US08472396B2

A method for communicating channel quality information in a multi-carrier wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving information related to a link between a first forward link carrier used to receive data from a base station and a first reverse link carrier used to transmit data to the base station, receiving information related to a link between a second forward link carrier used to receive data from the base station and a second reverse link carrier used to transmit data to the base station, and transmitting channel quality information for the first forward link carrier and for the second forward link carrier to the base station via a same reverse link carrier, where the first forward link carrier and the second forward link carrier are not the same and the first reverse link carrier and the second reverse link carrier are not the same.
US08472386B2

A method for simultaneously transmitting packets to one or more users in a wireless communication system includes: generating the packets which include length information and are to be transmitted to the one or more users; and simultaneously transmitting the generated packets to the one or more users. The length information includes information representing a unit of the length information and information representing lengths of the packets according to the unit.
US08472381B1

In a method for utilizing beamforming in a wireless communication system, reference signals corresponding to a first communication channel from a first communication device to a second communication device are received, and an estimate of the first communication channel is generated using the received reference signals. One or more transmit beamforming vectors are calculated using the estimate of the first communication channel, and the one or more transmit beamforming vectors are utilized to transmit signals via a second communication channel from the second communication device to the first communication device while the first communication device assumes that the first second communication device is not utilizing beamforming.
US08472378B2

After checking a status of frequency band usage of a primary system by preliminary sensing, a master node transmits to slave nodes a sensing request containing a target frequency band for cooperative sensing. The slave nodes perform spectrum sensing according to specified parameters and send, as responses, results thereof to the master node. The master node collectively receives these results, comprehensively determines the sensing results of the slave nodes, and makes a final determination on whether or not the target frequency band is available.
US08472376B2

A method of operating an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network having a plurality of user interfaces. A terminal agent is interposed between a plurality of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) User Agents and a Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) of the IMS network. The terminal agent registers its contact address with the S-CSCF on behalf of the plurality of SIP User Agents and emulates a single SIP User Agent to the S-CSCF.
US08472363B2

A disclosed OFDM-based transmission device includes a unicast channel generating unit configured to generate a unicast channel; an MBMS channel generating unit configured to generate an MBMS channel; a multiplexing unit configured to time-division-multiplex the unicast channel and the MBMS channel in the same frequency band; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit time-division-multiplexed transmission symbols. In the disclosed transmission device, the guard interval length for the MBMS channel is set longer than the guard interval length for the unicast channel.
US08472362B2

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method in UE (400) and a UE (400) configured to adapt at least one higher layer filtering parameter used for radio link failure detection between the UE (400) and a base station (600) in a telecommunications system (200). The embodiments of the present invention further relate to a base station (600) and a method in the base station (200). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the UE (400) is configured to operate in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode having at least one DRX cycle; and is further configured to adapt at least one parameter as a function of a current DRX cycle the UE is using. The UE (400) is further configured to evaluate radio link failure detection based on the parameters. After evaluation, the UE (400) is further configured to evaluate radio link failure detection based on the one or several adapted parameters. After evaluation, the UE (400) is arranged to inform the base station (600) on radio link conditions.
US08472354B2

An approach for providing custom call waiting with media messaging is disclosed. A request is received from a first voice station to establish a voice communication session with a called party station. A detection is made that the called party station is currently in communication with a second voice station. A content designated from a call-waiting condition for presentation to a caller is retrieved. The content to either the first voice station or the second voice station is retrieved in response to a user input from the called party device.
US08472352B2

An application server invocated terminating service is enabled in an IMS based communication network. A request-to-establish message is received by an application server in a terminating part of the network, initiated by a calling party associated to an originating part of the network. The request-to-establish message is supplemented with information that the terminating service is desired to a called party associated to the terminating part, before being transmitted to an access node to which the called party is associated. A called terminal used by the called party is then notified that the terminating service is applicable by the access node, before the application server is confirmed that the called terminal has been notified. Supplementing the request-to-establish message in this way, enables parties communicating over an IMS based network to use the terminating service, regardless of whether they are directly associated to the network or via a non-IMS based communications network.
US08472342B1

Systems and methods performed by a telephony device allow the telephony device to test the quality of multiple potential paths which can be used to conduct a telephony communication. By testing the conditions that presently exist, the telephony device can choose the path that is presently offering the best quality. A telephony communication may be setup over an initial path, and then subsequent testing may determine that it is best to switch to an alternate path offering better call quality. The initial path used for the telephony communication may be the one that offers the fastest initial connection. When multiple potential paths exist, the telephony communication may be conducted over a first path while keep alive messages are communicated over a second path so that the telephony communication can be quickly switched to the second path.
US08472331B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising using MAC coordination between a plurality of co-located radios to resolve co-located multi-radio co-existence at the MAC layer.
US08472330B2

A computer-implemented method for determining resources utilized by a service request in a data processing system. The method includes determining monitored relationship types from monitoring data, determining relationship domains, determining intra-domain relationships from relationships that are internal to the relationship domains and determining cross-domain relationships from the intra-domain relationships that are linked between pairs of the relationship domains, and determining resources utilized by the service request from the intra-domain and cross-domain relationships. The domains are derived from one of the relationship types that is monitored by a single monitoring application.
US08472328B2

Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting anomalies in network traffic. Some embodiments detect anomalies based on time-series activity in network traffic. Upon detection of an anomaly, significant changes can be analyzed to identify abnormal changes in network traffic across different network entities. The identified changes can then be used to determine the cause and the impact of the detected anomaly on the network traffic.
US08472318B2

A packet communication unit and a signal processing unit communicate with a plurality of terminals, respectively, in an infrastructure mode. A control unit controls the communications performed by the packet communication unit and the signal processing unit. The control unit permits two of the plurality of terminal apparatuses to communicate with each other in an ad-hoc mode, over a predetermined period time, and specifies the ad-hoc period to at least the two terminal apparatuses via the packet communication unit and the signal processing unit.
US08472305B2

The present disclosure provides a network coding-based data processing method and system. The method includes: receiving modulated data packets, the modulated data packets including: a first data packet modulated by using a first constellation map, a second data packet modulated by using a second constellation map, and a third data packet modulated by using a third constellation map; where the first constellation map, the second constellation map, and the third constellation map are capable of minimizing the bit error rate of received signals, and a bit stream transmitted in the third data packet is an Exclusive-OR result of a bit stream transmitted in the first data packet and a bit stream transmitted in the second data packet, that is, c=a⊕b; and obtaining original transmitted data from the received data packets.
US08472297B2

The invention prevents mark distortion during high-speed recording on an optical disc, thereby improving recording performance. A write pulse signal includes mark periods during which marks 201 are formed and space periods during which no marks are formed. Particular mark periods include a top pulse 101 having first write power Pw; a bias pulse 102 that follows the top pulse 101 and has bias power Pm lower than the first write power Pw; and a last pulse 103 that follows the bias pulse 102 and has second write power Pl lower than the first write power Pw.
US08472290B2

A method and apparatus identifying a type of a recordable disc according to whether a land pre-pit (LPP) is formed on the disc. The apparatus includes an RF (radio frequency) amplifier amplifying light reflected by the disc to a predetermined value; an LPP signal detector detecting an LPP (Land Pre-Pit) signal from output signals of the RF amplifier; and a system controller identifying a type of the disc according to whether the LPP signal is detected by the LPP signal detector. Since a disc type is discriminated and operational conditions of a disc drive are adequately set during an early stage of a disc driving period, a lead-in time of a disc can be reduced.
US08472288B1

A near field transducer (NFT) for use in an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head and configured to direct energy to a recording media is disclosed. The NFT comprises a disk section; and a pin section extending towards an air bearing surface (ABS) from the disk section. The pin section has a proximal end adjoining the disk section and a distal end opposite to the proximal end and facing the ABS, wherein the distal end of the pin section has a non-rectangular cross section in a plane parallel to the ABS and the proximal end of the pin section has a rectangular cross section in the plane parallel to the ABS.
US08472286B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body, a ridge extending from the main body, and wings extending from the main body in a same direction as the ridge, wherein the wings are only electrically coupled by the main body. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body, a ridge extending from the main body, and wings extending from the main body in a same direction as the ridge. Also the apparatus includes a layer of magnetic material positioned beyond the wings relative to the main body, wherein a length of the layer of magnetic material adjacent the near field transducer is at least about coextensive with a length of the main body in a same direction.
US08472267B2

Sense amplifiers in a memory may be activated and deactivated. In one embodiment, a processor may include a memory. The memory may include a number of sense amplifiers. Based on a late arriving address bit of an address used to access data from the memory, a sense amplifier may be activated while another sense amplifier may be deactivated.
US08472266B2

Methods and devices for sensing non-volatile storage devices in a way that reduces read disturb are disclosed. Techniques are used to reduce read disturb on memory cells that are neighbors to selected memory cells. For example, on a NAND string, the memory cells that are next to the selected memory cell presently being read may benefit. In one embodiment, when reading memory cells on a selected word line WLn, Vread+Delta is applied to WLn+2 and WLn−2. Applying Vread+Delta to the second neighbor word line may reduce read disturb to memory cells on the neighbor word line WLn+1.
US08472264B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a shape of a matrix along a plurality of parallel bit lines and a plurality of word lines intersecting orthogonally to the bit lines, and that have their data read out to the bit lines; a sense amplifier which detects a voltage or a current of the bit line and decides the read data from each of the memory cells; a clamping transistor connected between the sense amplifier and the bit lines to determine a voltage in a charging mode of the bit lines by a clamp voltage applied to a gate thereof; and a clamp voltage generation circuit which generates the clamp voltage so as to become larger as a distance from the sense amplifier to a selected one of the memory cells is longer.
US08472261B2

A reading device for a memory array is provided. The memory array comprises memory cell columns. The reading device comprises first sensing amplifier groups, a second sensing amplifier group, and an output unit. Each first sensing amplifier groups selectively generates a first sensing output signal. The second sensing amplifier group generates a second sensing output signal. The output unit selectively outputs one of the second sensing output signal and the first sensing output signals according to a page address signal. In a reading operation period, the reading device reads data from a column group to the first sensing amplifier groups. In the reading operation period, when the page address signal indicates an initial input address, initial address data read from the specific column set corresponding to the initial input address among the column group is transmitted to the second sensing amplifier group to generate the second sensing output signal.
US08472255B2

To program a set of non-volatile storage elements, a set of programming pulses are applied to the control gates (or other terminals) of the non-volatile storage elements. The programming pulses have pulse widths that vary as a function of simulated pulse magnitude data. The programming pulses can also have pulse magnitudes that vary based on measurements taken while testing the set of non-volatile storage elements. In one embodiment, the pulse widths are determined after simulation performed prior to fabrication of the non-volatile storage elements. In another embodiment, the pulse magnitudes are calculated after fabrication of the non-volatile storage elements.
US08472251B2

A single polycrystalline silicon floating gate nonvolatile memory cell has a MOS capacitor and a storage MOS transistor fabricated with dimensions that allow fabrication using current low voltage logic integrated circuit process. The MOS capacitor has a first plate connected to a gate of the storage MOS transistor to form a floating gate node. The physical size of the MOS capacitor is relatively large (approximately 10 time greater) when compared to a physical size of the storage MOS transistor to establish a large coupling ratio (greater than 80%) between the second plate of the MOS capacitor and the floating gate node. When a voltage is applied to the second plate of the MOS capacitor and a voltage applied to the source region or drain region of the MOS transistor establishes a voltage field within the gate oxide of the MOS transistor such that Fowler-Nordheim edge tunnel is initiated.
US08472249B2

Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation. A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory cells each having a floating body for storing, reading and writing data as volatile memory. The device includes a floating gate or trapping layer for storing data as non-volatile memory, the device operating as volatile memory when power is applied to the device, and the device storing data from the volatile memory as non-volatile memory when power to the device is interrupted.
US08472248B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory includes a memory cell array which includes memory cells, the memory cells being arranged along a row direction and a column direction and storing data respectively corresponding to thresholds, a row control circuit which controls a row of the memory cell array, and a column control circuit which includes a control unit, the control unit generating a signal to control elements corresponding to column of the memory cell array in accordance with a pointer corresponding to an external address signal.
US08472242B2

A magnetoresistive effect memory of an aspect of the present invention including a magnetoresistive effect element including a first magnetic layer having an invariable magnetization direction, a second magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, and an interlayer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a reading circuit which passes a pulse-shaped read current through the magnetoresistive effect element to read data stored in the magnetoresistive effect element, wherein the pulse width of the read current is shorter than a period from an initial state to a cooperative coherent precession movement of magnetizations included in the second magnetic layer.
US08472228B2

An integrated circuit and method of generating a layout for an integrated circuit in which circuitry peripheral to an array of repetitive features, such as memory or logic cells, is realized according to devices constructed similarly as the cells themselves, in one or more structural levels. The distance over which proximity effects are caused in various levels is determined. Those proximity effect distances determine the number of those features to be repeated outside of and adjacent to the array for each level, within which the peripheral circuitry is constructed to match the construction of the repetitive features in the array.
US08472224B2

Selecting bins in a memory by receiving a target cost for performing writes at an analog memory that is capable of storing a range of values. Possible bins that may be created in the range of values and a cost associated with each possible bin are determined. Each possible bin includes one or more of the values. A group of bins are identified, the group of bins are among the possible bins with associated costs that are within a threshold of the target cost. A maximum number of bins are selected from the group of bins that have non-overlapping values. The selected bins are stored along with the values of the selected bins utilized to encode and decode contents of the analog memory.
US08472220B2

We describe a photovoltaic (PV) panel system comprising a PV panel with multiple sub-strings of connected solar cells in combination with a power conditioning unit (microinverter). The power conditioning unit comprises a set of input power converters, one connected to each sub-string, and a common output power conversion stage, to provide power to an ac mains power supply output. Integration of the micro-inverter into the solar PV module in this way provides many advantages, including greater efficiency and reliability. Additionally, embodiments of the invention avoid the need for bypass diodes, a component with a high failure rate in PV panels, providing lower power loss and higher reliability.
US08472215B2

According to one embodiment, a grid-tie inverter includes: a inverter performing pulse width modulation for a DC voltage; a first capacitor circuit connected to an input side of the inverter so as to form a neutral point; a second capacitor circuit connected to an output side of the inverter so as to form a neutral point; a common mode current bypass channel formed by connecting the neutral points of the first capacitor circuit and the second capacitor circuit; a grounded capacitor provided between the bypass channel and a ground; a first common mode choke coil unit including a common mode choke coil at least one of between the first capacitor circuit and the inverter and between the inverter and the second capacitor circuit; and an output filter converting a pulse width-modulated voltage outputted from the inverter into a sine AC voltage.
US08472210B2

A mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket, a riser card, a shield plate attached to an expansion card, a mounting frame, and a latch member. The riser card is attached to the mounting bracket and has at least one expansion card socket. The expansion card is received in the at least one expansion card socket. The mounting frame has at least one slot configured to fix the shield plate and an accommodating space beside the at least one slot. The latch member is mounted in the accommodating space and abuts the shield plate for preventing the expansion card from moving away from the at least one expansion card socket. The latch member is capable of being taken out from the accommodating space to release the shield plate, thereby allowing the expansion card to disengage from the at least one expansion card socket.
US08472205B2

An adaptive printed circuit board (PCB) connector consists of an adapter. The adapter comprises a printed circuit board having connectors connectable to battery terminals of a battery terminal structure of a populated circuit board (POP) of a mobile device. The adapter can have an opening shaped or adapted to receive the battery terminal structure of the POP. Battery terminals can be spring loaded. Spring loaded battery terminals can provide connective stability between POP and adapter by pushing against edge inside of opening of the adapter.
US08472202B1

An electrical communication system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having first and second ground plates and a plurality of signal vias and a plurality of ground vias extending between and through the first and second ground plates. Each of the plurality of signal vias are electrically connected to a respective conductive trace on a surface of the PCB. Cables connect to the PCB at a right angle, with a connector attached to an opposite side of the PCB. Each cable has two signal wires and a ground wire extending therefrom. The two signal wires define a differential pair. The signal wires are symmetrical with respect to the ground wire. Each of the signal wires electrically connects to a respective one of the plurality of signal vias. The ground wire connects to one of the plurality of ground vias. The cables are offset with respect to one another on the first and second ground plates and within the PCB.
US08472200B2

Locking mechanism (1) and a housing (2) equipped with one such locking mechanism, to hold a plug-in module (5), and a modular system (3) which comprises a housing and a plug-in module, wherein the locking mechanism (1) has an actuating mechanism (4) for unlocking of the plug-in module. The invention is characterized in that the actuating mechanism (4) is connected to a lifting mechanism (6) in order to lift a plug-in module (5) held in the housing (2) when unlocking.
US08472199B2

A solid state drive is disclosed. The solid state drive includes a circuit board having opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of semiconductor chips are attached to the first surface of the circuit board of the solid state drive, and the plurality of semiconductor chips of the solid state drive include at least one memory chip that is at least substantially encapsulated in a resin. An in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board is also disclosed. The in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board has opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of semiconductor chips are attached to the first surface of the in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board, and these semiconductor chips include at least one memory chip that is at least substantially encapsulated in a resin.
US08472194B2

Solid state switching device having a heatsink, a solid state switching element in heat conductive relationship with the heatsink, and an enclosure having ventilation openings adjacent to the heatsink through which air can flow to remove heat from the heatsink. In some disclosed embodiments, the heatsink has fins and ducts aligned with ventilation openings in the enclosure for removing heat by radiation and convection. In others, the heatsink is a generally planar baseplate, with ventilation openings in a side wall of the enclosure next to the baseplate for removing heat from the device. Spacers project laterally from the devices and permit a plurality of the devices to mounted side-by-side with space between the devices through which air can flow.
US08472187B2

