic signatures but different image-specific signatures reach a specified threshold value.
US08356074B1
A system and method for accelerating web page delivery is disclosed in one embodiment. Web content requests are made to an edge server of a first point of presence (POP) of a content delivery network (CDN). The web content has embedded resource links. The first POP can rewrite the embedded resource links to route requests for the embedded resource links to any POP in the CDN or even the origin server. In some embodiments, the first POP can decide if the first POP and/or another POP referenced in a rewritten embedded resource link should cache and/or accelerate the resource referenced in the embedded resource link.
US08356065B2
The similar sentence search system which ensures sufficient search accuracy in a search for similar sentences is provided, the system includes a similarity calculation unit having an input string storage unit which stores an input sentence and an example sentence, a local distance calculation unit which calculates local distances based on the strings stored by the input string storage unit, a local distance storage unit which stores local distances, a path determination unit which controls the calculation performed by the cumulative distance calculation unit based on the information on strings stored by the input string storage unit, a cumulative distance calculation unit which calculates a new cumulative distance based on the local distances and the cumulative distance stored by the cumulative distance storage unit and a cumulative distance storage unit which stores the cumulative distance.
US08356063B2
A digital filter is provided for radio communication processing capable of dynamically modifying the characteristic and simultaneously processing a plurality of systems. In the digital filter, calculation core groups capable of modifying function are arranged and connected to one another by an input interface unit and an output interface unit. When the communication mode is modified, the number of calculation resources to be used and setting contents are decided according to the setting candidate of the filter characteristic required and the calculation resource empty state. According to the decision, functions of the respective parts are modified to perform a predetermined operation control, so as to flexibly modify the limited multiplication/addition calculation resource calculation tap quantity, the operation clock, and the connection relationship, thereby enabling simultaneous and parallel execution of a plurality of different finite impulse response (FIR) filter processes and simultaneous and parallel execution of a plurality of filter processes.
US08356062B2
A memory system is constituted of a file storage flash memory storing a control program required for a control portion and a large amount of data, and a random access memory storing a program used by the control portion and functioning as a buffer memory for received data. Thus, a memory system for a portable telephone capable of storing a large amount of received data at high-speed and allowing reading of the stored data at high-speed is provided.
US08356061B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes a garbage collector in a computing system. During operation, the system obtains a throughput model for the garbage collector and estimates a set of characteristics associated with the garbage collector. Next, the system applies the characteristics to the throughput model to estimate a throughput of the garbage collector. The system then determines a level of performance for the garbage collector based on the estimated throughput. Finally, the system adjusts a tunable parameter for the garbage collector based on the level of performance to increase the throughput of the garbage collector.
US08356057B2
A method, system, and computer program product for gap filling in a social network are provided. The method includes providing details of one or more current online users in a game in which users are scored for their input. A person is selected from candidates for whom additional information is required in a social network, including: weighting candidates who have a strong relationship with a current online user in the game; and weighting candidates for whom there is little existing data in the social network. The method includes identifying the selected person to a current online user; receiving information input by a current online user relating to the selected person; and scoring the information input by a current online user.
US08356047B2
A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for intelligent data mining. The method comprises receiving an event from an application, assigning property weights to properties of the event, and building a query from these properties based on the property weights. The method further comprises assigning search engine weights to a group of search engines, selecting at least some of the search engines based on the search engine weights, and sending the built query to the selected search engines. Results from the selected search engines are stored in a knowledge repository and used to adjust the property weights and the search engine weights. The invention may be used to provide an analysis with information about a problem, and to manage a solutions database which can be used for problem determination. The invention provides a low cost solution for collecting relevant information from online sources.
US08356043B2
There is provided a technique for facilitating file marking by adding attribute information to the file according to read of biometric information. Biometric information is read from a living body moving and attribute information abased on the biometric information is added to the file. According to the biometric information which has been read, the direction of the movement of the living body is judged. When the movement direction coincides with a predetermined direction, the file is searched according to the biometric information.
US08356028B2
An information system having a computer readable medium including a flexible data structure is provided. The data structure allows information entered into the data structure to be embellished or qualified. The flexible data structure increases the ability of the data structure to record exceptional information pertinent to specific circumstances. The flexible data structure also enables database access software to respond to user queries in a more effective and informative manner.
US08356014B2
A method and apparatus for referencing a partition of a data storage space in a request to perform an operation with relation to the partition are disclosed. The techniques disclosed do not rely on knowing the partition's name, thus simplifying the process of requesting a database to perform an operation on a partition when that partition's name is unknown. Data such as a DDL statement is received. The data indicates a value in a FOR clause in lieu of the partition name. The data also indicates an operation to be performed with respect to a particular partition of the partitioned space. The particular partition is not named in the received data. Based on the value, it is determined that the particular partition is a first partition. The operation is performed with respect to the first partition.
US08356012B2
Disclosed are method and apparatus for managing multimedia content. The uniform resource locators of multimedia content accessed via the Internet are saved in collections stored in the database of a multimedia access system, which is shared by multiple users via individual user accounts. Collections may be copied from one user account to another user account, e-mailed, and posted on a website. Collections in the database may be searched by keywords associated with the collections.
US08356011B2
A method and system for managing presence information based on collections of publications is provided. The presence system creates collections of publications for a publisher. A publication includes a type and value. A publisher may define one collection of publications that is to be made available to certain subscribers and another collection of publications that is to be made available to other subscribers. The presence system may allow a publisher to update individual publications within a collection. Moreover, the presence system may identify subscribers of a collection at the time of subscription.
US08356007B2
The subject disclosure relates to a distributed transaction management technique that ensures synchronization between participating nodes in a global or distributed database transaction. The technique leverages a commit protocol that uses local clocks at the respective participating nodes. Participants in a global transaction are configured to utilize the same commit timestamp and logical read time and can advance their respective local clocks to establish this synchronization. In one embodiment, distributed commit utilizes a modified version of two-phase commit that includes an extra phase to collect commit timestamp votes from participants. Additionally, a heartbeat mechanism can be used to establish loose synchronization between nodes. In another embodiment, a node can respond to a remote transaction request by returning a list of nodes involved in generating the result of the transaction and the types of access used by such nodes in addition to the transaction result itself.
US08356005B2
Events may be identified by storing information in response to activating an event stamp function. As a result of activating the event function, the information collected may immediately be compared to event information in a database. Alternatively, the information collected may later be compared to event information in a database. One or more candidates for the event of interest may be automatically or manually retrieved, and the user may decide whether a candidate event of the one or more candidates correspond to the event of interest. Alternatively, a purchase of an item related to the event may be automatically made in response to activating the event stamp.
US08355994B2
A system for sorting composite waste is provided. In some embodiments, the composite waste comprises two or more drugs, or two or more components. Composite waste is sorted efficiently and effectively using information regarding the different components in said waste, thus enabling proper disposal.
US08355988B2
A cardholder-initiated financial transaction using a cardholder controlled input device in communication with a payment card network and a database is disclosed. The cardholder uses a payment card issued to the cardholder by an issuer bank. An exemplary method includes the steps of storing merchant data within the database including data identifying the merchants registered to utilize the card network and receiving from the input device transaction data relating to the financial transaction. The transaction data includes an authorization request and merchant identifying data that identifies the merchant involved in the transaction. The method further includes determining that the identified merchant is registered to utilize the card network by comparing the transaction data with the merchant data stored in the database, forwarding the authorization request to the issuer bank, receiving a response to the request from the issuer bank, and automatically forwarding the response to the input device.
US08355972B2
Enhanced methods, systems, and techniques for displaying information about financial markets are provided. Example embodiments provide a Market Performance Indicator System (“MPIS”), which generates and provides indicators of market performance, based on obtained market information. In some embodiments, a performance indicator may include a directional indicator, such as an arrow or vector, indicating the value and/or change in value of one or more attributes of performance of an aspect of a financial market. Aspects of a financial market may include individual financial instruments, such as stocks and bonds, as well as aggregate information about a particular market, such as a market index. Attributes of performance may include price, volume of trading, and price variability. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08355971B2
A computer process for determining an insurance premium comprises: validating username/passwords; receiving payroll data asynchronously or scheduled in real time; extracting payroll data required for premium determination; detecting the presence or absence of fraud related to the payroll data; applying state jurisdictional inclusion and exclusion rules applicable to workers' compensation premiums; transferring premium to a billing system for debiting the customer account. The structural elements to the system are: a payroll system configured with an accounting/bookkeeping software where regular payroll data resides; a utility that permits reading payroll accounts residing in the accounting/bookkeeping software; an Internet connection having a browser; a filter to allow extraction of payroll data exclusive of other payroll deductions; a rules engine customized to a particular remote payroll system that includes a mechanism to separate different occupations and a billing system.
US08355969B2
A system and method of providing heightened debit and/or credit card security is presented. The debit and/or credit card may be void of any information printed on the card that may provide identification of the user, an account number associated with the card, an expiration date for the card, and the like. In some examples, a portion of this information may be provided, but not all pieces of information, in order to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized use, such as during an online transaction where a user must input information generally found on the face of or rear of the card itself.
US08355965B2
There is provided a service system that allows a user to charge and repeatedly use a secondary battery and exchanges a battery pack for a charged battery pack. There is provided a battery exchange service system in which a terminal is connected to a management server. The terminal includes an information obtaining unit that obtains battery information and user information; a charging and discharging unit that charges and discharges a battery pack; and a power information generation unit that generates information on an amount of electricity based on the charging and discharging by the charging and discharging unit. The management server includes a battery information database that stores battery information distributed in the battery exchange service system; a contractor information database that stores contractor information for the battery exchange service system; a battery information verification unit that verifies the battery information by the battery information stored in the battery information database; a user information verification unit that verifies the user information by the contractor information stored in the contractor information database; and a charge calculation unit that calculates a charge based on the information on the amount of electricity.
US08355962B2
A system for easily locating goods stored in a storage area including a computer coupled with a radio frequency transmitter or transceivers and goods placed in containers that are coupled to hangers that each has distinct electronic addresses. The hangers each have a hook that allows the hangers to be stored on rails coupled to racks in a storage area. The identifications of the goods and the electronic addresses for the corresponding hangers are associated with each other and stored on a computer database. When a user wants to pick up goods stored in the containers, the user inputs the identification for the goods and the computer will cause the radio frequency transmitter to emit a data packet that includes a search address and illumination data. The hangers each compare the search address to the electronic address and if there is a match, the hanger illuminates the light according to the illumination data. The system notifies the user of the color and flash pattern and the goods can then be easily found by locating the hanger having the corresponding illumination.
US08355961B1
A system is provided for determining an item location in a distribution center. The system includes an audio device, a transparent display, and a mobile device in communication with the audio device and the transparent display. The mobile device receives a request to determine item location from the audio device, determines a location of the mobile device, and determines an item location. The mobile device also outputs item location information to the transparent display and outputs additional information to the transparent display in response to a change of the location of the mobile device.
US08355957B2
A system and method for personalizing an article in real-time is provided. A selection of an article for personalization is accepted from a user. A model of the selected article is displayed. At least one personalization attribute is accepted from the user. The model is modified and displayed, based on the at least one accepted personalization attribute, as the at least one personalization attribute is accepted, thereby enabling the user to personalize the article in real-time. The article may be an article of jewelry, such as a ring, a necklace, or a watch.
US08355956B2
Disclosed herein are techniques to market products and services by enabling a potential consumer to access information about a product or service by simply scanning a bar code. Consistent with some embodiments, a computer system stores in a database data records that include bar code information. The computer system is operable to receive requests for information that include bar code information. Upon receiving such a request, the computer system identifies a data record in the database with bar code information that matches the bar code information received in the request, and then processes the request by communicating relevant information to the requestor.
US08355939B2
Among other disclosed subject matter, a method for managing supply and demand for a ware includes obtaining requirement information for a ware, the requirement information representing a forecasted demand for the ware at a specified time. The method includes generating supply information for the ware, generating pegging information, obtaining order information for the ware, modifying the requirement information and updating the pegging information. Any remainder of the forecasted demand of the requirement information that is not consumed by the order remains associated with the supply information in the pegging information.
US08355928B2
A medical user interface and workflow management system for use in X-ray imaging related procedures includes at least one repository. The at least one repository stores data indicating X-ray imaging related characteristics of a current medical procedure being performed including data identifying a type of procedure, comprising at least one of, (a) a current medical procedure is a cardiac related procedure and (b) a current medical procedure is an Angiography procedure. A workflow processor manages and tracks tasks being performed in a current medical procedure and adaptively selects a next task for performance following completion of a current task by selecting the next task based on the current task and in response to the X-ray imaging related characteristics. A user interface generates data representing at least one display image for presentation to a user. The at least one display image includes image elements associated with the selected next task enabling performance of the selected next task.
US08355914B2
A method for selecting text created in a mobile terminal by word and correcting it or changing it to another word, and a mobile terminal implementing the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes: a display unit to display one or more words of text, and to display tags for each of the one or more words; an input unit to select at least one of the tagged one or more words as selected one word; and a controller to display candidate words having a similar pronunciation to that of the word selected via the input unit, select one of the candidate words as selected one candidate word, and change the selected one word from the text to the selected one candidate word.
US08355913B2
Input of dictated information in an information processing apparatus is controlled. Utterances of speech are detected and interpreted as words. Word by word confirmation of the interpreted words is detected, the confirmation being associated with an adjustable timeout period. The timeout period may be adjusted according to a number of different measures, including an average time needed for confirmation, an average success rate of dictation, by the pace of dictation as performed by a user, and by a user's history based on statistics from previously performed dictation procedures.
US08355889B2
An electronic balance 1 having a switching function for selecting and setting one measurement mode from among a number of measurement modes corresponding to the type of object to be measured and/or the type of measuring work and/or the situation in terms of the work environment, an applied function for selecting and setting one display method from among a number of display methods for the weight of an object to be measured, and a basic function for gaining results of measurement of an object to be measured on the basis of the set measurement mode and display method is provided with: a number of menu operation keys 72a to 72e with which an input operation for selecting and setting one measurement mode from among a number of measurement modes and an input operation for selecting and setting one display method from among a number of display methods are carried out; and a number of basic operation keys 71a to 71d with which an input operation for gaining results of measurement for an object to be measured on the basis of the set measurement mode and display method is carried out, characterized in that the location where the above described number of basic operation keys 71a to 71d are arranged and the location where the above described number of menu operation keys 72a to 72e are arranged are at a distance from each other.
US08355887B1
A device may include a plurality of sensors substantially coplanar with one another in a sensor plane, each sensor generating a sense value that varies according to a physical distance between the sensor and an object without contacting the object; and control circuits that generates at least first position values, second position values and third position values in response to the sensor values, the first and second position values identifying a position in a space adjacent to the sensor plane.
US08355881B2
A device for machine diagnostics, with a vibration sensor (12) for detecting vibration signals on the machine (10), a unit (14) for conditioning the vibration signals, an A/D converter (16) for digitizing the conditioned vibration signals, a data processing unit (20) for splitting the digital signals into at least two frequency ranges, the data processing unit being made to scale the signal for each frequency range to an amplitude resolution which is less than the amplitude resolution of the A/D converter, and an evaluation unit (30) for further evaluation of the split signals.
US08355880B2
In one exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using the size of viscosity hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles. In another exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using the sign of viscosity hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using relative viscosity changes hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles.
US08355877B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products using TRL V6 as a biomarker for the modulation of triglyceride and/or lipoprotein metabolism in a mammal induced by an investigational weight loss pharmaceutical agent. The biomarker may be used for predetermining if an individual patient will likely respond favorably to a given weight loss pharmaceutical agent and/or for testing a pharmaceutical agent's ability to modulate triglyceride and/or lipoprotein metabolism in a mammal.
US08355874B2
The invention relates to a method for developing a biomarker for the prognosis of the result of a therapeutical treatment based on data obtained in clinical studies, data remaining unchanged by therapy being subdivided into diagnostic and genomic parameters and the marker being defined by a combination of parameters. The method according to the invention is characterized by specifying the maximum number of parameters for defining the marker and thus the maximum complexity of the system from the beginning and by carrying out the search for defining parameters by sequential combination of clinical parameters (=z parameters) and/or genomic parameters (=x parameters).
US08355871B2
An efficient route-defining method includes determining a route to a destination. The exemplary method also includes determining a wireless device to server connection type and assigning a tolerance in accordance with a connection type. The tolerance is usable to determine if a vehicle is off-route, and the tolerance is increased or decreased inversely corresponding to the speed of the connection type. According to the illustrative method, the assigned tolerance is used to determine points defining the route, such that the roads comprising the route are within a bounded area. The bounded area may be defined by the tolerance in conjunction with a plurality of lines connecting successive points along the route. Finally, the method includes delivering the determined points to a vehicle computing system in communication with the server.
US08355867B2
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling the navigation system of a carrier (P) receiving signals from a plurality of transmitters (T1-T3) and capable of measuring a pseudo-distance to each transmitter, wherein the elevation of each of the transmitters (T1-T3) is controlled relative to the horizontal (H) of the carrier (P), and a navigation solution is developed from the pseudo-distances (Pd-a) for which the elevation of the corresponding transmitter is higher than a minimum elevation (Em), characterized in that it comprises carrying out a discrimination of the multiple routes from the pseudo-distances (formula I) measured for the transmitters (T3) having an elevation lower than the minimum elevation (Em), and further retaining, during the development of the navigation solution, the pseudo-distances (Pd-ad) authorized after said discrimination. The invention also relates to a navigation system capable of implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention.
US08355856B2
An engine control system of a vehicle comprises a reserves module and a fault diagnostic module. The reserves module controls airflow into an engine based on a driver torque request, increases the airflow into the engine when a reserve torque request is received, and outputs a torque output command for the engine based on the driver torque request. The fault diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the reserves module when the torque output command is greater than a sum of the driver torque request, a predetermined torque, and a load applied to the engine.
US08355849B2
A procedure for monitoring a clutch position of a clutch which is arranged in a double clutch transmission of an automotive vehicle, wherein the clutch position is determined to be a safe position or a non-safe position.
US08355848B2
There is provided a hydraulic control device for controlling a hydraulic pressure supplied to a vehicle start-up engagement element in an automatic transmission when a shift lever is moved from a non-drive range position to a drive range position. The hydraulic control device has a target pressure setting section that sets, based on an input torque of the automatic transmission, a target value of hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle start-up engagement element at the completion of engagement of the vehicle start-up engagement element and corrects the target value periodically based on the transmission input torque until the completion of engagement of the vehicle start-up engagement element and a hydraulic pressure control section that controls the hydraulic pressure in such a manner that the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle start-up engagement element reaches the corrected target value at the completion of engagement of the vehicle start-up engagement element.
US08355844B2
The vehicle motion control apparatus includes a control unit 37A and sensors 2, 3, 4, 30, 31, 32, 33, etc. The actual state quantity obtaining unit 52 calculates a vehicle body actual slip angle βz_act, etc. The reference dynamic-characteristic model calculating unit 54 calculates a reference vehicle body slip angle βz_d, etc. by using a dynamic characteristic model. The vehicle motion control apparatus also includes a first anti-spin target yaw moment FB unit 68 which calculates a first anti-spin•target yaw moment Mc1_asp based on the vehicle body actual slip angle βz_act and a second anti-spin target yaw moment FB unit 82 which calculates a second anti-spin•target yaw moment Mc2_asp based on a lateral acceleration Gs, a vehicle speed Vact and an actual yaw rate γact.
US08355837B2
A system and method for testing the integrity of a vehicle testing/diagnostic system is provided. Examples of vehicle testing/diagnostic systems may include any equipment (portable or stationary) found in an automotive maintenance and/or testing environment (or other environment) that is capable of communicating with vehicle on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems. Prior to conducting an OBD test on one or more vehicles, an integrity testing system interfaces with a vehicle testing/diagnostic system to determine whether the vehicle testing/diagnostic system is capable of communicating via one or more predetermined communications protocols.
US08355833B2
A vehicular system including an electrical sub-system, an engine generating a first torque to drive a crankshaft, an electric machine applying a second torque to the crankshaft, and a mechanical accessory sub-system applying a third torque to the crankshaft. The vehicular system also includes a control sub-system having a processor and a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to (i) during idle operation of the vehicle, select a mode operation, of a plurality of system modes including a charge mode and a discharge mode, to stabilize a net torque being a sum of the first, second, and third torques, and (ii) control operation of at least one of the electric machine and the engine according to the selected mode.
US08355827B2
System and method include precisely modeling of a facility's energy usage over time based on historic data, and precisely predicting or measuring its actual, reduced energy usage over time after a redesign, retrofit, or renovation, or other positive change to the facility. The energy cost savings, whether over a time point of view (POV) of predicted, real-time, or historic, are creditable to the intervening remediation or renovation of the facility's energy footprint. In accordance with one embodiment, multiple-variable inputs are modeled using arithmetic regression and steepest-descent convergence arithmetic solutions based in large part on building-science (construction) data versus outside average temperature (t) that simplifies the modeling and measurements. Additionality is thus addressed along with a system and method that is more accurate, more repeatable, more reliable, and thus more credible and more readily monetized.
US08355824B2
In a case where a request for changing a maximum value of active power and a newly defined maximum value of active power are received from the utility grid side, a maximum value of an active power demand value set to a rated value is changed to the newly defined maximum value of active power at a predetermined change rate or less.
US08355811B2
A clothing simulation apparatus precisely determines clothing pressure for bringing a clothing into tight contact with a human body. A fitting part 22 divides a paper pattern model into a plurality of elements, imparts dynamic characteristics shown by a fabric model to each element, deforms the paper pattern model by solving the motion equation of each element using a finite element method, and then fits the clothing virtually to a human body model. The fitting part 22 sets a temporary model to cover a predetermined section of the human body model, deforms the paper pattern model to bring the paper pattern model into contact with the temporary model, and thereafter deforms the paper pattern model to bring the paper pattern model into contact with the human body model.
US08355805B2
Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.
US08355800B2
The present invention is an implantable electronic device formed within a biocompatible hermetic package. Preferably the implantable electronic device is used for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The package is formed from a thin film of hermetic biocompatible material to minimize the size of the implanted device.
US08355797B2
Therapy systems for treating a patient are disclosed. Representative therapy systems include an implantable pulse generator, a signal delivery device electrically coupled to the pulse generator, and a remote control in electrical communication with the implantable pulse generator. The pulse generator can have a computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a process that comprises collecting the patient status and stimulation parameter; analyzing the collected patient status and stimulation parameter; and establishing a preference baseline containing a preferred stimulation parameter corresponding to a particular patient status.
US08355794B2
Apparatus and method for at least partially fitting a medical implant system to a recipient is described. The medical implant system is configured to provide electrical stimulation and at least one other mode of stimulation to the recipient. These apparatuses and methods comprise executing a genetic algorithm to select a set of parameter values for the medical implant system. This genetic algorithm may comprise generating successive generations of child populations and then providing a determined set of parameter values to the medical implant system for use in providing stimulation to the recipient.
US08355787B2
An implantable connector comprises an electrically insulative housing including an outer wall, an interior cavity surrounded by the outer wall, a port through which the lead body portion can be introduced into the interior cavity, and a pair of first apertures disposed through the outer wall on a first side of the housing. The connector further comprises an electrical spring clip contact mounted to the housing. The contact includes a common portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the common portion. The legs respectively extend through the first apertures into the interior cavity, such that the legs firmly engage the electrical terminal therebetween when the lead body portion is introduced into the interior cavity.
US08355786B2
A connector and adapter engage leads with each other or with an implantable medical device when a wedge is removed from the spring-loaded connector or adapter assembly, thereby permitting the connector or adapter to compress around the lead connector. The connector and adapter assembly may include a body with at least one lumen, at least one contact exposed within the at least one lumen of the body, at least one wire electrically connected to the at least one contact, at least one clamp ring capable of compressing around the body, and at least one wedge or similar tool capable of opening and closing the at least one clamp ring.
US08355785B1
An implantable pulse generator is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the implantable pulse generator includes a housing, a feedthru, and a header. The housing includes an electronic component housed within the housing. The feedthru is mounted on the housing and includes an electrical insulator and a lead connector block. The electrical insulator includes a header face and a housing face opposite the header face. The lead connector block extends from the header face of the electrical insulator. The housing face faces in the general direction of the electronic component. The lead connector block is in electrical communication with the electronic component. The header includes an electrically insulative barrier and an outer covering. The electrically insulative barrier includes a feedthru face and a cavity. The feedthru face abuts the header face and the lead connector block resides in the cavity. The outer covering extends over the electrically insulative barrier.
US08355773B2
A localization device display method and apparatus for recording positional parameters associated with a tool being navigated with the localization device. The localization device monitors the position of a tool and automatically records positional parameters associated with the tool when the positional parameters conform to an area of interest and the tool is stable.
US08355771B2
The invention relates to a method of determining a spatial distribution of magnetic particles in an examination zone, in which a magnetic field is generated that has a first sub-zone of lower magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone of higher magnetic field strength. The positions of the two sub-zones are changed, as a result of which the magnetization in the examination zone changes. Measured values that depend on the change in magnetization are acquired. A reference response function by means of which measured values can be determined mathematically from a spatial distribution of magnetic particles is then determined by means of at least extensive magnetic specimen distribution. Finally, the spatial distribution of magnetic particles is reconstructed from the measured values by means of the reference response function.
US08355764B2
A sliding module for a slide-type portable communication apparatus including a main body and a sliding body which slides on the main body along a sliding distance provided from a start position to an end position. The sliding module includes a fixed plate engaged with the main body, a moving plate being engaged with the sliding body and sliding along the sliding distance. A sliding module is provided between the fixed plate and the moving plate and provides a dead point position between the start position and a center position of the sliding distance, or closer to the start position to slide the moving plate. The dead position prevents the accidental closing of the sliding body and loss of communication if a user's hand slips during the opening of the sliding body to expose a portion of the main body.
US08355763B2
An overlapping type portable radiotelephone includes a first housing having at least a display section and speakers, and a second housing having at least a main operation section and a microphone. The first and second housings are coupled each other so as to be opened and closed. The main operation section is covered with the first housing in a closed state and exposed outside in an opened state. A display screen in the display section and the speakers are exposed outside both in the closed state and in the opened state. With this overlapping type portable radiotelephone, conversation can be effected even in the closed state, and there is further provided a communication control section for enabling the conversation to be continued, even though the portable radiotelephone is brought into the opened state from the closed state while the conversation is in progress.
US08355755B2
Disclosed is a mobile terminal including, first and second bodies rotatably coupled to each other, and a driving unit configured to allow a relative rotation of the first and second bodies between a closed configuration and an open configuration, the first and second bodies being overlaid by each other in the closed configuration and rotated away from each other in the open configuration, wherein the driving unit includes rotation motion units connected to each of the first and second bodies and configured to generate the relative rotation, and slide motion units cooperatively operating with the rotation motion unit and configured to relatively slide the first and second bodies with respect to the driving unit between the closed configuration and the open configuration.
US08355751B2
A system and method for speed measurement of a mobile device, using an speed sensor such as a satellite navigation system or an accelerometer, does not need such speed sensor to be continually activated. The system and method make use of a monitor for monitoring at least one motion indicium for indicating that the speed of the mobile device is above an initial threshold, including but not limited to: monitoring the Doppler shift measurements of a timing signal; monitoring the timing advance of a cellular radio signal; monitoring the number of base stations visible to the mobile device; monitoring the frequency of base station handover, however determined; monitoring the level crossings and/or the autocorrelation of an RSSI signal; and/or triangulation of the position of the mobile device. When the monitor determines that the mobile device may be travelling in excess of a threshold speed, a speed sensor is activated to confirm the indication. If the speed sensor determines that the mobile device is travelling at a speed below a second threshold, the speed sensor is deactivated.
US08355742B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing distributed frequency planning and reuse factor optimization based upon forward link and/or reverse link interference management techniques. An optimal reuse factor for a base station can be determined based upon a metric that evaluates levels of service associated with neighboring base stations. Moreover, a subset of available resource sets can be selected for use by the base station; thus, a base station specific collection of resource sets can be formed through such selection. Further, mappings of each resource set to a set of physical resources can be disseminated in a network or portion thereof. According to another example, frequency hopping can be constrained to use of resources within a resource set (rather than across more than one resource set) as provided in a base station specific hopping pattern.
US08355735B2
Base station apparatus (1) is provided for improving bandwidth usage in a cellular communication network serving at least one mobile terminal. The network is capable of supporting at least a first radio access technology (i.e. GSM) and a second radio access technology (LTE) and uses a predefined bandwidth range. The apparatus comprises a base band unit (3) including a counting means for determining the number of mobile terminals within a cell of the first radio access technology supporting the second radio access technology and a measuring means for determining the level of traffic carried by the first radio access technology cell; and a bandwidth assignment means for dynamically assigning a first portion of the bandwidth range to the first radio access technology and a second portion of the bandwidth range to the second radio access technology on the basis of the number of supportive mobile terminals and the level of first radio access technology traffic.In this way, the bandwidth assigned to GSM and LTE can be configured to take account of changes in the traffic levels and device capabilities in either RAT.
US08355732B2
The present invention provides a method of dimensioning a transport network for a radio access network of a mobile radio network, said method including dynamic adaptation of the transport configuration as a function of transport traffic capacity requirements.
US08355722B1
First and second indicators that indicate the availability of an air link resource are received from a first base station and second base station, respectively, that are in communication with a wireless device. A third indicator and a fourth indicator that indicate the availability of an access network resource are received from the first base station and the second base station, respectively. A core network resource indicator is received. The first base station is selected based on the first indicator, the second indicator, the third indicator, and the fourth indicator. A path resource indicator is determined based on the first indicator, the third indicator, and the core network resource indicator. The path resource indicator is communicated to the wireless device. A response to the path resource indicator is received from the wireless device.
US08355721B2
A method in a mobile communications apparatus, the mobile communications apparatus operable to communicate with a wireless communications network using a plurality of frequency bands, the mobile communications apparatus being capable of performing a measurement of one frequency band while using another or the same frequency band, the method comprising sending a measurement capability message to the wireless communications network, the measurement capability message including an information element designating the requirement for compressed mode for more than one of a plurality of combinations of a particular frequency band being used when another or the same frequency band is measured.
US08355710B2
A System and Method of initiating user notification for a wireless device is provided for allowing a user to locate the wireless device when it has been accidentally misplaced. Notification settings of a wireless device indicate whether incoming communication triggers user notification. If the wireless device has been configured to not ring, then calling the wireless device will not help the user to locate the wireless device. A message (e.g. email, SMS) configured for prompting user notification notwithstanding the notification settings is sent to the wireless device. The message is routed through a wireless network and received by the wireless device. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, in response to the message, the wireless device executes a user notification notwithstanding the notification settings. In some implementations, the user notification includes audible ringing, which might help the user to locate the wireless device based on the audible ringing.
US08355709B2
A utility program executing on a mobile communication device decides whether to launch an application remotely as a Webapp or whether to launch the application locally on the mobile communication device. The decision is based at least in part on an estimate of how much of a resource the application would consume were the application to be launched and executed on the mobile communication device. Examples of resources include battery capacity, memory capacity, and processing power capacity. If the total amount of a resource consumed by currently executing applications and the application to be launched would exceed a threshold amount, then the utility uses a browser on the mobile communication device to launch the application remotely as a Webapp, otherwise the utility program causes the application to be launched locally. The utility program has a graphical user interface (GUI) whereby utility program operation can be configured and customized.
US08355707B2
Methods and systems for providing information regarding monitored computer systems to wireless devices are provided. Information may be requested by a wireless device and displayed on the wireless device in a browser. The web server application may detect the wireless device, and may also then specially format the response, including the requested information formatted for optimized delivery and/or display on a wireless device. The web server application may also send a message to a wireless device about events associated with the monitored computer systems.
US08355695B2
A solution for providing a data security service in a wireless communications system (S) is disclosed. In the solution, a first security association (SA1) is established between an anchor node (LMA1) located in a home operator network (N1) and a concentrator node (Ha) located in an interconnecting operator network (GRXa). In addition, a second security association (SA2, SA3, SA4, SA5) is established between an access node (MAG1, MAG2, MAG3, MAG4, MAG5) located in a roaming operator network (N2, N3, N4, N5) and the concentrator node (Ha, Hb) located in the interconnecting operator network (GRXa, GRXb). A user terminal (UE1-2, UE1-3, UE1-4, UE1-5) roaming in the roaming operator network (N2, N3, N4, N5) can then access external network services (E) by utilizing the first security association (SA1) and the second security association (SA2, SA3, SA4, SA5), respectively.
US08355684B2
A channel determination apparatus and method for a broadcast receiver are provided. The method includes estimating, when the broadcast receiver operates in a sleep state over a preset time period, inter-modulation distortion interference of a plurality of channels by scanning the channels, and receiving, when the sleep state is transitioned to an active state, broadcast data on a channel having the least inter-modulation distortion interference. Accordingly, the inter-modulation distortion interference of individual channels is taken into account to select an optimum channel, thereby resulting in improvement of channel determination accuracy.
US08355683B2
A disclosed method tunes a signal from a channelized spectrum having a predetermined channel spacing. A signal of interest having a predetermined maximum bandwidth is mixed with a local oscillator signal, which has a frequency that is an integer multiple of the channel spacing or one-half of a channel spacing displaced from an integer multiple of the channel spacing. The local oscillator signal is selected to frequency translate the signal of interest to within a near-baseband passband whose lower edge is spaced from DC by at least about the maximum bandwidth of the signal of interest. Problems associated with 1/f noise, DC offsets, and self-mixing products are avoided or substantially diminished. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08355677B1
A wireless device comprises an interference sensing module, a modulation and coding schemes (MCS) selection module, and a transmit module. The interference sensing module selectively receives an interference signal over a channel. The interference signal is modulated using P MCSs, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The MCS selection module selects an MCS based on the P MCSs. The transmit module transmits a transmit signal over the channel using the MCS.
US08355669B2
A method and an apparatus for operating a moving network in a mobile communication system are provided. A method of a Base Station (BS) for operating a Moving Network (MN) includes determining an operation mode of the MN in a cell by collecting information of the cell, and transmitting the determined operation mode to the MN. The operation mode includes at least one of an Operation ON mode in which the MN maintains links to Mobile Stations (MSs) in a service coverage area of the MN, and an Operation OFF mode in which the MN turns off the links to the MSs in the service coverage area of the MN.
US08355663B2
A photosensitive cartridge includes a frame; a photosensitive drum; a drum gear; a cleaning roller; and a cleaning gear, which is provided at one end portion of the cleaning roller, which meshes with the drum gear, and which rotates integrally with the cleaning roller by a force from the drum gear. The cleaning roller is swingable around a swing axis extending parallel to a rotation axis of the cleaning roller. The swing axis is provided at a side that is opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to a straight line extending in an input direction of a force from a tooth surface of the drum gear through a meshing position between the cleaning gear and the drum gear. The frame includes a restricting face, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the input direction, and which restricts movement of the cleaning gear in the input direction.
US08355661B2
A fusing device includes; a heating member having a resistive heating layer constituting an outermost portion of the heating member, a nip forming member facing the heating member to form a fusing nip therewith, and a plurality of current supplying electrodes which contact an outer circumference of the resistive heating layer to supply electrical current to the resistive heating layer.
US08355658B2
A circumferential length of a belt is measured within a short period of time. A plurality of marks is provided on a belt. Distances between the marks are set to be all different from each other. The distance between the marks is set to allow the mark to be identified by measuring a period of time between the detection of one mark and that of the next mark even if the length of the belt is changed to some degree by the expansion of the belt or the like. Then, a period of time between the identified mark and the next mark is accurately measured. The total circumferential length of the belt is measured based on the results of measurement.
US08355650B2
A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position which is inside the main assembly and an outside position which is outside the main assembly, supporting the cartridges, wherein the cartridges are mounted to and dismounted from the cartridge supporting member placed in the outside position; an opening which is provided in the main assembly and through which the cartridge supporting member is passed when the cartridge supporting member moves between the inside position and the outside position; a receiving member for receiving developed images from photosensitive members provided on the cartridge supporting member in the state that cartridge supporting member is placed in the inside position, the receiving member is rotatable along below the photosensitive members; a transfer member for transferring the developed images transferred on the receiving member onto a recording material at a transfer position; a fixing member for fixing the developed images transferred onto the recording material on the recording material; and a feeding path for feeding the recording material to a removing position by way of the transfer position, the inside of the opening and the fixing member from a stacking portion for stacking the recording material, wherein the cartridge supporting member is movable between the inside position and the outside position intersecting the feeding path.
US08355649B2
Disclosed herein is a developing device. The developing device includes a housing having a toner containing unit and a developing unit, a partition member, having a toner supply window, coupled to the housing to partition the toner containing unit and the developing unit, a barrier film attached to the partition member to close the toner supply window, the barrier film having one end exposed out of the housing through a discharge port provided at a side wall of the housing, and a sheet member to guide and discharge the barrier film out of the housing.
US08355647B2
An electronic device includes: a display that displays at least a status of the device; a controller that is provided on a back surface of the display and controls a display on the display; a heat source; a shield that shields the controller from the heat source; and an opening that is connected to a space formed by the controller and the shield and allows air outside the device to flow in and out of the controller.
US08355641B2
A paper wrinkle sign monitoring device includes: at least one timing detecting unit that is set on a transport path of a printing medium, and that detects transport timing of the printing medium; and a sign output unit that detects a sign of paper wrinkle generation in the transporting time of the printing medium based on the transport timing of the printing medium detected by the timing detecting unit, and that outputs the sign.
US08355633B2
A communication network management system including a node apparatus 10 provided with a wavelength detecting part 110 which detects the wavelength of an optical wave transmitted through a path, a destination node detecting part which detects a node apparatus connected to a transmission path, a connection information storage part 112 which stores connection information, a connection information sending part 113 which sends connection information to an NMS terminal, and a path setting part 114 which sets path based on path setting data received from the NMS terminal 20; and an NMS terminal provided with a connection information detecting part 220 which receives connection information from the node apparatus 10, a path setting data generating part 221 which generates path setting data of the node apparatus 10 based on the connection information and a path setting data sending part 222 which sends path setting data to the node apparatus 10.
US08355631B2
A system for transmitting a plurality of data channels and an optical service channel through an optical fiber link of a Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) optical communications system. The system comprises a first transmitter at a first end of the optical fiber link, for transmitting the data channels as a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal through the optical fiber link in a first direction. A second transmitter is connected at a second end of the optical fiber link, for transmitting the optical service channel through the optical fiber link in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08355623B2
Certain embodiments provide a heater. The heater includes a ferromagnetic member. The heater also includes an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the ferromagnetic member. The electrical conductor is configured to conduct a majority of time-varying electrical current passing through the heater at about 25° C. The heater is configured to provide a first heat output below the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic member. The heater is configured to automatically provide a second heat output approximately at and above the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic member. The second heat output is reduced compared to the first heat output.
US08355621B2
A high definition television video content management and/or copy protection method and apparatus are achieved by modifying portions of one or more channels of an HDTV (high definition television) signal. These modifications are generally in the blanking intervals but can extend into the overscanned portions. In one version, the signal modification defines tags or trigger bits for a content control system. This modification may follow the HDTV tri-level sync (synchronization) pulses for example, and it may occur in at least one of the HDTV video channels. In another version, portions of the tri-level sync pulse are modified to cause a reference sensing circuit such an AGC system (in a receiving device such as a video recorder) to produce an erroneous output. Optionally, a signal may be added or inserted following the modified tri-level sync pulses. In another version, tri-level pseudo sync pulses are added in blanking or overscanned intervals. These tri-level pseudo sync pulses may be asymmetrical and may be followed by a signal. Further, any of the above modifications or signals or sync signals may be modulated (e.g., amplitude, position, pulse-width). Also these modifications may be provided to a generic television system.
US08355619B2
In DVRVolume( ), there is stated the information pertinent to the totality of the information recorded in a disc. The information recorded in the disc can be confirmed on the basis of this description. In TableOfPlayList( ), there is stated the information usable in reproducing the information recorded in the disc. Using this description, the desired information can be retrieved extremely readily. So, the information recorded in the disc or desired information can be confirmed extremely readily.
US08355610B2
A primary waveguide and a coupling waveguide are arranged so a user can view light from a forward scene through the primary waveguide. An image source generates an image which is diffractively coupled into the primary waveguide and internally reflected to an exit area for diffraction towards the user. Light from the forward looking scene is diffracted into the primary waveguide to be internally reflected and coupled to a image intensifier tube assembly. The image intensifier tube assembly enhances light from the forward looking scene and drives the image source such that an image of the enhanced light is overlaid on light from a forward scene at exit area.
US08355606B2
Electrical control of the emitter of a coupled quantum emitter-resonant cavity structure is provided. Electrodes are disposed near a semiconductor quantum dot coupled to a semiconductor optical cavity such that varying an applied bias at the electrodes alters an electric field at the quantum dot. Optical input and output ports are coupled to the cavity, and an optical response of the device relates light emitted from the output port to light provided to the input port. Altering the applied bias at the electrodes is capable of altering the optical response. Preferably, the closest electrode to the cavity is disposed between or away from angular lobes of the cavity mode, to reduce loss caused by the proximity of electrode to cavity. The present approach is applicable to both waveguide-coupled devices and non-waveguide devices.
US08355604B2
A silicon-on-insulator device has a waveguide having a carrier wafer layer, a buffer layer, a guiding layer, and a cladding layer. The silicon-on-insulator is additionally provided with a polarizing arrangement deposited on a predetermined portion of the waveguide, the polarizing arrangement being provided with a bottom metal layer, a dielectric gap, and a top metal layer, the bottom metal layer being deposited on the cladding layer. A protection layer formed of SiO2 overlies the top metal layer. The polarizing arrangement attenuates preferentially the electromagnetic energy that is propagated in the waveguide in the TM transmission mode. There is formed a gap plasmon-polariton (GPP) confined to the dielectric gap, the dielectric gap having a high optical loss characteristic. In accordance with a method aspect, there are provided the steps of forming a silicon-on-insulator waveguide arrangement and depositing a polarizer structure that absorbs the electromagnetic energy in the TM transmission mode.
US08355599B2
The invention relates to a device and method for detecting changes in background of successive images. More particularly, the invention relates to a device and method for detecting changes in background of successive images by obtaining vertically accumulated values and horizontally accumulated values from multiple binary images of previous image and current image, obtaining pairs of rows and pairs of columns based on the vertically accumulated values and horizontally accumulated values, and transforming pairs of rows and pairs of columns using Hough transformation.Also, the invention relates to an interface system including background changes detecting device and display device connected to the background changes detecting device.
US08355595B2
Image contrast enhancement includes (i) computing a contrast measure incorporating an adjustable tone transformation function and one or more statistical measures of selected spatial arrangements of pixel or voxel intensities in an analysis image or image portion, (ii) adjusting the adjustable tone transformation function to increase contrast as indicated by the contrast measure, and (iii) enhancing contrast of a target image or image portion using the adjusted tone transformation function.
US08355593B2
Disclosed is an image restoring apparatus and a method thereof, which sets a restoration image area to establish a portion of a target image area to be restored as a restoration image area to be restored with priority according to a request for an image restoration; sets a search area to establish an area with a predetermined size including the restoration image area as a search area; detects a similar image area to search for the most similar image area to the restoration image area within the search area; and reconstructs the deteriorated image in a natural manner by copying the image of the detected similar image area and attaching the same to the restoration image area.
US08355577B2
The operability of a user when reusing a vectorized illustration is improved. An image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises an illustration region specifying component configured to specify an illustration region within an input image, a color region extracting component configured to extract a color region from the specified illustration region, a contour line extracting component configured to extract a contour line from the extracted color region, a vector data generating component configured to generate vector data from image data of the illustration region, a kind discriminating component configured to discriminate a kind of the generated vector data, and a circumscribed rectangle coordinate deriving component configured to derive circumscribed rectangle coordinates in accordance with the kind discriminated by the kind discriminating component.
US08355572B2
What is disclosed is a system and method for mapping an out of gamut RGB color to a surface of a color gamut in RGB space. A point xc having {Rc Gc Bc} values in RGB space is identified which is outside a surface of a color gamut of a target device. A lightness value γ and a chroma vector {right arrow over (C)}=[Cr, Cg, Cb] are determined from the {Rc Gc Bc} values of the identified point. A minimum and a maximum saturation are determined for point xc. A new lightness value γ′ and a new chroma vector {right arrow over (C)} are calculated based on the minimum and maximum saturation values, in a manner as is described herein in detail. The new lightness γ′ and the new chroma vector {right arrow over (C)} are converted back into {R′c G′c B′c} values. The {R′c G′c B′c} values are provided to a gamut mapping function.
US08355570B2
A raster to block converter and equivalently a block to raster converter can be implemented using enough memory to contain a single image band, that is a band of pixels of height equal to a single block but spanning the entire width of an image. The raster to block converter can operate at full rate so that as soon as a pixel is read out from the memory a new pixel can be stored in its place. The location of a pixel can be tracked using a mapping involving basic modular arithmetic. This raster to block converter is scalable so that it can work with any size image and block size.
US08355563B2
A photovoltaic devices inspection apparatus and method of determining defects in photovoltaic devices that uses electroluminescence can find both the quality of the photovoltaic devices from the state of electroluminescence and the possibility of the photovoltaic devices becoming defective in the future by applying constant electric current to the photovoltaic devices causing electroluminescence of the photovoltaic devices (S7), photographing the light emitted from each photovoltaic cell of the photovoltaic devices (S10), dividing the photographed image of the photovoltaic cell into a bright region and dark region by using a threshold value and displayed as an enhanced image by binarization, analyzing as classifying each photovoltaic cell defect according to defect types and comparing a shape of the dark region with the defect types (S50), determining the existence of the defect to perform a positive-negative quality judgment on the photovoltaic devices, and displaying images of the problematic regions for visual inspection (S16).
US08355560B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a pattern evaluation system includes an image acquisition unit, a plurality of image processing units, and a control unit which controls the plurality of image processing units. The image acquisition unit loads a series of images of a pattern to be evaluated. The images are acquired at a first speed. The plurality of image processing units process the series of images at a second speed and then output a result of the evaluation of the pattern to be evaluated. The control unit acquires the first and second speeds, estimates the number of the image processing units which allow the time for acquiring the series of images to be substantially the same as the time for processing the series of images, and allocates the estimated image processing units to the processing of the series of images.
US08355558B2
A money handling system includes: a sort pattern setting unit 107 configured to set a sort pattern showing one or more denominations of the banknotes to be sorted into the stacking units 103; a storage unit 109 configured to store the sort pattern set by the sort pattern setting unit 107, and to store a recognition result and a count result by the recognition unit 102 on the banknotes stacked in the stacking units 103; and a control unit 108 configured to control the transport unit 105 so as to transport the banknotes respectively to the stacking units 103 and the reject unit 104, based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 102 and the sort pattern stored in the storage unit 109.
US08355553B2
A system and process for analyzing multidimensional data characterizing a least a portion of a subject is described. An input module accepts at least one multidimensional dataset which is derived from any of several types of data sources. A registration module accepts the dataset from the input module and registers the dataset from the input module to a selected anatomical model to provide a registered dataset. A processing module is coupled to the registration module and uses this in determining a core region and associated core region information, and computes threshold characteristics of the registered dataset. A segmentation module accepts the registered dataset and the core region information from the processing module, and segments the registered dataset to provide a segmented description of an organ from the registered dataset and core region information, where the segmented, registered dataset describes characteristics of the organ of the subject.
US08355552B2
Techniques include automatically detecting a lymph node in a scanned image of a body without human intervention, using one or more of three approaches. First, a subset of scanned images is determined, which belongs to one anatomical domain. A search region for lymph tissue is in a particular spatial relationship outside an anatomical object in the domain. Second, scanned images are segmented without human intervention to determine a boundary of a particular lymph node. The scanned images and outline data are received. Some of these embodiments automatically segment by determining an external marker, based on the outline data, and an internal marker, based on a geometric center of the outline data or thresholds determined automatically inside detected edges, or both, for a marker-controlled watershed algorithm. Third, based on lymph node data at a particular time, a second scanned image at a different time is segmented automatically, without human intervention.
US08355543B2
A method for identifying a person based on their tongue is provided in which an image of a tongue of a person is compared to recorded details of tongues in a database. If a match is found, the person is identified.
US08355533B2
System for providing a mobile user, object related information related to an object visible thereto, the system including a camera directable toward the object, a local interest points and semi global geometry (LIPSGG) extraction processor, and a remote LIPSGG identifier, the camera acquiring an image of at least a portion of the object, the LIPSGG extraction processor being coupled with the camera, the LIPSGG extraction processor extracting an LIPSGG model of the object from the image, remote LIPSGG identifier being coupled with the LIPSGG extraction processor via a network, the remote LIPSGG identifier receiving the LIPSGG model from the LIPSGG extraction processor, via the network, the remote LIPSGG identifier identifying the object according to the LIPSGG model, the remote LIPSGG identifier retrieving the object related information, the remote LIPSGG identifier providing the object related information to the mobile user operating the camera.
US08355531B2
Indices allocated or set on an object are detected from sensed images of frames, which are time-serially sensed by an image sensing device. In association with each index detected from the sensed image of the frame of interest, a detection condition from frames before the frame of interest is acquired. According to the acquired detection condition of the index, the reliability of this index is calculated. The position and orientation of the object or the image sensing device are calculated using at least information associated with the image coordinates of the detected indices and the reliabilities of the indices.
US08355528B2
One embodiment of the present invention envisions providing requester with a computer program for a remote computer equipped with a digital photo camera. The computer program controls the camera and prevents alterations to an image taken with the camera. The unaltered image of a photo ID is transmitted from the remote computer to the verifier's server computer. The image of the photo ID may further be used to verify the requester by comparing the image to photographs from other sources.
US08355525B2
A method of segmenting a media signal for parallel watermarking operations sub-divides the media signal into segments, distributes the segments to parallel processors, and performs parallel digital watermark operations on the segments in the parallel processors. These parallel processors may comprise separate threads of execution on a processing unit, or several execution threads distributed to several processing units. In one enhancement, the method prioritizes the segments for watermarking operations. This enables finite processing resources to be allocated to segments in order of their priority. Further, processing resources are devoted to segments where the digital watermark is more likely to be imperceptible and/or readable. A system for distributed watermark embedding operations includes a watermark signal generator, a perceptual analyzer and a watermark applicator. The system supports operation-level parallelism in the concurrent operation of watermark embedder modules, and data parallelism in the concurrent operation of these modules on segments of a media signal to be embedded with an imperceptible digital watermark.
US08355524B2
A magnetic circuit includes a cylindrical yoke member having an inner circumferential surface and a collar formed at one end thereof and turned back substantially at right angles, and a plurality of permanent magnet segments of a partially circular arc in cross section. Each of the permanent magnets has an outer surface attracted magnetically to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical yoke member, and one end face attracted magnetically to the collar of the cylindrical yoke member. The magnetic circuit is applied to an actuator or a speaker.
US08355521B2
A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an accessory, a reflective element and a bezel. The mirror assembly may define portions of a pocket that at least partially receives and secures the accessory therebetween when the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel. The mirror assembly may include a microphone and an acoustic cover positioned at least partially over one or more inlet ports of the microphone. The acoustic cover may include an outer air flow limiting layer that substantially limits air flow therethrough and a diffusing material that may space and support the outer layer from the inlet ports to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the outer layer. An acoustic barrier may be positioned between a pair of inlet ports of the microphone to enhance the directivity of the microphone.
US08355512B2
A method for determining leakage factors or adaptation rates, or both, for adaptive filters in an active noise reduction system. The leakage factor or adaptation rate, or both, may vary depending on a parameter of an input reference signal. The parameter may include one or more of reference signal input frequency, rate of change of reference input signal frequency, if a predetermined triggering condition exits, or if a predetermined event has occurred.
US08355510B2
A frequency equalization system is provided that substantially equalizes the room frequency responses generated by at least one loudspeaker within a listening area so that the frequency responses in the listening area are substantially constant and flat within a desired frequency range with minimum signal latency. The frequency equalization system may use multiple microphones to measure the audio signals of one or more subwoofers to achieve an improved bass response that is flat across the relevant frequency range. The system employs an algorithm that is a closed-form, non-iterative, mathematical solution and features short computation time with reduced delays.