A display apparatus of present invention includes a tabular display unit having a display screen for displaying an image and a support section constituted by a bent stick member. One end of the support section is inserted into a hole arranged on a back surface of the display unit from a lower side, and the support section is arranged between a placement surface and a lower end of the display unit, whereby the support section supports the display unit from the lower side.
US08472186B2

Tablet computer cases and associated methods are disclosed and described. In one embodiment, a tablet computer case may include a first panel configured to releasably engage and hold a tablet computer of a predetermined size and shape, a second panel having a keyboard a hinge rotatably attaching the two panels, and a communication connector that allows the keyboard to communicate with the tablet computer.
US08472180B2

A securing apparatus for securing a hard disk with two opposite sidewalls includes a connecting rod, a first securing plate, a second securing plate, a supporting rod, and a locking handle. The connecting rod includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first securing plate has an end fixed to the first end portion of the connecting rod. The second securing plate has an end pivotably connected to the second end portion of the connecting rod, the second securing plate includes a locking member. The supporting rod has a first end fixed to the first securing plate, and a second end opposite to the first end. The locking handle is pivotably connected to the second end of the supporting rod, the locking handle is able to be locked by the locking member to keep the second securing plate clamped to the hard disk.
US08472171B2

A system and apparatus to draw air for cooling an interior surface in a body of a computer device. In one embodiment, an upward-facing intake of a fan means is at least partially positioned vertically under vent means which are attached to and/or incorporated within an upper exterior surface of the body of the computer device. In another embodiment, air from outside the body of the computer device flows through said vent means and flows directly into the portion of the upper vent, where the vent means includes air-permeable, hydrophobic means to reduce liquid intrusion from the flow of air.
US08472170B2

An exemplary computer chassis includes a casing and a lid covering the casing. The casing includes a bottom wall, a first sidewall and second sidewall extending from the bottom wall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall each extending a curved engaging ledge. The lid includes a main body and baffles extending from the main body. The baffles fittedly engage with corresponding engaging ledges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the casing.
US08472169B2

A cable clamp mounted to a circuit board to bind cables, the cable clamp includes a clamp member to clamp the cables, and a fixable member extending from the clamp member to be fixed to the circuit board.
US08472165B2

The object of the present invention is to provide a condenser that exhibits excellent conductivity of the solid electrolyte layer, and has a low ESR, a high degree of heat resistance, and a high withstand voltage. A condenser of the present invention includes an anode composed of a valve metal, a dielectric layer formed by oxidation of the surface of the anode, and a solid electrolyte layer formed on the surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the solid electrolyte layer contains a π-conjugated conductive polymer, a polyanion, and an amide compound.
US08472160B2

An electronic component includes a laminate including a plurality of insulating layers that are laminated on each other. A capacitor conductor is embedded in the laminate and includes an exposed portion exposed between the insulating layers at a predetermined surface of the laminate. An external electrode is provided on the predetermined surface by direct plating so as to cover the exposed portion. An outer edge of the external electrode is spaced away from the exposed portion by about 0.8 μm or more.
US08472156B2

A method and a device for supervising the sensitivity of a protection function in an electrical power system including a metering device for measuring values of a feature, said protection function being configured to initialize an action based on a test value and a threshold value for the feature, wherein said test value is either a measured value or derived from the said measured values, the device includes a computing unit configured to receive the test values and, repeatedly during the operation of the protection function, to calculate a mean value and a deviation of the test values, to determine the probability of a false action based on the calculated mean value, the threshold value and the calculated deviation, and to indicate that the sensitivity is too high when the probability of a false action exceeds a first limit value for the probability of a false action.
US08472154B2

A leakage current masking device for use with a circuit includes at least one inductive load device coupled to the circuit and configured to supply an inductive load to the circuit, and a processor communicatively coupled to the inductive load device. The processor is configured to receive a signal representative of a current through the circuit, calculate a capacitive leakage current component of the current, and cause the inductive load device to adjust the inductive load supplied to the circuit to reduce the capacitive leakage current component.
US08472151B2

A high performance TMR sensor is fabricated by employing a free layer with a trilayer configurations represented by FeCo/CoFeB/CoB, FeCo/CoB/CoFeB, FeCo/CoFe/CoB, or FeCo/FeB/CoB may also be employed. Alternatively, CoNiFeB or CoNiFeBM formed by co-sputtering CoB with CoNiFe or CoNiFeM, respectively, where M is V, Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, or Mo may be included in a composite free layer or as a single free layer in the case of CoNiFeBM. A 15 to 30% in improvement in TMR ratio over a conventional CoFe/NiFe free layer is achieved while maintaining low Hc and RA<3 ohm-um2. In bilayer or trilayer embodiments, magnetostriction (λ) between −5×10−6 and 5×10−6 is achieved by combining CoB (−λ) and one or more layers having a positive λ.
US08472145B2

An arm coil assembly includes a drive arm having at least two grounding pins formed on a mounting region thereof and a voice coil fixed on the tailing end of the drive arm for controlling the drive arm. The grounding pins are provided for electrically connecting with a flexible printed cable assembly by extending through at least two mounting holes formed on the flexible printed cable assembly. Each grounding pin has a slot formed thereon to clamp the flexible printed cable assembly. The arm coil assembly of the present invention having grounding pins with slot structure to clamp the flexible printed cable assembly which is mounted on the drive arm to form an arm flexible cable assembly, thus, the flexible printed cable assembly can be pre-mounted onto the arm coil assembly without using any additional fixtures or tools, therefore simplifying the mounting process and reducing the manufacturing cost thereof. The invention also discloses an arm flexible cable assembly and a disk drive unit including the same.
US08472136B2

A magnetic writer comprises a write pole and a trailing shield. The write pole is proximate an air bearing surface. The trailing shield is separated from the write pole by a first write gap. The trailing shield is configured with a magnetic layer disposed between the first write gap and a second write gap.
US08472120B2

This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content, wherein the image source comprises a lighting system that directs light from a light source to a curved polarizing film that reflects a portion of the light to a reflective image display. The ratio of the height of the curved polarizing film to the width of the reflective image display is less than 1:1.
US08472119B1

An optical apparatus having a waveguide that includes a bend, a first segment and a second segment operatively coupled at the bend, the first and second segments each including a pair of reflective surfaces being substantially parallel and opposing each other. An in-coupling region receives light into the first segment of the waveguide, and an out-coupling region allows the light to exit the second segment of the waveguide. A light filtering region disposed near the bend between the first segment of the waveguide and the second segment of the waveguide will selectively filter light transmitted from the first segment of the waveguide to the second segment of the waveguide.
US08472117B2

A lens array according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first upper lattice plate including a plurality of first upper lattices; a first lower lattice plate including a plurality of first lower lattices; a first membrane disposed between the first upper lattice plate and the first lower lattice plate; a transparent liquid filled in the first lower lattice plate; and a hydraulic pressure controller positioned in the first lower lattice plate, wherein the first upper lattice and the first lower lattice are engaged with each other, thereby forming a plurality of first regions.
US08472115B2

An anisotropic dye layer containing a coordination polymer is disclosed. The a polarization control film containing an oriented dichroic dye in which light absorption spectrum of a molecule is reversibly changed by charge passing are disclosed.
US08472109B2

A semiconductor optical amplifier includes a semiconductor substrate; an optical waveguide that includes an active layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; and a wavelength selective reflection film that is formed on an end face where signal light is incident on the optical waveguide the wavelength selective reflection film allows transmission of the signal light, and reflects light of any wavelength other than the signal light.
US08472108B2

A light-based medical scope system includes a semiconductor diode pump source, a multiplexer that combines diode outputs to generate an optical signal. First and second waveguide structures guide the optical signal with a coupling loss of about 5dB or less through a scope adapted for insertion into a patient's body. A focusing element coupled to a distal end of the second waveguide structure is adapted to focus the optical signal onto the patient's body. A housing includes a base portion, a flexible portion, and a head unit mounted onto the flexible portion. The focusing element is located within or passes through the head unit, and the base portion includes a mechanical control for manipulating the flexible portion. In one embodiment, a waveguide structure directs an output beam of 1.7 microns or more to perform a differential measurement on patient blood with the result displayed on an associated monitor.
US08472102B2

An illumination source and a method therefor. A light source includes a light circuit configured to process light and direct light, and a lighting element optically coupled to the light circuit to provide multiple colors of light. The light circuit propagates light using light guides. The use of light guides eliminates the use of free space optical elements, enabling the creation of more compact light sources. Furthermore, the use of light guides may enable the creation of light sources with fewer mechanical restrictions, thereby making the light sources potentially more reliable and less expensive.
US08472100B2

A deformable element for use in microelectromechanical systems comprises a core layer and a protective layer. The protective layer is capable of deterring combinations of undesired chemical components in operational environments with the core layer of the deformable element.
US08472096B2

A method of manufacturing an oscillator device having first and second oscillators being driven at first and second driving resonance frequencies gf1 and gf2, the method including a first step for processing the two oscillators, wherein, when the two oscillators are going to be processed as oscillators having first and second resonance frequencies different from the two driving resonance frequencies with a certain dispersion range, the two oscillators are so processed that the first and second resonance frequencies different from the two driving resonance frequencies become equal to first and second resonance frequencies f1 and f2, respectively, which are included in adjustable resonance frequency ranges, respectively, and a second step for adjusting the first and second resonance frequencies f1 and f2 so that they become equal to the first and second driving resonance frequencies gf1 and gf2, respectively.
US08472090B2

The image display system includes an image reading apparatus having an image reading portion for reading a document to output as first image data, and a data output portion for outputting the first image data accompanied with a plurality of specific image data or locations of the plurality of specific image data and display information data including a display time and display order of each specific image data, and a display apparatus having an image display portion for displaying the specific image data based on display information data of the specific image data in displaying the first image data.
US08472084B2

An image processing apparatus and a control method thereof. Information of image processing parameters, such as halftoning, edge emphasis, color correction, and gamma correction, is inserted into the document to be printed in the form of the watermark during the printing work. Thus, when the user wants to copy the printed document, the information of the image processing parameters used for printing the document is optimized suitable for the copy by detecting the watermark inserted into the printed document, thereby improving the quality of the copy. The method includes inserting first information of image processing parameters, which are used to print the document, into the document when printing the document, and optimizing second information of image processing parameters to be used for copying the document using the first information of image processing parameters inserted into the document when copying the document.
US08472082B2

An image processing device includes a storing unit for storing a dither matrix. The dither matrix has a plurality of dot regions divided into a plurality of sub-matrices. A creating unit is configured to create binary image data by comparing an input value to threshold values of each sub-matrix. The plurality of sub-matrices includes a first sub-matrix having a first threshold value smallest among threshold values in the first sub-matrix; a second sub-matrix having a plurality of threshold values that are smaller than the first threshold value and are arranged adjacent to each other; a third sub-matrix; having a second threshold value largest among threshold values in the third sub-matrix; and a fourth sub-matrix having a plurality of threshold values that are larger than the second threshold value and are arranged adjacent to each other.
US08472071B2

An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires encoded information at a position specified on a medium, the medium having the encoded information and an image printed thereon, the encoded information including identification information of the medium, first coordinate information identifying in a first coordinate system a position where the encoded information is printed, and alignment determination information determining an alignment of the encoded information, and the image, printed on the medium, at a position predetermined by second coordinate information in a second coordinate system, an identifying unit that identifies the image corresponding to the encoded information by checking the first coordinate information included in the encoded information acquired by the acquisition unit against the second coordinate information of the images printed on the medium, and a determining unit that determines whether the first coordinate system matches the second coordinate system in alignment.
US08472070B2

An image forming apparatus includes a first determination section which determines at least one of a position and a density of a mark; a correction section which corrects at least one of an image forming position and an image formation density of a formation section; a second determination section which determines whether a related element which affects the determination result by the first determination section satisfies a set condition; and a control section which controls the formation section to form a mark based on a mark element including at least one of: a width in the moving direction of the object; a width in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction; a density; a distance with an adjacent mark in a pattern; and a number of marks in the pattern, which is increased when the second determination section determine that the related element satisfies the set condition.
US08472069B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, the function expressing the relationship between the temporary recording element number and the line positions for each line block is obtained, and adequacy of the temporary recording element number is determined based on consistency between the line blocks having the characteristics expressed by the functions. For the line blocks that have different characteristics from the rest of the line blocks, it is determined that the temporary recording element numbers of such line blocks have errors, and these temporary recording element numbers are corrected. Thus, the correspondence relation between each recording element number and each line position can be defined so that the characteristics of the line blocks become consistent with one another.
US08472051B2

An image forming apparatus is provided with a display control portion for displaying a preview image of image data to be printed, and an original bundle-based processing mode is selectable by an operation portion. The display control portion, in the case of displaying a preview image in the original bundle-based processing mode, generates a thumbnail image, from image data read at each subjob, by reducing image data of a top page, and displays a thumbnail image corresponding to each generated subjob arranged as a preview image on a display portion. In addition, for changing a setting, the display control portion, in the case of displaying a preview image in the original bundle-based processing mode, displays a change key for changing only print conditions of a bundle of originals being displayed as a preview image to be selectable on the display portion by the operation portion.
US08472045B2

An object-data item optimized for print settings is acquired from an image-processing apparatus and/or another image-processing apparatus, and intermediate data including a combination of plural object-data items including the acquired optimized object-data item is generated. The generated intermediate data is converted into bitmap data generated in pages so that intermediate data optimized for the print settings can be used in arbitrary objects. Therefore, printing and outputting can be performed by using the intermediate data with increased speed.
US08472040B2

A host apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a diagnosis method for the image forming apparatus, the diagnosis method including: storing a printing image generated from print data according to a printing command; and generating a diagnosis image for the printing image based on the stored printing image and a defect image corresponding to a predetermined defect of the image forming apparatus.
US08472029B2

A method of steering a laser beam from an instrument toward a point on a retroreflector, including: intercepting with the retroreflector a cone of light from the instrument; obtaining a first image of retroreflected light on a photosensitive array and transmitting an electrical data signal in response; determining a position on the photosensitive array of the first image; calculating first and second angular increments to steer the laser beam to the point; rotating the first and second motors to intercept with the position detector the retroreflected laser beam and to place the laser beam at a preferred location on the position detector; measuring fifth and sixth angles with first and second angle transducers; measuring a distance with a distance meter; and determining three-dimensional coordinates of the point based at least in part on the fifth angle, the sixth angle, and the distance.
US08472020B2

A method for enhancing recording yields by monitoring dye polymer formation on a glass substrate is provided. After the glass substrate is coated with a dye polymer layer and before pits are formed on the dye-polymer coated glass, the dye polymer coated glass substrate is scanned to detect defects. The dye-polymer coated glass is discarded on the one hand if the defects detected through the scanning are at or above an unacceptable threshold level, and on the other hand data is written on the dye-polymer coated glass if the defects detected through the scanning are below the unacceptable threshold level.
US08472014B2

A method includes measuring a transmitted wavefront of a test object by introducing reference light into the test object arranged in a medium having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the test object, and calculating a refractive index distribution of the test object by using a measurement result of the transmitted wavefront. The measuring step measures a first transmitted wavefront for a first wavelength and a second transmitted wavefront for a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The calculating step calculates the refractive index distribution of the test object by removing a shape component of the test object utilizing measurement results of the first and the second transmitted wavefront, and a transmitted wavefront of a reference object arranged in the medium for each of the first and second wavelengths. The reference object has the same shape as the test object and a specific refractive index distribution.
US08472010B2

Actuator for exerting a force and a torque on an object, wherein the actuator includes a first part that is movable with respect to a second part of the actuator in at least a first degree of freedom, wherein the object is mounted to the first part, wherein one of the parts is provided with a first electrical coil that is arranged to cooperate with a magnetizable portion of the other part and wherein a controller of the actuator is arranged to generate a first electrical current through the first electrical coil for generating a force between the parts, wherein the one of the parts is provided with a second electrical coil which is arranged to cooperated with a magnetizable portion of the other part, wherein the controller is further arranged to generate a second current through the second coil and the first current through the first electrical coil for exerting the force and torque between the parts so that the actuator is arranged to exert the force and the torque on the object with respect to the second part.
US08472009B2

An exposure apparatus which projects a pattern of an original onto a substrate by a projection optical system, comprises a measurement device configured to measure a relative position between an original stage and a substrate stage via the projection optical system using an original-side fiducial plate and a substrate-side fiducial plate, and a controller, the original-side fiducial plate including first and second original-side marks, and the substrate-side fiducial plate including first and second substrate-side marks, wherein the controller is configured to control imaging characteristics of the projection optical system so that measurement of the relative position between the original stage and the substrate stage using the first original-side mark and the first substrate-side mark and measurement of the relative position between the original stage and the substrate stage using the second original-side mark and the second substrate-side mark can be performed simultaneously.
US08472006B2

The joint between the projection system element and its support comprises an inorganic layer or a direct bond and is thus liquid tight, which can prevent deformation by an immersion liquid. The joint can be made either warm or cold. Solders, glue, and glue protection can all be used in the formation of this joint. In an embodiment, the elements and its support are made of quartz.
US08472001B2

A liquid immersion exposure apparatus in which a substrate is exposed with an exposure beam, includes a projection optical system by which the substrate is exposed to the exposure beam, a first inlet disposed at a first position, which is capable of supplying a first liquid to a space adjacent to a bottom surface of the projection optical system, and a second inlet disposed at a second position which is different from the first position, the second inlet being capable of supplying a second liquid that is different from the first liquid to the space.
US08471992B2