US08355509B2
The following coding scenario is addressed: A number of audio source signals need to be transmitted or stored for the purpose of mixing wave field synthesis, multi-channel surround, or stereo signals after decoding the source signals. The proposed technique offers significant coding gain when jointly coding the source signals, compared to separately coding them, even when no redundancy is present between the source signals. This is possible by considering statistical properties of the source signals, the properties of mixing techniques, and spatial hearing. The sum of the source signals is transmitted plus the statistical properties of the source signals which mostly determine the perceptually important spatial cues of the final mixed audio channels. Source signals are recovered at the receiver such that their statistical properties approximate the corresponding properties of the original source signals. Subjective evaluations indicate that high audio quality is achieved by the proposed scheme.
US08355503B2
A mobile communication device is provided with an integral transducer used to refresh a random data pool without connection to an external source of new random data.
US08355500B2
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for encrypting and decrypting digital information while imparting a high level of security on the encrypted digital information. A mixed-mode digital-analogue encryption and decryption technique is proposed, which minimizes the probability of an unintended recipient of the thus encrypted information being able to decrypt the information using known reverse engineering techniques.
US08355496B2
Systems, methods and computer program products for generating and displaying various user interfaces for configuring one or more call handling rules associated with managing virtual PBX services rendered at an extension are described. The user interfaces can be used to configure virtual PBX services for a single- or multi-extension environment. The virtual PBX services can provide, for example, a main number, and calls made to the main number can be managed according to one or more sets of call handling rules associated with the virtual PBX services and which can be configured through the user interfaces. The user interfaces can be web-based interfaces accessible through a browser, and can be accessed only after a user or administrator has setup and activated the virtual PBX services.
US08355495B2
An architecture and accompanying method and apparatus for providing multi vendor administration of telephone numbers being ported from one service provider to another.
US08355487B2
Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide dynamically-configurable maximum durations for sessions over a communication network. For a session, the communication network determines the traditional static maximum duration and the calculated maximum duration (for prepaid sessions). In addition to these maximum durations, the communication network also determines a dynamic maximum duration for the session based on duration criteria. The communication network then selects one of the maximum durations based on the duration criteria, and monitors the session based on the selected maximum duration. By defining the duration criteria in a particular manner, a new dynamically-configured maximum duration for sessions may be used instead of relying only on the static maximum duration and the calculated maximum duration (for prepaid sessions).
US08355483B2
A system and method to assist an emergency medical dispatcher in responding to emergency calls. A computer implemented emergency dispatch protocol includes interrogatories for a dispatcher to ask a caller to generate an appropriate response. A diagnostic tool is provided to diagnosis as to whether a patient has likely suffered a stroke. The diagnostic tool determines whether the patient has likely suffered a stroke based on caller-relayed information about the patient. The diagnostic tool can be launched automatically by the emergency dispatch protocol, or manually by a dispatcher. The diagnostic tool presents a user interface that provides, among other things, instructions, questions, and input fields.
US08355481B2
Provided is a sliding support and a system using the sliding support unit. The sliding support unit may include a fulcrum capture configured to attach to a support flange, a fulcrum support configured to attach to the fulcrum capture, and a baseplate block configured to support the fulcrum support. The system using the sliding support unit may include a pressure vessel, a pedestal bracket, and a plurality of sliding support units.
US08355475B2
A simple block coding arrangement is created with symbols transmitted over a plurality of transmit channels, in connection with coding that comprises only simple arithmetic operations, such as negation and conjugation. The diversity created by the transmitter utilizes space diversity and either time or frequency diversity. Space diversity is effected by redundantly transmitting over a plurality of antennas, time diversity is effected by redundantly transmitting at different times, and frequency diversity is effected by redundantly transmitting at different frequencies:
US08355453B2
An ultra-wideband (UWB) dual impulse transmitter is made up of a trigger edge selection circuit actuated by a single trigger input pulse; a first step recovery diode (SRD) based pulser connected to the trigger edge selection circuit to generate a first impulse output; and a second step recovery diode (SRD) based pulser connected to the trigger edge selection circuit in parallel to the first pulser to generate a second impulse output having a selected delay from the first impulse output.
US08355444B2
A device for encoding a plurality of information signals using a joint computing power includes a plurality of encoders for encoding a respectively different one of the information signals using the joint computing power, wherein each encoder is controllable via at least one respective encoding parameter with regard to its encoding complexity/encoding distortion performance. A provider for providing, for each of the encoders, signal-dependent information dependent on the respective information signal and indicating an encoding distortion of the respective encoder, and a setter for setting the encoding parameters depending on the signal-dependent information considering the joint computing power such that a combination of encoding complexities of the encoders does not exceed a value dependent on the joint computing power are also provided, wherein the setter for setting and the plurality of encoders cooperates such that, with regard to subsequent time intervals, a distribution of the joint computing power depends on the encoding parameters or an encoding complexity of the individual encoders.
US08355437B2
The invention provides a method that reduces degradation in the perceived quality of images in a video sequence due to data loss. This effect is achieved by effectively delaying the insertion of an INTRA coded frame after a periodic INTRA frame refresh, INTRA update request, or scene cut. Frames associated with INTRA frame requests are not themselves coded in INTRA format, but instead a frame occurring later in the video sequence is chosen for coding in INTRA format. Preferably, the actual INTRA frame is selected such that it lies approximately mid-way between periodic INTRA requests. Frames occurring prior to the actual INTRA coded frame are encoded using temporal prediction, in reverse order, starting from the actual INTRA frame, while those frames occurring after the INTRA coded frame are encoded using temporal prediction in the forward direction.
US08355433B2
One embodiment of the invention sets forth an encoding server including components configured to encode a video stream associated with a content title for adaptive streaming. The video stream is first processed by a VC1 encoder to generate an encoded video stream comprising a multiple GOPs, each GOP including a key frame and having a different playback offset. The encoded video stream is then packaged such that the GOPs are stored in data packets of the packaged encoded stream. An SHI generator generates an SHI associated with the packaged encoded stream that includes a switch point associated with each GOP. Each switch point includes the playback offset associated with the corresponding GOP and the data packet storing the key frame of the corresponding GOP. The SHI associated with multiple packaged encoded video streams associated with the same content title and encoded to different playback bit rates have corresponding switch points.
US08355432B2
An image-processing apparatus is configured to read encoded video data from a recording medium, decode the encoded video data, and re-encode the decoded video data. Further, the image-processing apparatus is configured to record information about a viewing-operation-history relating to the encoded video data and determine a target bit rate of the re-encoding based on the information about the viewing-operation-history. An image-processing method includes reading encoded video data from a recording medium, decoding the encoded video data, detecting information about a viewing-operation history relating to the encoded video data, re-encoding decoded video data obtained at the decoding step, and determining a target bit rate of the re-encoding performed at the encoding step based on the information about the viewing-operation-history.
US08355426B2
Examples are disclosed for determining a bit error rate (BER) associated with decoding data transmitted using space-time spreading (STS) in a wireless communication system.
US08355425B2
The present invention relates to an ultra-wideband signal receiver comprising: at least a first set of sampling cells for sampling the waveform of a received signal; at least a second set of sampling cells for sampling the waveform of the received signal, with a predefined delay δ; and at least one correlator for delivering information depending on the correlation between the waveforms thus sampled.
US08355417B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a VCSEL having both a high beam quality or a low M2-factor, respectively, and a reduced mirror thickness which improves the heat dissipation due to the reduced thickness and the production cost. It is suggested to employ a Bragg-reflector in combination with a metal reflector terminating the distal side of the Bragg-reflector as seen from the laser cavity, wherein the metal reflector layer is localized at the center around the optical axis.
US08355415B2
In a method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, having a laser device which includes a laser-active solid having a passive Q-switching system as well as an optical amplifier connected downstream from the passive Q-switching system (46), the laser device generates a laser pulse for radiating into a combustion chamber, and the ignition device having a pump light source which provides a pump light for the laser-active solid and the optical amplifier (70) of the laser device. The energy of the laser pulse is controlled by varying a wavelength of the pump light.
US08355405B2
A method for intercepting data of a network session passing between a first node and a second node on a data network, comprising the steps of: (i) providing an interceptor on a third node of the network; (ii) monitoring data passing between the first node and the second node; (iii) synchronizing the network data between the interceptor and the first and second nodes; (iv) creating a first socket on the interceptor for communicating with the first node and a second socket on the interceptor for communicating with the second node, and (v) intercepting the data so that data flowing between first and second nodes passes through the interceptor.
US08355401B2
Access to a device is controlled in a data processing network by receiving a first request from a client to connect to a device where the device is limited to a fixed number of client connections and connecting the client to an available client connection of the device if the fixed number of client connections on the device would not be exceeded by connecting the client. Access is further controlled by testing liveness of a current client connection on the device if the fixed number of client connections on the device would be exceeded by connecting the client and dropping the current client connection if the liveness testing indicates that the current client connection is not live.
US08355388B2
A user agent (UA) in a wireless communication system. The UA is configured to transmit a preamble on a random access channel (RACH) to an access node in order to attach to the access node. The UA transmits a message to the access node, wherein the message contains an identity of one or more relay nodes to which the UA can be transferred. The UA requests the access node to hand-over the UA to one relay node of the one or more relay nodes.
US08355376B2
A base station for use in an OFDM/OFDMA wireless network. The base station transmits system-specific broadcast control channel (BCCH) information in a first group of time-frequency slots and transmits cell-specific BCCH information in a second group of time-frequency slots. The time-frequency slots in the first group are orthogonal to the time-frequency slots in the second group. The base station transmits the system-specific BCCH information in the same time-frequency slots as a neighboring base station. The neighboring base station transmits cell-specific BCCH information in a third group of time-frequency slots that may or may not be orthogonal to the time-frequency slots in the second group.
US08355356B2
A communication method of a mobile station through a relay and a communication method of a relay system are disclosed. The communication method of a mobile station through a relay station comprises adding candidate relay information to channel status information periodically transmitted to a base station if a downlink signal quality value between the mobile station and the base station is less than a threshold value and a downlink signal quality value between at least one candidate relay station and the mobile station is higher than the downlink signal quality value between the mobile station and the base station; receiving information of a relay station selected among the at least one candidate relay station by the base station in accordance with the candidate relay information from the base station through a relay path indicator; and receiving data from the selected relay station at a time when the relay path indicator indicates. It is advantageous in that service delay of the mobile station is minimized and resources are efficiently used as the mobile station requests relay through the relay station in accordance with the channel status.
US08355353B2
The invention relates to a method for efficiently setting up a bidirectional multicast service in a mobile communication system. The bidirectional service is provided to a user equipment located in a radio cell controlled by a control entity. For the downlink data of the bidirectional service a downlink multicast service framework is utilized. In case the control entity decides for a point-to-point radio link to the UE, the system resources of the downlink framework are configured so as to re-use the configured system resources of the bidirectional service. This includes radio resources in the radio access network and may include tunnels in the core network. The invention further relates to a network entity in the CN or in the RAN for configuring system resources and for forwarding the multicast service data to the UE. The invention also relates to a mobile terminal for receiving the bidirectional multicast service.
US08355352B2
A technique for controlling the amount of power consumed by access points (APs) of a wireless network involves implementing power-saving APs (PSAPs). It would be desirable for the PSAPs to be in sleep mode during periods of low activity, and at full power during periods of high activity. To that end, a PSAP agitation (PSAPA) engine can be implemented to agitate PSAPs in response to increases in wireless activity, and put PSAPs to sleep in response to decreases in wireless activity.
US08355351B2
A method, an apparatus, and a system for forming Time Division Duplex (TDD) Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) downlink beams are disclosed herein. The method includes: generating a transmitting beam of a first data stream according to a Maximum Rate Transmission (MRT) criterion; and generating transmitting beams of other data streams except the first data stream, wherein the transmitting beams of other data streams are confined in a null space of the transmitting beam of the first data stream. Through the embodiments of the present invention, the Base Station obtains precise Partial Channel State Information by using only reciprocity without requiring feedback information, and thus the calculation is simplified and the rate of data streams is improved.
US08355345B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for establishing a point-to-point connection using Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). The point-to-point connection is established as part of the FCoE Initialization Protocol (FIP). A first computing device sends a FIP discovery solicitation to a predefined address such as ALL-FCF-MACs. The first computing device also listens to the local ALL-FCF-MACs address and determines whether or not there are any switches in the fabric connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If there are no switches, the first computing device sends a second FIP discovery solicitation with a point-to-point indicator. If the first computing device receives a similar FIP discovery solicitation from the second computing device, it sends a FIP discovery advertisement with the point-to-point indicator. The first computing device and second computing device then perform fabric login and establish a point to point connection.
US08355340B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a method and base station for obtaining Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) information. One embodiment of the method includes: receiving, by a base station, quantized channel information, quantization error, Inter-Cell Interference (ICI) power and noise power fed back by each User Equipment (UE) after channel estimation; and estimating, by the base station, a CQI corresponding to each UE to obtain an estimated CQI value corresponding to each UE according to the quantized channel information, the quantization error, the ICI power and the noise power which are fed back by the UE as well as an instantaneous precoding vector or matrix of each UE. Through the embodiments, the base station can obtain more precise CQI information of each UE so as to select a precise modulation and coding scheme and to increase system throughput.
US08355329B2
The packet relay device includes a clock generation portion adapted to generate a clock signal of prescribed frequency as a standard for operation of the packet relay device; a timer portion adapted to count up a timer value over a first number of clock cycles on the basis of the clock signal; a relay control portion adapted relay received packets while limiting to a prescribed amount of packets the amount of packets forwardable per a predetermined increment of the timer value; and a power control portion adapted to reduce the frequency of the clock signal to 1/n in order to reduce power consumption by the packet relay device. If the frequency of the clock signal has been reduced to 1/n by the power control portion, the timer portion counts up the timer value over a number of clock cycles equivalent to 1/n the aforementioned number of clock cycles.
US08355328B2
Methods and apparatus for dynamic load balancing are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, at a network device, a data packet to be sent via an aggregation group, where the aggregation group comprising a plurality of aggregate members. The example method further includes determining, based on the data packet, a flow identifier of a flow to which the data packet belongs and determining a state of the flow. The example method also includes determining, based on the flow identifier and the state of the flow, an assigned member of the plurality of aggregate members for the flow and communicating the packet via the assigned member.
US08355324B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for filtering received data packets. A hierarchical tree is maintained. The tree includes nodes organized in a plurality of levels. Each level above a root node of the tree has one or more of the nodes, with each of the one or more of the nodes corresponding to a particular value of a segment of an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The segment is the same for each node of a particular level of the tree. Each node at a particular level of the tree stores a number representative of the number of received packets having the same value for the segment of the IP address associated with the particular level. Some of the received data packets are filtered out based on the hierarchical tree.
US08355321B2
At least one timer is used to prevent a stall condition. If a timer is not active, the timer is started for a data block that is correctly received. The data block has a sequence number higher than a sequence number of another data block that was first expected to be received. When the timer is stopped or expires, all correctly received data blocks among data blocks up to and including a data block having a sequence number that is immediately before the sequence number of the data block for which the timer was started is delivered to a higher layer. Further, all correctly received data blocks up to a first missing data block, including the data block for which the timer was started, is delivered to the higher layer.
US08355313B2
A MIMO system supports multiple spatial multiplexing modes for improved performance and greater flexibility. These modes may include (1) a single-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams on orthogonal spatial channels to a single receiver, (2) a single-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas to a single receiver without spatial processing at a transmitter, (3) a multi-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple receivers with spatial processing at a transmitter, and (4) a multi-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas (co-located or non co-located) without spatial processing at the transmitter(s) to receiver(s) having multiple antennas. For each set of user terminal(s) selected for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink, a spatial multiplexing mode is selected for the user terminal set from among the multiple spatial multiplexing modes supported by the system.
US08355300B2
A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) bit-patterned-media (BPM) magnetic recording disk drive uses optical detection of synchronization fields for write synchronization and optical detection of servo sectors for read/write head positioning. The synchronization fields and servo sectors extend generally radially across the data tracks and are patterned into discrete nondata blocks separated by gaps in the along-the-track direction. A near-field transducer (NFT) directs laser radiation to the disk and generates a power absorption profile on the disk that has a characteristic along-the-track spot size less than the along-the-track length of the gaps between the nondata blocks in the synchronization fields and servo sectors. A sensor provides an output signal in response to radiation from the nondata blocks and gaps in the synchronization fields and servo sectors as the disk rotates to control the timing of the magnetic write field applied to the data islands and to control the positioning of the read/write head on the data tracks.
US08355298B2
A magnetic disk drive, comprising: a slider, which is provided at a position facing to a disk surface; an arm, which is configured to conduct rocking motion around a pivot; a base, which is configured to support a motor thereon, which rotates the disk; a semiconductor laser module, which is configured to be fixed on the arm and stores a semiconductor laser element therein; a light irradiation portion upon the disk surface; and a wave guide, which is configured to build up an optical path between the light irradiation portion and the semiconductor laser module, wherein the semiconductor laser module and a portion of the base are connected therebetween by a flexible heat-conductive member having a predetermined curvature.
US08355297B2
A watch for providing a digital time display comprises a movement mechanism disposed in a case that includes a number of continuous belts. The belts each have a numerical indicia consistent with hours, minutes and optionally second. The belts mounted over opposed drums, and the drums are rotated through gear engagement motors to move the belts. The arrangement of belts and drums are mounted on a frame separate from the case. The motors are operated to move the belts to cause the numerical indicia of the combined belts to register with one or more windows visible through a transparent cover to provide a time display. The belts may be oriented to overlap one another. The watch includes a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the motors, an optical sensor to determining the position of the belts, and a wirelessly rechargeable battery pack for powering the motors.
US08355296B2
An apparatus for relating time to activity is disclosed. The apparatus discloses an analog clock and a display board having one or more activities where a chosen activity begins at a time indicated by an hour indicator and a minute indicator.
US08355294B2
A synchronous data processing system includes a memory module to store data and a memory controller coupled to the memory module. The memory controller includes a clock inverter to receive an input clock signal and to transmit an inverted clock signal to the memory module. The inverted clock signal incurs a first propagation delay prior to reaching the memory module as a memory clock signal. A write data buffer is coupled to the memory module. The write data buffer transmits data to the memory module in response to the input clock signal. An asynchronous first-in-first-out (ASYNC FIFO) buffer is coupled to the memory module. The ASYNC FIFO buffer reads data from the memory module in response to a feedback signal generated by feeding back the memory clock signal to the ASYNC FIFO buffer.
US08355286B2
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes determining whether a program operation is performed on even memory cells coupled to even bit lines of a selected page, setting a coupling resistance value between odd bit lines of the selected page and page buffers depending on whether the program operation for the even memory cells is performed, performing a program operation on the odd memory cells coupled to the odd bit lines, and coupling the odd bit line to the page buffer based on the set coupling resistance value and performing an verification operation for verifying whether threshold voltages of the odd memory cells on which the program operation is performed are a target voltage or more.
US08355283B2
An analog voltage NAND architecture non-volatile memory data read/verify process and circuits is described that senses analog voltages in non-volatile cells utilizing source follower voltage sensing. In a source follower sensing or read operation the programmed threshold voltage of a cell in a NAND string of a NAND architecture Flash memory array is read by applying an elevated voltage to the source line, an elevated pass voltage (Vpass) is placed on the gates of the unselected cells of the string to place them in a pass through mode of operation, and a read gate voltage (Vg) is applied to the gate of the selected cell. The selected memory cell operates as a source follower to set a voltage on the coupled bit line at the read gate voltage minus the threshold voltage of the cell (Vg−Vt), allowing the voltage of the cell to be directly sensed or sampled.
US08355269B1
A memory bit cell suitable for use in semiconductor integrated circuits that utilizes pushed design rules and layout geometries optimized by a semiconductor foundry for standard memory bit cells and edge-cell structures that provides a different functionality from that provided by the foundry standard bit cell. This different functionality is achieved by interconnecting the elements of one or a plurality of standard foundry bit cells and edge cells to implement a different circuit with different operation from the original bit cells and edge cells. The positioning and interconnection of the standard bit cells and edge cells are implemented in a manner so as to maintain the same periodic geometric proximity effects to the maximum degree possible. A preferred embodiment of this invention is to interconnect two standard foundry six-transistor SRAM bit cells and two edge cells to create a Ternary Content Addressable Memory bit cell with mask and compare functionality in addition to bit storage functionality.
US08355268B2
The present invention relates to an electronic driver circuit and a corresponding method for supplying an electronic load (LED1, LED2, . . . , LEDn) with a DC current or voltage (Vload). To achieve a high efficiency and a low thermal stress on the electronic load, the proposed driver circuit comprises: —an AC input (L, N) for receiving an AC input voltage (Vmains), two buck-boost converters (10, 20) for alternately operating as rectifier for rectifying said AC input voltage (Vmains) and as DC/DC converter for DC conversion of said rectified AC input voltage, a control unit (11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23; 40) for monitoring the zero crossing of the AC input voltage (Vmains) and for controlling said two buck-boost converters (10, 20) to change their modes of operation upon detection of a zero crossing, such that during all periods one buck-boost converter operates as rectifier and the other buck-boost converter operates as DC/DC converter.
US08355265B2
Systems and methods for managing interaction between inverter-based DC and other power systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a 3-phase isolation transformer is fluxed to create a 3-phase rotating field from the output of a source inverter. An inductive filter turns that output into three sine waves. A secondary inverter regenerates the system, sometimes after the isolation transformer is fluxed, and by advancing or retarding the secondary inverter's phase, current (and, thus, the DC voltage and power direction) is controlled. In another embodiment, an inverter is supplied by a DC source. The inverter is controlled to match its output voltage, current, and phase to a live AC grid, then the two are connected. The inverter frequency is then driven to advance the phase of the inverter in relation to the grid. Alternatively, the inverter voltage is then driven at a level greater than that of the grid.
US08355263B2
An electromagnetic interference shield system, is provided. Each EMI shield may include a frame providing the structure around the electronic device components to be shielded, and a cover operative to be placed over the frame to prevent electromagnetic radiation from passing over the frame. Each frame may be coupled to a circuit board, and enclose electronic components in need of shielding. Each cover may be coupled to its corresponding frame using at least one snap that extends from the periphery of the cover towards the frame and circuit board. To minimize the space taken by the EMI shields, the snaps of adjacent covers may be offset or staggered so that opposing snaps engage voids left between snaps of the opposing cover, thus reducing the space needed between adjacent EMI shields by up to the width of a snap.
US08355258B2
An orthogonal array is formed by performing electromagnetic field analysis only once and determining a range by using the mount position and type of a capacitor and the number of capacitors as parameters to perform circuit analysis a small number of times. An estimation equation is formed by using as an index a result of the absolute value of the calculated power source impedance, and a capacitor is disposed to reduce noises by using the estimation equation.
US08355253B2
An exemplary electronic apparatus includes a casing, and an electronic component and a heat dissipation device received in the casing. The casing includes a bottom plate and an opposite top plate. The heat dissipation device includes a centrifugal fan defining an air outlet for airflow out, a heat sink arranged at the air outlet, and a heat pipe. A height of the heat sink along a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the centrifugal fan is less than that of the air outlet. The heat pipe includes an evaporation section thermally attached to the electronic component and a condensation section thermally attached to the heat sink.
US08355249B2
A protective cover mechanism includes a housing, a protective cover and a latching pole. The housing includes an opening defined therethrough. The protective cover is configured for covering the opening of the housing and includes a latching slot defined therethrough. The latching slot includes a first latching end and an opposite second latching end. The latching pole is integrally formed on the housing adjacent to the opening and is penetrated through the latching slot of the protective cover for slidably or rotatably assembling the protective cover to the housing. The latching pole is latchable to the first latching end or the second latching end of the latching slot to expose or cover the opening of the housing.
US08355248B2
Embodiments of an apparatus and system are described for a thermally radiating mobile computing device and case. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a thermally radiating case for a mobile computing device having a first portion arranged to receive the mobile computing device, a thermally conductive coupling arranged to removably couple the case to one or more internal heat generating components of the mobile computing device, and a second portion thermally coupled to the first portion and the thermally conductive coupling, the second portion comprising one or more thermally conductive materials arranged to radiate thermal energy away from the one or more heat generating components. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08355244B2
An electric power converter has a semiconductor module having a semiconductor element integrally and at least a pair of semiconductor terminals, a capacitor electrically connected to the semiconductor module, and a cooler that thermally contacts to at least one of a plurality of capacitor terminals provided in the capacitor. The capacitor terminals that thermally contact the cooler are arranged between the cooler and the capacitor.
US08355232B2
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a solar module with a bimetal breaker, which comprises a solar module with terminal ribbons deposited on both sides of the solar module and inter-connecting ribbons extended and connected to the terminal ribbons, and a bimetal breaker being deposited on a joint of the terminal ribbon and the inter-connecting ribbon of the solar module. The bimetal breaker comprises a bimetal unit that is composed of two metal layers, and when the bimetal unit is heated, the bimetal unit will bend because of different thermal expansion coefficients and push the conducting terminals to separate from each other, so as to prevent the solar module from being damaged due to high temperature.
US08355226B2
A ground fault sensing device for a drive system that converts direct current electrical power from a direct current power supply into alternating current electrical power and drives an electric motor with that alternating current electrical power, comprises: an extraction circuit that is connected to a power supply line of the direct current power supply via a coupling capacitor, that detects an amplitude wave that is generated when an alternating current side including the electric motor is suffering a ground fault, and that extracts the envelope of the amplitude wave; a measurement circuit that measures the voltage level of the envelope; and a determination circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not a ground fault has occurred on the alternating current side by comparing together the voltage level measured by the measurement circuit and a ground fault decision value.
US08355225B2
Disclosed herein is an overvoltage protection apparatus and method of a high voltage inverter adapted to protect a load without any adverse effect from an overvoltage aroused by voltage fluctuation attributable to an impedance difference among an inverter, a load and a cable connected between the inverter and the load, wherein the apparatus and method converts a voltage command signal given as a digital signal into an analog reference signal by a main control unit, compares the analog reference voltage with a sawtooth wave having a predetermined voltage level and frequency in order to generate a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal, determines the pulse width of the PWM signal, and converts the pulse width of the PWM signal to have a predetermined time interval in a case the pulse width of the PWM signal is less than a predetermined time interval.
US08355220B2
Approaches for a single part that comprises an upstream spoiler and a crash stop for use within a hard-disk drive (HDD). The integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has one or more wings which diverts and reduces the flow of air, resulting from the rotation of the magnetic-recording disks within the HDD, from a magnetic-recording head of the HDD. The integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has a structure that also prevents the actuator from moving beyond a particular location. After the integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has been affixed within the HDD, the one or more wings may be rotated between the one or more magnetic-recording disks into a desired position.