In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix of rows and columns on a first substrate. A plurality of counter electrodes extend along the pixel electrodes in the row direction. Each of the counter electrodes includes a first counter electrode opposing to the plurality of pixel electrodes through a first insulating layer and a second counter electrode opposing to the first counter electrode through a second insulating layer. The first counter electrode is electrically connected with the second counter electrode through a contact hole formed in the second insulating layer. The wiring resistance of the second counter electrode is smaller than that of the first counter electrode.
US08471991B2

An array substrate includes first and second pixel electrodes. The first pixel electrode includes a plurality of first slit electrode portions and a first supporting electrode portion connected with the first slit electrode portions. The first slit electrode portions extend in a zigzag fashion along the shape of a unit pixel area and a first direction. The second pixel electrode includes a plurality of second slit electrode portions and a second supporting electrode portion connected with the second slit electrode portion. The second slit electrode portions extend in the zigzag fashion along the shape of the unit pixel area and the first direction. Side visibility and a response time may be improved, so that display quality may be improved.
US08471989B2

A pixel unit of an FFS type TFT-LCD array substrate comprises a slit electrode. The slit electrode comprises at least one slit unit, a direction from one side of the slit unit to the opposite side of the slit unit is defined as a first direction, the slit unit comprises a plurality of slits, extending in a same direction and arranged along the first direction, and electrode parts between two adjacent slits. The sum of the width of each electrode part and the width of a slit adjacent to the electrode part at a side in the first direction increases gradually along the first direction.
US08471983B2

A polarizing element is provided that can serve as a reflective polarizing element, can be produced with relative ease, and is not problematic in terms of strength. Further, the polarizing element can maintain the intensity and the propagation direction of the light that has passed through the polarizing element. Further, a liquid crystal display device is provided that can use light with improved efficiency with the use of the polarizing element. Specifically, the polarizing element includes a plurality of specifically angled, polygonal prisms on a surface of a substantially uniaxial sheet having an in-plane optical axis, and an optically transparent resin layer having a refractive index substantially the same as the fast-axis refractive index of the sheet, and that coats the prisms.
US08471978B2

A driving device including a board on which a timing controller for signal processing and a memory are mounted, the board having a conductive field, in which the conductive field has a non-contact region which is coated with an insulating material, and an exposed contact region which is not covered with the insulating material, the exposed contact region formed adjacent to the timing controller or the memory, a conductive member disposed in the exposed contact region, and a shield covering the board and electrically connected to the conductive field via the conductive member.
US08471976B2

A liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly includes a liquid crystal display device for displaying images, a first frame receiving the LCD device, a second frame receiving the first frame, at least a clamping component, and at least an ejecting component. The at least a clamping component is mounted between the first frame and the second frame and configured for clamping the first frame in the second frame. The at least an ejecting component is mounted between the first frame and the second frame and configured for providing a driving force for ejecting the first frame out of the second frame.
US08471971B2

A multi-domain liquid crystal display is disclosed. The display includes embedded polarity regions within the color dots of the display. Specifically, the embedded polarity regions have a polarity that is different from the polarity of the color dot containing the embedded polarity region. This difference in polarity enhances the fringe fields of the color dot or in some situations may create additional fringe fields. The enhanced fringe fields or additional fringe fiends can more quickly restore liquid crystals to their proper position.
US08471956B2

A closure device for an image capture facility, such as a webcam or the like, integrated in a piece of equipment, includes at least one frame which is able to be fastened on the surface of the piece of equipment, and at least one closure, held so as to be adjustably movable on the frame via a mounting, which is able to be brought into a closed position covering the image capture facility or into an open position exposing the image capture facility.
US08471952B2

An image pickup apparatus includes: an imaging lens; an image pickup element including pixels of a first and second group, the pixels of the second group including pixels for phase difference detection, the image pickup element configured to be capable of independently reading out first and second image signals from the pixels of the first and second group, respectively; a defocus amount calculation device configured to calculate an amount of defocus of the imaging lens based on image signals read out from the pixels for phase difference detection; a focus control device configured to perform a focus adjustment to make the amount of defocus “0”; an image processing device configured to read out the first and second image signals after the focus adjustment and generate an image for recording based on the first and second image signals; and a recording device configured to record the generated image.
US08471947B2

The image pickup apparatus includes an image taking optical system, an optical filter into which the light from the image taking optical system enters, an image pickup element electrically converting the optical image formed by the light that has passed through the optical filter, an image pickup element holding member holding the image pickup element together with the optical filter, and a lens holding member holding an image surface side lens unit disposed closest to the optical filter. The lens and image pickup element holding members are moved relatively to each other in an optical axis direction, and include dust-proof walls that surround a space between the image surface side lens unit and the optical filter and mutually overlap in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction in an entire range where the lens and image pickup element holding members are relatively moved.
US08471944B2

A camera according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section converting an object image into image data; a storage section storing still image data of a still image obtained by the imaging section, thumbnail image data of the still image, and moving image data of a moving image which has been photographed at timing at least either before or after photographing of the still image; a display section performing display of one or more thumbnail views according to the thumbnail image data; and a display control section, when one of the thumbnail views is designated in the thumbnail view display, performing display of the still image on the display section according to the still image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail view after having performed display of the moving image according to the moving image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail view stored in the storage section.
US08471941B2

An active pixel sensor (APS) comprises a regular repeating pattern of geometrically similar pixel regions, active pixels of which have photodiodes formed therein. A remainder of the geometrically similar regions has electrical components shared amongst neighboring photodiodes, such as for collecting and amplifying signals from the photodiodes. A 4-way sharing arrangement is shown, with four active pixel regions aligned in a column and the shared electrical components in a pixel region, the pixel region being shaped and sized similarly to the active pixel regions, in an adjacent column.
US08471940B2

Disclosed are a pixel, a pixel array, an image sensor and a method for operating the image sensor. The pixel includes a photo-electro conversion unit; a first charge storage unit for storing charges converted by the photo-electro conversion unit; a first switching unit for transferring the charges from the photo-electro conversion unit to the first charge storage unit; a second charge storage unit for storing the charges converted by the photo-electro conversion unit; a second switching unit for transferring the charges from the photo-electro conversion unit to the second charge storage unit; a third switching unit for connecting the second charge storage unit with the first charge storage unit; and an output unit for outputting information about quantity of the charges stored in the first and second charge storage units. The light having the high intensity of illumination or the low intensity of illumination is sensed in the wide range.
US08471927B2

An image generation device includes an image acquisition section for acquiring the first and second moving images having different resolutions and different frame rates or different exposure times; a light amount determination section for determining whether each pixel is saturated or blocked-up-shadowed; and an image processing section for generating, from the moving images, a new moving image having a frame rate which is equal to or higher than the frame rate of the moving images and having a resolution of each frame image which is equal to or higher than the resolution of the moving images. For a pixel not determined as being saturated or being blocked-up-shadowed, the image processing section generates a new moving image fulfilling a first condition; and for a pixel determined as being saturated or being blocked-up-shadowed, the image processing section generates a new moving image which does not fulfill the first condition.
US08471921B1

An imaging device and an image crosstalk analysis device are described that may be used to reduce optical crosstalk and radial fall-off in image data. The imaging device may include an image processing unit that applies corrections to the raw image data using newly developed correction algorithms and correction parameters that are generated for the imaging device by the image crosstalk analysis device based on an analysis of uncorrected image data generated by the imaging device. The correction parameters generated for a single imaging device may be loaded to imaging devices of the same make and model as part of the imaging device manufacturing process. Due to the flexible nature of the described processing techniques in which the control parameters are used, improved image quality may be achieved in every image generated by the respective manufactured cameras.
US08471919B2

A video camera includes an image sensor for picking up an image of a subject and outputting a still image or a moving image, an operation accepting portion for accepting an operation by the user, and an image pickup control portion for, in response to the operation accepting portion accepting an operation of giving an instruction to pick up a moving image, controlling the image sensor to pick up an image under a predetermined condition for still images and thereafter allowing the image sensor to pick up an image under a predetermined condition for moving images, and for, in response to the operation accepting portion accepting an operation of giving an instruction to pick up a still image, controlling the image sensor to pick up an image under a predetermined condition for still images.
US08471918B2

The generation of a false color at the periphery is prevented in an imaging device including a compound eye optical system in which parallax occurs for each color information. An imaging device that includes a plurality of lens portions, a plurality of imaging regions each including a light receiving surface that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of each of the lens portions, and outputting an imaging signal, and a parallax computing portion that uses any one of the plurality of imaging signal as a reference imaging signal (G0), and computes a parallax amount of other imaging signals relative to the reference imaging signal (G0), wherein a composite image is generated by correcting and combining the plurality of imaging signals based on an effective pixel signal obtained by deleting a pixel signal obtained from pixels of a region (d min x in the x direction, d min y in the y direction) that may contain image omission resulting from parallax in the imaging signal other than the reference imaging signal (G0), and on the parallax amount.
US08471917B2

The night vision camera system includes a light, a night vision camera, and a linkage. The night vision camera is attached to the light such that the light and camera maintain a fixed orientation with respect to each other. The light is attached to the linkage and is configured to manipulate the light and night vision camera concurrently. The linkage is attached to the vehicle and extends into the vehicle interior where a handle is provided allowing the user to aim the light and night vision camera from the interior of the vehicle.
US08471916B2

An image pickup apparatus includes a first detection unit for detecting a rotation shake, a first computation unit for processing a detection signal of the rotation shake into a rotation shake correction target value, a second detection unit for detecting a parallel shake in a plane surface perpendicular to an optical axis, a second computation unit for process a detection signal of the parallel shake into a parallel shake correction target value, a shake correction unit for correcting an image shake in the plane surface of the image pickup apparatus based on the rotation and parallel shake correction target values, an initialization unit for initializing the parallel shake correction target value, and a control unit for moving the shake correction unit based on an image pickup start instruction prior to an image pickup operation while initializing the parallel shake correction target value.
US08471912B2

There is provided an electronic device capable of connecting to an external device and outputting image data recorded in an internal or external recording medium though an internal or external sending unit to the external device. The electronic device includes an operation unit operable to receive an operation made by a user, and a controller operable to control sending the image data. The controller has a first communication mode which controls the sending unit so as to send image data selected by the operation unit, and a second communication mode which controls the sending unit so as to send image data requested from the external device, and the controller prohibits switching from the second communication mode to the first communication mode even when an operation to switch from the second communication mode to the first communication mode is performed on the operation unit in the second communication mode.
US08471910B2

A coordinated surveillance system uses a larger number of fixed low resolution detection smart camera devices and a smaller number of pan/tilt/zoom controllable high resolution tracking smart camera devices. The set of detection cameras provide overall continuous coverage of the surveillance region, while the tracking cameras provide localized high resolution on demand. Each monitor camera device performs initial detection and determines approximate GPS location of a moving target in its field of view. A control system coordinates detection and tracking camera operation. A selected tracking camera is controlled to focus in on, confirm detection, and track a target. Based on a verified detection, a guard station is alerted and compressed camera video is forwarded to the guard station from the camera(s). The guard station can direct a patrol guard to the target using GPS coordinates and a site map.
US08471907B2

The present invention provides a method of producing a remote imaging array. A first imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to a housing, having a curvilinear array axis, along the curvilinear array axis. A second imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to the housing along the curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and second imaging sensors intersect one another at an intersection area. A third imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to the housing along a curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, opposite the second imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and third imaging sensors intersect one another at the intersection area. The second and third imaging sensors' fields of view are aligned with target areas opposite their respective positions in the housing.
US08471903B2

In an embodiment, a third party video content database is coupled to an IPTV network. The IPTV network includes a plurality of set top boxes (STBs). The third party video content database is mapped to the IPTV network via an IP address of the third party content database, and it is associated with an assigned channel on the IPTV network. One or more STBs of the IPTV network have access to the assigned channel.
US08471900B1

A gooseneck hose device comprising a semi-flexible tube; a housing disposed on a first end of the tube, wherein a camera device is disposed in the housing which functions to allow a user to inspect a location, and a retractable claw is disposed in the housing which functions to grab an item in the location; a wire disposed in an inner cavity of the tube, a first end of the wire is attached to the retractable claw and a second end of the wire extends past a second end of the tube; and a gripping means disposed on the second end of the wire for allowing a user to grip and push or pull the wire inside the tube; wherein the camera device is operatively connected to an electrical viewing device via a cord (or Bluetooth®) comprising an adaptor component, the cord being wrapped in a retractable wheel.
US08471899B2

The local surveillance sub-system recognizes that a patient medical procedure has or will soon commence by sensing the presence of a healthcare professional in or near the surveillance area, and in response, creates a separate patient medical procedure A/V file for the surveillance data that will be captured. A dedicated procedure remote may be provided for receiving manual interactions from HC professionals present for a procedure or, alternatively, the local surveillance sub-system may autonomously interact with a personal security token device possessed by the HC professional. A procedure data file is also created that holds all of the pertinent information concerning the procedure that is known by the local surveillance sub-system. The patient procedure surveillance A/V file is given a higher priority than ordinary surveillance data captured by the local surveillance sub-system and is then copied to a nonvolatile memory that is separate from the primary memory of the surveillance sub-system. The local surveillance sub-system captures surveillance A/V data that is copied to the nonvolatile memory until the system senses that the procedure has ended, when an end-of-procedure message is transmitted across the HCF distribution network. The corresponding patient medical procedure surveillance A/V file resides in a local nonvolatile memory until it can be downloaded to a central storage at the healthcare facility.
US08471897B2

The invention relates to a method for calculating the focal stack associated with an object space from the plenoptic function thereof, using a sum transform along the length of constrained planes in discrete hypercubes, which allows the computing time to be considerably reduced. The invention also relates to a method for increasing the resolution of the focal stack obtained. In addition, the invention relates to two methods for the real-time recovery of the depths and moduli and phases of the complex amplitude of the wavefront respectively in each position of the surfaces of a three-dimensional scene and to a system adapted for carrying out the aforementioned methods.
US08471896B2

A signal processing apparatus includes: a phase matching unit which matches phases of a left image signal and a right image signal input from two cameras which are disposed so as to be matched with an interval between both eyes of a human to image the same object; and a phase adjusting unit which moves in a horizontal direction by a predetermined distance both or any one of a left image and a right image displayed on a display unit by the left image signal and the right image signal by changing the phases of the left image signal and/or the right image signal in the horizontal direction based on displacement amounts of phases designated by an operating unit, and outputs the left image signal and the right image signal obtained by changing disparity between the left image and the right image.
US08471877B2

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus capable of, and a method of, correcting a color registration error. The image forming apparatus corrects a color registration error by adjusting a scan start time of, and/or the distance in a sub-scanning direction between, multiple light beams that are scanned by a light scanning unit onto several photosensitive media.
US08471876B2

An organic electroluminescent display device includes a display panel that includes sub-pixels which include organic light emitting diodes, respectively, to display a frame image made by image data by every frame; a data drive IC that outputs data voltages to the sub-pixels, respectively, by every frame, wherein the data voltages correspond to the image data, respectively; a current detecting portion that detects a first panel current, and generates a first comparison value corresponding to the first panel current; a current estimating portion that estimates a second panel current from the image data of the frame and generates a second comparison value corresponding to the second panel current; and a brightness control portion that compares the first and second comparison values and adjusts a brightness of a frame image after the frame according to the comparison result.
US08471874B2

An electro-optical device includes a display unit that has a plurality of pixel portions constituting a display area on a substrate and an image signal processing. The image signal processing circuit generates an image signal that sets a first subframe frame luminance of the pixel portion in a first subframe and sets a second subframe luminance of the pixel portion in a second subframe. The first subframe and the second subframe are obtained by partitioning a first frame of a first frame image signal. The first frame has a frame luminance. The first subframe luminance is higher than the frame luminance and the second subframe luminance is lower than the frame luminance.
US08471873B2

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates manipulation of three-dimensional (3D) objects displayed in a two-dimensional (2D) display. During operation, the system displays perspectively a 3D object in a 2D display based on a coordinate system with an X-axis along a horizontal direction on the 2D display, a Y-axis along a vertical direction on the 2D display, and a Z-axis along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the 2D display. The system further derives a 2D image from the 3D object and displays the derived image within a virtual 2D plane substantially parallel to the Z-axis, thereby allowing movement of the derived image within the virtual plane to reflect movement of the 3D object. The system also allows a user to manipulate the 3D object by manipulating the derived image within the virtual plane.
US08471872B2

The present invention detects a position of an object in space, and stores therein the detected position by associating with image data. When displaying an image, the present invention sets as a coordinate of a vertical axis of the display device an object position in a depth direction perpendicular to an imaging plane, and sets as a coordinate of a horizontal axis of the display device an object position in a horizontal direction parallel to the imaging plane, thereby displaying the image. According to this, not only a movement of the image, which is parallel to the imaging plane of the camera which captures the object, but also a movement in the depth direction, which is perpendicular to the imaging plane, is dynamically reproduced on a display device having a displayable region larger than the image size of a displayed video.
US08471859B2

A device and method for controlling frame input and output are applied to the reception of image data from a source device and output of the image data to a destination device, the device includes a buffer, a buffer control circuit, and a frame write controller. The input pixel clock is not equal to the output pixel clock. The frame write controller generates a write permission signal according to the Input DE and the Output DE. The buffer control circuit generates a write control signal according to the Input DE and the write permission signal, and generates a read control signal according to the Output DE. The buffer receives the image data from the source device according to the write control signal and the input pixel clock, and outputs the image data to the destination device according to the read control signal and the output pixel clock.
US08471853B2