US08355200B2
PROBLEMSTo enable a single optical amplifier to function as a boost amplifier and a preamplifier.MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMSBy using a wavelength routing, a single optical amplifier can have the function of a boost amplifier and the function of a preamplifier. Moreover, by attenuating a transmission signal in advance, it is possible to adjust a gain difference required in the boost amplifier and the preamplifier.
US08355198B2
Methods and systems are provided for generation and detection of rogue waves, including hydrodynamic rogue waves and optical rogue waves. A method for generating an optical rogue wave comprises the steps of generating an input pulse into a nonlinear optical medium, and perturbing the input pulse by directing a narrow-band seed radiation into the input pulse. The seed radiation has a frequency and timing to generate broadband radiation within the nonlinear optical medium.
US08355196B2
An electrophoretic display device includes a common electrode, an electrophoresis layer, and pixel electrodes. The electrophoretic layer includes cavities, with each cavity arranged between one of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, and comprises suspension fluid, first type charged particles, and second type charged particles. The first type charged particles and the second type charged particles are dispersed in the suspension fluid. Three cavities constitute a pixel unit. The first type charged particles and the second type charged particles in each of the three cavities constituting the pixel unit are one of red, green, and blue particles, and one of yellow, magenta, and cyan particles, respectively.
US08355191B2
An actuator includes a mass section; a support section; a coupling section for coupling the mass section rotatably to the support section so as to support the mass section with cantilever structure; and a pair of driving sources including a piezoelectric element for rotating the mass section, wherein the pair of driving sources are provided separately from each other with respect to a central axis of rotation of the mass section, each of the driving sources is provided slidably with respect to the coupling section or the support section, and the actuator is structured such that it causes the pair of piezoelectric elements to expand and contract in phases opposite to each other, so as to rotate at least a part of the coupling section while torsionally deforming the mass section.
US08355189B2
A set of screens is provided for use in printing respective color separations in a halftone color printing process. This set of screens comprises at least two clustered-dot screens and the frequency and angle parameter values of the screens is such that the lowest frequency moiré produced by any combination of at least two frequency components, taken from the group comprising the first and second screen harmonics, for which the sum of the harmonic orders of the frequency components in the combination is less than a predetermined value, is of a sufficiently high frequency as to be substantially unperceivable to the human visual system; other moirés are also substantially unperceivable to the human visual system. The lowest frequency moiré serves to reduce the visibility of color changes caused by color plane registration variations. A printing system and method employing the screen set are also provided.
US08355186B2
A semi-automatic system for scanning a document includes an image capture device, such as a digital or video camera, which records a sequence of images while a user waves a document in front of the device. The user can present multiple pages of a document to the image capture device, after which the total sequence of images are processed to identify a clear image of each page from the sequence of images. The system further includes image processing techniques to correct for motion blurring, acceleration and perspective errors. The system is capable of processing any size or shape of document without destroying the organization or format of the original.
US08355178B2
An object of the present invention is to reduce influences of showthrough where a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is visualized after printing. In order to attain the above object, the apparatus of the present invention is provided with determination means for determining whether a setting for printing a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image in which a character portion is rendered to a minor dot portion on both sides of a sheet is made and control means for controlling so that a warning screen is displayed where the determination means determines that the above setting has been made.
US08355176B2
Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including: a screen processor for determining each pixel value of a screen processing application unit region composed of a plurality of pixels to which a threshold matrix is applied, in an inputted image; and for carrying out a screen processing by applying one threshold matrix among a plurality of threshold matrices in which applied positions of the threshold values are different from each other, to the plurality of pixels in the screen processing application unit region based on each determined pixel value.
US08355172B2
A color printer system includes plural data transmitting units that transmits image data of each color to an engine, and a printing control unit that controls the plural data transmitting units. The printing control unit and an image data generating apparatus are connected by a first transmission path, and the plural data transmitting units and the image data generating apparatus are connected by plural of second transmission paths allocated to each color. The image data generating apparatus includes: an image data generating unit that performs bitmap expansion on a print job for each color to generate image data; and a communication unit that sequentially allocates the image data of colors other than a color not used for the superimposed printing to the second transmission path, which is allocated to transmit the image data of the not used color, and transmits the image data in units of transmission.
US08355170B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for scanning devices to exchange scan messages with external devices, where the scan messages comprise WS-Scan protocol message and DSM protocol messages. A determination is made if a scan message comprises a WS-Scan protocol message or a DSM protocol message. A response is made to the WS-Scan protocol message if the scan message is a WS-Scan protocol message. Further, a response is made to the DSM protocol message if the scan message is a DSM protocol message. A user interface of the scanning device hides the distinctions between WS-Scan and DSM to permit a user to seamlessly select scanning to either or both WS-Scan and DSM destinations.
US08355167B2
A method for creating a pattern color space for use during print job processing may include: a) defining a variable portion of the pattern color space, b) defining a fixed portion of the pattern color space, c) defining a bounding shape for the pattern color space, d) defining a procedure for painting the variable and fixed portions within the bounding shape, and e) at least temporarily, saving the pattern color space to a storage device. The variable portion of the pattern color space may be based on variable data associated with the print job and an object within the print job may identify the pattern color space for a color parameter. A system using this method may include a storage device, a digital front end, a print controller, and a print engine. Various methods for using the pattern color space during print job processing are also provided.
US08355166B2
An image-printing device includes a reading unit, a sample characteristic amount extracting unit, an original characteristic amount extracting unit, an image converting unit, and a printing unit. The reading unit reads a sample image and an original image. The sample image has a sample characteristic amount indicating a characteristic of the sample image. The original image has an original characteristic amount indicating a characteristic of the original image. The sample characteristic amount extracting unit extracts the sample characteristic amount from the sample image. The original characteristic amount extracting unit extracts the original characteristic amount from the original image. The image converting unit converts the original image based on both the sample characteristic amount and the original characteristic amount. The printing unit prints the converted original image.
US08355159B2
A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines wherein the receiving sheet is inverted between a first and a second print engine including determining any change in the speed of the master print engine relative to the speed at original set up and adjusting the timing parameters within the slave print engines based on the speed of the master engine.
US08355149B2
Pieces of device information of a plurality of printing apparatuses, including about paper feed stages provided in the printing apparatuses, are acquired. On the basis of the acquired device information and print data to be processed which includes pages to be printed on different types of paper sheets, a printing apparatus capable of printing the print data without paper exchange during printing is selected.
US08355136B2
Wearable or implantable devices combining microfluidic control of sample and reagent flow and micro-cavity surface plasmon resonance sensors functionalized with surface treatments or coatings capable of specifically binding to target analytes, ligands, or molecules in a bodily fluid are provided. The devices can be used to determine the presence and concentration of target analytes in the bodily fluids and thereby help diagnose, monitor or detect changes in disease conditions.
US08355118B2
A laser scanner measuring system is disclosed, which has a laser scanner and a calibration target. The laser scanner comprises a light emitting element for emitting a pulsed laser beam, a rotary projecting unit for projecting the pulsed laser beam, a distance measuring unit, and a control unit for driving and controlling the light emitting element and the distance measuring unit. The calibration target has a reflection sector with a known shape and with high reflectance and is installed at a known position. In use, there is a step for judging a reflected pulsed laser beam from the reflection sector by detecting a level of light quantity, a step for determining a center position of the reflection sector based on the result of the judgment, and a step for calibrating the laser scanner measuring system based on the determined center position and on the known position.
US08355116B2
Positional information of each of wafer stages during exposure and during alignment is measured directly under a projection optical system and directly under a primary alignment system, respectively, by a plurality of encoder heads, Z heads and the like, which a measurement bar placed below surface plates has, using gratings placed on the lower surfaces of fine movement stages. Consequently, high-precision measurement of the positional information of the wafer stages can be performed.
US08355114B2
When a liquid immersion area (liquid) formed on a wafer stage is moved onto another wafer stage, a fine movement stage position measuring system measures positional information of the wafer stage, interferometers of a coarse movement stage position measuring system measure positional information of the another wafer stage, and different interferometers measure positional information of the wafer stage. Based on these measurement results, the wafer stage and the another wafer stage are made to be in proximity to each other and are driven while the scrum state is maintained, and thereby the liquid immersion area (liquid) formed on the wafer stage can be moved onto the another wafer stage.
US08355101B2
A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, an aligning film which is disposed on a liquid crystal layer side surface of the second substrate and on which a rubbing processing is performed, a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in planar regions of the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed on a liquid crystal layer side surface of the first substrate and which generate an electric field therebetween, in which the second electrode includes a plurality of electrode line-shaped portions arranged in parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, each sub-pixel includes a reflective display region in which a light reflective film is disposed and a transmissive display region in which a light reflective film is not disposed.
US08355097B2
A liquid crystal display includes: a pair of liquid crystal shutter glasses; a liquid crystal panel which alternately displays a left image and a right image formed in a predetermined scanning direction according to a predetermined scanning cycle; a glasses controller which outputs a control signal to open and close a left glass and a right glass of the liquid crystal shutter glasses synchronizing with the scanning cycle; a light source unit which supplies light to the liquid crystal panel; and a light source driver which supplies driving power to the light source unit to emit light to the liquid crystal panel in the scanning direction posterior to the left and right images.
US08355093B2
A light generating device which may be used as a backlight unit and a display device including the light generating device are discussed. According to an embodiment, the light generating device can include a first layer; a plurality of light source devices disposed on the first layer and configured to emit light, each at least one of the light source devices including a light emitting unit diode for generating the light; a second layer covering the light source devices; and first and second light shielding layers disposed on the second layer and configure to selectively control transmit a propagation of the light emitted from the light source devices, the first and second light shielding layers being composed of a same material or different materials, the first and second light shielding layers being disposed to correspond with the light source devices.
US08355090B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes a first pixel formed between the first and second gate lines, the first and the second data lines, a first subpixel configured to have applied thereto a first data voltage and a second subpixel configured to have applied thereto a second data voltage lower than the first data voltage, a second pixel formed between the second and third gate lines, the first and second data lines, and having a third subpixel configured to have applied thereto a third data voltage and a fourth subpixel configured to have applied thereto a fourth data voltage lower than the third data voltage. The first subpixel and the third subpixel are connected to a first thin film transistor and a third thin film transistor respectively, the first thin film transistor and the third thin film transistor have source electrodes connected to the first data line and the second data line respectively, and each of the source electrodes has an open portion surrounding a portion of a drain electrode, and wherein an open direction of the source electrode of the first thin film transistor is opposite to an open direction of the source electrode of the third thin film transistor.
US08355085B2
A television includes a remote control, at least two inputs and at least one device, each device connected to one of the inputs. Upon a system event such as changing from one input to another input, the television signals the remote control to change operation of at least one function key.
US08355070B2
There is provided a development processing device that develops undeveloped image data. The development processing device includes a change screen displaying unit displays a first number line corresponding to a first initial parameter, a second number line corresponding to a second initial parameter, a reference line that intersects the first number line in a position corresponding to the first initial parameter and intersects the second number line in a position corresponding to the second initial parameter, a first marker that represents a position corresponding to the first user parameter on the first number line, and a second marker that represents a position corresponding to the second user parameter on the second number line on the parameter changing screen, and the development processing unit performs the development process based on at least the first user parameter and the second user parameter.
US08355068B2
A solid-state image sensing device includes: a pixel array unit including pixels arranged in a matrix and a vertical signal line wired with respect to each pixel column; an analog-digital conversion circuit provided with respect to each pixel column and having a comparator using an analog signal as a comparison target input and a counter measuring a time from start to completion of the comparison of the comparator; a reference signal generating unit that generates reference signals with ramp waveforms; a first switch that, in a thinning readout mode, shorts the vertical signal line belonging to one pixel column of a specific group of pixel columns and the vertical signal line belonging to another group of pixel columns from which no signals are readout; and a second switch that, in the thinning readout mode, provides the reference signals to the comparator belonging to the one pixel column and the comparator belonging to the another group, respectively.
US08355065B2
To provide a semiconductor device and a driving method of the same that is capable of enlarging a signal amplitude value as well as increasing a range in which a linear input/output relationship operates while preventing a signal writing-in time from becoming long. The semiconductor device having an amplifying transistor and a biasing transistor and the driving method thereof, wherein an electric discharging transistor is provided and pre-discharge is performed.
US08355062B2
A method for processing an image includes: obtaining depth values of an image including a target region and a non-target region; obtaining a scaling ratio of the target region; obtaining a scaling ratio of the non-target region according to the depth values of the image and the scaling ratio of the target region; scaling respectively the target region and the non-target region according to the scaling ratio of the target region and the scaling ratio of the non-target region, and obtaining a scaled image.
US08355060B2
An apparatus capable of managing image data includes a display unit configured to display image data whose predetermined date is known among image data stored in a storage unit, and a setting unit configured to set a date to another image data using the image data displayed on the display unit.
US08355058B2
An image pickup apparatus capable of forming a corrected image which does not give a feeling of wrongness to a user. In the apparatus, an image pickup element photoelectrically converts an optical image to output the same as image data. A target correction value is calculated for correcting image quality degradation due to a lens unit, based on lens characteristic information and a status of the lens unit. A system controller sets a rate of change to stepwise make the current correction value closer to the target correction value, and repeatedly calculates the correction value according to the target correction value and the rate of change. The image data is corrected based on the repeatedly calculated correction value. The rate of change is changed depending on the relationship between a preceding value of the correction value calculated in the past and the target correction value.
US08355054B2
An arrangement for, and a method of, acquiring a monochrome image of a target, employ a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the target over a field of view, and for generating an output image data stream having image components arranged in a serial format at a clock frequency, a preprogrammed microprocessor operatively connected to the imager for serially receiving, sampling and processing the image components at a sampling frequency to generate the monochrome image of the target, and a clock frequency adjustment circuit operatively connected to the imager and the microprocessor for adjusting the clock frequency to enable the microprocessor to receive, sample and process the image components and generate the monochrome image.
US08355049B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section formed on a substrate and having an effective pixel area that converts incident light into an electric signal, and an optical black area placed around the effective pixel area; an optical communication section placed near a predetermined optical black area of the optical black area, and converts a signal read from the pixel section into an optical signal for output; a dark current level supplying section that generates an estimated dark current level varying with a pixel position from which a signal is read, on the basis of a dark current level acquired from the predetermined optical black area, and outputs the estimated dark current level in synchronization with a signal read timing from the effective pixel area; and a noise compensation section that subtracts the estimated dark current level from a signal read from the effective pixel area.
US08355043B2
A medical apparatus includes: a first image pickup section that is fixed to a body wall and picks up an image of an inside of a body cavity; a recording section that records in advance, in preparation for a case in which a predetermined image change occurs in a first image picked up by the first image pickup section, a predetermined image area in the first image or a coordinate for specifying the predetermined image area; and a display section that displays, when the predetermined image change occurs in the first image, the image area or the coordinate recorded in the recording section to be superimposed on the first image picked up by the first image pickup section.
US08355040B2
A method of conducting an audio-visual conference among a number of conference rooms comprising storing predetermined conference configuration data in a computer system for a plurality of room types and a plurality of combinations of configuration factors, receiving conference variable data, generating a room list of included conference rooms, generating interconnection data for each included conference room according selected by said a computer system performing a recursive process until a feasible set of configuration data is found which permits interconnection to every other included conference room, and if no applicable set of configuration data is feasible, the distribution process returns to a next higher room in said room list.
US08355036B2
A signal generating unit of a formatter inputs a misalignment amount δ unique to an individual recording apparatus and record data into a record signal compensation unit, and in accordance with these the record signal compensation unit generates a compensated beam deflection signal and substrate velocity signal to a beam unit and rotation and movement drive unit. With this arrangement, it is possible to perform compensation which matches errors in individual unit, in response to the errors (mechanical errors) in assembly dimension precision of parts and control precision of control devices which can vary among individual unit of the recording apparatus.
US08355035B2
A printing sub-system including same including a pixilated photoconductive member (such as a photobelt) is disclosed. Electrically isolated cells hold surface application material above the photoconductor. The surface application material is first charged. Charge on the surface application material in an individual cell may then be discharged by exposure of a region of the photoconductor proximate that cell to light from an optical addressing system. The surface application material is brought into proximity of an image receiving member such as paper, which is either charged or proximate a charge source. Charged surface application material in a cell may then be electrostatically transferred from the cell onto the image receiving member, while discharged surface application material remains in the cell. The subsystem may form a part of a complete printing system using many existing components. Among other advantages, viscous liquid surface application material may thereby be printed.
US08355032B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel; and a display panel driver configured to drive signal lines of the display panel. The display panel driver includes: a color reducing circuit configured to be possible to generate a first color reduction image data from a first input image data by executing an error diffusion process by using a first error value, and to generate a second color reduction image data from the first input image data by executing the error diffusion process by using a second error value which is different from the first error value; and a driving section configured to drive a first pixel positioned on a horizontal line of the display panel in response to the first color reduction image data, and drive a second pixel positioned on the horizontal line and adjacent to a the first pixel in a horizontal direction, in response to the second color reduction image data.
US08355030B2
Display methods and interfaces for high dynamic range images. High dynamic range images and corresponding histograms are displayed on a display device. The histogram panel displays low dynamic range and high dynamic range data of the images simultaneously. The low dynamic range and high dynamic range data is brightness level of the image pixels.
US08355018B2
A system and a method are disclosed for updating an image on a bi-stable display includes a module for determining a final optical state, estimating a current optical state and determining a sequence of control signals to produce a visual transition effect while driving the display from the current optical state toward a final optical state. The system also includes a control module for generating a control signal for driving the bi-stable display from the current optical state to the final optical state.
US08355015B2
When writing a signal current from a current source to a current source circuit, noise occurs in some cases in a wiring through which a current flows, which may cause a potential of the wiring to be outside the normal range. As the potential does not turn back within the normal range easily at this time, writing to the current source circuit is delayed. According to the invention, when the potential becomes outside the normal range due to noise occurring in a wiring through which a current flows when writing a signal current from a current source to a current source circuit, a current is supplied from other than the current source, thereby the potential of the wiring can turn back within the normal range rapidly.
US08355011B2
Disclosed herein is a resistive touch screen, including: a transparent film 100 that has a first transparent electrode 110 and is bent when the transparent film 100 is pressed; a dot spacer 200 that is formed on one surface of the first transparent electrode 110 and is configured to include a plurality of projection members 210; a transparent substrate 300 that has a second transparent electrode 310; and an adhesive layer 400 that adheres the edge of the transparent film 100 to the edge of the transparent substrate 300, wherein the side surfaces of the plurality of projection members 210 are closely adhered to each other but when the transparent film 100 is bent, the side surfaces of the plurality of projection members 210 are spaced from each other.
US08355007B2
Methods for use with multi-touch displays for determining when a touch is processed as a mouse event
A multi-touch driver handling user inputs or touches on a multi-touch input device. The method includes receiving touch data associated with a touch detected by the multi-touch input device. The multi-touch driver determines a target user interface (UI) component for the touch by processing the touch data and then determines whether the target handles touch events. If so, the driver sends the touch data to the target for handling as a touch event, thereby saving a touch-to-mouse conversion for later touches. The touch may be a first touch received in a particular input region of a GUI displayed on a touch surface. The driver receives touch data for a second touch input later than the first touch but while the first touch is still active. The driver determines a target UI component for the second touch and passes the second touch data to the second target as a mouse event.
US08355001B1
A computer has a display, keyboard and two main component parts. The components each have an L-shape and are linked together to enable sliding movement in substantially one plane in a first direction. The linkage also enables movement orthogonally with respect to the first direction in another plane, such that the components transition from a closed position of the computer in which the components interfit together to form a first right rectangular prism and in which the display is exposed, to an open position having a second right rectangular prism shape in which the keyboard is exposed adjacent to and in the same plane as the display.
US08355000B2
A tumbler mouse includes a housing including a swaying portion and a balancing weight secured in the housing. When the tumbler mouse is stood vertically on a support surface, it can sway as a tumbler.
US08354996B2
An electronic reading apparatus comprises an input unit receiving input operations, a detect unit detecting and capturing images reflected by the input unit and a processing unit configured to receive the images to generate interruption signals; determine whether the number of the interruption signals reaches a pre-determined value in a pre-determined time; calculate a movement direction and a distance of the object on the input unit if the number of the interruption signals reaches the pre-determined value in the pre-determined time; determine a cursor displacement on the display unit and display a movement track of the cursor on a display unit. An input method for previewing files is also provided.
US08354993B2
A display apparatus includes a display device and a backlight for indicating a sign, which represents that the display apparatus has no image signal in case the display apparatus is not receiving image signal inputted from outside. The display apparatus has a controller, which indicates the sign intermittently on the display device while the display apparatus has no signal and the controller turns off power of the backlight while there is no sign on the display device.
US08354992B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a display panel having an active image display region, a non-image display region surrounding the active image display region, and a border area disposed between the active image display region and the non-image display region, and a backlight device adjacent to the display panel and having a plurality of light producing elements corresponding to the active image display region, wherein the border area is disposed between the active image display region and the non-image display region to diffuse light produced by the light producing elements transmitted through the display panel within the border area.
US08354986B2
A displaying method for trans-flective type display device is provided. The pixel array of the display device has a selected pixel unit formed by three sub-pixels selected from three basic-color sub-pixels and one enhancement sub-pixel, wherein there is a reflective area within the enhancement sub-pixel. The displaying method includes the following steps. Firstly, an original image having an image data is provided to the display device. Next, when the backlight is turned off, the resolution of the original image is scaled down for obtaining an adjusted image data. Then, another pixel unit consisting of the three basic-color sub-pixels and the enhancement sub-pixel is re-selected, and the driving value of the enhancement sub-pixel is calculated according to the adjusted image data for driving the enhancement sub-pixel.
US08354976B2
An image display device (1) including an image input means (10) to which image signals (S1 and S2) are input, an image display means (30) for forming an optical image based on the image signals (S1 and S2), and a device adjusting means (40) for adjusting internal conditions of the device is provided with an adjusting operation support means (61) for supporting an operation of the device adjusting means (40). Because the adjusting operation support means (61) is provided, a user may easily adjust the image display device (1) while confirming adjusting operation support information displayed by the adjusting operation support means (61).
US08354970B2
Described and shown is a dielectric antenna (1) having a dielectric feeding section (2), a first transition section (3) comprising a dielectric rod, a dielectric emitting section (5) and, a further, second transition section (4) forming a dielectric horn, wherein the feeding section (2) can be struck with electromagnetic radiation (6), electromagnetic radiation (6) can be guided with the first transition section (3) and the second transition section (4) and the electromagnetic radiation can be emitted from the emitting section (5) as airborne waves.The object of the present invention is to provide a dielectric antenna, which is adaptable as low-loss as possible to different mounting situations, which additionally is as low-reflection as possible and, at the same time is highly bundling.The object of the above-mentioned dielectric antenna is met in that the emitting section (5) is designed as dielectric tube connecting to the second transition section (4).
US08354966B2
A computer peripheral telecommunications device having an electronic interface for connection to a computer and being configured for adding wireless telecommunication functionality to the computer, the device comprising a movable cover portion for covering the electronic interface while not in use and an antenna integrated in the movable cover portion.
US08354964B2
A low-height PIFA-fed antenna system having high gain, wide bandwidth and wide beamwidth for applications on wireless communications devices. The antenna is suitable for internal installation within a handset, such as a cellphone. The antenna includes a ground plane conductor, such as the ground plane of a wireless device, and a resonator element having a top portion with a split free end defining an open space. The antenna is well adapted for high volume manufacturing processes using conventional fabrication techniques such as metal stamping or selectively plated plastic.
US08354961B2
Disclosed herein is a direction finding system including: a transmitter configured to generate a single carrier; a plurality of receivers, each of which has a receiving antenna; a phase comparison section configured to compare phases of signals received by the receivers to determine a phase difference between the received signals; and an information processing section configured to perform a computation process for direction finding based on the phase difference.
US08354956B2
A antenna system for generating and distributing power among a plurality of non-focused beams is provided The system comprises a reflector having a focal plane and a non-parabolic curvature configured to form the defocused beams. The curvature is configured to create a symmetrical quadratic phase-front in an aperture plane of the reflector. The system further comprises a plurality of feed antennas disposed in the focal plane of the reflector and configured to illuminate the reflector. Each feed antenna is configured to contribute power toward each of the defocused beams. The system further comprises a plurality of fixed-amplitude amplifiers, at least one of which corresponds to each feed antenna.
US08354951B2
A method for determining position and orientation of a rotating wing aircraft (e.g. helicopter) with respect to a ground station includes transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the aircraft. The signal includes a plurality of electromagnetic signals, each signal having a different selected frequency. The signal is detected at an array of sensors disposed on the ground surface in a selected pattern. The array includes at least one reference sensor and at least three spaced apart time difference determination sensors. A difference in arrival time of the signals between the reference sensor and each of the time difference determination sensors is determined and a spatial position of the aircraft is determined from the time differences.
US08354943B2
The general field of the invention is, within the framework of the terrain anti-collision systems for aircraft, the presentation on the displays for aiding the piloting and the navigation of a simplified symbology suited to these critical situations. More precisely, the symbols comprise guidance indications in the depictions representing the horizontal and vertical situation indicators as well as speed instructions and altitude instructions, indications relating to the propulsion of the jets as well as guidance messages.
US08354940B2
An automated remote water quality monitoring system with wireless communication capability and the method thereof is provided. A water quality monitoring system is provided, including: a plurality of monitoring apparatuses, each of which has a radio communication module transmitting at least one environmental parameter; a server receiving the at least one environmental parameter via a base station; and a gateway being one selected from a group consisting of the plurality of monitoring apparatuses, being geographically the closest one to the base station, receiving the at least one environmental parameter and transmitting the at least one environmental parameter to the base station.
US08354933B2
An automated trigger device and a corresponding method for dynamic triggering of developing and/or imminent tropical storms for integrated monitoring devices and/or control devices and/or early warning systems. The trigger device includes a trigger module, and measurement devices arranged in cellular, geographically and/or topologically definable units or zones. Geophysical measurement parameters can be transmitted from the measurement devices to the trigger module. By a Monte Carlo module—and based on the measurement parameters—data records can be dynamically generated for definable future time intervals. By an extrapolation module track distribution parameters of a track distribution integrable over the plurality of data records are generated for each of the definable future time intervals. By an activating device—and based on the generated track distribution parameters and/or the trigger parameters—a corresponding control signal is transmitted to the monitoring device.
US08354926B2
The present invention is a method to ensure business processes are followed, comprising the steps of capturing sensory data from one or more sensors; storing the sensory data from the one or more sensors in a data storage device; processing the sensory data from the sensors to detect primitive events in the sensory data using a computer processor; correlating two or more primitive events, weighted by attribute data representing information about the sensors used to sense the primitive events, to determine one or more correlated events using the computer processor; and performing one or more actions to ensure business processes are followed based on the correlation performed in the correlating step.
US08354925B1
Systems and methods for detecting change in an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system for detecting change in an environment includes an RF noise source configured to transmit an RF noise signal into the environment and to vary a parameter of the RF noise signal, and an interrogator configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices distributed in the environment over a plurality of communication channels. The system also includes a detection system configured to receive information related to performances of the plurality of communication channels from the interrogator, to generate a fingerprint of the environment for each of the plurality of communication channels based on the performance of the communication channel at different values of the parameter of the RF noise signal, and to detect a change in the environment when one or more of the fingerprints deviates from a respective baseline fingerprint by a certain amount.
US08354910B2
A coil block and an electronic device using the same are provided. The coil block includes a first coil, a second coil, a core having an intermediate layer for separating the first coil and the second coil from each other, and a shield for shielding the first coil, the second coil, and the intermediate layer, wherein the first coil and the second coil have the same winding direction. According to the coil block and the electronic device, the filtering can be performed without any inductance offset even if the PWM signal having the inversed phase or the same phase is inputted. Also, since two windings can be wound on to one core using a common coil, the cost and the size of the coil block can be reduced.
US08354909B2
A magnetic attachment system for attaching a first object to a second object. A first magnet structure is attached to the first object and a second magnet structure is attached to the second object. The first and second objects are attached by virtue of the magnetic attraction between the first magnet structure and second magnet structure. The magnet structures comprise magnetic elements arranged in accordance with patterns based on various codes. In one embodiment, the code has certain autocorrelation properties. In further embodiments the specific type of code is specified. In a further embodiment, an attachment and a release configuration may be achieved by a simple movement of the magnet structures. In a further embodiment, the magnetic pattern may include a non-magnetic region.
US08354907B2
Superconducting coil assemblies (100) in which a plurality of coil units (110) composed of superconducting material are arranged coaxial to the same direction, and including magnetic field adjusting members (121) composed of ferrite, powder metallurgical core, or permendur powder, which have higher magnetic permeability than said superconducting material and are provided in the vicinities of said coil units.
US08354905B2
A noise decreasing type electromagnetic switch includes a buffer disposed between an end of a stationary core and an end of a movable core facing the end of the stationary core so as to allow the movable core 150 to be elastically supported with respect to the stationary core. Accordingly, when the movable core contacts the stationary core, the buffer can be pressed and transformed to decrease impact and noise. Also, when the final operation is completed, the stationary core and the movable core are closely adhered, a performance of an actuator can be maintained.
US08354904B2
A mechanical override device which is suitable for an undervoltage coil of a switching unit, is comprised of a first portion suitable for urging a plunger of the undervoltage coil in a first position which is taken by the plunger when the undervoltage coil is energized, and a second portion suitable for receiving an external movement command for imposing an operating movement to the first portion. The override device further comprises movement control means for controlling one or more cinematic parameters of the first portion so as to make the operating movement independent from the external movement command.
US08354900B2
An embodiment of a microelectromechanical device having a first structural element, a second structural element, which is mobile with respect to the first structural element, and an elastic supporting structure, which extends between the first and second structural elements to enable a relative movement between the first and second structural elements. The microelectromechanical device moreover possesses an anti-stiction structure, which includes at least one flexible element, which is fixed only with respect to the first structural element and, in a condition of rest, is set at a first distance from the second structural element. The anti-stiction structure is designed to generate a repulsive force between the first and second structural elements in the case of relative movement by an amount greater than the first distance.
US08354896B2
An acoustic wave device includes a plurality of acoustic wave devices each including a substrate made of a piezoelectric material, a pair of interdigital electrodes formed on the substrate, each of the interdigital electrodes including a plurality of electrode fingers, and an adjustment medium. The adjustment medium includes at least a single layer and is formed on at least a part of the pair of the interdigital electrodes. The adjustment medium further includes at least one thick portion and a thin portion, the thin portion being null or thinner than the thick portion, a total area of the at least one thick portion in a region covering the pair of interdigital electrodes being determined according to a predetermined characteristic value, wherein the plurality of acoustic wave devices include at least two acoustic wave devices that differ from each other with respect to the size of the total area of the at least one thick portion of the adjustment medium.
US08354892B2
Provided is a marchand balun device. The marchand balun device includes: a first line connected between a balanced terminal and a ground terminal; a second line disposed horizontally parallel to the first line and forming a parallel capacitance jointly with the first line; and a coupled line disposed vertically parallel to the first and second lines and forming a vertical capacitance jointly with one of the first and second lines.
US08354889B2
An amplifier for amplifying a radio signal to a defined power output level is presented, wherein the amplifier comprises an amplifier input port, an amplifier output port, a first transistor for amplifying the radio signal received at a first transistor control input, wherein a first transistor output of the first transistor is supplied by a first power source; a at least second transistor for supplying the first transistor from a at least second power supply source. The at least second power supply source is added by the at least second transistor as a function of the power output level of the amplifier.
US08354888B2
A power amplifier includes an input matching circuit, an amplifier transistor for amplifying an input signal received through the input matching circuit, an element for varying the collector voltage of the amplifier transistor, a bias circuit for varying the idle current in the amplifier transistor, and a compensation circuit for varying capacitance of the input matching circuit to maintain the phase shift and the input reflection in the power amplifier constant when the collector voltage and the idle current are varied, to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of the power amplifier due to changes in the output power of the amplifier transistor.
US08354887B1
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for charge compensation. A system may include an operational transconductance amplifier including an input terminal and an output terminal, a transistor network, and a capacitive circuit. The transistor network may be coupled in a feedback loop between the input terminal and the output terminal. The capacitive circuit may be configured to compensate a charge built on a parasitic capacitance of the transistor network during operation.
US08354885B2
An operational amplifier may include a transimpedance input stage. The operational amplifier is capable of self-biasing its input voltage(s) including a first stage, an input source connected to the first stage, an output stage connected to the first stage via feedback resistors, and feedback current sources connected to the first stage, wherein the feedback current sources are set to generate feedback currents flowing from the output stage back to the input stage via the feedback resistors, so as to self-bias the input voltage(s) at the input stage. A method for allowing for an op-amp to self-bias its input voltage(s), including generating feedback currents flowing from the output stage back to the input stage via feedback resistors, so as to self-bias the input voltage(s) at the input stage.
US08354877B2
A current limit circuit comprising: a current limit element for limiting an output current level to within a predetermined range of a limiting current and including a first PMOS transistor having a source to which a predetermined voltage is applied and a drain through which the output current is supplied; and a gate voltage generating circuit for generating a gate voltage by a feedback control such that a difference between the predetermined voltage and a gate voltage of the first PMOS transistor coincides with a threshold voltage of a second PMOS transistor having approximately the same characteristic as that of the first PMOS transistor in a state in which a predetermined current is flowing through the second PMOS transistor.
US08354872B2
A switch circuit is disclosed. The switch circuit may include one or more arrangements of transistors coupled in a cascode configuration. The transistors used to implement the switch circuit may be configured for operation within a first range of voltages. The application in which the switch circuit may be implemented may require conveying signals within a second range of voltages that is greater than the first range of voltages. Thus, the switch circuit may include one or more additional transistors to ensure that a voltage drop between any two terminals of the transistors used in the switch circuit is within the first range of voltages.
US08354870B2
A clock-switching circuit having at least two inputs for receiving at least two different clock sources, an output for providing a selected one of the clock sources, and a switch for selecting the one of the inputs to provide on the output, the switch including elements that, prevent the providing of a truncated version of any of the clock sources on the output, always provide a clock signal on the output, and always maintain phase alignment and pulse ratio of the clock sources on the output.
US08354868B2
A mobile communication device includes an analog clock and a digital clock circuit. The analog clock circuit is configured to generate an oscillating output. The digital clock circuit is configured to generate a digital clock output having a frequency that is substantially equal to the frequency of the oscillating output.
US08354864B2
A memory system includes a sense amplifier for detecting content of data memory cells by comparison with a voltage stored in a reference cell. The sense amplifier may comprise a comparator, first and second load circuits, and a low impedance circuit. A first input of the comparator is coupled to the low impedance circuit and a reference voltage node. A second input of the comparator is coupled to a data voltage node. The first load circuit loads a reference cell coupled to the reference voltage node. The second load circuit loads a data cell coupled to the data voltage node.
US08354861B2
A logic gate has a magnetoresistive element, a magnetization state control unit and an output unit. The magnetoresistive element has a laminated structure having N (N is an integer not smaller than 3) magnetic layers and N−1 nonmagnetic layers that are alternately laminated. A resistance value of the magnetoresistive element varies depending on magnetization states of the N magnetic layers. The magnetization state control unit sets the respective magnetization states of the N magnetic layers depending on N input data. The output unit outputs output data that varies depending on the resistance value of the magnetoresistive element.
US08354860B1
A power gating circuit responds to a power enable signal to apply and withhold power to a MMIC. The gating circuit includes an OR gate and an AND gate, each coupled to the gate of a FET for controlling its conduction. One of the two FETs sources current to a load, and the other discharges the load. The gates are coupled so that the sourcing and discharge FETS are never turned ON simultaneously.
US08354857B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide a speed monitor circuit. The speed monitor circuit monitors a circuit speed in a momentary manner. In addition, the speed monitor circuit consumes a relatively small silicon area. The speed monitor circuit includes a ring oscillator module, an edge capture module, and a controller module. The ring oscillator module has a plurality of stages, and is configured to start oscillating in response to an enable signal. The edge capture module is configured to capture a target edge of a signal propagating in the ring oscillator module at a stage of the ring oscillator module. The controller module is configured to receive a first edge and a second edge of a clock signal, provide the enable signal to the ring oscillator module based on the first edge to enable oscillating, and compare timings of the second edge and the captured target edge to detect the circuit speed.
US08354856B2
A probe apparatus for probing a device on a semiconductor wafer to be tested by a testing equipment is provided. The probe apparatus includes a replaceable probe tile removably mounted in a probing location on a base plate. The probe tile is configured into a self-contained assembly which includes a chassis body containing a plurality of probes for probing devices on a wafer, a dielectric block for supporting the probes, and a wireguide for guiding a plurality of cables from the testing equipment into the chassis body. A wafer station having replaceable base plates and replaceable probe tiles are also provided.
US08354854B2
In a first slot of a plurality of adjacent slots in alignment with traces on a load board of a tester, first and second conductor layers, each to make electrical contact with both a load board trace and a DUT lead. Each of the first and second contacts receives force from a resilient element extending across the slots and that urges a contact point on the contact against at least one trace and a DUT lead. Insulation between said first and second contacts in the first slot electrically insulates the first and second contacts from each other within the first slot.
US08354836B2
A device for detecting electrically conductive particles in a liquid flowing in a pipe section, with a transmitter coil surrounding the pipe section for inducing eddy currents in the particles, at least one first inductive receiver coil surrounding the pipe section and a second inductive receiver coil which is spaced axially to the first receiver coil and which surrounds the pipe section, the first and the second receiver coils being located in the region of the transmitter coil and being subtractively connected, in order to output a difference signal according to the eddy currents induced by the transmitter coil, and the transmitter coil forming the primary side and the receiver coils forming the secondary side of a transformer arrangement. An evaluation unit evaluates the difference signal in order to detect passage of electrically conductive particles in the pipe section.
US08354832B2
A method for reducing noise in an output of a voltage regulator at frequencies above a closed loop bandwidth, by providing a noise injection path for injecting external noise into the voltage regulator, where the noise injection path becomes active at the frequencies above the closed loop bandwidth, where the noise injection path reduces the noise in the output of the voltage regulator.
US08354831B2
A reverse current comparator for use in switching regulators includes a differential stage configured to encode the difference in voltage between an N and a P input. The differential stage feeds one or more gain stages. At least one of the gain stages includes one or more hysteresis devices. When the voltage of the N input exceeds the voltage of the P input by a predetermined margin, the hysteresis device causes the regulator to enter a triggered state in which it outputs a non-zero output voltage. Subsequent changes to the N and P inputs do not change the regulator output until a RESET input is asserted and which point the regulator enters a reset state and is ready to be triggered.
US08354815B2
An encoder includes: a main scale having two or more band-shaped tracks in each of which an optical main grating is formed so that longitudinal direction of the main scale corresponds to a measurement axis direction; and an index scale opposed to the main scale so as to form a diffraction interference optical system in cooperation with the main grating, disposed so as to be movable relative to the main scale in the measurement axis direction, and in which two or more optical index gratings are formed. A plurality of slits included in the main grating in at least one track are formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined inclination angle from a direction perpendicular to the measurement axis direction so that pitch of the slits in the track becomes equal to the pitch of the slits in the at least one other track.
US08354809B2
A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range.
US08354797B2
In various embodiments, a circuit arrangement for operating a series circuit of a first and a second low-pressure gas-discharge lamp is provided, which may include an input with a first and a second input connection for application of a supply voltage; an output with a first arrangement, which has a first and a second connection pair for connection of the first lamp, and a second arrangement, which has a first and a second connection pair for connection of the second lamp, wherein a first connection of the second pair of the first arrangement is coupled to a first connection of the first pair of the second arrangement; a resonant circuit; and a capacitive voltage divider, which has a first capacitor, which is coupled in parallel with the first arrangement, and a second capacitor, which is coupled in parallel with the second arrangement.
US08354795B1
A program start ballast powers multiple lamps coupled in parallel. A first inverter and a primary winding of a first transformer form a main circuit. A second inverter and a primary winding of a second transformer form a preheat circuit. One or more lamps are coupled in parallel across a secondary winding of the first transformer, and secondary windings of the second transformer are coupled across filaments at either end of the one or more lamps. The main circuit is configured to disable power across the first transformer during a preheat mode of operation and to provide power across the first transformer during a steady-state mode of operation. The preheat circuit is configured to provide power across the second transformer during the preheat mode of operation and to disable power across the second transformer during the steady-state mode of operation.
US08354791B2
The photomultiplier tube 1 is provided with an upper frame 2 and a lower frame 4 which are arranged so as to oppose each other, with the respective opposing surfaces 20a, 40a made with an insulating material, a side wall part 3 which constitutes a casing together with the frames 2, 4, a plurality of stages of electron multiplying parts 33 which are arrayed so as to be spaced away sequentially from a first end side to a second end side on the opposing surface 40a of the lower frame 4, a photocathode 41 which is installed on the first end side so as to be spaced away from the electron multiplying parts 33, converting incident light from outside to photoelectrons, an anode part 34 which is installed on the second end side so as to be spaced away from the electron multiplying parts 33 to take out electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying parts 33 as a signal, and a wall-like electrode 32 which is arranged so as to enclose the photocathode 41 when viewed from a direction directly opposite to an opposing surface 401 and having a notched part 35 at a site opposing the electron multiplying parts 33 on the second end side.
US08354788B2
An organic light emitting device having long continuous driving lifetime is provided. The organic light emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and an emission layer formed of an organic compound arranged between the anode and the cathode, in which the emission layer includes a light emitting material and a material having a smallest ionization potential, and an absorption spectrum in a radical cation state of the material having the smallest ionization potential in the emission layer does not have its absorption peak in an emission wavelength region of the light emitting material.
US08354781B2
An LED lamp assembly with a central light guide supplying light to a primary reflector where the reflective surface has a circular cross section in the horizontal medial plane and has a parabolic cross section in the vertical plane medial plane and regular combinations of the two planar sections in rotating round the axis from the vertical to the horizontal.
US08354777B2
A piezoelectric film of a perovskite oxide represented by a general expression (P) below and has a pyrochlore free single phase perovskite structure with a/b≦1.06. Pba(Zrx,Tiy,Mb-x-y)bOc (P) (where, M represents one or more types of metal elements, 0
US08354772B1
An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix, a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a plurality of reinforcing particles dispersed in the flexible polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes cooperatively form an electrically conductive network in the flexible polymer matrix.
US08354760B2
Power supply equipment includes low power assemblies and high power assemblies, each of which is detachably mateable to either one of two power ports. To simultaneously power two low power devices, low power assemblies are respectively mated to each of the power ports. To simultaneously power one low power and one high power device, a low power assembly is mated to one of the power ports and a high power assembly is mated to the other power port. The low power assemblies transfer a low DC voltage, but not a high DC voltage, to low power devices. The high power assemblies transfer a high DC voltage, but not a low DC voltage, to high power devices. If a high power assembly is mated to each of the power ports, power flow is interrupted without putting the power supply in an overvoltage or overcurrent condition.
US08354753B2
The present application discloses a 3D integrated circuit structure and a method for detecting whether there is misalignment between chip structures. The circuit structure comprises a first chip structure which comprises a first semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer, and a first detection structure; the first detection structure comprises detection bodies positioned on two sides of the first insulating layer, the detection body comprising a first conductor, at least two second conductors, and at least one third conductors; wherein the first conductor is located on a side of the first insulating layer and connected with ends of the second conductors; the third conductors are formed between the second conductors and insulated from the second conductors, and the first ends of the third conductors away from the first conductor are step-wise; wherein vertical distances between the third conductors and the second conductors are equal, and in the direction of the length of the third conductors, the distances between the projections of the ends of the third conductors away from the first conductor which are corresponding to each other and located on the detection bodies on the two sides are substantially the same. The present invention is suitable for optimizing the alignment between the chip structures in manufacture of integrated circuits.
US08354751B2
An interconnect structure having enhanced electromigration resistance is provided in which a lower portion of a via opening includes a multi-layered liner. The multi-layered liner includes, from a patterned surface of a dielectric material outwards, a diffusion barrier, a multi-material layer and a metal-containing hard mask. The multi-material layer includes a first material layer comprised of residue from an underlying dielectric capping layer, and a second material layer comprised of residue from an underlying metallic capping layer. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such an interconnect structure which includes the multi-layered liner within a lower portion of a via opening formed within a dielectric material.
US08354746B2
A semiconductor package is made using a prefabricated post carrier including a base plate and plurality of conductive posts. A film encapsulant is disposed over the base plate of the post carrier and around the conductive posts. A semiconductor die is mounted to a temporary carrier. The post carrier and temporary carrier are pressed together to embed the semiconductor die in the film encapsulant. The semiconductor die is disposed between the conductive posts in the film encapsulant. The temporary carrier and base plate of the post carrier are removed. A first circuit build-up layer is formed over a first side of the film encapsulant. The first circuit build-up layer is electrically connected to the conductive posts. A second circuit build-up layer is formed over a second side of the film encapsulant opposite the first side. The second circuit build-up layer is electrically connected to the conductive posts.
US08354737B2
A semiconductor structure includes: at least one silicon surface wherein the surface can be a substrate, wafer or other device. The structure further includes at least one electronic circuit formed on each side of the at least one surface; and at least one conductive high aspect ratio through silicon via running through the at least one surface. Each through silicon via is fabricated from at least one etch step and includes: at least one thermal oxide dielectric for coating at least some of a sidewall of the through silicon via for a later etch stop in fabrication of the through silicon via.
US08354719B2
A semiconductor device and related fabrication methods are provided. One exemplary fabrication method forms a fin arrangement overlying an oxide layer, where the fin arrangement includes one or more semiconductor fin structures. The method continues by nitriding exposed portions of the oxide layer without nitriding the one or more semiconductor fin structures, resulting in nitrided portions of the oxide layer. Thereafter, a gate structure is formed transversely overlying the fin arrangement, and overlying the exposed portions of the oxide layer. The nitrided portions of the oxide layer substantially inhibit diffusion of oxygen from the oxide layer into the gate structure.
US08354703B2
A semiconductor capacitor and its method of fabrication are disclosed. A non-linear nitride layer is used to increase the surface area of a capacitor plate, resulting in increased capacitance without increase in chip area used for the capacitor.
US08354700B2
An image sensor and a method for manufacturing an image sensor are described in which the image sensor includes at least one substrate having a plurality of light-sensitive elements forming a sensor field and first microfilter elements for wavelength-selective filtering of incident light. The first microfilter elements are attached to a transparent carrier made of glass or a transparent film, for example. A first microfilter element is situated in front of a portion of the light-sensitive elements for wavelength-selective filtering of light striking the light-sensitive element. No microfilter element is situated in front of a further portion of the light-sensitive elements.
US08354697B2
To provide a circuit layout design method that can prevent degradation of the circuit reliability even in highly miniaturized circuit cells.In order to prevent noise from a power supply potential or a reference potential with a large potential difference from affecting a gate electrode and causing a malfunction, a first plug connected to the gate electrode and a second plug to which the power supply potential or the reference potential is supplied are required to be spaced from each other by a distance sufficient for the noise from the power supply potential or the reference potential not to affect the first plug. To this end, among the second plugs placed at equal intervals under the wiring, only the second plug placed at a layout position that is not sufficiently spaced from the first plug is deleted at the time of planar layout design.
US08354696B2
A semiconductor device may include a plurality of logic circuits connected to each other through input and output terminals thereof. The plurality of logic circuits comprising a first sub-plurality of logic circuits coupled to a first one of different power systems. The first sub-plurality of logic circuits is laid out and adjacent to each other in a first direction. The first sub-plurality of logic circuits includes a first logic circuit and a second logic circuit. The second logic circuit is adjacent to the first logic circuit. The first logic circuit includes a first element comprising a first diffusion layer. The second logic circuit includes a second element comprising the first diffusion layer.
US08354695B2
A semiconductor device and the methods of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a low energy band-gap layer comprising a semiconductor material; a gate dielectric on the low energy band-gap layer; a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; a first source/drain region adjacent the gate dielectric, wherein the first source/drain region is of a first conductivity type; and a second source/drain region adjacent the gate dielectric. The second source/drain region is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The low energy band-gap layer is located between the first and the second source/drain regions.
US08354693B2
A solid state imaging device includes a pixel having a photoelectric conversion element formed on a semiconductor substrate. The photoelectric conversion element includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the first semiconductor layer and forming a junction therebetween; a third semiconductor layer formed on the second semiconductor layer and having a smaller band gap energy than the second semiconductor layer, the third semiconductor layer being made of a single-crystal semiconductor and containing an impurity; and a fourth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type covering a side surface and an upper surface of the third semiconductor layer. Provision of the fourth semiconductor layer can reduce a current flowing in dark conditions.
US08354692B2
A vertical semiconductor power switch has a semiconductor body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one anode and one control electrode are positioned on the first surface and at least one cathode is positioned on the second surface. The cathode comprises a multi-layer contact structure which comprises an inner contact layer positioned directly on the second surface of the semiconductor body, and an outermost layer consisting essentially of a Ni-alloy.
US08354680B2
The present invention discloses an alternating current (AC) light emitting diode (LED) having half-wave light emitting cells and full-wave light emitting cells. The AC LED has a plurality of light emitting cells electrically connected between bonding pads on a single substrate. The AC LED includes a first row of half-wave light emitting cells each having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, a second row of full-wave light emitting cells each having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, and a third row of half-wave light emitting cells each having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. In the AC LED, the second row is arranged between the first row and the third row, and the third row includes a pair of light emitting cells that share a cathode terminal with each other. The cathode terminal shared by the pair of light emitting cells in the third row is electrically connected to the anode terminal of a corresponding light emitting cell of the half-wave light emitting cells in the first row through a conductor that is electrically insulated from the full-wave light emitting cells in the second row.
US08354663B2
An ultra-violet light-emitting diode (LED) array, 12, and method for fabricating same with an AlInGaN multiple-quantum-well active region, 500, exhibiting stable cw-powers. The LED includes a template, 10, with an ultraviolet light-emitting array structure on it. The template includes a first buffer layer, 321, then a second buffer layer, 421, on the first preferably with a strain-relieving layer in both buffer layers. Next there is a semiconductor layer having a first type of conductivity, 500, followed by a layer providing a quantum-well region, 600, with an emission spectrum ranging from 190 nm to 369 nm. Another semiconductor layer having a second type of conductivity is applied next, 800. A first metal contact, 980, is a charge spreading layer in electrical contact with the first layer and between the array of LED's. A second contact, 990, is applied to the semiconductor layer having the second type of conductivity, to complete the LED.
US08354659B2
Techniques for forming a phase change memory cell. An example apparatus includes a substrate and a bottom electrode carried by the substrate. The bottom electrode is a thermal conductor. A phase change layer, including phase change material, is disposed over the bottom electrode. A thermal insulating layer is disposed above the phase change layer. A heater is configured to temporarily melt the phase change material such that the phase change material crystallizes without voids within a switching region after melting.
US08354651B2
An imaging system and method of imaging are disclosed. The imaging system can include an external radiation source producing pairs of substantially simultaneous radiation emissions of a picturization emission and a verification emissions at an emission angle. The imaging system can also include a plurality of picturization sensors and at least one verification sensor for detecting the picturization and verification emissions, respectively. The imaging system also includes an object stage is arranged such that a picturization emission can pass through an object supported on said object stage before being detected by one of said plurality of picturization sensors. A coincidence system and a reconstruction system can also be included. The coincidence can receive information from the picturization and verification sensors and determine whether a detected picturization emission is direct radiation or scattered radiation. The reconstruction system can produce a multi-dimensional representation of an object imaged with the imaging system.
US08354650B2
A radiation detection and counting system (2) includes a radiation detector element (5) for outputting a signal related to an energy of a radiation event received thereby and an amplifier (8) for amplifying the signal output by the detector element (5). A gain equalization circuit (10) adjusts the gain of the amplified output signal and a plurality of comparators (12) compare the gain adjusted amplified output signal to a like plurality of different valued threshold signals that are independently adjustable of each other A plurality of counters (20) is operative whereupon only the counter associated with the one comparator (12) that changes state in response to the peak of the gain adjusted amplified output signal exceeding the value of the trigger threshold signal thereof is incremented. A storage (24) stores the incremented value of each counter (20) accumulated over a sample time interval and data output logic circuit (26) transfers the stored accumulated counts out of the storage.