A reconstructable geometry mapping method is provided. The reconstructable geometry mapping method includes: extracting geometry information of a plurality of occluding geometry shapes of an object's front-face with respect to a light source's point of view; performing a consistency test on a testing pixel so as to determine an occluding geometry shape corresponding to the testing pixel from the object's front-face among the plurality of occluding geometry shapes, in which the occluding geometry shape includes an occluding point, and the testing pixel overlaps with the occluding point when viewing from the light's point of view; reconstructing a depth value of an occluding point corresponding to the testing pixel; and performing a shadow determination of the testing pixel.
US08471851B2

A method for updating values of a depth buffer comprising values for display blocks of a display, and a device for implementing the method. The display is partitioned into a plurality of display regions, including a plurality of display blocks and having a minimum region depth value and a maximum region depth value. Each display region includes a plurality of display subregions. A minimum subregion depth value and a maximum subregion depth value are determined relative to at least one of the minimum region depth value and the maximum region depth value.
US08471850B2

The present application generates an image in which a contour line is drawn about a tuned object A in a virtual three-dimensional space when a part of the tuned object A is overlapped by another tuned object B that is located at a position closer to a virtual screen. When a line width of the tuned object A is greater than a line width of the tuned object B, the line width of a part of the tuned object A that is overlapped with the tuned object B is set as the line width of the tuned object B. On the other hand, when the line width of the tuned object A is less than the line width of the tuned object B, the line width of the part of the tuned object A that is overlapped is set as the original line width of the tuned object A.
US08471849B1

Methods and systems for prioritization of display of portions of three-dimensional (3D) object data models are described. An example method may include receiving information associated with a plurality of renderings of a 3D model. The received information may identify portions of interest of the 3D model which are inspected while the 3D model is rendered on a display. The method may also include determining frequencies with which the portions of interest are inspected based on the received information, and determining priority values for the portions of interest based on the frequencies with which the portions of interest are inspected. According to the method, a statistical model for the 3D model may be determined via a processor based on the priority values for the portions of interest.
US08471839B2

A signal control circuit and a method thereof, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a timing controller thereof are provided. The signal control circuit of the present invention maintains a voltage level of a driving signal output from the timing controller for driving data drivers to the supply voltage, such that the data drivers may cease outputting display data to the liquid crystal display panel when the LCD is turned off. Therefore, the image sticking, ghost image and fan-out phenomenon occurred when the LCD is turned off may be avoided.
US08471836B2

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a first substrate; an OLED disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate with the OLED interposed therebetween; and a sealant disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to adhere and seal the first substrate and to form a predetermined gap to enclose the OLED, wherein a contact force between the sealant and the first substrate is 0.6 to 0.75 N/mm.
US08471834B2

A display device includes: a pixel array section having pixels arranged in a form of a matrix on a display panel; a first terminal group disposed on the display panel so as to correspond to each control line of a first control line group arranged in each pixel row of the pixel array section; a first wiring group for electrically connecting each terminal of the first terminal group to each control line of the first control line group; a second terminal group disposed on the display panel for a second control line group arranged in each pixel row of the pixel array section with a plurality of control lines as a unit; and a second wiring group for electrically connecting each terminal of the second terminal group to each control line of the second control line group through parts between the terminals of the first terminal group.
US08471827B2

In a touch sensible display device, a first sensing unit is connected to a row sensor data line and outputs a first sensing signal according to a touch, and a second sensing unit is connected to a column sensor data line and outputs a second sensing signal according to the touch. A sensing signal processor alternately applies a reset voltage to the row sensor data line and the column sensor data line and generates a sensing data signal according to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and a touch determiner processes a sensing data signal to generate touch information.
US08471822B2

A system including a capacitive array element capable of sensing touch from either side is described. A connected processor unit, either in the device or the host system, may be adapted to interpret signals from the capacitive array element as a cursor or view movement with six degrees of freedom. The track pad device may include a display element and the capacitive array element may be translucent. The display element and the array element may be configured with respect to each other, where different configurations can be associated with different operating modes. For example, when the array element lies over the display screen so that the display screen is viewable through the array element, the array element can function as a touch screen. In another configuration, the array element may generate signals indicating a user's touch from one or the other or both sides of the array element.
US08471821B2

The disclosure relates to a system and method for analyzing movements of a handheld electronic device. The method comprises: calculating a matching score for a rotational string representation of rotational movement data for the device to a gesture string representing a gesture related to a command for the device by recursively traversing a matrix containing the rotational string representation, the gesture string representation and earlier movement data of the device using a distance edit algorithm to generate matching scores for values of the rotational string representation against the gesture string; and if a threshold for the matching score is met, executing a command associated with the gesture on the device.
US08471817B2

The invention is a transparent keyboard with translucent markings to show the functions of each key. It can rest over the screen of a computer, hand held device, smart phone or the like, without obstructing the screen or using it for marking the keys or reducing the size of the screen area that is used as a screen or monitor as against a keyboard. It can be made by translucent markings on existing touchscreen keyboards or a transparent layer over the touchscreen with translucent markings. It can be a transparent screen with programmable markings. It can be touch sensitive, yet use key layouts and sizes to prevent unintended key activation and ease multi finger typing.
US08471811B2

A pointing device having a puck that is confined to move in a field of motion on a surface and that provides pointing and clicking functions analogous to those of a conventional mouse is disclosed. The puck has first and second members that are spaced apart from one another by a resilient spacer when no force is applied between the members. The puck includes a tilt mechanism for allowing the first and second members to assume a tilted configuration with respect to one another in response to a force being applied between the first and second members. A position detector determines the position of the puck in the puck field of motion and a tilt position of the first member with respect to the second member. The determined tilt position is used to emulate two or more switches that are actuated by varying the tilt position.
US08471806B2

In one embodiment of the present invention, a display panel drive circuit includes a plurality of circuit blocks each of which includes former circuits and latter circuits. In each of the circuit blocks in the display panel drive circuit, a signal is transmitted from the former circuits to the latter circuits. Further, the display panel drive circuit includes an inter-block shared wire which allows respective two of the circuit blocks adjacent to each other to be connected to each other. Furthermore, in the display panel drive circuit, the signal of the respective two of the circuit blocks adjacent to each other is transmitted in a time division manner, via the inter-block shared wire. This eliminates the need for an external memory or an arithmetic circuit, thereby making it possible to reduce the area of a circuit in a driver.
US08471802B2

A small or middle-sized liquid crystal display employing a black insertion driving method overcomes the after-image or blurring of a moving picture by shifting the level of a voltage applied to a storage capacitor line within a predetermined period corresponding to about 20% to about 80% that lasts after image signals are applied to pixels until the next image signals are applied to the pixels by using two types of voltages that shift pixel voltages into a black display potential.
US08471793B2

In a liquid crystal display device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the polarities of the source signal voltages do not change over a plurality of horizontal scanning periods, the image write pulse of the gate signal supplied to a gate bus line that corresponds to pixels along the jth row rises before the source signal voltages change to values that correspond to pixels along the jth row. Next, the image write pulse of the gate signal supplied to a gate bus line that corresponds to pixels along the jth row falls, and then the image write pulse of the gate signal supplied to a gate bus line that corresponds to pixels along the kth row (j≠k) rises. The polarities of the storage capacitor signal voltages applied to storage capacitor bus lines that correspond to sub-pixels of pixels along the jth row are inverted after the image write pulse of the gate signal supplied to a gate bus line that corresponds to pixels along the kth row rises.
US08471790B2

There is provided a display device including a display unit having pixels, each of which includes a luminescence element that individually becomes luminous depending on a current amount and a pixel circuit for controlling a current applied to the luminescence element according to a voltage signal, where the pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern. The display device includes an average luminance calculator (200) for calculating average luminance for a predetermined period of the input picture signal, and also includes a luminous time setter (202) for setting an effective duty depending on the calculated average luminance by the average luminance calculator (200), the effective duty regulating for each one frame a luminous time for which the luminescence element is luminous. The luminous time setter (202) sets the effective duty such that a luminescence amount regulated by a preset reference duty and possible maximum luminance of a picture signal.
US08471761B1

This disclosure describes a radar system that in certain embodiments can, among other features, take into account the phase noise and/or drift of a transmit signal when generating a nulling signal. A receiver of the radar system can produce an IF signal by mixing a received signal with a local oscillator. The receiver can also mix the local oscillator with a transmit signal provided directly by the transmitter to the receiver to produce a control signal. Using the control signal to generate a nulling signal, the receiver can maintain or substantially maintain phase coherence between the nulling signal and the transmit signal. As a result, in certain embodiments, more precise nulling can occur, resulting in greater receiver sensitivity. Improved receiver sensitivity can provide a greater maximum detectable range and/or improved target detection.
US08471745B2

Digital to analog converter (DAC) with ternary or tri-state current source. A DAC including a number of ternary or tri-state devices operates based upon codewords provided thereto. Generally, each respective codeword bit directs operation of one of the respective ternary or tri-state devices within the DAC. Each ternary or tri-state device operates in at least three respective operational states (e.g., based upon the respective values of +1, −1, or 0 being provided thereto). In a current source implementation, each respective current source is implemented to deliver current, draw current, or neither delivered or draw current. In a voltage source implementation, each respective voltage source is implemented to provide a positive voltage, a negative voltage, or provide no voltage. A DAC coding table may be designed based upon characterization of codewords provided to one or more DACs (e.g., based upon a distribution, a probability density function (PDF), etc. of such codewords).
US08471742B2

A device for continuous time quantization of an input signal, in order to supply a continuous time output signal that is quantized as two bits, the device including: an electronic circuit, designed to supply a first bit of the output signal called the sign bit which at any time takes a first value when the input signal is positive and a second value when the input signal is negative, and an envelope analysis circuit designed to supply a second bit of the output signal called the envelope variation bit which at any time takes a first value, called high value, when an envelope signal of the input signal is increasing, and a second value, called low value, when the envelope signal is decreasing.
US08471737B2

DA conversion is performed while improving resolution and reducing the influence of errors. A predetermined weight is applied to an output of at least one of a plurality of DA converters to each of which calibration data is given; the resultant outputs are added by an adder. An output of the adder is converted to a digital value by an AD converter. If the predetermined weight has an error outside an allowable range on the basis of the obtained digital value, a calibrating process of obtaining a correction factor for correcting the digital signal to be converted so as to reduce influence of the error is controlled. When a digital signal is to be converted to an analog signal with high precision, the digital signal is corrected with the correction factor, the resultant value is supplied to the DA converters, and DA converted outputs are added by the adder.
US08471725B2

A system capable of ascertaining, determining, monitoring and controlling the biological state of and metagenomic state of microbial colonies as well as the physical state of waste liquids in grease interceptors, vaults and other waste collecting enclosures. The system consists of an array of cameras (14) a multi-phased sonar array (18), pH in (42)/pH out (24) and delta temperature arrays (36, 44), redundant liquid level sensors (10, 12), a nutrient measurement array (30, 32) and dissolved oxygen sensor (22). These sensors are mounted inside a grease interceptor (2) or waste collecting enclosure and enable accurate monitoring and control of all physical and biological processes to enable, optimize and control bioremediation processes. Continuous optimized control algorithms are either generated locally or updated remotely via internet or modem connection. All data is collected, logged in a Control/Telemetry Unit (20) and can be retrieved either locally or remotely via internet or modem connection.
US08471724B2

A first embodiment is an arrangement, such as a meter programming device, that includes a memory, a user interface, a communication interface, and a processing circuit. The user interface arrangement is configured to receive user input. The communication interface is configured to communicate with a corresponding communication interface on a utility meter. The processing circuit is configured by software stored in the memory to: receive a user input at the user interface identifying a disconnect threshold as a measure of current; generate a disconnect threshold value as a function of the user input and a service voltage; and provide the disconnect threshold value to the utility meter via the communication interface.
US08471722B2

A direction indicator system includes: an electromagnetic drive actuator that has a moving part that can slide back and forth, side to side, and diagonally; and a drive controlling unit that controls the sliding direction of the moving part, based on direction indicating information that is supplied from the outside.
US08471720B2

An apparatus for monitoring at least supply voltage in an IC includes a plurality of monitor circuits distributed throughout the integrated circuit. Each of the monitor circuits is operative to receive the supply voltage, or a signal representative thereof, and to generate an output signal indicative of a comparison between the supply voltage and a reference voltage. The apparatus further includes a control circuit coupled to the plurality of monitor circuits. The control circuit is operative to receive the respective output signals from the plurality of monitor circuits and to generate an output of the apparatus which is a function of information conveyed in the respective output signals from the plurality of monitor circuits.
US08471719B2

The present disclosure relates to a pressure control switch. The pressure control switch includes a bistable resistance element. The bistable resistance element includes an organic, soft, low-conductivity matrix, and a plurality of high conductivity particles dispersed in the matrix. The bistable resistance element switches from a low resistance state to a high resistance state by receiving a pressure change applied to the bistable resistance element. The present disclosure also relates to a method for using the pressure control switch and an alarm system.
US08471716B2

Signaling methods and apparatuses are described for preventing flood irrigation water from overflowing in a trench, field, or other area. Signaling devices may include indicators such as a reflector, a flag, a light, or a sound device provided on an end of an elongate member having its opposite end engaged with the ground. A stake is driven into the ground near the elongate member in the trench or other area where water will flow. A breakaway link such as a strip of paper is engaged to either the indicator or the elongate member and also to the stake, causing the elongate member to be bent downward, with the breakaway link located in the trench where water will flow. When exposed to the flow of water, the breakaway link weakens and eventually tears such that the elongate member springs upward carrying the indicator with it, signaling an operator that water has reached that location in the trench.
US08471714B2

Method and system for providing a fault tolerant data receiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processing units, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specific processing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlapping functions of the data monitoring and management system is provided.
US08471707B2

Generally, smart sensors, logic to process messages from smart sensors, and smart sensor systems are described herein. Embodiments may comprise logic such as hardware and/or code to communicate events as messages via a messaging system to post the messages to a messaging account. The messaging system may be a texting service like Twitter™ that captures the messages and then re-broadcasts the messages, e.g., immediately as a tweet or a cellular text message. In some embodiments, the smart sensor comprises a communications module with a Twitter™ application program interface (API) on a communications platform with a software/hardware framework to interconnect with one or more pluggable monitors with sensors. In other embodiments, the communications module may be integrated with one or more monitors. Further embodiments comprise a smart-device, which can provide status updates and event notifications to a user.
US08471705B2

A multifunction detector for detecting energy reflected from the surface, the detector comprising: a focal plane array in communication with the optical receiving path; and an optical receiving path; a read-only integrated circuit in communication with the optical receiving path, integrated with a focal plane array; and a processor programmed to operate the focal plane array and read-out integrated circuit in a first mode to process signals in a first frequency band, and in a second mode to process signals in a second, wider frequency band.
US08471701B2

Architecture that enables location based notifications (e.g., geo-fences) using standard polygons the capture of complex regions. As applied to geo-fencing, it extends geo-fencing beyond the mere representation of the virtual perimeter (fenced) area. More specifically, the architecture takes into consideration geographical and demographical features, such as the layout of the roads and streets, the types of available of transportation (e.g., car, bus, walk, biking, etc.), the traffic conditions, and the dynamic properties of a point of interest (POI) such as opening hours, total wait time, etc. More specifically, the architecture enables the dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on POI properties, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on road/street layout, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on means of transportation, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on traffic conditions, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on user's state, and dynamic recalculation of regions and directions tailored to user interests.
US08471700B1

Security systems may include sensing, networked communications, stealth, alarms, and countermeasures, any or all of which may adapt to threats. These systems may also include armor and barriers of concrete and/or steel. They can adapt to severity of threats, weather, and/or other situational aspects. They can anticipate at least some threats in order to obtain early warning and react more quickly to those threats. They can adapt by altering their configurations, including alterations in communication networking structures and methods, and changes in data-storage and processing duties at processing nodes. Defensive and/or offensive countermeasures can be employed to deter, confuse, trap, and/or disable terrorists. The systems are capable of self-maintenance, self-healing, and self-restoration as threats subside. The systems can include subsystems capable of autonomous operation. At least some of the systems and/or their subsystems are capable of allocating power among subsystems, and of regulating bandwidth utilizations.
US08471699B2

A method is provided for monitoring the present location of a traveler at time t1, predicting a location at which the traveler is expected to arrive by time t2, and verifying the safety of the traveler. The safety verification is conducted if the traveler has not reached the expected location at time t2, if signal from the traveler is lost or if a message from the traveler is not received within a predetermined time period. In some embodiments of the present invention, verifying the safety of the traveler involves contacting the traveler at one or more telecommunications devices which the traveler is known to carry, contacting another person that is known to be accompanying the traveler, and if all else fails—alerting the local emergency response team.
US08471698B2

An RNSS based street light controller pluggable into a standard electrical interface of a street light for drawing power and controlling a lamp of the street light eliminates the need for photosensors, wiring terminals and related components and yields a street light controller with modest installation and configuration requirements and robust performance and failure recovery characteristics. In some embodiments, the RNSS based street light controller comprises an RNSS receiver, a first electrical interface and a lamp controller, wherein the first electrical interface is adapted to couple with a second electrical interface of a street light and the lamp controller is adapted to regulate a supply of power to a lamp of the street light via the first electrical interface based at least in part on information received by the RNSS receiver.
US08471690B2

The invention relates to a device for the production of a haptic feedback from keyless input units such as touchscreens or keypads in mobile IT devices such as mobile telephones, PDAs, music or multimedia players, cameras, navigation devices, etc. The market demands a device which can produce a haptic signal for a touchscreen such that the display is movable as a whole essentially perpendicular to the housing surface at least in one direction. In order to resolve this object the invention provides for a device for the production of a haptic feedback from a keyless input unit, whereby the device has an elastic, essentially plate-shaped substrate, which at least comprises a first support location for fixing the substrate on a structure of the input device and at least a second support location for fixing the substrate on the input unit, and is formed to support the input unit movably with respect to the structure of the input device, whereby a piezoelectric element between the first and second support locations of the substrate is arranged in such a manner that with an electrical drive to the piezoelectric element one of the support locations is moved transverse to the plane of the plate-shaped substrate.
US08471684B2

A method and system for tracking an item associated with a read/writable tag programmed with a current identifier. The system comprises a plurality of tag readers and a control entity configured to send to at least one of the tag readers a next identifier associated with the tag. Upon receipt of the next identifier, the at least one of the tag readers is configured to reprogram the tag with the next identifier when a presence of the tag is detected. The control entity may be further configured to identify each of the at least one of the tag readers as being a tag reader that the item has a potential to encounter.
US08471683B2

A vehicle tracking system and method of tracking vehicles in multiple traffic lanes is disclosed. One system includes an RFID reader including a plurality of antenna ports. The system also includes a first antenna connected to a first antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports, the first antenna oriented toward a first lane of traffic. The system further includes a second antenna connected to the first antenna port and oriented toward a second lane of traffic. The system also includes a third antenna connected to a second antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports, the third antenna oriented toward the first lane of traffic. In some cases, the RFID reader is configured to detect the existence of a vehicle in a lane based on detection of an RFID device associated with the vehicle at two or more of the plurality of antenna ports.
US08471677B2

A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.
US08471671B2

Overcurrent protection fuses with end cap assemblies amenable to automated manufacturing techniques and providing arc burn through resistance when the fusible element opens therein. The end cap assemblies may include washers having arc resistant compositions and may include single or double end cap constructions. Fuse rejection features may be formed in one of the end caps and may create an empty space in the end cap when assembled to a fuse body.
US08471665B2

A magnetic element including: a first magnetic core including a coil which is wound by a predetermined number of turns; a second magnetic core which includes the coil in the inside thereof and which is combined along the outer circumference of the first magnetic core; and a metal terminal which connects the coil and a mounting substrate, wherein the metal terminal includes a fixing portion for fixing the second magnetic core in a state of combining the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core.
US08471660B2

A superconducting magnetizer assembly includes a coil pack including an inner coil configured to generate a first magnetic field in response to an electric current supplied to the inner coil, an outer coil being disposed about the inner coil and configured to generate a second magnetic field in response to an electric current supplied to the outer coil, a non-conductive end spacer disposed between an end winding of the inner coil and an end winding of the outer coil, and a container to house the inner and outer coils; and a yoke disposed proximate the coil pack being configured to constrain the first and second magnetic fields to reduce the strength of the first field at the end winding of the inner coil, wherein the yoke comprises an annular ring configured to at least partially envelop the coil pack.
US08471657B1

An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a trip latch, and an arc chamber operatively associated with the separable contacts. The arc chamber includes a plurality of arc plates and a barrier disposed between the arc plates and the trip latch. The barrier has an opening therein. A trip member is disposed in or about the opening of the barrier of the arc chamber. During interruption of current flowing through the separable contacts, pressure arising from an arc in the arc chamber pushes the trip member away from the barrier of the arc chamber to engage the trip latch and cause the trip mechanism to trip open the separable contacts.
US08471653B2

To enhance a heat dissipation property and achieve stabilization of a resonance characteristic in an elastic wave resonator including an IDT electrode weighted so as to have a plurality of apodization local maximum value portions, the elastic wave resonator includes an IDT electrode located on a piezoelectric substrate, the IDT electrode is apodization-weighted so that a plurality of local maximum values occur in apodization in an elastic wave propagation direction, heat dissipation electrodes are provided in at least one apodization local minimum value portion occurring in the elastic wave propagation direction in the IDT electrode, and when it is assumed that direction dimension widths of the heat dissipation electrodes in the elastic wave propagation direction are A and the dimension of about ½ of a wave length of a propagating elastic wave is B, B
US08471647B2

In cases where a power divider is constructed by using a multilayer substrate, a power divider is obtained which is smaller in size and has a good reflection property. The power divider according to the present invention is provided with a multilayer dielectric substrate (1), strip conductor patterns (2a through 2c) formed on one surface of the multilayer dielectric substrate (1), and a ground conductor pattern (3) formed on the other surface of the multilayer dielectric substrate (1), wherein a transmission line is composed of the dielectric substrate (1), the strip conductor patterns (2a through 2c) and the ground conductor pattern (3), and the transmission line has its one end branched to form a plurality of branch lines (12a, 12b), with an isolation resistance (4) being formed between the branch lines. A first capacitance forming part comprising a first pillar conductor (6a) and a first capacitance forming conductor pattern (5a), both formed in an interior of the dielectric substrate (1), is formed at a branch point (13) of said transmission line.
US08471643B2

Electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, circuits, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an oscillator includes an active component and a passive component connected in a feedback configuration. The passive component includes one or more contour mode resonators (CMR). A CMR includes a piezoelectric layer disposed between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The conductive layers include an input electrode and an output electrode. The passive component is configured to output a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency, which is an odd integer harmonic of the first resonant frequency. The active component is configured to output a signal including the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency. This output signal can be a substantially square wave signal, which can serve as a clock in various applications.
US08471637B2

The invention relates to a variable gain amplifier comprising a first attenuator (1) for receiving an input signal (rf_in) and for transmitting a first attenuated input signal to a first amplifier (2) for amplifying the first attenuated input signal and for generating a first amplified signal to a second attenuator (3) for attenuating the first amplified signal and for transmitting a second attenuated signal to a second amplifier (4) for amplifying the second attenuated signal and for generating an output signal (rf_out). The first attenuator (1) is supplied from a first supply voltage source (10). The second attenuator (3) is supplied from a second supply voltage source (30). The first amplifier (2) is supplied from a third supply voltage source (20), and the second amplifier (4) is supplied from a fourth supply voltage source (40).
US08471636B2

A bias current is generated for an unbalanced differential pair that is proportional to the transconductance gain of the differential pair. When the transconductance gain varies (e.g., due to temperature variations), the bias current varies in proportion thereby maintaining a constant offset voltage. In some implementations, a voltage to current converter circuit generates the bias current from a constant reference voltage that is independent of temperature and voltage supply variations (e.g., a bandgap reference voltage).
US08471632B2

Disclosed is a distortion compensation circuit that efficiently compensates for distortion. A distortion compensation circuit (20) comprises a sampling memory unit (21), which accumulates an input signal and an output signal from an amplifier (4), a model estimation unit (22), which reads the input and output signals that are accumulated upon the sampling memory unit (21), estimates a model that represents an input/output characteristic of the amplifier (4), and outputs a coefficient that denotes the model thus estimated, and a distortion compensation unit (23), which compensates for a distortion of the amplifier (4), based on the coefficient. The distortion compensation circuit (20) further comprises a control unit (25), which causes the accumulation of the input signal and the output signal upon the sampling memory unit (21) of a predetermined length, and controls the sampling memory unit (21) to accumulate the input and output signals anew in order to obtain a new coefficient after the distortion compensation is carried out by the distortion compensation unit (23) according to the coefficient that is obtained from the input and output signals that have been accumulated upon the memory unit.
US08471629B2

A power control circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal from a power amplifier (PA) and generate a control signal to control a variable gain amplifier (VGA) coupled to an input to the PA based on the feedback signal. The power control circuit may include, in one embodiment, a mute circuit to generate a mute signal to be provided to the VGA when the control signal is less than a first level and a clamp circuit to clamp a control voltage used to generate the control signal from exceeding a threshold level.
US08471621B2

A circuit for performing arithmetic operations includes a differential capacitive transimpedance amplifier (CTIA) and a cross-multiplexer. The cross multiplexer forwards the current to be integrated out of a plurality of current sources either to the positive input port of the differential CTIA for positive integration in direct mode or to the negative input port of the differential CTIA for negative integration in reverse mode.
US08471614B2

A phase locked loop control system includes a digital controlled oscillator (DCO) that is controlled by logic cells in response to comparison of the oscillator output with a reference clock related signal. Delay cell number adjustment, delay cell load adjustment and cycle control are operative to digitally control the DCO frequency to obtain wide frequency range and limited jitter.
US08471611B2

The present disclosure is directed to a fractional-N digital phase locked loop (DPLL) that replaces the conventionally used time-to-digital converter (TDC) based phase detector with a bang-bang phase detector (BBPD). Compared to the TDC based phase detector, the BBPD has an often superior resolution for the same or similar amount of power and/or area consumption. Therefore, replacing the TDC based phase detector with a BBPD can reduce, or even eliminate, the common problem of spurs being added to the output signal generated by the DPLL because of the limited resolution of the TDC based phase detector. This can allow the DPLL to be used for the most demanding applications, such as in generating local oscillator signals for down-converting and demodulating weak signals received by a communication device, such as a cellular phone.
US08471602B2

An output driver includes: a pull-up signal generation unit configured to control a pulse width of first data and output a pull-up pre-drive signal; a pull-down signal generation unit configured to control a pulse width of second data and output a pull-down pre-drive signal; a pull-up pre-driver unit configured to receive the pull-up pre-drive signal and generate a pull-up main drive signal; a pull-down pre-driver unit configured to receive the pull-down pre-drive signal and generate a pull-down main drive signal; a pull-up main driver unit configured to charge an output node according to the pull-up main drive signal; and a pull-down main driver unit configured to discharge the output node according to the pull-down main drive signal.
US08471596B2

With an offset circuit including transistors of the same conductivity type, offset of an input signal is performed. Then, the input signal after the offset is supplied to a logic circuit including transistors of the same conductivity type as that of the offset circuit, thereby H and L levels of the input signal can be shifted at the same time. Further, since the offset circuit and the logic circuit are formed using the transistors of the same conductivity type, a display device can be manufactured at a low cost.
US08471594B2

The present invention relates to a digital signal processing circuit, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for generating a maximum value or a minimum value used for designing the digital signal processing circuit. An apparatus for obtaining a maximum value or a minimum value from N digital input signals may include N×W bit processing elements to receive an input of W bits of each of the N digital input signals, W OR operators to receive an input of N operation values output from bit processing elements, and to perform an OR operation, respectively, and W inverters to invert an output value for each of the W OR operators.
US08471593B2

A logic cell array having a number of logic cells and a segmented bus system for logic cell communication, the bus system including different segment lines having shorter and longer segments for connecting two points in order to be able to minimize the number of bus elements traversed between separate communication start and end points.
US08471578B2

A probe is made to contact an electrode terminal in an electric circuit or an electronic part for an electric measurement of the electric circuit or the electronic part. The probe includes a terminal portion which is brought in contact with the electrode terminal at one end of the probe, a spring portion in which U-shaped unit portions are arrayed in a zigzag formation, and a housing portion which surrounds the spring portion. The probe is formed of a sheet of a sheet-metal plate which is bent multiple times, the sheet-metal plate having a predetermined configuration in which a portion corresponding to the terminal portion, a portion corresponding to the spring portion, and a portion corresponding to the housing portion are continuously linked together.
US08471569B2

The invention provides a method and a circuit arrangement for measurement of the current through an inductive load L wherein the current is fed into the inductive load L with the aid of a full-bridge circuit. By way of example, full-bridge circuits such as these are used to feed a current in a pulse-width-modulated form into a winding of a direct-current, stepping or plunger coil motor. A respective measurement device (Ra, Rb) is provided for each half-bridge. In this case, a respective measurement device (Ra, Rb) is arranged between in each case one series circuit of switching elements and ground (VSS) or the supply voltage (VDD), respectively, at which a respective voltage is tapped off, which is a measure of the current through the respective measurement device. The device for measurement of the current has at least one switching device (S), by means of which one of the two inputs (e1, e2) of differential amplifier (D) can be selectively connected to ground (VSS) or to the supply voltage (VDD), or to one of the two measurement devices.
US08471553B2

A magnetic path is formed, in response to the rotation of a motor, by a magnetic detector (24 or 26) (more exactly, a magnetic wire (70)), a magnetic pole of the magnet (22), which is placed counter to each magnetic detector, and the rotating shaft (20). The magnetic wire (70) is formed of a magnetic material capable of causing a large Barkhausen jump. Whenever the magnetic pole opposite each magnetic element changes in response to the rotation of the motor, the direction of magnetic field constituting the magnetic path changes precipitously and a pulse signal in response to the change is outputted from the magnetic detector. Since the direction of magnetization of the magnetic wire (70) changes with a change in magnetic flux density received from a magnet (22), an induced electromotive force occurs due to a change in magnetic flux received by a detection coil. This makes enables the magnetic detector to output pulse signals without power supply.
US08471548B2

A power supply circuit includes an output driver transistor, a buffer circuit, and an error amplification circuit. The buffer circuit includes a first transistor connected to an output terminal and a second transistor functioning as a load for the first transistor. The error amplification circuit includes a differential pair including a first pair of transistors, a current mirror circuit including a second pair of transistors, a constant current source supplying a current and driving the differential pair and the current mirror circuit, a third transistor connected between one of the differential pair and the current mirror circuit. The first and second transistor have the same polarity as the transistors constituting the current mirror circuit, and control terminals of the first and third transistors are connected at a first junction node that is connected to a second junction node between the one of the differential pair and the third transistor.
US08471546B2

To provide a time constant circuit and the like capable of acquiring a characteristic of an output voltage that attenuates gradually after attenuating steeply, compared to a characteristic that attenuates monotonously. The time constant circuit includes: a series/parallel circuit formed by serially connecting a plurality of parallel circuits each formed with a resistance element and a capacitance element between a first terminal and a second terminal; and a voltage-dividing resistance element connected between a third terminal connected to the second terminal and a fourth terminal. A first parallel circuit is formed with a first resistance element and a first capacitance element, a second parallel circuit with a second resistance element and a second capacitance element, and an n-th parallel circuit with an n-th resistance element and an n-th capacitance element. Note that “n” is the number of the parallel circuits and it is an integer of 2 or larger.
US08471541B2

In a switching power source which controls a current which flows in an inductor through a switching element which performs a switching operation in response to a PWM signal, and forms an output voltage by a capacitor which is provided in series in the inductor, a booster circuit which is constituted of a bootstrap capacity and a MOSFET is provided between an output node of the switching element and a predetermined voltage terminal. The boosted voltage is used as an operational voltage of a driving circuit of the switching element, another source/drain region and a substrate gate are connected with each other, and a junction diode between one source/drain region and the substrate gate is inversely directed with respect to the boosted voltage which is formed by the bootstrap capacity.
US08471538B2

A low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulation circuit includes first and second internal current paths. The first internal current path is between the input supply voltage and ground and includes the regulator's buffer circuit. The second internal current path is between the input supply voltage and ground and includes the regulator's power transistor. The amount of current flowing through the first internal current path relative to the amount of current flowing through the second internal current path is an increasing function of a current supplied to a load connected to the output supply node. The load regulation of the LDO is improved as the DC gain will not go down at lower load currents. Further, the no load to full load response time is improved as the load pole and power MOS gate pole are actively controlled with respect to output load current. In this mechanism, as the amount of current being supplied to the load decreases, the internal current flow shifts from the first internal current path to the second internal current path and vice versa. This arrangement maintains the desired pole structure and keeps the quiescent current largely the same for all load current levels.
US08471534B2

A power generation system that includes a prime mover configured to generate mechanical energy. The power generation system also includes a power generator configured for generating electrical power from the mechanical energy received from the prime mover. The power generation system further includes a fault ride-through switch electrically coupled in series between the power generator and a power grid. The fault ride-through switch includes a first branch configured to carry the electrical power during normal operating conditions and includes an LC resonance circuit. The fault ride-through switch also includes a multiphase transformer configured for providing voltage phases of different polarities to the LC resonance circuit. The fault ride-through switch further includes a second branch coupled in parallel with the first branch and including a resistive element and an inductive element electrically coupled in series wherein the resistive element configured to absorb the electrical power during fault conditions.
US08471516B2

The present techniques include methods and systems for operating an inverter to maintain a lifespan of the inverter. In some embodiments, the switching frequency and/or the output current of the inverter may be changed such that stress may be reduced on the inverter bond wires of the inverter. More specifically, embodiments involve calculating the aging parameters for certain operating conditions of the inverter and determining whether the operating conditions result in aging the inverter to a point which reduces the inverter lifespan below a desired lifespan. If the operating conditions reduce the inverter lifespan below the desired lifespan, the switching frequency may be reduced to a lower or minimum switching frequency of the inverter and/or the output current of the inverter may be reduced to a maximum output current at the minimum switching frequency.
US08471513B2

During rain, including a light source (5) for radiating light such that the light is transmitted through a vehicle window (2), a light receiving element (6) for sensing an optical signal when the light radiated from the light source (5) is reflected from the raindrop fallen on the vehicle window (2) and performing a photoelectric transduction, and a receiver (9) for receiving the photoelectrically transduced signal from the light receiving element (6) and judging the level of rainfall. The light source (5) and the light receiving element (6) are inclined with respect to the surface of the vehicle window (2) such that the light of the light source (5) directly reflected from the vehicle window (2) exits to the outside of the light receiving element (6) and the light reflected from a raindrop (8) on the vehicle window (2) is received by the light receiving element (6) to operate a vehicle wiper.
US08471503B2

Vehicles equipped with sliding doors that undergo powered openings typically are prohibited from opening if the vehicle is in drive. Various modes of door operation are disclosed that safely enable powered operation of a vehicle sliding door regardless of the transmission state of the vehicle.
US08471489B2