US08354634B2
A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein an ion signal is split into a first and second signal. The first and second signals are multiplied by different gains and are digitised. Arrival time and intensity pairs are calculated for both digitised signals and the resulting time and intensity pairs are combined to form a high dynamic range spectrum. The spectrum is then combined with other corresponding spectra to form a summed spectrum.
US08354622B2
The invention relates to an electric hot wedge (1) for a welding device for the seam-like connecting of plastic webs, having a welding wedge (2) and a welding wedge attachment (3) made of metal, wherein the welding wedge (2) comprises at least one electric heating resistor (13) having a heating conductor (16), which is bonded to a ceramic carrier (15) as a conductive layer (12) and is preferably protected by a ceramic cover layer. According to the invention, the welding wedge attachment (2) has a support structure (28) made of metal on the side thereof, which substantially extends across the entire length and/or width of the electric heating resistor (16) and which mechanically stabilizes the carrier (15) of the heating resistor (16).
US08354612B2
A laser processing apparatus for cutting substrates comprises a laser head for generating a laser beam and first and second work holders on which substrates are mountable. A diverter positioned along a path of the laser beam is operative to selectively direct the laser beam towards a first substrate mounted on the first work holder to cut the first substrate, or towards a second substrate mounted on the second work holder to cut the second substrate, so that contemporaneous operations may be conducted on one substrate while the other substrate is being cut.
US08354609B2
A method and apparatus for a plasma torch system having a plasma torch tip configuration that includes a nozzle, an electrode, and a control unit for controlling a composition of the shield gas flow, such that while cutting the contour the shield gas flow comprises a first shield gas composition and while cutting the hole the shield gas flow comprises a second shield gas composition.
US08354598B2
A method for fabricating a packaging substrate includes: stacking two metal layers; encapsulating the two metal layers with assistant dielectric layers; forming built-up structures on the assistant dielectric layers, respectively; and separating the built-up structures along the interface between the two metal layers so as to form two packaging substrates. Owing to the adhesive characteristic of the assistant dielectric layers, the two metal layers are unlikely to separate from each other during formation of the built-up structures. But after portions of the dielectric layer around the periphery of the metal layers are cut and removed, the two metal layers can be readily separated from each other. The two metal layers can be patterned to form wiring layers, metal bumps, or supporting structures to avoid waste of materials. A packaging substrate and a fabrication method thereof are provided.
US08354595B2
A method for interconnecting a first flex printed circuit board (PCB) with a second flex PCB. The method includes: providing the first flex PCB with holes at contact locations to be electrically coupled to the second flex PCB; providing the second flex PCB with electrical pads corresponding to the holes at the contact locations; applying a non-conductive material between the first PCB and the and second PCB with clearances for each of the electrical pads; aligning the first PCB with the second PCB so that the holes in the first PCB are in line with the corresponding electrical pads on the second PCB; bonding a portion of flat areas on the first and second PCBs together; dispensing a conductive adhesive into the holes to fill the space created by the holes, corresponding clearances of the non-conductive material, and the corresponding electrical pads; and curing the conductive adhesive.
US08354589B2
A power cable is configured for connecting at least one electrical device to a power source. The power cable includes an input terminal, at least one output terminal, a power transmitting wire, a switch, a voltage setting device, a voltage sampling device, a voltage comparing device and a power supply. The power transmitting wire connects the input terminal and the output terminal via the switch. The voltage sampling device is configured for sensing a voltage of the output terminal. The voltage comparing device is configured for comparing a preset voltage stored in the voltage setting device and the sampled voltage sensed by the voltage sampling device to turn on or turn off the switch according to the compared result. The power supply is configured for reducing the voltage of the power source to the rated voltage of the voltage comparing device to power the voltage comparing device.
US08354588B2
A covering for a plug and socket connection mounted in a housing is provided with a cover that covers the plug and socket connection in closed position and which is pivotable from the closed position into an open position in which it releases the plug and socket connection. The cover is mounted pivotable at a guide component. The guide component is mounted displaceable in a receptacle of the housing. In its open position, the cover is aligned with the guide component and can be inserted together with it into the receptacle.
US08354580B2
A split keyboard with an optional middle section of keys for controlling regular PC input to a host, two play music, and to input and play music with a multiple octave keyboard that when the middle section of keys are removed can be portable to travel.And when working on just the split keyboard inputting data to a host the operator arms are not abducted do to the perpendicular advantage or slide apart keyboard where an operators arms are perpendicular to the keyboard keys.
US08354579B2
A music linked photocasting service system and method are provided. The music linked photocasting service method includes reproducing music at the request of a user, analyzing a mood of the reproduced music at prescribed times, until music reproduction is completed, searching photographs suitable for a analyzed mood of the music, and displaying the searched photographs.
US08354572B2
A potato cultivar designated ‘Madingley’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar ‘Madingley’, to the seeds of potato cultivar ‘Madingley’, to the plants of potato ‘Madingley’, to the plant parts of potato cultivar ‘Madingley’ and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar ‘Madingley’ with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety ‘Madingley’, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar ‘Madingley’ and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar ‘Madingley’ with another potato cultivar.
US08354563B2
This invention provides a method for producing ethanol and 2-propanol from syngas, the method comprising: (a) converting syngas into methanol using a methanol-synthesis catalyst; (b) converting methanol into ethylene and propylene using a methanol-to-olefins catalyst; and (c) hydrating ethylene into ethanol and propylene into 2-propanol. As taught herein, the combined yield of the ethanol and the 2-propanol from biomass can be at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In certain embodiments, the yield of ethanol is at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In some embodiments, the yield of 2-propanol is at least 50 gallons per dry ton biomass.
US08354560B2
Nitroaldol (“Henry”) reactions between nitroalkanes and aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst and a two-phase reaction medium produce nitroalcohols at increased reaction rates compared to single-phase organic solvent systems, and do not require use of surfactants as is typical of single-phase aqueous solvent systems and solventless systems. The reaction medium comprises an organic solvent phase and an aqueous solvent phase. The aqueous solvent may be 100% water.
US08354550B2
The present invention relates to novel carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, skin treatment compositions containing these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, methods of treating skin changes by topical application of these carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives, and their methods of synthesis. The carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention are unexpectedly effective in treating skin, particularly with respect to skin tolerance. When included in a topical composition, the carboxylic acid-substituted idebenone derivatives of the present invention have an antioxidant effect that is useful in treating a skin change.
US08354546B2
There is provided a process for manufacture of optically-active, 2-(acyloxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolanes of Formula I comprising a preparation of a racemic compound and an enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution of the enantiomers. The invention may further provide for the esterification and racemization of the by-product of the enzymatic reaction. In this manner, 2(R)-(benzoyloxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolane is prepared as a useful intermediate for manufacture of the anti-HIV drug Apricitabine.
US08354544B2
The present invention relates to the process for the preparation of 1-benzyl-3-hydroxymethyl-1H-indazole according ing to formula (II), to be used in a subsequent process for the preparation of 1-benzyl-3-hydroxymethyl-1H-indazole according to formula (I).
US08354542B2
Objects of the present invention are to provide the following: a novel heterocyclic compound which can be used as a material in which a light-emitting substance of a light-emitting layer in a light-emitting element is dispersed; a novel heterocyclic compound having a high electron-transport property; a light-emitting element having high current efficiency; and a light-emitting device, an electronic device and a lighting device each having reduced power consumption. Provided are a heterocyclic compound represented by General Formula (G1-1) or (G1-2) below, and a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, an electronic device and a lighting device each including the heterocyclic compound. Such use of the heterocyclic compound represented by General Formula (G1-1) or (G1-2) makes it possible to provide a light-emitting element having high current efficiency, and a light-emitting device, an electronic device and a lighting device each having reduced power consumption.
US08354539B2
The invention is directed to a certain novel compound which is an inhibitor of kinase activity, in particular IKK2 activity.
US08354533B2
Example embodiments provide a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ligand-transition metal complex, a buffer layer including the complex, which may improve the injection and transport of electrical charges, an organic thin film transistor and an electronic device including the buffer layer, in which the injection of electrons or holes and the transport of charges between layers are accelerated, thereby improving the efficiency thereof, and methods of manufacturing the same.
US08354522B2
The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions and use of those compounds in the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of disease as well as in vitro uses. In particular, the compositions of the invention include immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides that incorporate a sequence-dependent immunostimulatory sequence motif. Specific modifications involving phosphate linkages, nucleotide analogs, adducts, and combinations thereof are provided. Compositions of the invention, which optionally can include an antigen, can be used alone or together with other treatments to stimulate or enhance an immune response. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for treating a subject having an infection, a cancer, an allergic condition, asthma, airway remodeling, or immunodeficiency. Immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides of the invention are believed to stimulate Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8).
US08354520B2
The invention provides a method for determining if a subject has atherosclerosis, including: determining an endogenous microRNA-195 expression level of a subject suspected of having atherosclerosis; and comparing the endogenous microRNA-195 expression level of the subject with an endogenous microRNA-195 expression level of a normal group, wherein an increase in the endogenous microRNA-195 expression level of the subject as compared to the endogenous microRNA-195 expression level of the normal group indicates that the subject has atherosclerosis.
US08354518B2
The present invention features methods for enhancing the ability of a genotype 2b NS5B sequence to function in a replicon, for producing replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B, and for using replicons to measure the ability of a compound to affect HCV replication that is sustained with the genotype 2b polymerase. Also featured is a genotype 1b NS4B adaptive mutation. The ability to produce replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B is illustrated by the production of chimeric replicons based on HCV genotype 1b where substantially all the NS5B sequence is replaced with a genotype 2b NS5B.
US08354503B2
Process for extracting hydrophobin from a solution wherein carrageenan is added to the solution and the pH of the solution is brought below 3.5, and the ionic strength of the solution is below 0.5.
US08354490B2
A method is provided for functionalizing nanoscale fibers including reacting a plurality of nanoscale fibers with at least one epoxide monomer to chemically bond the at least one epoxide monomer to surfaces of the nanoscale fibers to form functionalized nanoscale fibers. Functionalized nanoscale fibers and nanoscale fiber films are also provided.
US08354487B2
Golf ball components, such as cores, intermediate layers, and covers, formed with compositions including precursors with acrylate functionality crosslinked with a curing agent.
US08354486B2
Solid polymerizable diacetylenic monomer compositions, including compositions co-crystallized from a diversity of solvent systems under diverse cooling conditions, can exhibit diffraction patterns associated with the color development reactivities of the compositions. High reactivity compositions are disclosed and high reactivity and low reactivity phases can be identified. A low angle powder X-ray diffraction peak can indicate the presence of one or more crystal phases in a composition. A fingerprint region can exhibit fingerprint patterns of diffraction peaks associated with different reactivities. Information about polymerization of the diacetylenic monomers is disclosed using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) characterization. Diacetylenic monomer compositions useful in ambient condition indicators, for example time-temperature indicators are disclosed.
US08354484B2
A catalyst composition comprising one or more metal complexes of a multifunctional Lewis base ligand comprising a bulky, planar, aromatic- or substituted aromatic-group and polymerization processes employing the same, especially continuous, solution polymerization of one or more α-olefins at high catalyst efficiencies are disclosed.
US08354474B2
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed generally to a composition that forms a cross-linked protective outer coating or layer able to withstand high temperatures and which maintains integrity in such conditions. The protective coating may be used in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses. Particular embodiments pertain to a fuser component having an outer coating comprised of a cross-linking composition that improves resistance to thermal degradation and extends the service life of the fuser component.
US08354464B2
A mixture of brominated diphenylethanes is prepared by brominating diphenylethanes, comprises hexabromodiphenylethane, heptabromodiphenylethane and octabromodiphenylethane, comprises about 55 to about 85% by weight hexabromodiphenylethane, and comprises about 0.01 to about 30% by weight diphenylethanes substituted with an odd number of bromines. The mixture of brominated diphenylethanes can provide improved compatibility with polymer resins, as well as impart excellent flame retardancy and improved weatherability and thermal stability.
US08354463B2
A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is disclosed which is flame retardant and essentially halogen-free. An embodiment also includes expandable graphite filler to further provide fire protection.
US08354462B2
Particulate solid heat stabilizer compositions for vinyl halide polymers are provided having about 30% to 90% by weight hydrotalcite particles represented by a sigmoidal curve on a cartesian coordinate plot of zeta potential (mV) versus pH. The curve has negative zeta potential values balanced against positive zeta potential values over a pH range and an inflection point between a pH of about 3 about 6 representing the isoelectric point (IEP) between said negative and positive zeta potential values. The stabilizer compositions are essentially free flowing, storage stable, and processable upon mixing components of the composition for blending with a vinyl halide polymer in effective amounts to confer heat stabilizing effectiveness upon said polymer.
US08354459B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a block copolymer solid in which microphase-separated structures are formed with good productivity. The present invention provides a method for producing a block copolymer solid in which a microphase-separated structure is formed, or an alloy, blend or composite solid containing a block copolymer in which a microphase-separated structure is formed, which comprises the following steps (1) to (3): (1) immersing a block copolymer solid or an alloy, blend or composite solid containing a block copolymer in a solvent in which each component is insoluble; (2) putting the solid obtained in (1) above in a pressure-resistant container; and (3) irradiating the solid or the solvent in (2) above with microwave.
US08354458B2
A UV curable intermediate transfer media, such as a belt, that includes for example, a first supporting substrate, such as a polyimide substrate layer, and a second surface layer of a mixture of a dendritic, crosslinked, or branched polyester polyol acrylate, an acrylate, an optional vinyl monomer, and a photoinitiator component.
US08354457B2
A process (200) to synthesise hydrocarbons includes gasifying (12) a carbonaceous feed material at a temperature sufficiently high to produce at least one hot synthesis gas stream (42) at a temperature of at least 900° C. and comprising at least CO and H2. In a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (22), synthesis gas is converted to hydrocarbons, providing a tail gas stream (40) containing methane. The tail gas stream (40) is subjected to steam reforming (30) thereby converting the methane to CO and H2 producing a reformed gas stream which is recycled to the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (22). The steam reforming (30) takes place at an elevated temperature of at least 700° C. and heat for the steam reforming is provided by indirect heat exchange with the at least one hot synthesis gas stream (42).
US08354454B2
The compounds of Formula I are pro-drugs of CETP inhibitors having a central oxazolidinone ring. The compounds cyclize by the elimination of HX to form an oxazolidinone ring after administration to a patient.
US08354445B2
The invention relates to the inhibition of histone deacetylase. The invention provides compounds and methods for inhibiting histone deacetylase enzymatic activity. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating cell proliferative diseases and conditions. One aspect of the invention provides compounds of formula (1): in which T, A and X are as described herein.
US08354440B2
Compositions and methods for inhibiting translation using 3-(5-tert-Butyl-2-Hydroxy-phenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and/or its derivatives are provided. Compositions, methods and kits for treating (1) cellular proliferative disorders, (2) non-proliferative, degenerative disorders, (3) viral infections, and/or (4) disorders associated with viral infections, using 3-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and/or its derivatives are described.
US08354429B2
Compounds of formula I: wherein R4, R6 and R7 are defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.
US08354427B2
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08354419B2
Compounds represented by formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein A, B, B′, X, Y, R1, R1′, R2, R2′, R3, R3′, R5, R5′, R6, m, n, or p are as defined herein, are useful for treating flaviviridae viral infections.
US08354411B2
The present invention provides a compound which has the effect of PDE inhibition, and which is useful as a medicament for preventing or treating schizophrenia or so on. A compound of formula (I0), wherein R1 represents a substituent; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituent; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituent; Ring A represents an aromatic ring which can be substituted, and Ring B represents a 5-membered heteroaromatic ring which can be substituted, or a salt thereof.
US08354398B2
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Q is R1 is alkyl or aryl, said aryl optionally substituted with one to five substituents independently selected from C1 to C6 alkyl, C1 to C4 haloalkyl, —OR4, and/or halogen; and R2, R3, R4, and n are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease.
US08354397B2
The present invention makes available methods and reagents for inhibiting aberrant growth states resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function, ptc loss-of-function or smoothened gain-of-function comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog antagonist, such as a small molecule, in a sufficient amount to aberrant growth, e.g., to agonize a normal ptc pathway or antagonize smoothened or hedgehog activity.
US08354391B2
An anti-WSSV and/or TSV nucleic acid drug, the active ingredients of which are five nucleic acids whose nucleotide sequences are sequence 1, sequence 2, sequence 3, sequence 4 and sequence 5 in the sequence list, respectively. The nucleic acid drug of the present invention has no toxic or side effect or drug tolerance, and can directly kill WSSV and/or TSV with fine antiviral effect and no drug residues.
US08354389B2
Targeting constructs and methods of using them are provided for differentiation-dependent modification of nucleic acid sequences in cells and in non-human animals. Targeting constructs comprising a promoter operably linked to a recombinase are provided, wherein the promoter drives transcription of the recombinase in an differentiated cell but not an undifferentiated cell. Promoters include Blimp1, Prm1, Gata6, Gata4, Igf2, Lhx2, Lhx5, and Pax3. Targeting constructs with a cassette flanked on both sides by recombinase sites can be removed using a recombinase gene operably linked to a 3′-UTR that comprises a recognition site for an miRNA that is transcribed in undifferentiated cells but not in differentiated cells. The constructs may be included in targeting vectors, and can be used to automatically modify or excise a selection cassette from an ES cell, a non-human embryo, or a non-human animal.
US08354370B2
The present invention relates to methods and uses of cells for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases and disorders and the repair and regeneration of tissues and organs using low passage and extensively passaged in vitro cultured, self-renewing, colony forming somatic cells (CF-SC). For example, adult bone marrow-derived somatic cells (ABM-SC), or compositions produced by such cells, are useful alone or in combination with other components for treating, for example, cardiovascular, neurological, integumentary, dermatological, periodontal, and immune mediated diseases, disorders, pathologies, and injuries.
US08354367B2
Aqueous laundry detergent compositions useful for providing fabric cleaning and softness, in the form of a liquid or gel, having a pH of from about 6 to about 11 in a 1% solution, containing a non-soap anionic surfactant; optional soap; nonionic surfactant; optional hydrotrope; fabric softening cationic cosurfactant having a molecular weight of less than about 1000; fabric softening quaternized polymer having a molecular weight of at least 200,000; a perfume deposition polyamine wherein the perfume deposition polyamine has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 50,000; a non-quaternized, non polyamine thickener; and perfume. Methods of using such compositions and use of such compositions.
US08354366B2
A cleaning product in the form of a single or multi-compartment water-soluble pack comprising a cleaning composition and enveloping material, wherein at least one compartment contains an aqueous cleaning composition or an aqueous auxiliary composition enveloped by a warm water soluble material and wherein the aqueous cleaning or auxiliary composition comprises more than 15% by weight of the aqueous composition of free water.
US08354352B2
Provided is a low-dispersion optical glass that is formed of a fluorophosphate glass in which the molar ratio of the content of O2− to the content of P5+, O2−/P5+, is 3.5 or more and that has an Abbe's number (νd) of over 70 or has an F− content of 65 anionic % or more, and the optical glass enables the suppression of the volatilization of a glass component when an optical glass formed of a fluorophosphate glass is produced or when an obtained glass in a molten state is caused to flow out to shape it into a glass shaped material, so that the variation of properties such as a refractive index, etc., involved in the fluctuations of a glass composition and the variation of quality such as the occurrence of striae can be suppressed.
US08354350B2
A reactive cyclodextrin derivative or a reactive glucose derivative is used as a template derivative for forming an ultra-low dielectric layer. A layer is formed of the reactive cyclodextrin derivative or the reactive glucose derivative capped with Si—H and then cured in an atmosphere of hydrogen peroxide to form the ultra-low dielectric layer.
US08354348B2
An object is to provide a method suitable for reprocessing a semiconductor substrate which is reused to manufacture an SOI substrate. A semiconductor substrate is reprocessed in the following manner: etching treatment is performed on a semiconductor substrate in which a projection including a damaged semiconductor region and an insulating layer exists in a peripheral portion, whereby the insulating layer is removed; and etching treatment is performed on the semiconductor substrate with the use of a mixed solution including a substance that oxidizes a semiconductor material included in the semiconductor substrate, a substance that dissolves the oxidized semiconductor material, and a substance that controls oxidation speed of the semiconductor material and dissolution speed of the oxidized semiconductor material, whereby the damaged semiconductor region is selectively removed with a non-damaged semiconductor region left.
US08354344B2
The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing and, more particularly, to the formation of low resistance layers on germanium substrates. One aspect of the present invention is a method comprising: providing a substrate on which at least one area of a germanium layer is exposed; depositing over the substrate and said germanium area a metal, e.g., Co or Ni; forming over said metal, a capping layer consisting of a silicon oxide containing layer, of a silicon nitride layer, or of a tungsten layer, preferably of a SiO2 layer; then annealing for metal-germanide formation; then removing selectively said capping layer and any unreacted metal, wherein the temperature used for forming said capping layer formation is lower than the annealing temperature.
US08354336B2
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of forming an electrode having reduced corrosion and water decomposition on a surface thereof. A substrate which has a conductive layer disposed thereon is provided and the conductive layer has an oxide layer with an exposed surface. The exposed surface of the oxide layer contacts a solution of an organic surface active compound in an organic solvent to form a protective layer of the organic surface active compound over the oxide layer. The protective layer has a thickness of from about 0.5 nm to about 5 nm and ranges therebetween depending on a chemical structure of the surface active compound.
US08354335B2
A method for fabricating a floating gate memory device comprises using a buried diffusion oxide that is below the floating gate thereby producing an increased step height between the floating gate and the buried diffusion oxide. The increased step height can produce a higher GCR, while still allowing decreased cell size using a virtual ground array design.
US08354325B1
A toroidal inductor formed in a semiconductor substrate. Through-silicon vias are used to connect metal layers formed on top and bottom surfaces of the semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the vias are elongated and laid out in two concentric circles, an inner circle enclosed by an outer circle. The vias of the outer concentric circle are longer than the vias of the inner circle so that spaces between vias are the same for both circles. In another embodiment, each elongated via may include a plurality of circular vias formed in a line. Metals layers on the top and bottom of the semiconductor substrate are patterned to form wedge shaped connectors between the inner and outer vias to form the spirals of the toroidal inductor. The wedge shaped connectors with elongated vias allow spacing between spirals to be constant.
US08354322B2
Techniques are disclosed herein for applying different process steps to single-level cell (SLC) blocks in a memory array than to multi-level cell (MLC) blocks such that the SLC blocks will have high endurance and the MLC blocks will have high reliability. In some aspects, different doping is used in the MLC blocks than the SLC blocks. In some aspects, different isolation is used in the MLC blocks than the SLC blocks. Techniques are disclosed that apply different read parameters depending on how many times a block has been programmed/erased. Therefore, blocks that have been cycled many times are read using different parameters than blocks that have been cycled fewer times.
US08354321B2
A transistor which includes halo regions disposed in a substrate adjacent to opposing sides of the gate. The halo regions have upper and lower regions. The upper region is a crystalline region with excess vacancies and the lower region is an amorphous region. Source/drain diffusion regions are disposed in the halo regions. The source/drain diffusion regions overlap the upper and lower halo regions. This architecture offers the minimal extension resistance as well as minimum lateral diffusion for better CMOS device scaling.
US08354320B1
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes a forming plurality of trenches in a substrate to thereby define a fin structure for a FinFET device, forming a first region of a first insulating material within each of the trenches, wherein the as-deposited surface of the first insulating material is positioned below an upper surface of the fin, forming a layer of a second material that contacts the as-deposited surface of the first region of the first insulating material and overfills the trenches, performing at least one process operation to remove at least a portion of the layer of the second material from above the fin structure, and, after performing the at least one process operation, performing a second process operation to selectively remove the second material from above the first region of the first insulating material and thereby expose the as-deposited surface of the first region of the first insulating material.
US08354316B2
A semiconductor power device supported on a semiconductor substrate includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit disposed on a first portion of patterned ESD polysilicon layer on top of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor power device further includes a second portion of the patterned ESD polysilicon layer constituting a body implant ion block layer for blocking implanting body ions to enter into the semiconductor substrate below the body implant ion block layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) polysilicon layer on top of the semiconductor substrate further covering a scribe line on an edge of the semiconductor device whereby a passivation layer is no longer required manufacturing the semiconductor device for reducing a mask required for patterning the passivation layer.
US08354314B2
Epitaxial deposition of silicon germanium in a semiconductor device is achieved without using masks. Nucleation delays induced by interactions with dopants present before deposition of the silicon germanium are used to determine a period over which an exposed substrate surface may be subjected to epitaxial deposition to form a layer of SiGe on desired parts with substantially no deposition on other parts. Dopant concentration may be changed to achieve desired thicknesses within preferred deposition times. Resulting deposited SiGe is substantially devoid of growth edge effects.
US08354305B2
A TFT LCD array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on a substrate to form a gate line and a gate electrode connected with the gate line on the substrate; forming a gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer on the gate electrode; forming an ohmic contact layer on the semiconductor layer; forming a transparent pixel electrode layer and a source/drain electrode metal layer in sequence on the resultant substrate, wherein the transparent pixel electrode layer is electrically insulated from the gate line and the gate electrode, and the transparent pixel electrode layer forms an ohmic contact with two sides of the semiconductor layer via the ohmic contact layer; and performing masking and etching with a gray tone mask with respect to the resultant substrate to form a transparent pixel electrode, a source/drain electrode and a data line simultaneously.
US08354295B2
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for reducing dark current in a backside illuminated semiconductor device. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a frontside surface and a backside surface, and forming a plurality of sensor elements in the substrate, each of the plurality of sensor elements configured to receive light directed towards the backside surface. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the backside surface of the substrate, wherein the dielectric layer is formed to have a compressive stress to induce a tensile stress in the substrate. A backside illuminated semiconductor device fabricated by such a method is also disclosed.
US08354289B2
A method for manufacturing a gallium nitride (GaN) wafer is provided. In the method for manufacturing the GaN wafer according to an embodiment, an etch stop layer is formed on a substrate, and a first GaN layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A portion of the first GaN layer is etched with a silane gas, and a second GaN layer is formed on the etched first GaN layer. A third GaN layer is formed on the second GaN layer.