A power regulator 130 includes a power input line 181, a primary winding connected to the power input line 181 and wound on a core, a secondary winding, at least part of the secondary winding being in common with the primary winding, at least one tap 132, 133, and 134 connected to the primary winding at a predetermined position thereof to specify respective numbers of turns of the primary winding and the secondary winding, at least one switch S1, S2, and S3 having one end connected respectively to the at least one tap 132, 133, and 134 and another end connected to a common line 183 to change the respective numbers of turns of the primary winding and the secondary winding, and an output line 182 for outputting power that the secondary winding generates as the secondary winding is excited by the primary winding, wherein the respective numbers of turns of both the primary winding and the secondary winding are determined as one of the at least one switch S1, S2, and S3 is closed.
US08471488B1

Total harmonic distortion (THD) at the AC line input of a power factor corrected (PFC) flyback switch mode power supply (SMPS) is reduced by adding additional current injection to the current programming signal of a PFC controller during the period of the line cycle where the AC input current wave shape is most flattened, i.e., around the peak portion of the AC line voltage. The input current drawn by the PFC flyback SMPS will then more closely resemble a desired sinusoidal waveform. A voltage dependent non-linear resistance is coupled in parallel with the normal current injection resistor that supplies current to the PFC flyback controller multiplier input to inject appropriate values of additional current into the PFC flyback controller based upon the AC input voltage value(s) so as to better shape the AC input current to the desired sinusoidal waveform.
US08471487B2

A light emitting module driver circuit utilized for driving a light emitting module includes a voltage dividing module, a short circuit detection module, and a driving module. A method of performing short circuit protection in the light emitting module driver circuit includes disabling the driving module during a dimming off cycle of the light emitting module driver circuit, enabling the voltage dividing module during the dimming off cycle, dividing a voltage of the light emitting module to generate a divided voltage during the dimming off cycle, and generating a short circuit protection signal according to the divided voltage during the dimming off cycle.
US08471473B2

In a mercury free arc tube provided with a sealed glass chamber in which at least metallic halide for main light emission is sealed as well as rare gas by pinch-sealing both end openings of a glass tube and electrode bars are opposite to each other, the tip of a region projecting into the sealed glass chamber of each the electrode bars is formed of a single crystal. Owing to repetition of ON/OFF of the arc tube, the crystal at the tip of the electrode bar grows but the shape of the electrode end face formed of the single crystal remains unchanged. Further, even if the tip of the electrode bar is gradually consumed by thermal load acting on the tip of the electrode bar, the entire shape of the electrode end face is consumed nearly uniformly so that decline of the luminescent spot does not occur during discharging.
US08471460B1

A phosphor comprising an oxynitride compound having a chemical formula of A2-mE3O2N4:Mm, wherein A comprises an alkaline-earth element, E comprises a IVA group element, M is an activator comprising a bivalent rare-earth element, and 0.00001≦m≦1.0, wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; E is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, Si, Ge, and Sn; and M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Tb, Eu, and Sm.
US08471453B2

The disclosure relates to a Hall-effect ion ejection device that comprises a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the ion ejection direction, and comprises at least: a main ionization and acceleration annular channel, the annular channel being open at its end; an anode extending inside the channel; a cathode extending outside the channel at the outlet thereof; a magnetic circuit for generating a magnetic field in a portion of the annular channel, said circuit including at least an annular inner wall, an annular outer wall and a bottom connecting the inner and outer annular walls and defining the downstream portion of the magnetic circuit; characterized in that the magnetic circuit is arranged so as to create at the outlet of the annular channel a magnetic field independent from the azimuth.
US08471448B2

High-frequency plasma spark plug includes an insulator which has an axial hole extending in the axis direction, a center electrode inserted into a distal end side of the axial hole, a terminal electrode inserted into a rear end side of the axial hole, and being electrically connected to the center electrode, and a cylindrical main fitting mounted on an outer periphery of the insulator. With respect to a coaxial cable, the inner conductor is connected to the terminal electrode and the outer conductor is connected to the main fitting. High frequency power generated by a predetermined high-frequency power source is supplied via the coaxial cable thus generating high frequency plasma. The main fitting includes a large diameter portion which bulges radially outward and a connection portion which is brought into contact with the outer conductor.
US08471445B2

A light bulb having anti-reflective coatings on an inner surface and/or an outer surface of the shell of the light bulb. The anti-reflective coatings reduce light loss due to reflections at the interfaces between the interior of the bulb and the shell and between the shell and the exterior of the bulb. The light source may be either incandescent, fluorescent or LED.
US08471431B2

A motor including a magnet, an armature, a common brush, a low-speed drive brush, and a high-speed drive brush is disclosed. The magnet forms four or more magnetic pole portions. The armature includes a rotation shaft, an armature having fourteen teeth, a coil wound around the teeth, and a commutator having fourteen segments arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft. The common brush, low-speed drive brush, and high-speed drive brush are spaced apart and arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft and each have a width in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft. The number of teeth is the same as the number of segments. When P represents the number of magnetic pole portions of the magnet and S represents the number of teeth, (2S/P) is an odd number. The width of each brush and the location of the brush in the circumferential direction are set so that the three types of brushes, which are the common brush, the low-speed drive brush, and the high-speed drive brush, all do not simultaneously short-circuit two of the segments that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
US08471425B2

Various embodiments relate generally to electrodynamic machines and the like, and more particularly, to rotor assemblies and rotor-stator structures for electrodynamic machines, including, but not limited to, outer rotor assemblies and/or inner rotor assemblies with a corresponding stator assembly. In some embodiments a rotor assembly can include magnetically permeable structures having confronting surfaces oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation. A group of magnetic structures can be interleaved with the magnetically permeable structures. The magnetically permeable structures can also include non-confronting surfaces adjacent to which boost magnets are disposed to enhance flux in a flux path passing through magnetic structures that are interleaved with magnetically permeable structures. Further, the rotor assemblies can include a flux conductor shield disposed adjacent to the boost magnets, the flux conductor shield configured to provide return flux paths.
US08471424B2

Permanent-magnet (PM) rotors, rotor components, and machines using PM rotors.
US08471422B2

An apparatus for transferring torque magnetically with a primary rotary member and a secondary rotary member, wherein said rotary members are disc shaped and are sandwiched between one another. The primary rotary member has permanent magnets mounted radially on a disc, the secondary rotary member having disc geometry with electro conductive material arranged on it. The secondary rotary member also having magnetically permeable material. The new improvements herein have modified the earlier cylindrical design to that of a an alternative disk—plate/shape design utilizing the similar magnetic circuit that which overcomes some deficiencies/problems in the prior art, in that the prior art required more precision alignment of the electro-conductive rotor inside the magnetic can array and requires additional strength in the foundations of the machinery in order to maintain the air gap between the magnet can and the rotor assembly.
US08471416B2

A method for creating working space for construction of a new high-voltage transmission line within an existing three phase high voltage transmission right of way without removing the existing three-phase high voltage transmission line already occupying that right of way from service. The method includes removing the voltage applied to one phase of the existing transmission line, continuing to transmit power on the conductors comprising the remaining phases, and installing new support structures and their associated conductors on the right of way while the existing transmission line continues to operate.
US08471394B2

A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing an encapsulation system having a mold chase with a buffer layer attached thereto; forming a base integrated circuit package including: providing a base substrate, connecting an exposed interconnect to the base substrate, a portion of the exposed interconnect having the buffer layer attached thereon, mounting a base component over the base substrate, and forming a base encapsulation over the base substrate and the exposed interconnect using the encapsulation system; and releasing the encapsulation system providing the portion of the exposed interconnect exposed from the base encapsulation, the exposed interconnect having characteristics of the buffer layer removed.
US08471391B2

A rectangular interlevel connector array (RICA) is defined in a semiconductor chip. To define the RICA, a virtual grid for interlevel connector placement is defined to include a first set of parallel virtual lines that extend across the layout in a first direction, and a second set of parallel virtual lines that extend across the layout in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first plurality of interlevel connector structures are placed at respective gridpoints in the virtual grid to form a first RICA. The first plurality of interlevel connector structures of the first RICA are placed to collaboratively connect a first conductor channel in a first chip level with a second conductor channel in a second chip level. A second RICA can be interleaved with the first RICA to collaboratively connect third and fourth conductor channels that are respectively interleaved with the first and second conductor channels.
US08471388B2

A method for fabricating an integrated circuit (IC) chip includes forming a metal trace having a thickness of between 5 μm and 27 μm over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a passivation layer on the metal trace, wherein the passivation layer includes a layer of silicon nitride on the metal trace and a layer of silicon oxide on the layer of silicon nitride, or includes a layer of silicon oxynitride on the metal trace and a layer of silicon oxide on the layer of silicon oxynitride.
US08471382B2

A package includes: a metal wall disposed on a conductive base plate; a through-hole disposed in input/output portions of the metal wall; a lower layer feed through disposed on the conductive base plate; a wiring pattern disposed on the lower layer feed through; an upper layer feed through disposed on a part of the lower layer feed through and a part of the wiring pattern; and a terminal disposed on the wiring pattern, wherein a width of a part of the lower layer feed through and a width of the upper layer feed through are wider than a width of the through-hole, the lower layer feed through is adhered to a side surface of the metal wall, the upper layer feed through is adhered to the side surface of metal wall, and an air layer is formed between the wiring pattern and an internal wall of the through-hole.
US08471376B1

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a substrate, one of either a semiconductor die or an interposer disposed on the substrate, the semiconductor die or the interposer having a first surface attached to the substrate and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, one or more interconnect structures formed on the second surface of the semiconductor die or the interposer, a mold compound formed to substantially encapsulate the semiconductor die or the interposer, and one or more vias formed in the mold compound to facilitate coupling the one or more interconnect structures with another component. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08471374B2

An integrated circuit package system includes a first integrated circuit die having die pads only adjacent a single edge of the first integrated circuit die, forming first L-shaped leadfingers adjacent the single edge, connecting the die pads and the first L-shaped leadfingers, and encapsulating the die pads and portions of the first L-shaped leadfingers to form a first package.
US08471373B2

A resin-sealed semiconductor device includes a power element (1), a control element (4), a first lead frame (3) having a first die pad (3A) which holds the power element (1), a second lead frame (5) having a second die pad (5A) which holds the control element (4), and a housing (6) made of a resin material and sealing the power element, the first die pad, the control element, and the second die pad. A lower surface of the second die pad is higher than an upper surface of the first element, and at least part of the first die pad and at least part of the second die pad overlap each other when viewed from the top. One of the first leads and one of the second leads are directly joined together by a joint portion (23) and electrically coupled together in the housing.
US08471365B2

A nitride semiconductor substrate having a main surface serving as a semipolar plane and provided with a chamfered portion capable of effectively preventing cracking and chipping, a semiconductor device fabricated using the nitride semiconductor substrate, and a method for manufacturing the nitride semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor device are provided. The nitride semiconductor substrate includes a main surface inclined at an angle of 71° or more and 79° or less with respect to the (0001) plane toward the [1-100] direction or inclined at an angle of 71° or more and 79° or less with respect to the (000-1) plane toward the [−1100] direction; and a chamfered portion located at an edge of an outer periphery of the main surface. The chamfered portion is inclined at an angle θ1 or θ2 of 5° or more and 45° or less with respect to adjacent one of the main surface and a backside surface on a side opposite to the main surface. Accordingly, cracking and chipping occurring from the edge of the outer periphery of the nitride semiconductor substrate can be effectively suppressed.
US08471351B2

Each of pixels 10 arranged in an array pattern includes a photoelectric conversion element 11, a transfer transistor 13 for transferring charges to a floating diffusion layer 12, and an amplifier transistor 14 for outputting the transferred charges to an output line. An insulating isolation part 22 isolates the adjacent photoelectric conversion elements 11, and isolates the photoelectric conversion element 11 and the amplifier transistor 14. The insulating isolation part 22 constitutes a first region A between the photoelectric conversion elements 11 where the amplifier transistor 14 is not arranged, and a second region B between the photoelectric conversion elements 11 where the amplifier transistor 14 is arranged. First and second isolation diffusion layers 23 and 24 are formed below the insulating isolation part 22, and the second isolation diffusion layer 24 is wider than the first isolation diffusion layer 23 in the first region A.
US08471329B2

A tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) includes a gate electrode, a source region, and a drain region. The source and drain regions are of opposite conductivity types. A channel region is disposed between the source region and the drain region. A source diffusion barrier is disposed between the channel region and the source region. The source diffusion barrier and the source region are under and overlapping the gate electrode. The source diffusion barrier has a first bandgap greater than second bandgaps of the source region, the drain region, and the channel region.
US08471324B2

A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a memory device, and the memory device includes a substrate, two stacked gates, two spacers, an insulating layer, and a dielectric layer. The stacked gates having a gap therebetween are located on the substrate. The spacers having a pipe or a seam therebetween are respectively located at sidewalls of each of the stacked gates in the gap. The pipe or the seam is filled with the insulating layer. The dielectric layer is located on the substrate and covers the insulating layer and the stacked gates.
US08471317B2

In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein, and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer, wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced.
US08471302B2

Neutralization capacitances are commonly employed to compensate for the Miller effect; however, at higher frequencies, the parasitic inductance introduced in the interconnect can affect the neutralization. Here, a layout has been provided where a MOS capacitor is merged with a complementary transistor. By having this merged device, the layout is compact and reduces interconnect area, which reduces the effects of parasitic inductance at higher frequencies (i.e., millimeter wave or terahertz). This layout can also be used to implement linearity enhancement schemes.
US08471300B2

An image sensor device includes a substrate including a light sensing region therein and a reflective structure on a first surface of the substrate over the light sensing region. An interconnection structure having a lower reflectivity than the reflective structure is provided on the first surface of the substrate adjacent to the reflective structure. A microlens is provided on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. The microlens is configured to direct incident light to the light sensing region, and the reflective structure is configured to reflect portions of the incident light that pass through the light sensing region back toward the light sensing region. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
US08471296B2

A method forms an eFuse structure that has a pair of adjacent semiconducting fins projecting from the planar surface of a substrate (in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface). The fins have planar sidewalls (perpendicular to the planar surface of the substrate) and planar tops (parallel to the planar surface of the substrate). The tops are positioned at distal ends of the fins relative to the substrate. An insulating layer covers the tops and the sidewalls of the fins and covers an intervening substrate portion of the planar surface of the substrate located between the fins. A metal layer covers the insulating layer. A pair of conductive contacts are connected to the metal layer at locations where the metal layer is adjacent the top of the fins.
US08471286B2

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a plurality of compound semiconductor layers, an electrode layer disposed under the light emitting structure, an electrode disposed on the light emitting structure, a conductive support member disposed under the electrode layer, a conductive layer disposed between the light emitting structure and the conductive support member, and an insulating layer disposed between the conductive support member and the light emitting structure, wherein the electrode layer is in contact with a first area of a lower surface of the light emitting structure and the conductive layer is in contact with a second area of the lower surface of the light emitting structure, and wherein the conductive layer includes a different material from the electrode layer.
US08471284B2

An LED package structure includes: a carrier; at least a first protruding portion and a plurality of electrical contacts formed on the carrier; a plurality of LED chips disposed on the first protruding portion and on the carrier in a region free from the first protruding portion, respectively; a plurality of bonding wires electrically connecting the LED chips and the electrical contacts; and a phosphor covering the LED chips, the electrical contacts and the bonding wires. The LED chips are disposed at different heights so as to allow the portions of the phosphor on the LED chips to have different thicknesses and thus generate light with different color temperatures.
US08471274B2

An example includes subject matter (such as an apparatus) comprising a planar substrate including a first surface that is planar, at least one bare light emitting diode (“LED”) die coupled to the substrate and conductive ink electrically coupling the at least one bare LED die, wherein the conductive ink is disposed on the substrate and extends onto a surface of the LED that is out-of-plane from the first surface.
US08471273B2

A light emitting device which includes a first TFT, a second TFT, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, an organic compound layer, a first opposing electrode and a second opposing electrode. The organic compound layer is formed on the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode. The first opposing electrode and a second opposing electrode are formed on the organic compound layer. When the first pixel electrode and the second opposing electrode are anodes, the second pixel electrode and the first opposing electrode are cathodes. When the first pixel electrode and the second opposing electrode are cathodes, the second pixel electrode and the first opposing electrode are anodes.
US08471264B2

Assuming that r (m) represents the radius of a GaN substrate, t1 (m) represents the thickness of the GaN substrate, h1 (m) represents a warp of the GaN substrate before formation of an epitaxialwafer, t2 (m) represents the thickness of an AlxGa(1-X)N layer, h2 (m) represents a warp of the epitaxialwafer, a1 represents the lattice constant of GaN and a2 represents the lattice constant of AlN, the value t1 found by the following expression is decided as the minimum thickness (t1) of the GaN substrate: (1.5×1011×t13+1.2×1011×t23)×{1/(1.5×1011×t1)+1/(1.2×1011×t2)}/{15.96×x×(1−a2/a1)}×(t1+t2)+(t1×t2)/{5.32×x×(1−a2/a1)}−(r2+h2)/2h=0 A GaN substrate having a thickness of at least this minimum thickness (t1) and less than 400 μm is formed.
US08471246B2

A photoelectric conversion device is provided, the photoelectric conversion device including: a pair of electrodes; a photoelectric conversion layer arranged between the pair of electrodes and containing an n-type organic semiconductor; and a charge blocking layer arranged between one of the pair of electrodes and the photoelectric conversion layer, the charge blocking layer being formed of a single layer or two or more layers, wherein a difference Δ1 between ionization potential Ip of a layer of the charge blocking layer adjacent to the photoelectric conversion layer and electron affinity Ea of the n-type organic semiconductor is at least 1 eV; and the charge blocking layer has a gross thickness of at least 20 nm.
US08471235B2