US08354274B2
Synthetic surfaces capable of supporting culture of eukaryotic cells including stem cells and undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells in a chemically defined medium include a swellable (meth)acrylate layer and a polypeptide conjugated to the swellable (meth)acrylate layer. The swellable (meth)acrylate layer may be formed by polymerizing monomers in a composition that includes a carboxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate monomer, a cross-linking (di- or higher-functional) (meth)acrylate monomer, and a hydrophilic monomer capable of polymerizing with the carboxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate monomer and the cross-linking (meth)acrylate monomer. The swellable (meth)acrylate layer has an equilibrium water content in water of between about 5% and about 70%. The conjugated peptide may include an RGD amino acid sequence.
US08354259B2
A system and method capable of hydrolyzing lactose, where the system includes a support formed from a functionalized hydrophobic polymer that is covalently linked to a hydrophilic molecule covalently that is, in turn, covalently linked to an enzyme such as lactose. The method includes the steps of functionalizing a hydrophobic polymer support, covalently linking a hydrophilic molecule to said functionalized polymer support, and covalently linking an enzyme such as lactase to said hydrophilic molecule. The system and method generally relate to the field of food science and engineering and, more particularly to dairy-based food products and their production including solutions to problems associated with lactose intolerance such as product processing methods and products produced by these methods.
US08354257B2
A process for producing alcohol from syngas integrates the alcohol recovery with the removal of CO2 from syngas. A syngas feed containing CO, H2, and CO2 contacts an aqueous alcohol stream to remove CO2 from the syngas that then passes to bioreactor containing microorganisms for conversion to alcohol and other liquid products. Flashing of the scrubbing liquid releases the CO2 and simultaneously concentrates alcohol in the overhead flash vapor. Condensation of the flash vapor provides an enriched alcohol stream for enhanced recovery of the ethanol product in a product separation zone. The remainder of the scrubbing liquid along with make-up alcohol and water from the process gets returned for continued contact with the syngas feed.
US08354256B2
Described are compositions and methods relating to the use of a glucoamylase in combination with a phytase in starch processing to reduce the levels of phytic acid in end-products.
US08354254B2
An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium having an L-amino acid-producing ability in a medium containing a processed product of a microalga which promotes production and accumulation of the L-amino acid by the bacterium. The process product is produced by disrupting the culture of the microalga, and/or extracting the culture of the microalga, or fractionating the culture of the microalga or the disrupted culture. The processed product contains a mixture of organic substances produced by the microalga, a hydrolysate of the disrupted microalga culture, and/or an extract or fractionation product of the microalga culture. The processed product can also contain a saccarification product of starch or a hydrolysate of fats and oils. The bacterium is cultured to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in culture, and the L-amino acid is collected from the culture.
US08354251B2
The present invention is directed generally to compositions and methods for expressing recombinant proteins in a mammalian host cell using a co-expressed transcriptional activator. In particular, the invention provides vectors, host cells, and methods of expressing at least one desired polypeptide by transfecting a mammalian host cell with cistrons encoding a transactivator, a desired polypeptide, and an apoptosis-protective protein.
US08354250B2
Neurotransmitter biosensors are disclosed, including YbeJ-based glutamate binding biosensors, comprising a neurotransmitter binding domain conjugated to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon binding neurotransmitter. Such biosensors are useful for the detection of neurotransmitter concentrations in vivo and in culture.
US08354238B2
A method of assaying a sample with the use of the aggregation reaction of immunological microparticles and an assay kit. The assay is conducted by using microparticles wherein the same or an analog of the analyte and a substance that specifically binds to a substance that can specifically bind to the analyte are both bound to an insoluble carrier. Thus, it becomes possible to conveniently carry out the assay even in the case where the analyte has only a small number of specific binding sites, without especially adding a competitive substance carrying hapten bonded thereto to the reaction system so as to induce simultaneous competition of the target substance and the competitive substance.
US08354234B2
The present invention provides methods, compositions, and systems for mass spectrometric analysis of magnetic nanoparticles displaying ligands on their surface. For example, the present invention provides methods of screening a sample for the presence of at least one analyte using ligand conjugated magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic separation, and mass spectrometric analysis. The present invention also relates to MALDI matrix compositions comprising ligand conjugated magnetic nanoparticles.
US08354232B2
The present invention relates to systems, methods and kits for low-level detection of nucleic acids, detecting at least two different viral sequences in a single reaction vessel, and increasing the dynamic range of detection of a viral target nucleic acid in a sample. The present invention also relates to T-structure invasive cleavage assays, as well as T-structure related target dependent non-target amplification methods and compositions. The present invention further relates to methods, compositions, devices and systems for consistent nucleic acid dispensing onto surfaces.
US08354221B2
Disclosed are methods for the preservation and storage of living biological tissues, organs, and populations of isolated cells. Also disclosed are compositions and methods to permit biological samples (including e.g., cells, cell cultures, tissues, and organs) to be harvested from suitable donor animals, stored for prolonged periods under refrigerated, cryogenic, or near-freezing, and then transported and implanted into a site within the body of a selected recipient animal, all without significant loss of cellular viability, tissue integrity, and/or biochemical function of the stored biological sample.
US08354216B2
Negative-working imageable elements such as lithographic printing plate precursors, include a free-radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition that is capable of generating free radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free-radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation in the presence of a radiation absorbing compound, a radiation absorbing compound, an aerobic free radical inhibitor, optionally a polymeric binder that is not a free radically polymerizable component, and an anaerobic free radical inhibitor. The molar ratio of the anaerobic free radical inhibitor to the aerobic free radical inhibitor is at least 1:1. This combination of inhibitors provides increased shelf life and good latent image stability particularly when the element includes a polymeric topcoat layer that functions as an oxygen barrier.
US08354214B2
The present disclosure provides carriers for use with toner compositions. In embodiments, a carrier may include a core, having a dry powder polymer coating. In embodiments, the coating may also include a colorant, such as carbon black. Processes for coating such carriers with the dry powder polymer coatings are also provided.
US08354210B2
An electrophotographic photoconductor that stabilizes electrical performances and prevents generation of image faults such as memories, irrespective of types of organic materials of resin binder and charge transport material, and variation of temperature and humidity of the operation environment. An electrophotographic photoconductor includes at least a photosensitive layer formed over a conductive substrate, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a cyclohexane dimethanol-diaryl ester compound represented by the formula (I): in formula (I), each of R1 through R10 represents independently, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of carbon number of from 1 to 5, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group of carbon number of from 1 to 5.
US08354206B2
A method of generating photomask data for fabricating a microlens array, the photomask having a microlens pattern including light-shielding portions and non-light-shielding portions, a rectangular region including a surrounding region having four sides of the rectangular region as outer edges and a primary region having boundaries that are inner edges of the surrounding region, the surrounding region being configured by four strip regions each including one of the four sides as its part, and a width between each outer edge and each corresponding inner edge being not more than 1/2 of a wavelength of exposure light. The method includes determining a layout of light-shielding portions and non-light-shielding portions in the surrounding region so that a density of light-shielding portions is set to fall within a range from 0% to 15%.
US08354193B2
An electrochemical device, having an anode containing magnesium; a cathode stable to a voltage of at least 3.2 V relative to a magnesium reference; and an electrolyte obtained by admixture of a magnesium salt of a non-nucleophilic base comprising nitrogen and aluminum trichloride in an ether solvent is provided. As sulfur is stable to a voltage of at least 3.2 V relative to a magnesium reference, a magnesium-sulfur electrochemical device is specifically provided.
US08354190B2
An electrode and an electrode material for lithium electrochemical cells are disclosed. The electrode material is in powder form and has a particle size distribution wherein the measured particle size distribution of the electrode material has a median size D50 ranging from 1.5 μm and 3 μm, a D10≧0.5 μm, a D90≦10.0 μm, and a calculated ratio (D90/D10)/D50≧3.0 which is indicative of a peak of the measured particle size distribution on the left of the median D50 which improves the loading and energy density of the electrode produced with this electrode material powder.
US08354189B2
Provided are electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include novel binders. The novel binders include lithium polysalts of carboxylic and sulfonic acids, lithium salts of copolymers of acids, lithium polysulfonate fluoropolymers, a cured phenolic resin, cured glucose, and combinations thereof.
US08354183B2
An adapter includes an insertion part that is inserted into a body of a power tool and has terminals for electrically connecting with the power tool; a pair of rails for guiding insertion of a battery pack in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion part; an operating part constituting tool-latching device for attaching to and detaching from the body of the power tool; and a receiving part constituting battery-latching device for attaching to and detaching from the battery pack. The operating part of the tool-latching device and the receiving-side of the battery-latching device are disposed in different positions when viewing the adapter in the insertion direction of the insertion part.
US08354174B2
A card, such as a gift card, a security card, a ticket, and/or a pass, includes a machine readable component. The card is formed of a paper or paper/film laminate material that is compostable, thereby forming a degradable product.
US08354170B1
An engineered microstructure composite having an elastic or elastomeric matrix with distributed rigid reinforcements. One embodiment of the invention provides an elastomeric composite including an elastomeric matrix, a plurality of rigid reinforcements embedded within the elastomeric matrix, and a plurality of attachments (or ligaments) connected to the reinforcements to interconnect the rigid reinforcements to each other. Here, in this embodiment, the elastomeric composite has a composite reversible strain limit greater than 3 percent (%) (or, in one embodiment, greater than 5%) due to kinematics of the rigid reinforcements interconnected by the attachments and embedded within the elastomeric matrix.
US08354165B2
The present invention relates to a coating material containing (a) first oxidic particles formed by hydrolytic condensation, in a size range of 5-20 nm, (b) second particles with a diameter in the size range of 80-300 nm, (c) a first aqueous solvent in which the source material for the oxidic particles formed by hydrolytic condensation can be dissolved and which allows or promotes the hydrolysis and condensation thereof, and (d) at least one second solvent, selected among specifically defined alcohols, ethers, organic acids, esters, ketones, amines and amic acids and mixtures thereof. The invention relates in addition to a substrate supplied with a coating, particularly a glass suitable for the photovoltaic and warm water collector domain, wherein the coating is composed of at least two particle fractions, wherein the particles of the first fraction have a diameter in the size range of 5-20 nm, and the particles of the second fraction have a diameter in the size range of 80-300 nm, wherein the particles of the second fraction have an average distance from each other, measured from cone to cone of these particles, of on average 20-200 nm, and wherein the particles of the first particle fraction have pores with a pore radius distribution of which the maximum is between 1 and 6 nm. The coating of the substrate can be achieved by means of the named coating material.
US08354159B2
The present invention provides a polyamide based mixed resin laminated film roll formed by winding up a polyamide based mixed resin laminated film comprising a plurality of polyamide mixed resin sheets stacked on top of each other. A first sample cutout portion is provided within 2 m from the winding end of film, and a final sample cutout portion is provided within 2 m from the winding start of film. The roll is regulated so that, when sample cutout portions are provided at intervals of about 100 m from the first sample cutout portion, for all samples cutout from the cutout portions, the elastomer content, tensile modulus of elasticity, thickness unevenness in the longitudinal direction and other properties fall within a predetermined variation range.
US08354158B2
A microfibrous article includes a substrate and a plurality of magnetic fibers disposed on the substrate. Each of the plurality of magnetic fibers is individually sheathed with a polymer and includes a plurality of magnetic particles. Further, each of the plurality of magnetic fibers is aligned along a magnetic field and not connected by the polymer to any adjacent magnetic fiber. A method of forming the microfibrous article is also disclosed.
US08354157B2
This invention provides a support plate which makes it possible to stably perform a step for separating from a support plate a wafer which has been processed while preventing delay in time taken for this step. The support plate of this invention is a support plate for supporting a substrate via an adhesive, including: a plate-shaped part having a surface which is in contact with the adhesive; and at least one spacer provided on the surface which is in contact with the adhesive.
US08354156B2
A prepreg base material includes reinforcing fibers arranged substantially in one direction and a matrix resin between the reinforcing fibers, wherein the prepreg base material has substantially throughout its entire surface incisions, each incision extending in a direction substantially crossing the reinforcing fibers, wherein substantially all of the reinforcing fibers are divided by the incisions, a length (L) of each of reinforcing fiber segments formed by the incisions is in the range of 10 to 100 mm, a thickness H of the prepreg base material is in the range of 30 to 300 μm, and a fiber volume content by Vf of the reinforcing fibers is in the range of 45 to 65%.
US08354153B2
Provided is a release-lined pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet comprising a release liner 10 and a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 20. The release liner 10 has an average linear expansion coefficient of at most 7×10−5/° C. between 25° C. and 40° C. A layer 12 to constitute a surface 10A on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer side of the release liner 10 is formed of a polyolefin-based resin composition containing none or at most 0.01 mass % of a phosphorous-based antioxidant. The surface 10A is divided into a plurality of sections 124 by a plurality of ridges 2A and 2B with each ridge having a height of 5 μm to 50 μm. At least one of the sections 124 inscribes a circle of a diameter greater than 500 μm.
US08354152B2
An adhesive tape for flying splice, having a left and right boundary edge, at least one main carrier and a first layer of self-adhesive on the obverse of the main carrier, the reverse of the main carrier bearing a parting system suitable for effecting an adhesive bond to a substrate that can be parted again in such a way that sticky residues are left neither on the reverse of the main carrier nor on the substrate in the region of the parted bond, the parting system being constructed in the form of a multiply interrupted stripe having a plurality of segments that extends in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape, the individual segments having less of an extent in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape than the adhesive tape itself, and the parting system being suitable for effecting the parting process without the main carrier being damaged.
US08354149B2
The compositions and methods of the present application can provide transparent ink-jet recording films that may be used by printers relying on optical detection of fed media. Such films can be useful for medical image reproduction.
US08354148B2
An optical compensation polarizing plate comprising: a first transparent protective film; a polarizer; a second transparent protective film; and an optical compensation layer in this order, wherein at least one of the first and second transparent protective films is a cellulose acylate film having a retardation value in plane Re (nm) and a retardation value in film thickness direction Rth (nm) which fulfill the following formulae (I) and (II), and Nz and Re1 defined by the following formulae (III) and (IV), of the optical compensation layer fulfill the following formulae (V) and (VI):(I) |Re|≦10, (II) |Rth|≦25, (III) Nz=(nx1−nz1)/(nx1−ny1), (IV) Re1=(nx1−ny1)×d1, (V) 0.4≦Nz≦0.6 (VI) 100≦Re1≦350, wherein Re1 is a retardation value in plane (nm) at a wavelength of 590 nm; Nz is an Nz factor at a wavelength of 590 nm; nx1 is a refractive index along a slow axis in a film plane; ny1 is a refractive index along a direction perpendicular to the slow axis in a film plane; nz1 is a refractive index along a thickness direction of the film; and d1 is a thickness of the film (nm).
US08354136B2
A method for producing a thick film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt, and wherein the ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal is greater than 1.5. The precursor solution is treated to form a rare earth-alkaline earth-metal transition metal oxide superconductor film having a thickness greater than 0.8 μm. precursor solution.
US08354130B2
A system for facilitating a user's intake of edible substances. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a partition unit disposed between the first portion and the second portion. A first space may be located between the first portion and the partition unit for containing a first edible substance. A second space may be located between the second portion and the partition unit for containing a second edible substance. The system may also include a tube for causing a change at the partition unit to open an opening between the first space and the second space, and for transmitting a portion of an edible mixture to the mouth of the user. The edible mixture may include part of the first edible substance provided from the first space and part of the second edible substance provided from the second space.
US08354128B2
The present invention concerns the field of plant extracts and their uses, in particular for cosmetic, oral hygiene and pharmaceutical purposes. In particular the invention concerns blackberry leaf extracts and preparations and medicaments containing them, as well as their use to inhibit irritating and inflammatory skin conditions.
US08354127B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed relating to use of fractions, polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides of Dendrobium huoshanense. The fractions, polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides are able to effect an increase in beneficial cytokines and chemokines.
US08354123B2
The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.
US08354122B2
Provided are a granule or a tablet of a solid dispersion that allows a drug in a preparation to be rapidly dissolved without impairing the dissolution of the solid dispersion, and a method for producing the same. More specifically, provided are a granule of a solid dispersion comprising a poorly soluble drug, a water-soluble polymer, an excipient and a disintegrator, wherein a content of the water-soluble polymer is 1 to 10% by weight and a content of the disintegrator is 15 to 50% by weight; a tablet of a solid dispersion comprising a poorly soluble drug, a water-soluble polymer, an excipient and a disintegrator, wherein a content of the water-soluble polymer is 1 to 5% by weight and a content of the disintegrator is 15 to 50% by weight; and a method for producing a granule or tablet of a solid dispersion comprising spraying a water-soluble polymer solution in which a poorly soluble drug has been dispersed or dissolved, on a mixed powder of an excipient and a disintegrator, and granulating and drying a resultant.
US08354121B2
It is intended to provide a preparation for percutaneous administration of 2-(4-ethyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5,6,7,8,9,10-hexahydrocycloocta[b]pyridine (Compound A), which inhibits the generation of a metabolite and is capable of continuously maintaining a blood drug level. Specifically, a tape preparation comprising an adhesive layer formed on one surface of a support, characterized in that the adhesive layer contains (1) Compound A or a physiologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and (2) an acrylic adhesive, or (1) Compound A or a physiologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, (2) an acrylic adhesive, and (3) a permeation enhancer is provided.
US08354114B2
Vectors and methods for the production of influenza viruses suitable as recombinant influenza vaccines in cell culture are provided. Bi-directional expression vectors for use in a multi-plasmid influenza virus expression system are provided. Additionally, the invention provides methods of producing influenza viruses with enhanced ability to replicate in embryonated chicken eggs and/or cells (e.g., Vero and/or MDCK) and further provides influenza viruses with enhanced replication characteristics.
US08354107B2
Previously, it was difficult to obtain high-affinity antibodies that specifically bind to HMGB-1 but not to HMGB-2. Under this circumstance, the present inventors successfully obtained antibodies that are more reactive to HMGB-1 than to HMGB-2 by using specific peptides as an antigen. The present inventors also demonstrated that the antibodies had a HMGB-1-neutralizing activity. The present inventors administered the antibodies to amyloidosis model animals, and as a result, successfully demonstrated that the antibodies produced a significant therapeutic effect.
US08354106B2
In various embodiments, the present invention is drawn to antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to particular fragments of HMGB1, methods of treating a condition in a subject characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade, methods of detecting and/or identifying an agent that binds to an HMGB1 polypeptide or fragment thereof, and methods of detecting HMGB1 in a sample.
US08354104B2
The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing GT468, including tumor-related diseases such as breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, and hepatocellular cancer.
US08354103B2
A fully human antibody or antigen-binding fragment of a human antibody that specifically binds and inhibits human angiopoietin-like protein 4 (hANGPTL4) is provided. The human anti-hANGPTL4 antibodies are useful in treating diseases or disorders associated with ANGPTL4, such as hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia and dyslipidemia, including hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, chylomicronemia, and so forth. Furthermore, the anti-hANGPTL4 antibodies can be administered to a subject in need thereof to prevent or treat diseases or disorders, for which abnormal lipid metabolism is a risk factor. Such diseases or disorders include cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases; acute pancreatitis; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); diabetes; obesity; and the like.
US08354096B2
An antiperspirant composition for personal hygiene is formulated as a suspension which can be sprayed with or without a propellant, and contains at least one antiperspirant substance, 0-5 wt. % free water, based on the weight of the propellant-free composition, and triethylcitrate and at least one additional cosmetic oil, which is liquid under normal conditions, as a carrier. The weight fraction of the triethylcitrate with respect to the total amount of oils is between 13-50 wt. % based on the total weight of the propellant-free composition. The composition also includes and 0 to less than 1 wt. % cyclomethicone, based on the weight of the propellant-free composition.
US08354091B2
Herein disclosed is alumina powder incorporated into a composition which should have excellent heat conduction and used as a heat-radiating member and for sealing a semiconductor. The spherical α-alumina powder has an average sphericity of not less than 0.93 and a content of α-crystalline form is not less than 95% and the spherical α-alumina powder is prepared according to the method, which comprises the steps of: (1) softening metallic aluminum powder or alumina powder through the treatment with a flame; (2) solidifying the softened powder by passing the same through a zone maintained at a temperature ranging from 800 to 500° C.; (3) increasing the content of α-phase by passing the solidified powder through a zone maintained at a temperature ranging from 950 to 1,500° C.; and (4) collecting the resulting powdery product while cooling the same.
US08354077B2
An integrated capillary electrophoresis system comprising a universal interface is disclosed. The universal interface includes one or more of the following structural elements: a chip assembly that receives a capillary electrophoresis CE chip; a fluidic interface for coupling fluids between the chip assembly and external sources or destinations; a first electrical interface for coupling power from an external source to the chip assembly; a second electrical interface for coupling electrical signals from the chip assembly to external analysis electronics; an optical interface for coupling optical signals between the chip assembly and external sources or destinations; and a docking station for uniting and spatially locating the various other structural elements.
US08354072B2
The present invention generally relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion, or roof portion, of an enclosure where such a system includes one or more dispensers designed to deliver at least one corrosion inhibitor to a system designed to protect a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.).
US08354066B2
Antibodies are provided. For as example, an antibody capable of binding an artificial receptor which comprises a hydroquinone monolayer and is incapable of binding the artificial receptor when comprising a benzoquinone monolayer. Also provided are methods and systems using same for control delivery of a molecule-of-interest into a tissue.
US08354059B2
Not only a downsized cartridge but also an aperture constituted simply and at low cost using a downsized configuration of the cartridge is provided. A measurement channel includes a front-surface-side channel unit provided on a front surface of a cartridge main body; a rear-surface-side channel unit provided on a rear surface of the cartridge main body; and a connection channel unit connecting the front-surface-side channel unit to the rear-surface-side channel unit. An aperture is formed in the connection channel unit, a fluid contact unit of one electrode is arranged in the front-surface-side channel unit, and a fluid contact unit of the other electrode is arranged in the rear-surface-side channel unit.
US08354052B1
A microconduit network structure and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention relates to a microconduit network structure, including: a solid or semi-solid matrix having at least one interconnected web of filaments formed within the matrix; and wherein at least one interconnected web of filaments having diameters of about 10 nm to about 1 mm.
US08354049B2
An antibacterial measure using titanium oxide includes mixing titanium oxide in a resin to form a coating resin, and then coating a key surface with the coating resin. This method requires formation of a coating layer on a resin molding and thus increases the number of the production steps and cost. Furthermore, in the method, a coating film containing an antibacterial agent is scraped off light by little at each time of keying, and thus the film is finally completely removed to lose its antibacterial function. A conceivable measure against this includes directly mixing a resin and an antibacterial agent. However, titanium oxide used as an antibacterial agent degrades a raw material resin. It has recently be thought that photocatalytic apatite as a substitute for titanium oxide also causes chalking, and an antibacterial coating layer has been formed on a surface of a resin molding. However, the inventor of the present invention found that photocatalytic apatite does not cause chalking, thereby achieving a resin containing the photocatalytic apatite.
US08354047B2
A method for press molding a lens array is provided. First, a mold core is provided. The mold core has a first surface having a first alignment formed thereon using a lithography method, and a lens molding surface array and a second alignment formed thereon using an ultra-precision machining method. Then, a substrate is provided. The substrate has a second surface having a third alignment mark formed thereon using the lithography method. The substrate is first aligned with the mold core by aligning the third alignment mark with the first alignment mark, then is further aligned by offsetting the substrate the spacing between the first and second alignment marks to align the center of the substrate with the center of the lens molding surface array. Finally, a molding material is applied on the substrate, then the mold core is applied on the molding material to press mold the lens array.
US08354042B2
A method of raising the flash point of a green solvent includes adding from about 0.05 to 5.0 wt. % of at least one terpene alcohol, based on the weight of the at least one terpene alcohol and the green solvent. Green solvents are derived from organic matter, such as plants. They are not the product of petroleum feed stocks. Preferably, two terpene alcohols are added to the green solvent. Further, the addition of at least one terpene alcohol improves both the freeze resistance and the shelf life of the final green solvent solution.
US08354038B2
A piezoelectric solid solution composition containing, as a main component, a composition represented by the following general formula: {Mx(NayLizK1-y-z)1-x}1-m{(Ti1-u-vZruHfv)x(Nb1-wTaw)1-x}O3 is disclosed. In the formula, M represents a combination of at least one member selected from the group consisting of (Bi0.5K0.5), (Bi0.5Na0.5) and (Bi0.5Li0.5) and at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca and Mg; and in the formula, x, y, z, u, v, w and m are in the following ranges: 0.06
US08354027B2
A reactor for biological purification of waste water includes a reactor vessel having a substantially flat or a round bottom, at least one supply pipe arranged in a lower region of the reactor vessel for feeding the waste water to be purified into the reactor, at least one fluid discharge pipe for discharging purified waste water from the reactor, at least one solid matter discharge pipe arranged in the lower region of the reactor vessel for discharging solid matter from the reactor and at least one diverting means including at least one diagonally extending section. The at least one diverting means is designed and/or arranged so that solids sinking to the bottom of the reactor from the upper region of the reactor are deflected so that the solids settle in a region of the at least one solid matter discharge pipe and are discharged from the reactor through the at least one solid matter discharge pipe.
US08354025B2
A self-regulating FO system is disclosed comprising a container containing a source water supply, a forward osmosis membrane element located within the container comprising an area of osmotic membranes, an osmotic agent inlet and a drink outlet, an osmotic pump element also located within the container comprising an area of osmotic membranes, an osmotic agent inlet and a drink outlet, and an osmotic agent tank located above the container. The osmotic agent tank comprises a feed tube connected to an outlet located on the bottom of the osmotic agent tank. The feed tube communicates with the osmotic agent inlet of the forward osmosis membrane unit and the osmotic agent inlet of the osmotic pump element. A return tube communicates with the drink outlet of the osmotic pump element and a port near the top of the osmotic agent tank.
US08354020B2
The disclosure relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. In particular, the disclosure teaches processes and systems for recovering heavy crude oil while avoiding fouling of equipment by recycling at least a portion of a product bitumen from a solvent recovery unit for mixing with an overhead bitumen stream that may be a diluted bitumen stream containing solvent and bitumen. The overhead bitumen stream is a near-incompatible stream and the stream of mixed overhead bitumen stream and the treated bitumen stream is a compatible stream that will not foul equipment upon heating.
US08354007B2
The invention relates to a process for purifying trifluoromethanesulfinic acid by azeotropic distillation with an aromatic solvent, to processes for preparing purified trifluoromethanesulfinic acid and to the use of the purified trifluoronnethanesulfinic acid for preparing trifluoromethylsulfinylated pyrazole derivatives, especially fipronil.