A nonvolatile memory element includes a substrate; a lower electrode layer and a resistive layer sequentially formed on the substrate; a resistance variable layer formed on the resistive layer; a wire layer formed above the lower electrode layer; an interlayer insulating layer disposed between the substrate and the wire layer and covering at least the lower electrode layer and the resistive layer, the interlayer insulating layer being provided with a contact hole extending from the wire layer to the resistance variable layer; and an upper electrode layer formed inside the contact hole such that the upper electrode layer is connected to the resistance variable layer and to the wire layer; resistance values of the resistance variable layer changing reversibly in response to electric pulses applied between the lower electrode layer and the upper electrode layer.
US08471234B2

A multilayer memristive device includes a first electrode; a second electrode; a first memristive region and a second memristive region which created by directional ion implantation of dopant ions and are interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and mobile dopants which move within the first memristive region and the second memristive region in response to an applied electrical field.
US08471232B2

A resistive memory device includes a vertical transistor and a variable resistance layer. The vertical transistor includes a gate electrode on a surface of a substrate, a gate insulation layer extending along a sidewall of the gate electrode, and a single crystalline silicon layer on the surface of the substrate adjacent to the gate insulation layer. At least a portion of the single crystalline silicon layer defines a channel region that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The variable resistance layer is provided on the single crystalline silicon layer. The variable resistance layer is electrically insulated from the gate electrode. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
US08471221B2

The invention relates to a device for measuring fluorescent radiation emitted by biological substances, comprising a light source, a capturing unit, an evaluation unit, at least one emission fiber, and at least one detection fiber. Said emission fiber guides excitation radiation to the biological substrate and the detection fiber receives fluorescent radiation and guides it to the evaluation unit. The capturing unit comprises a semiconductor sensor arrangement that detects fluorescent radiation emitted by the biological substance in wave length areas that are separate from each other, are arranged. Data sets of at least two different reference measurements on at least two different biological substances are stored and compared to the measured measurement values to the stored data sets and issues a result relating to the pathological attacks of the examined biological substances and/or relating to the type of examined, biological substances.
US08471219B2

Substrates, systems and methods for analyzing materials that include waveguide arrays disposed upon or within the substrate such that evanescent fields emanating from the waveguides illuminate materials disposed upon or proximal to the surface of the substrate, permitting analysis of such materials. The substrates, systems and methods are used in a variety of analytical operations, including, inter alia, nucleic acid analysis, including hybridization and sequencing analyses, cellular analyses and other molecular analyses.
US08471218B2

A detecting device includes a wavelength dispersion element for dispersing light into wavelengths and for emitting dispersed light, a photodetector for detecting the dispersed light, and a wavelength restriction element, which is arranged between the wavelength dispersion element and the photodetector and has an optical characteristic dependent on a wavelength, for restricting an incidence of light having a particular wavelength to the photodetector. Light that is part of the dispersed light and includes the light having has the particular wavelength is incident to the wavelength restriction element.
US08471216B2

An electrostatic atomizing device comprises an electrostatic atomizing part (2) applying high-voltage to water supplied to an atomization electrode (1), thereby generating negatively-charged minute water particles, a positive ion generator (3) being configured to generate positive ions, and a controller (16) being configured to control operation of said electrostatic atomizing part (2) and said positive ion generator (3). Said controller (16) controls so as to cause said electrostatic atomizing part (2) to generate the negatively-charged minute water particles, after the positive ions are generated by said positive ion generator (3).
US08471215B1

Test samples for use in conducting integrated circuit alpha particle emissions testing, processes for preparing test samples for use in conducting integrated circuit alpha particle emissions testing, and processes for conducting integrated circuit alpha particle emissions testing using the test samples, are described. The approach takes into account the effects of the relative physical positions of the respective components within a final integrated circuit package, and takes into account the effect of contamination of individual components or of the integrated circuit package as a whole due to conditions and/or processes performed during the production process. The described approach relates to test sample preparation and integrated circuit alpha particle emissions testing for integrated circuits in which the alpha particle emission levels are extremely low, i.e., in the ultra low alpha region, for example, alpha particle emissions less than 0.002 cph/cm2.
US08471214B2

A system for processing three dimensional (3D) distribution image of a radiation source and a processing method using the same are provided. The system includes an image measuring unit comprising a plurality of position sensitive detectors to measure the radiation source, a signal amplifying unit which receives signals from the image measuring unit and amplifies the received signals into an electric signal, a mode selecting unit that receives the electric signal and selects a detection mode and outputs a corresponding mode signal, a data storage unit which stores the signals as a series of items, a data converting unit which converts the data stored at the data storage unit into interactive data, an image reconstructing unit which reconstructs the converted data into the 3D distribution image, and a display unit which displays the 3D distribution image received from the reconstructing unit.
US08471211B2

A radiation detecting apparatus of this invention includes an arithmetic processing device which carries out arithmetic processes for drawing boundaries based on peaks of signal strengths and separating respective positions by the boundaries, and for determining, by using spatial periodicity of the peaks, the number of peaks having failed to be separated, with a plurality of peaks connecting to each other. If the separation fails with a plurality of peaks connecting to each other, the number of peaks in error is determined using spatial periodicity of the peaks. Thus, by using spatial periodicity of the peaks, the number of peaks in error can be determined and boundaries can be set easily. As a result, incident positions can also be discriminated easily, and detecting positions of radiation can be determined easily.
US08471209B2

A method for maintenance of an array of bolometer-type detectors comprises heating of certain detectors to a threshold temperature. The heating is performed by supplying resistive detection elements with electric currents, and the threshold temperature is determined for each detector as a function of a measurement made previously on said detector. Such method makes it possible to eliminate persistent images caused by radiation overexposure, or by damage to the thermoelectric properties of certain pixels appearing during the manufacture or ageing thereof. The method does not require the use of an oven or Peltier element, thus avoiding the risk for such heating component to damage irreversibly the reading and CMOS addressing circuits on which the detectors are hybridised or deposited.
US08471207B2

In a method for the automatic inspection of a welding seam using heat flow thermography, a feature vector is established which represents a time course of a detected heat flow. The feature vector is used to determine, from a series of thermal images, a first characteristic thermal image, which corresponds to a minimum heat flow through an object to be examined, and a second characteristic thermal image, which corresponds to a maximum heat flow through the object, wherein a heat flow directly from an excitation source has already dissipated. A suitable thermal image is used from the series of thermal images to detect and evaluate the welding seam in relation to defects of various defect types, for each defect type, the characteristic thermal images being used as references to determine the respective suitable thermal image.
US08471203B2

A particle beam microscope includes an illumination system generating a particle beam having a ring-shaped conical configuration. A selective detection system is configured to selectively detect one of two groups of particles having traversed the object region. The first group of particles includes the particles that traversed the object region un-scattered or scattered by a small scattering amount. The second group of particles includes particles scattered in the object region by a greater scattering amount.
US08471200B2

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a sampling cone and a cone-gas cone wherein, in use, sulphur hexa fluoride (‘SF6’) is supplied as a cone gas to the annulus between the cone-gas cone and the sampling cone in order to improve the transmission of high molecular mass ions passing through the sampling cone into and through subsequent stages of the mass spectrometer.
US08471198B2

A mass spectrometer includes an ion source, which includes a coating or surface formed of a metallic carbide, a metallic boride, a ceramic or DLC, or an ion-implanted transition metal.
US08471197B2

A method for estimating a concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a formation penetrated by a borehole, the method includes: conveying a carrier through the borehole; irradiating the formation with neutrons from a neutron source disposed at the carrier; detecting photons from the formation resulting from the irradiating; and estimating the concentration of CO2 from data acquired from the detecting.
US08471191B2

An optical navigation system is provided to sense relative movement between the system and a surface. Generally, the system includes: (i) an illuminator having a light source to illuminate a portion of the surface; (ii) a detector to receive light reflected from the portion of the surface; and (iii) an enclosure enclosing the illuminator and the detector, the enclosure having a window covering the detector and through which light reflected from the portion of the surface is transmitted to the detector, the window being substantially transparent to at least one wavelength of light emitted by the light source. In certain embodiments, the window is a filter-window that is substantially non-transparent to light from other sources, such as ambient light, having shorter or longer wavelengths. Other embodiments are also described.
US08471187B2

An improved solar concentrating system (100) uses a two-stage arrangement of mirrors wherein the rays of the sun are reflected and concentrated to a point focus. The solar concentrator (100) may be used to increase the temperature of a substance such as metal, for use in a variety of applications including the melting of metals in a foundry furnace. The solar concentrating system (100) comprises at least two single-curved parabolic mirrors (10, 20) connected in an operable arrangement. The rays of the sun are reflected from a first single-curved parabolic mirror (10) to a second single-curved parabolic mirror (20). The plane of symmetry of the second single-curved parabolic mirror is arranged substantially orthogonal to the plane of symmetry of the first single-curved parabolic mirror thereby concentrating the rays of the sun to a point focus.
US08471177B2

A laminated heated glazing including at least two superposed transparent and mechanically strong substrate panes with interposition of an interlayer made of a transparent plastic between two adjacent panes. The glazing further includes, in its thickness or on the surface, at least one thin transparent conductive film that extends over at least part of the glazing, the film or films being heated for deicing and/or demisting by Joule effect, at least one film having flow separation lines formed by etching to guide current from one band to the other. The width of the flow separation lines is small enough for them to be invisible to the naked eye in the laminated heated glazing.
US08471176B2

Because of extreme hardness, diamonds have a number of important industrial applications. Generally experts work on it. Experts do marking after examining each rough diamond to decide how it should be cut to yield the greatest value. But in this process, there can be lots of wastage as it is only an image of the stone in the mind of the person. The present invention comprises Laser planner which scans each and every point of diamond by rotating it 360° and thus gives individual coordinate of that diamond. It shows us the wire frame image on the computer monitor. is a machine to scan the stone and to plan and mark for the best-fit diamond from that stone. All the data of the diamond is stored in the computer. It is material saving, time saving, mass processing increase in productivity.
US08471171B2

A microhollow cathode discharge assembly capable of generating a low temperature, atmospheric pressure plasma micro jet is disclosed. The microhollow assembly has at two electrodes: an anode and a cathode separated by a dielectric. A microhollow gas passage is disposed through the three layers, preferably in a taper such that the area at the anode is larger than the area at the cathode. When a potential is placed across the electrodes and a gas is directed through the gas passage into the anode and out the cathode, along the tapered direction, then a low temperature micro plasma jet can be created at atmospheric pressure. Selection of gas microhollow geometry and operational characteristics enable the application of the assembly to low temperature treatments, including the treatment of living tissue.
US08471166B1

A double break vacuum interrupter includes a first contact system with an annular stationary contact, which is engaged by a primary moving contact with the moving contact rod extending through the primary moving contact and through the opening of the annular stationary contact. A second contact system includes a secondary moving contact disposed on an end of the moving contact rod, which engages and operates a floating contact on the same axis. Both contact systems are enclosed in a sealed envelope. A mechanical adjustment system is provided for the floating contact, which controls its range of motion. The mechanical adjustment system allows the first and second contact systems to engage at approximately the same time. A system of capacitors and resistors is provided to balance the voltage between the first and second contact systems to provide more efficient interruption of the electric current.
US08471165B2

A device for recognizing characteristic features of an empty container having at least one flat support element on which the empty container can be placed with at least one lateral surface of said container on the contact surface of the support element, having a carrier to carry the empty container and having at least one optical sensor to optically scan the empty container, wherein the carrier is formed by the at least one support element, the at least one support element is carried rotatably about an essentially horizontal drive shaft, the empty container can be brought from an input position, in which the empty container is placed on the at least one support element, to a different location on the support arm and, after being scanned can be transferred to a downstream functional module.
US08471151B2

A layout method for a bridging electrode capable of shielding a bright spot includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a transparent electroconductive layer, having neighboring pattern blocks, on the substrate; forming an alignment film layer, having bridging grooves for crossing between the pattern blocks, over the substrate; forming an electroconductive layer, having wires respectively correspondingly disposed over the bridging grooves, over the substrate; forming an electroconductive correspondence layer on one side of the electroconductive layer to shield the wires; and forming a protection layer over the substrate to enhance optical transmission and protect the substrate, the transparent electroconductive layer, the alignment film layer and the electroconductive layer. Meanwhile, the invention also provides a structure of the bridging electrode capable of shielding the bright spot and corresponding to the layout method.
US08471139B2

A thermoelectric conversion module which has a P-type thermoelectric conversion material and an N-type thermoelectric conversion material electrically connected to each other. The P-type thermoelectric conversion material and the N-type thermoelectric conversion material are joined with insulating material particles (ceramic spherical particles) interposed therebetween, so as not to be electrically connected to each other. The insulating material particles are joined to the P-type thermoelectric conversion material with a first adhesive material interposed therebetween and to the N-type thermoelectric conversion material with a second adhesive material interposed therebetween, and the P-type thermoelectric conversion material and the N-type thermoelectric conversion material are electrically connected to each other in a region other than the region in which the thermoelectric conversion materials are joined with the first and second adhesive material and the insulating material particles interposed therebetween.
US08471137B2

The present invention is a pickup system including a transducer, a mount, and a cartridge for modifying perceived sound from a musical instrument. The transducer includes a housing, a magnet and an electric signal carrier. The mount attaches the transducer to the instrument. The cartridge includes a container and attachment device, which positions the container in proximity to the transducer. The attachment device engages the container with the transducer so as to affect the electric signal created by the instrument. The cartridges and container can be either integral or interchangeable to vary resonance materials to the transducer. The container may be filled with another material, including ferromagnetic fluid for an induced magnet effect upon the perceived sound from the transducer.
US08471134B2

The bass drum pedal assembly includes a first connector, mounted on a shaft driven by a drum pedal; a second connector, engaging with the first connector, and coupled to a universal joint which links a connecting rod; and a positioning mechanism, comprising a central positioning member, an elastic member and a pin. The elastic member is put around the central positioning member to make the central positioning member elastically slidably disposed in a central hole of the first connector. The pin is inserted into a through hole at a lateral side of the first connector to press the central positioning member and the elastic member so that the central positioning member is elastically inserted in central holes of the first connector and the second connector.
US08471133B1

A quick-release cymbal felt locating device includes a base internally defining a cavity having a front opening, and provided with a first insert hole vertically extended through the cavity and a second insert hole horizontally extended through the cavity; a movable clamping element extending into the cavity via the front opening thereof, and provided with a first communicating hole corresponding to the first insert hole and a second communicating hole corresponding to the second insert hole; and a safety pin transversely extended through the second insert hole and the second communicating hole for restricting or allowing displacement of the movable clamping element relative to the safety pin and the cavity. The first communicating hole and the first insert hole together form a clamping mechanism, with which a user can quickly assemble or disassemble the quick-release cymbal felt locating device to or from a cymbal pole.
US08471131B1

A novel maize variety designated X08A157 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A157 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A157 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A157, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A157. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A157.
US08471129B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH290586. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH290586, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH290586 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH290586.
US08471127B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV344635. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV344635, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV344635 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV344635 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV344635.
US08471126B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV898659. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV898659, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV898659 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV898659 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV898659.
US08471124B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV448967. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV448967, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV448967 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV448967 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV448967.
US08471123B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV286014. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV286014, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV286014 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV286014 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV286014.
US08471120B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH419384. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH419384, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH419384 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH419384.
US08471119B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH667265. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH667265, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH667265 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH667265.
US08471112B2

The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated FIVC6V1001. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line FIVC6V1001, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line FIVC6V1001 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line FIVC6V1001, including the pods and gametes of such plants.
US08471111B1

A soybean cultivar designated 17164777 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 17164777, to the plants of soybean cultivar 17164777, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 17164777, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 17164777. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 17164777. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 17164777, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 17164777 with another soybean cultivar.
US08471108B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023999. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023999. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023999 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023999 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08471104B2

The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated EX08240782. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line EX08240782, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line EX08240782 with itself or with another pea plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pea line EX08240782, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US08471103B2

A novel alfalfa variety designated 06N02PX and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 06N02PX with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 06N02PX through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 06N02PX or a trait conversion of 06N02PX with another alfalfa plant or population. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 06N02PX, methods for producing other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 06N02PX and the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08471096B1

A novel maize variety designated PH17T7 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH17T7 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17T7 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH17T7 or a locus conversion of PH17T7 with another maize variety.
US08471091B1

A novel maize variety designated X8F942 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8F942 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8F942 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8F942, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8F942. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8F942.
US08471088B2

The invention concerns the control of solvent systems in processes and apparatus for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from non-aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid-liquid extraction, extractive distillation, and the combination thereof.
US08471083B2

A reforming process using a medium pore zeolite under conditions to facilitate the conversion of C8 paraffinic compounds to para-xylene is provided. Para-xylene is produced at greater than thermodynamic equilibrium concentrations using the process.
US08471075B2

A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of first metal, a silicaceous support, and at least one support modifier. Preferably, the first metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, titanium, zinc, chromium, rhenium, molybdenum, and tungsten. In addition the catalyst may comprise a second metal preferably selected from the group consisting of copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, iron, cobalt, vanadium, tungsten, palladium, platinum, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, ruthenium, rhenium, gold, and nickel.
US08471071B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing coated silver catalysts. The invention further addresses the silver catalysts themselves and the advantageous use thereof in formaldehyde synthesis.
US08471067B2

A process for the stereoselective preparation of a P-chiral four-co-ordinated phosphorus compound, the process comprising reacting a first reactant selected from the group consisting of a chiral alcohol, chiral amine or chiral thiol, with a second reactant comprising a P-chiral three-co-ordinated phosphorus compound, in the presence of an electrophile.
US08471061B2