US08354003B2
The present invention relates to a porous fiber product, which contains chemical pulp or wood fibers, between which structural filler particles are attached, as well as to a method of manufacturing this product, wherein filler drops are produced in a spray dryer from the aqueous solution of the filler, the drops forming filler particles when the water evaporates, the particles being attached to the chemical pulp or wood fibers.
US08353995B2
Automobile panel repair laminates include a pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to a support backing. The support backing may be constructed of various materials such as plastically deformable polymeric materials including thermoplastic or thermoset materials and may have various thicknesses depending upon the desired conformability and rigidity necessary for the repair. The support backing may be bonded to the pressure sensitive adhesive by applying adhesion promoters such as solvents. The repair laminate is applied to a back or non-aesthetic side of the automobile panel, and the front side is repaired using standard techniques for filling and finishing.
US08353992B2
Steel sheet having a composition of ingredients containing substantially, by mass %, C: 0.005 to 0.200%, Si: 2.50% or less, Mn: 0.10 to 3.00%, N: 0.0100% or less, Nb: 0.005 to 0.100%, and Ti: 0.002 to 0.150% and satisfying the relationship of Ti−48/14×N≧0.0005, having a sum of the X-ray random intensity ratios of the {100}<001> orientation and the {110}<001> orientation of a ⅙ sheet thickness part of 5 or less, having a sum of the maximum value of the X-ray random intensity ratios of the {110}<111> to {110}<112> orientation group and the X-ray random intensity ratios of the {211}<111> orientation of 5 or more, and having a high rolling direction Young's modulus measured by the static tension method and a method of production of the same are provided.
US08353991B2
A dishwashing machine is provided having a washing compartment, a drying unit that includes an absorption column with a reversibly dehydratable drying agent, and having an air circulation loop through the washing compartment and the drying unit. A temperature sensor is arranged in front of the drying unit and to the rear of the washing compartment with respect to the direction of the flow of air circulating in the air circulation loop.
US08353983B2
To provide shrinkage reducing agents which render excellent shrinkage reducing effect and frost-thaw resistance to cement compositions such as mortar and concrete without entraining excessive air, and exhibit excellent solution stability.The shrinkage reducing agent comprises a (poly)alkylene compound having an unsaturated bond represented by the formula (1): R2O—R1—O-(A1O)n—R3 (1) -(A2O)m—R4 (2) (wherein R1 is a C2-10 hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond; R2 is hydrogen or the formula (2); R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-8 alkyl group; A1O and A2O are one or more kinds of C2-4 oxyalkylene groups; and n and m are mean addition numbers of moles of A1O and A2O, respectively, and 1 to 20).
US08353970B2
A method of assembling a battery assembly includes forming battery packs, each pack including battery cells and cooling passages extending along a length of the pack, connecting terminals of each pack to a dc source and charging each pack to a desired state of charge, installing battery packs on a tray located on an automatically guided cart, using the cart to carry the battery assembly to locations where method steps are performed including performing testing for fluid leaks in a cooling circuit comprising interconnected passages of each pack on the tray and installing electric circuits in the assembly.
US08353959B2
An apparatus including an interbody spinal fusion implant having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length therebetween, and opposed upper and lower portions adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Each of the upper and lower portions having at least one opening adapted to communicate with one each of the adjacent vertebral bodies and to communicate with one another to permit for the growth of bone from vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through the implant. Each of the upper and lower portions has at least one screw hole passing therethrough proximate the trailing end. The apparatus further includes bone screws adapted for placement through the screw holes of the upper and lower portions and into each of the adjacent vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space to be fused and into which the implant is adapted to be positioned.
US08353953B2
A device for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis includes a distal valve holder portion and a shaft extending towards the valve holder portion. The shaft is selectively bendable to a curved shape to vary the spatial orientation of the valve holder portion with respect to the desired implantation site.
US08353952B2
A stent includes a wave form that includes a cable including a plurality of strands. The wave form has a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, with each crown connecting two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent includes a filler located within the cable. The filler includes a therapeutic substance.
US08353951B2
Radio-opaque endoprosthesis An endoprosthesis furnished with an armature made of metal wires visible in X-ray medical imaging in which the armature is formed of at least two layers of wires, the wires forming the armature comprising a core made of a radio-opaque material, the interaction between the cores of the wires of the various layers improving the visibility of the said endoprosthesis in X-ray medical imaging.
US08353950B2
A helical stent includes at least one helical winding. Each helical winding includes a plurality of alternating long struts and short struts, ends of at least some of the long struts being joined to an end of an adjacent short strut by a flexible hinge arrangement, the struts being substantially rigid. The stent also includes at least one interconnection member connecting a hinge arrangement on one turn of the at least one winding with a hinge arrangement on an adjacent turn of the at least one winding. Fewer than all hinge arrangements on the at least one helical winding are connected to other hinge arrangements by an interconnection member.
US08353948B2
Vascular prostheses and methods of use are provided, wherein the vascular prosthesis includes a plurality of bistable unit cells configured to form a helical structure. A visualization catheter also is provided for use ensuring accurate measurement of a lesion and ensuring delivery and placement of the vascular prosthesis.
US08353937B2
A spinal stabilization system, apparatus, and method are disclosed which include an interconnection mechanism for engaging stabilization members to one another. In one embodiment, the interconnection mechanism comprises a locking member having first and second threaded segments. An anchor member is provided having an upper segment and a lower segment, wherein the lower segment is structurally configured for engagement with a respective bone segment. A first stabilization member is connected to the upper segment of the anchor member. A locking member is engaged with the anchor member such that the first stabilization member is fixedly secured to the anchor member by a lower portion of the locking member having a first threaded segment. A second stabilization member is connected to an upper portion of the locking member by a cap that is threaded onto a second threaded segment of the locking member.
US08353935B2
The invention relates to a flexible spine stabilization and/or vertebral replacement system and having one or more flexible segments within a spinal element. The flexibility is created through the use of at least one circumferential slot formed in the spinal element. One or more fasteners are connected to the distal and proximal attachments and secured to the vertebra. The spinal element can have an elastomeric material in any or all of the following combinations: filling at least one of the at least one slot; at least a portion of the inside core; encompass at least a portion of the exterior diameter. Vertebral replacement is achieved by securing the spinal element to healthy inferior and superior vertebra through use of securing members.
US08353930B2
The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments, structures and methods for enhancing the properties of tissue to be repaired or joined. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a wound treatment material dispersion system for delivering wound treatment material to a target surgical site. The dispersion system includes an aperture formed in the anvil assembly oriented to dispense wound treatment material in an outward direction; and a source of wound treatment material in fluid communication with the aperture of the anvil assembly.
US08353929B2
Wound closure apparatus is provided including a body having an elongated, lowermost force-transmitting surface operable to be placed in a proximal, external, wound-closing position on a patient, together with a force-exerting assembly coupled with the body and operable to exert a downwardly directed force serving to generate wound-closing pressure against the patient's tissue. The force-transmitting surface is preferably three-dimensionally asymmetric so that forces of different magnitude are exerted at different locations along the length of the surface. The apparatus is especially designed for the closure of wounds attendant to endovascular interventions, e.g., a femoral artery puncture wound incident to percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI), and is capable of quickly effecting wound closure with a time-to-ambulation (TTA) of approximately 60 minutes, and with a very low complication rate.
US08353921B2
Tissue connector assemblies having at least two piercing members, each releaseably coupled to a surgical fastener such as a surgical clip. A flexible member such as a suture may be used to couple one or both piercing members to respective ends of the fastener.
US08353911B2
Provided is a minimally invasive cavity formation instrument for forming tissue cavities. The instrument includes an end effector having an aperture through which a cutting element is laterally extended and retracted. The cutting element may be retracted for minimally invasive insertion into a tissue region and extended to form a tissue cavity. The end effector of the instrument may be articulated or rotated to facilitate cavity formation.
US08353904B2
A system and method for transmitting electrosurgical energy from a generator to an electrosurgical instrument are provided. The electrosurgical system includes a generator adapted to generate electro surgical energy for treating tissue. The generator includes one or more active output terminals which supply energy to the tissue. The active output terminals are operatively connected to one or more supply lines. The generator also includes one or more return output terminal which returns energy from the tissue. The return output terminals are operatively connected to at least one return line. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument operatively connected to the one or more supply lines and one or more return electrodes operatively connected to one or more return lines. The system further includes an electrosurgical cable including one or more supply lines and one or more return lines. The one or more supply lines and one or more return lines are wound in a double helix fashion such that the electrical field along the cable is mitigated along the length thereof.
US08353902B2
An ablation device including a handle portion, a shaft and at least one cable. The shaft extends distally from the handle portion and includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the inner conductor. The cable extends from the handle portion along at least a portion of the shaft. The distal tip of the inner conductor is positionable distally beyond a distal-most end of the outer conductor. In response to movement of the at least one cable relative to the handle portion, the distal tip of the outer conductor is movable form a first position where the distal tip is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the outer conductor to at least a second position where the distal tip is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis.
US08353886B2
A hygienic article for personal wear by a male includes an elongate fabric sleeve having a first end, a longitudinally opposite second end, and a central passage extending longitudinally between the first and second ends of the sleeve. The first end of the sleeve is open to the central passage to permit the wearer's penis to extend through the open first end into the central passage of the sleeve with the first end of the sleeve nearer to the base of the wearer's penis than the second end of the sleeve. The second end of the sleeve is also open to the central passage to permit the wearer to urinate through the open second end. A dispenser is adapted for holding a plurality of such hygienic articles and facilitating sequential dispensing of the hygienic articles, one at a time, from the dispenser.
US08353885B2
A method and apparatus for technique and cycling (Techni-cycling as herein defined) such that converting delivery supply containers (supplies) into waste and disposal receptacles is disclosed. More particularly, a container transformation comprising deriving a supply container from a health care delivery sequence and converting the container into a waste receptacle by connection to a vacuum/suction source and collection system reduces the amount of waste contributed to the waste stream.
US08353883B2
Elastomeric articles, such as gloves are disclosed. The gloves include a primary matrix made from one or more elastomeric materials and a foam donning layer. In one embodiment, for instance, the donning layer can be formed from a polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam can be created from the reaction product of a polyurethane prepolymer and a solution containing water. The resulting foam can be hydrophilic and can absorb moisture for preventing moisture from being trapped between the primary matrix and a user's skin.
US08353879B2
A medical fluid injector, replaceable syringe, and coupling mechanism to engage the syringe plunger to the plunger drive ram of the injector are provided wherein coupling involves a cam cleat-like mechanism, thereby allowing for cooperative movement between the plunger drive ram and syringe plunger. The coupling mechanism of the plunger drive ram is provided with first and second movable members, each having toothed, arcuate surfaces, while the coupling mechanism of the syringe plunger is provided with a knurled cavity. Disengagement of the coupling mechanism is facilitated by translational movement of a face plate located on the forward end of the injector housing.
US08353873B2
Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. A surgical access port is provided that has an adjustable longitudinal length, such as by being formed from multiple segments configured to move relative to one another. An anchor can be coupled to a distal end of the surgical access port to help secure the surgical access port within a tissue opening by engaging a distal side of the tissue. Optionally, the anchor can be removably coupled to the distal end of the surgical access port, thereby allowing any one of a plurality of anchors to be selectively coupled thereto.
US08353868B2
A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing the internal pressure within the balloon. The balloon comprises a balloon layer having an outer surface, the balloon layer including a base layer, a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layer. The base layer is formed of a polymer material. The first reinforcing layer is one of either a plurality of discrete inelastic fibers oriented substantially parallel to the long axis of the balloon and a first layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. The second reinforcing layer is one of either at least one inelastic fiber wrapped around the circumference of the balloon substantially transverse to the long axis of the balloon and a second layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. At least one of the first and second reinforcing layers is a layer of textile fabric material. At least one strengthening rod is connected to the outer surface of the balloon layer.
US08353860B2
In one aspect, the present invention is a system for preparing a patient for an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The endoscopic preparation and examination system includes an endoscope, a source of irrigation and aspiration, and a control unit. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible shaft with a distal tip and a proximal end, at least one aspiration lumen and at least one irrigation lumen. A plurality of irrigation ports are functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen and a plurality of aspiration ports are functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing an obstructed view in a patient prior to, or during an endoscopic examination.
US08353854B2
Portable devices and methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by assuring that the ankle is flexed and extended sufficiently to promote blood flow in the lower leg are disclosed. The device includes an actuator with a free movement mode that allows a patient to move freely between activations or to initiate movement to delay a next automatic activation.
US08353853B1
Apparatus for encephalic insonication, comprising a transducer array configured to safely insonicate a field in a human body of a size comparable to the spatial extent of the array itself. The array comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged in a polygonal configuration and energized in subsets at frequencies between 200 and 400 kHz. A relatively uniform insonication of a field comparable in size to that of significant anatomical regions of the brain is obtained by driving the transducers in each subset in opposed phase relationship during at least part of the interval during which they are active. A pulsed driving scheme enables minimization of heating effects while providing significant therapeutic treatment. The apparatus is useful both with and without additional lytic agents.
US08353851B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for automatic replacement of instruments during minimally invasive procedures, comprising a housing, an outlet element for an instrument, a selection unit and a guide element.
US08353850B2
A steerable guide wire includes a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end. A braided filament is affixed to the distal end of the core wire. An outer coil surrounds at least a portion of the core wire and the braided filament. A proximal end of the braided filament is secured to a distal end of the coil. By locating the braided filament in the distal tip portion of the guide wire, a guide wire is provided that is highly flexible, has a high degree of tensile integrity, and is highly steerable, even in tortuous vasculature. Filter and balloon catheters having braided filaments at the distal end are also described.
US08353841B2
An implant assembly is implanted in vivo within a vascular system in the implant assembly has a diameter greater than a vessel and compliance characteristics such that, upon release, the implant assembly forms an interference fit is between the anchor structure and the vessel wall, thereby preventing further distal movement.
US08353839B2
An ultrasound probe has a transducer array which is moved to scan a patient with ultrasonic energy. The array is located in a fluid chamber (42) which is enclosed by an acoustic window end cap (34). The acoustic window cap is coated with a thin conductive layer (38) which shields the transducer and its motive mechanism from EFI/RFI emissions. The conductive layer is coupled to a reference potential.
US08353834B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic and therapy system is described for stopping the bleeding of severely damaged blood vessels or vessels severed in a limb amputation. A cuff is attached to the stump of the severed limb which contains a diagnostic transducer array and a HIFU transducer. The diagnostic transducer surveys the tissue of the severed limb, searching for a Doppler flow signal. When a Doppler flow signal is detected, the range to and coordinates of the sample volume where the flow was detected are determined, as well as the flow velocity. This information is supplied to a HIFU therapy transducer controller, which controls the HIFU transducer to transmit focused ultrasound to the sample volume of the flow locus, the center of the lumen of a blood vessel. The focused ultrasound heats and coagulates blood in the severed vessel to stem the bleeding. Heat dissipation due to the blood flow is reduced by tracking and continuously heating the same bolus of blood as it flows, or by heating a significant length of the blood vessel instead of a fixed spot in the vessel.
US08353829B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08353828B2
A remote sleep quality detecting system and its method provide a portable detecting device for detecting an examinee's physical activity while the examinee is sleeping, analyzing a detected activity signal by a signal processing module to generate a statistical value, and comparing a result of the computed statistical value with a sleep state index to obtain sleep quality information, and then storing the activity signal and the sleep quality information in a storage unit. The system and method also provide a remote monitoring device including a sleep information reading module for providing a user interface, connecting the portable detecting device via the Internet and receiving the sleep quality information produced by the portable detecting device after a command from the portable detecting device is received, such that the examinee's sleep quality information can be examined from a remote location for a long term without disturbing the examinee's sleep.
US08353827B2
A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the queries that are entered through the user interface together with individual identification information are sent from the remote apparatus to the server system across a communication network. The server system also includes an automated answering service for providing a series of questions from a stored set of questions for an individual at the remote apparatus to respond to, storing responses to each provided question in the series of questions and providing a service based on the individual's response to the questions.
US08353825B2
A surgical access portal includes a seal housing and a sleeve mounted to the sleeve housing having an internal longitudinal passage adapted to provide access to underlying tissue. A seal is in mechanical cooperation with an inner wall of the seal housing and has an opening for reception and passage of a surgical instrument in a substantially sealed relation. A sponge is disposed distally of the seal and absorbs fluids that enter the seal housing.
US08353824B2
Various devices and methods are provided with respect to inserting multiple surgical instruments through a single surgical access device. A medical device including a flexible tissue retractor and a releasable insert having multiple instrument openings is disclosed. The insert can be in the form of an insert assembly including multiple components. A method of using the insert is also described, and includes releasably positioning an insert having multiple instrument openings into the tissue retractor.
US08353817B2
A self propelled, endoscopic apparatus formed of a flexible, fluid-filled toroid and a motorized or powerable frame. The apparatus may be used to advance a variety of accessory devices into generally tubular spaces and environments for medical and non-medical applications. The apparatus when inserted into a tubular space or environment, such as the colon of a patient undergoing a colonoscopy, is advanced by the motion of the toroid. The toroid's surface circulates around itself in a continuous motion from inside its central cavity along its central axis to the outside where its surface travels in the opposite direction until it again rotates into its central cavity. As the device advances within the varying sizes, shapes and contours of body lumens, the toroid compresses and expands to accommodate and navigate the environment. The motion of the toroid can be powered or unpowered and the direction and speed may be controlled. The apparatus may be used to transport a variety of accessory devices to desired locations within tubular spaces and environments where medical and non-medical procedures may be performed.
US08353811B2
A large variety of electroprocessed capsules can be produced to encapsulate a variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured capsule. Furthermore, the manufactured capsules can be arranged within a filter of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospraying or electrospinning processes, capsules can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. A capsule produced by electrospraying comprises at least one polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant within the capsule. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant additive. The capsules that can be produced by various electrospraying processes described below include microcapsules in a micro-scaled range, nanocapsules in a nano-scaled range, and various mixtures of microcapsules and nanocapsules.
US08353806B2
An independent electric power type speed race apparatus is disclosed. The independent electric power type speed race apparatus comprises a first health cycle comprising a first pedal, a first cycle rotary body rotating by handling of the first pedal, and a first cycle load driving part working as a load checking the rotation of the first cycle rotary body; a first cycle speed sensor sensing a rotation speed of the first cycle rotary body; a second health cycle comprising a second pedal, a second cycle rotary body rotating by handling of the second pedal, and a second cycle load driving part working as a load checking the rotation of the second cycle rotary body; a second cycle speed sensor sensing a rotation speed of the second cycle rotary body; a display plate installed at the front of the first health cycle and the second health cycle.
US08353803B2
An automatic transmission excelling in transmission efficiency than the prior art is provided. The automatic transmission is equipped with an input shaft 2 and an output shaft 3 and a plurality of planetary gear mechanisms 5, 6. Any one element Sa of a plurality of the planetary gear mechanisms 5, 6 is coupled to the input shaft 2. One element Ca is coupled to the output shaft 3 via the first gear row G1. One element Rb is connected to the output shaft 3 via a second gear row G2 having a gear ratio different from that of the first gear row G1. Five or more engagement mechanisms C1 through C3, B1, B2 for coupling each element Ra and Cb, each element Sb, Cb with the input shaft 2, and each element Sb, Cb with the transmission case 1 releasably.
US08353799B2
A control device for a vehicle continuously variable transmission 4 comprises: inertia phase processing completing means for completing an instruction relating to inertia phase processing before an input rotation speed of the subtransmission mechanism 30 actually reaches an input rotation speed of the second gear position; and torque phase processing starting means for starting an instruction relating to torque phase processing, in which reception of an input torque of the subtransmission mechanism 30 is shifted from a disengagement side frictional engagement element to an engagement side frictional engagement element before the input rotation speed of the subtransmission mechanism 30 actually reaches the input rotation speed of the second gear position, after completing the instruction relating to the inertia phase processing.
US08353796B2
The present invention relates to a sprocket (1) with a circular gear ring (3) comprising a plurality of alternating teeth (4) and tooth spaces (5) with different pitch spacings (T) distributed around the periphery of the gear ring (3), a plurality of successive pitch spacings (T) increasing continuously over a first region of the gear ring (3), and a plurality of successive pitch spacings (T) decreasing continuously in a subsequent region. The invention additionally relates to a chain drive (20), in particular a timing chain drive, comprising a driving chain (14) and at least one sprocket (1) of the type in question.
US08353795B2
Described herein is a tensioner for a belt of a drive of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least two idle pulleys designed to co-operate with respective belt runs of the belt; two arms bearing the pulleys; and elastic means acting at least indirectly on the arms for tensioning the belt, in which the arms are constrained to one another, and at least one of the arms is hinged to a first mobile axis.
US08353793B2
A soft seamless acrylonitrile bladder having excellent air permeability combined with good bounce characteristics for inflatable balls obtained by latex dipping process. The said process involves dipping hot molds in a coagulant bath of calcium nitrate and water and later dipping the dried, coagulant coated formers in a compounded latex bath of carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene latex, the dip being single or multiple depending upon the desired wall thickness. The said latex dipping process allows low manufacturing cost, high productivity and low rejection rate bladders having uniform weight varying from 500 mg/inch.sup.2 to 1.5 g/inch.sup.2, modulus varying from 17 to 20 Kg/Cm.sup.2, tensile strength of 150-180 Kg/Cm2 and elongation at break 650-750%.
US08353788B2
The present invention is directed to a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, including at least two polymeric components. These IPNs may be present in any golf ball layer, although in an intermediate or cover layer in one preferred embodiment. The present invention is also directed to methods of forming a golf ball containing an IPN in one or more of the layers.
US08353786B2
A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Some embodiments of the club head have a high moment of inertia and variable thickness face.
US08353781B2
The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. A stiffener insert is inserted into the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example. The clubhead can be removable from the shaft to facilitate stiffener exchange.
US08353777B2
A tripot universal joint includes a first rotatable shaft member having a longitudinal axis and three longitudinal guide channels, each having two opposing concave side surfaces and a back surface. The joint also includes a rotatable second shaft member having a longitudinal axis and comprising a spider having three radially extending trunnions equally, each of the trunnions having a convex outer surface disposed within an associated longitudinal guide channel. The joint further includes three rotatable ball assemblies, each disposed on a convex outer surface of a trunnion, each ball assembly having an outer ball with a convex outer surface that is disposed within the concave side surfaces of the longitudinal guide channel with which it is associated for moveable engagement within the channel and an inner ball with an inner surface that is rotatably disposed on the convex surface of the trunnion with a detachably reattachable coupling.
US08353770B2
A mobile fitness device and method of use are presented. The mobile fitness device includes a controller having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium has instructions encoded thereon to record performance data that is based upon a performance of a physical activity by a user of the mobile fitness device and to transmit a communication, including the performance data, to a social network or to others for fitness, socialization, and potential game playing.
US08353769B2
The game apparatus obtains angular velocity data and acceleration data from an input device equipped with at least an angular velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor, and determines whether or not a ball has been thrown in accordance with the angular velocity data. When it is determined that ball-throwing is fulfilled, the game apparatus calculates the intensity of swinging the input device and a curve amount. The game apparatus applies a force and a curve to a ball in accordance with the calculated intensity of swinging and the curve amount, and performs a process of causing the ball to move and curve in a predetermined direction.
US08353767B1
A virtual presentation for entertaining a user, and includes generating a virtual environment that includes at least one virtual object, and displaying a virtual character in the virtual environment. The virtual character is to be controlled in the virtual environment to interact with the virtual object responsive to commands input by the user via a user computer. The method further includes evaluating a parameter associated with at least one of the virtual object and the virtual character and, responsive to the evaluating, preparing a communication from the virtual character to be transmitted to the user. The communication includes content related to the parameter evaluated and is transmitted from the virtual character to the user with the user computer.
US08353766B2
During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Furthermore, the diffusion sheet 39f and the light guiding plate 39g are formed with openings 5a, 6a and 7a and openings 5b, 6b and 7b respectively for allowing the symbols variably displayed on the reels to be observed. As a result, there are decreased obstacles, interposed, in such a way as to prevent the light from passing through, between the transparent acryl plate 39a and the reels 2-4 on which the light is variably displayed. Therefore, the visibility of the symbols variably displayed on the reels 2-4 is increased.
US08353765B2
A gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines (EGMs) and a secondary game control section. The secondary game control section is provided with a plurality of data sets having different target investment amount between two triggerings of the secondary game. The secondary game control section is adapted to receive a bet contribution from each of the EGMs and calculate an average bet amount from the received bet contributions. The secondary game control section selects one of the data sets depending on the calculated average bet amount, and determines whether the secondary game is triggered for each bet contribution from the EGMs using the target investment amount associated with the selected one of the data sets and a random number, and if it is determined that the secondary game is triggered, pays out a secondary game award to an EGM of which bet contribution triggered the secondary game.
US08353756B2
The present invention allows gaming devices to set or modify game parameters through the use of random events such as spinning slot machine reels or random number generators. In some embodiments, game parameters may be established with various initial values, and then, by spinning the gaming devices' reels, for example, random reel values lining up on the payline may be used as new game parameter values. Parameter values may be used to control or initialize almost any aspect of the gaming device play experience, ranging from the types of symbols seen on the reels, to the appearance or behavior of game characters, to the rate at which “complementary” points are awarded.
US08353752B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter indicative of the cap removal data, thereby deriving encoded cap removal data. The apparatus outputs the encoded cap removal data to a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, another apparatus receives the encoded cap removal data and decodes it to authenticate the cap removal data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a medicine container is operable to output a result of a game based on cap removal data associated with the medicine container.
US08353750B2
Novel response games provide participants with opportunities to receive response points and subsequent prizes, awards, fortune, and fame. Correct responses are generally determined by a television producer's and sponsor's targeted viewers (e.g. a designated response game point controller). Players receiving a highest response point total for a plurality of response sessions are identified as highly in-sync with a response point controller and qualify to be selected to star on television as viewer/controller representatives. Viewer/controller representatives are presented with various producer's and sponsor's business element options associated with a future television promotion, production, and program provided. The representatives are shown evaluating each business element and selecting a number of most suitable elements to become future response game elements. The producer's and sponsor's elements selected by the viewer/controller representatives are determined by the representatives to be the most suitable elements for viewers to respond to during a future response game.