A 5-aminolevulinic acid salt which is useful in fields of microorganisms, fermentation, animals, medicaments, plants and the like; a process for producing the same; a medical composition comprising the same; and a plant activator composition comprising the same.
US08471059B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a salt of trifluoromethanesulphinic acid termed “triflinic acid”. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for preparing a highly pure triflinic acid salt. The method of the invention for preparing a highly pure triflinic acid salt, starting from an aqueous mixture comprising the latter combined with a trifluoroacetic acid salt and saline impurities resulting from the method for preparing same, is characterized in that said mixture is subjected to the following operations: —first controlled acidification such that the trifluoroacetic acid salt is essentially released in the acid form thereof, the majority of the triflinic acid remaining in a salified form, —optional separation of the salts originating from the acid having been used for the acidification and recovery of an aqueous phase, —separation of the trifluoroacetic acid from the separated aqueous phase comprising the alkaline salt of triflinic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, triflinic acid and the excess strong acid, therefore resulting in an aqueous phase depleted of trifluoroacetic acid but comprising the alkaline salt of triflinic acid, —recovery of the alkaline salt of triflinic acid from the aqueous phase.
US08471054B2

The invention provides biocompatible resorbable polymers, comprising monomer units having formula (I), formula (II), formula (III) or formula (IV). The polymers degrade over time when implanted in the body, and are useful as components of implantable medical devices.
US08471051B2

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the transition metal (e.g., Cu(I)) mediated amidation of C—H bonds using electron-rich aliphatic azides. In certain embodiments, the methods are useful for the C—H insertion of nitrenes generated and stabilized by a β-diketiminato metal catalyst. In certain embodiments, said nitrenes are generated from organoazides, or by oxidation of the corresponding amine. Another aspect of the present invention relates to olefin aziridination using said β-diketiminato metal catalysts. In addition, the methods of the present invention include stereoselective C—H bond aminations and olefin aziridinatons. In certain embodiments, the methods are conducted in an aerobic environment. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the use of O2 as an oxidant, wherein water is the byproduct of oxidation; this fact avoids the generation of toxic byproducts and renders the methods atom economical.
US08471047B1

The present invention relates to a series of mixed esters of glycerin esters having two distinct alkyl groups present thereon. One is a low melting product, having a melting point of below 70° C. and the other having a melting point of above 90° C. The presence of the two different melting point groups on the glycerin results in a modification of the hardness, spredability and aesthetics of the resulting mixed ester. This ability to alter hardness and skin aesthetics makes the products of the present invention useful in personal care products ranging as additives to pigmented products to minimize syneresis, to stick products alter the hardness, shrinkability and aesthetics of the stick, to pressed powders where they act to modify the compressability of the powders to which they are added as well as the feel achieved when they are applied to the skin.
US08471045B2

The process for the synthesis of statins featuring the use of an early intermediate (4R,6S)-6-(dialkoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol which already possesses the desired stereochemistry corresponding to the final statin.
US08471044B2

Crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate compositions and methods of use.
US08471032B2

The present invention aims to provide a stable form of (R)-2-{3-[1-(acenaphthen-1-yl)piperidin-4-yl]-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-benzimidazol-1-yl}-N-methylacetamide, which is free of problems of water adsorption and the like, and shows superior water solubility.The present invention provides a crystal and a salt of (R)-2-{3-[1-(acenaphthen-1-yl)piperidin-4-yl]-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-benzimidazol-1-yl}-N-methylacetamide in a crystal form.
US08471025B2

The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of sodium salt of trans-7-oxo-6-(sulphooxy)-1,6-diazabicyclo[3,2,1]octane-2-carboxamide (e.g., NXL-104) thereof. The present invention relates to compositions comprising a crystalline form of sodium salt of trans-7-oxo-6-(sulphooxy)-1,6-diazabicyclo[3,2,1]octane-2-carboxamide (e.g., NXL-104) alone or in combination with an antibacterial agent (e.g., ceftaroline fosamil). Processes for the preparation of the crystalline forms and methods of treating bacterial infections by administering the crystalline forms alone or in combination with an antibacterial agent (e.g., ceftaroline fosamil) are also described.
US08471017B2

It is an object to provide a novel bipolar organic compound. In particular, it is an object to provide a bipolar organic compound excellent in thermal stability. Further, it is another object to provide a bipolar organic compound which is electrochemically stable. A quinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (1) is provided. Further, since the quinoxaline derivative represented by the general formula (1) is bipolar, the use of the quinoxaline derivative of the present invention allows fabrication of a light-emitting element and a light-emitting device with a low driving voltage and low power consumption. Furthermore, a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency can be obtained.
US08471013B2

The present invention provides a process for reacting between a phenol derivative and an aromatic substrate under phenolate forming conditions comprising the following steps: (a) reacting a phenol derivative with a base in a polar organic solvent to obtain a phenolate salt, wherein water is removed form the reaction mixture during the reaction, (b) adding the aromatic substrate to the reaction mixture obtained in step (a), (c) heating the reaction mixture of step (b) to a temperature in the range of 80° to 1300° C., preferably, 90° to 1000° C. for 2 to 7 hours to obtain a phenoxy substituted aromatic substrate, (d) removing the solvent from the mixture of step (c) and optionally further isolating an purifying the phenoxy substituted aromatic substrate. Optionally, the removal of water during step (a) is in conjunction with partial removal of the organic solvent.
US08471010B2

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of dihydrothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine diols, and similar pyrimidine diols, that is efficient, high-yielding, and does not require expensive and potentially unstable intermediates. The diols are used as intermediates in the synthesis of pyrimidine compounds which inhibit PDE4, and are thus useful in the treatment of respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases and complaints, peripheral or central nervous system diseases and disorders, inflammatory conditions, and cancers.
US08471009B2

The invention relates to substituted 2-alkylamino-3-(arylsulfonyl)cycloalkyl[e or d]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, to serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists, to novel drug substances and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the said compounds as active ingredients, and to novel medicaments and method for treatment and prophylaxis of various CNS diseases.2-Alkylamino-3-arylsulfonylcycloalkyl[e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines of general formula 1 and 2-alkylamino-3-arylsulfonylcycloalkyl[d]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines of general formula 2, wherein: R1 is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; R2 is C1-C3 alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, one or more optionally identical halogen atoms, C1-C3 alkyl or hydroxyl group optionally substituted with C1-C3 alkyl; n is the whole numbers 1, 2 or 3.
US08471005B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula I or a salt form thereof, wherein Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 are as defined herein. The compound of formula I has ALK and/or JAK2 inhibitory activity, and may be used to treat proliferative disorders.
US08471002B2

Processes for producing dairy products having lower levels of neutral lipids, and/or higher levels of polar lipids, by extraction using near critical carbon dioxide or dimethyl ether. These products may be used as ingredients in infant formulas. Infant formulas containing beta-serum are also claimed. “Beta-serum” means an aqueous dairy ingredient separated from dairy streams containing greater than 60% fat which have been through phase inversion from an oil-in-water to a water-in-oil emulsion, such as the serum produced during the production of butter oil.
US08471001B2

It has been found that a limulus-positive glycolipid is present in xanthan gum derived from Xanthomonas, which has been commercially available and eaten for many years, and this was purified, and it has been found that this limulus-positive glycolipid has an immunopotentiation effect. A method for safely and inexpensively producing the limulus-positive glycolipid containing an immunopotentiator at high concentrations is provided. The method for producing the limulus-positive glycolipid of the present invention comprises extracting the limulus-positive glycolipid from xanthan gum. A limulus-positive glycolipid composition containing the limulus-positive glycolipid can be used for various applications such as pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals for animals, quasi drugs, cosmetics, foods, functional foods, feedstuff and bath agents.
US08470998B2

The invention pertains to the use of an apoptosis inducing combination of at least a. a first expression modulating compound silencing the expression of at least a first target gene involved in apoptosis and b. a second expression modulating compound silencing the expression of at least a second target gene involved in apoptosis as a positive control in expression modulating assays. Also provided are suitable methods, kits and compositions.
US08470993B2

The present application provides human antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-22 (IL-22). The antibodies can act as antagonists of IL-22 activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-22 in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in diagnosing, treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, septic shock, infectious disorders, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders.
US08470992B2

An antibody binding to IPC was obtained by using an animal cell in which a cell membrane protein associatable with ILT7 was co-expressed as an immunogen. The antibody of the invention has a high specificity which allows immunological distinction between other ILT family molecules and ILT7. The anti-ILT7 antibody of the invention bound to IPC and inhibited the activity thereof. With the anti-ILT7 antibody of the invention, the IPC activity can be inhibited and an interferon-related disease can be treated or prevented. ILT7 expression is maintained even in IPC in the presence of IFNα. Therefore, an inhibitory action of IPC activity by the anti-ILT7 antibody can be expected even in an autoimmune disease patient with an increased production of IFNα.
US08470983B2

Disclosed is L-glucose monohydrate and compositions thereof. Also disclosed are methods for making L-glucose monohydrate and compositions thereof. Further disclosed are methods for colonic cleansing using L-sugars, such as L-glucose monohydrate, and compositions and kits useful for colonic cleansing.
US08470972B2

Methods and compositions for delivering polynucleotides are provided. One embodiment provides a non-viral vector comprising a recombinant polynucleotide-binding protein comprising a protein transduction domain operably linked to a targeting signal. Methods for modifying the genome of non-nuclear organelles are also provided.
US08470968B2

It is an objective of the present invention to identify SPARC protein-derived peptides that are able to induce human killer T cells and helper T cells having cytotoxic activity to tumors, and to provide a means for carrying out a tumor immunotherapy of patients with various types of cancers overexpressing SPARC. The present invention provides a peptide of any of the following: (A) a peptide which consists of the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3; or (B) a peptide which consists of an amino acid sequence comprising a substitution or addition of one or several amino acids with respect to the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3, and which has capacity to induce cytotoxic (killer) T cells.
US08470963B2

The invention relates to a synthetic bifunctional non-antibody compound comprising one or more effector moieties and one or more binder moieties, wherein the effector moieties are operably linked to the binder moieties via a linker, the effector moieties are ligands to at least one pathogen pattern recognition receptor (PRR) and the binder moieties bind to a marker of a tumor cell.
US08470961B2

Disclosed are new semiconductor materials prepared from naphthalene-imide copolymers. Such polymers can exhibit desirable electronic properties and can possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability at ambient conditions.
US08470955B2

The present invention relates to a poly(arylene ether) copolymer having a cation exchange group, a method for manufacturing the same, and use thereof. The poly(arylene ether) copolymer having the cation exchange group according to the present invention has excellent physical characteristics, ion exchanging capacity, metal ion adsorption capacity and a processability, and thus can be molded in various shapes and can be extensively applied to various fields such as recovering of organic metal, air purification, catalysts, water treatment, medical fields and separating of proteins.
US08470949B2

Low VOC mineral surface enhancer compositions are non-yellowing and contain a condensable aminoorgano-functional organopolysiloxane fluid, a condensable organopolysiloxane resin, and a condensation catalyst. The compositions provide a durable, color enhancing wet look to mineral surfaces to which they are applied.
US08470947B2

Disclosed is an ethylenic polymer having a long characteristic relaxation time. The ethylenic polymer satisfies the following requirements: (a) the ethylenic polymer is a non-crosslinked ethylenic polymer; (b) the number of long-chain branches (LCB) per 1000 carbon atoms is 0.1-1.5 inclusive; (c) the intrinsic viscosity [η] is 1.0-3.0 dl/g inclusive; and (d) the ratio (G′/G″) of the storage modulus (G′) to the loss modulus (G″), determined by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement at 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.1 rad/sec is 0.8 or more and 4.0 or less.
US08470944B2

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide forming polynorbornenes useful for forming pervaporation membranes, the membranes themselves and methods of making such membranes.
US08470940B2

Novel group 4 organometallic compounds, supported on anions by means of at least one covalent metal-oxygen bond, are obtained by reaction of at least one borate or aluminum comprising at least one hydroxy group with at least one group 4 transition metal compound. These compounds are used in a catalytic composition implemented in an olefin oligomerization or polymerization method.
US08470935B2

There are provided: a shape-memory resin, which is formed from a polylactic acid derivative thereby enabling reduction of an environmental load, has an excellent shape-memory property, high strength, and high toughness, and with which a molded product with high durability, for example, an electronic equipments, particularly a wearable electronic equipments capable of freely changing the shape thereof or the like, can be shaped; and a molded product thereof. The shape-memory resin of the present invention has a three-dimensional structure, in which a polylactic acid derivative having two or more functional groups capable of forming a cross-linking site is cross-linked using a flexible polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) lower than 30° C. and having two or more functional groups capable of forming a cross-linking site, and a linker.
US08470933B2

A coating is used to detect a fluid leak.
US08470931B2

An adhesive film comprising a substrate and an adhesive layer on said substrate, said adhesive layer comprising: (A) a carboxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 25 C or lower, said carboxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate polymer having a percent number of repeating units of 4.0 to 25% based on the total number of repeating units of the (meth)acrylate polymer; and (B) an amino group-containing (meth)acrylate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 75 C or higher, said amino group-containing (meth)acrylate polymer having a percent number of amino group-containing repeating units of 3.5 to 15% based on the total number of repeating units of the (meth)acrylate polymer, wherein the ratio by weight of said component (A) to said component (B) is from 62:38 to 75:25.
US08470926B2

The present invention relates to an unsaturated polyester resin comprising itaconate ester units as reactive unsaturation, wherein the resin comprises itaconate, citraconate and mesaconate ester units. Preferably, the resin comprises itaconate, citraconate and mesaconate ester units in an amount of from 40 to 90 mol % itaconate, from 2 to 30 mol % citraconate and from 5 to 40 mol % mesaconate in which 100 mol % is the total amount of itaconate, citraconate and mesaconate esters units.
US08470924B2

The present invention is directed to a color-pigmented paint composition with high hiding power, comprising a solvent or a solvent mixture and a.) based on the total formulation, 1% to 80% by weight of a polysilazane of the formula (1) —(SiR′R″—NR′″)n−  (1) and b.) based on the total formulation 1% to 15% by weight, particularly 2% to 8% by weight, of one or more pigments wherein R′, R″, and R″′ are alike or different and independently of one another are hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, aryl, vinyl or (trialkoxysilyl)alkyl radical, n being an integer and n having a magnitude such that the polysilazane has a number average molecular weight of 150 to 150 000 g/mol.
US08470916B2

A halogen-free flame retardant obtainable by polycondensation of phosphoric monomers with esterifying monomers is provided. The phosphoric monomer is an adduct of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phospha-phenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and ring substituted DOPO derivatives to unsaturated carboxylic acids. Monovalent and polyvalent alcohols are used as esterifying monomers. The flame retardant has an average molecular weight of more than 20,000 and an average degree of polymerization Pn of at least 55, and is preferably used for the production of polyamide fibers and polyester fibers by melt spinning.
US08470915B2

A thermoplastic additive composition comprises an acetal compound and at least one co-additive. The acetal compound can be the product of the reaction between an alditol or a C1 substituted alditol and a benzaldehyde. The co-additive can be a fatty acid amide compound, a fatty acid ester compound, and/or a fluoropolymer. A thermoplastic composition comprises a thermoplastic (e.g., one or more polyolefins) and an additive composition as described above.
US08470908B2

Printing ink formulations containing polyvinyl isoacetals as a binder component exhibit lower solution viscosity and higher binder Tg, allowing use of more binder and more pigment, thus increasing depth of color and printing speed, as well as lowering the risk of delamination and ruboff.
US08470907B2

An additive based on a polyalkylenimine and a sulphonated formaldehyde-containing condensate and its use as a fluid loss additive in the cementing of wells in the mineral oil and natural gas sector is claimed. Polyethylenimine, polypropylenimine and polybutylenimine are suitable as typical representatives of the polyalkylenimines and may also be derivatised. Preferred condensates are acetone/formaldehyde resins. Those additives according to the invention which are subjected to maturing, in particular by allowing to stand, prior to their use achieve a particularly low fluid loss value.
US08470902B2

A continuous pore elastomer featured by being made of a polyurethane, having a three dimensional network pore structure of which skeletons have an average thickness of 20 μm or less and 80% or more of the skeletons have a thickness within the range of 2 to 20 μm, having an apparent density of 0.2 to 0.4 g/cm3, containing a surfactant with a HLB value of 8 or more, and being capable of absorbing water instantly;a process for producing the continuous pore elastomer, comprising a step of extracting out the pore generation agent from the molding with water; anda water-absorbing roller and a swab obtained by using the continuous pore elastomer.
US08470901B2

A composition for manufacturing an organic aerogel including at least one monomer having at least two substituted or unsubstituted acrylamide groups and a solvent is provided, along with an organic aerogel including a polymeric reaction product of the monomer or monomers.
US08470881B2

The present application discloses a system for trapping flying insects, a first chemical lure such as lactic acid, a salt of lactic acid, or combinations thereof, and a second chemical lure comprising a source of ammonia. The lures may be employed in particular geometric shapes contained in specifically designed housing to ensure an effective release rate over extended periods of time.
US08470879B2

Fatty acid inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions including fatty acid inhibitors, methods for using fatty acid inhibitors to treat a variety of diseases, and methods for preparing fatty acid inhibitors are provided herein.
US08470877B2

2-Phenylethylamino substituted carboxamide derivatives and their use as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators useful in preventing, alleviating and curing a wide range of pathologies are presented.
US08470872B2

Disclosed herein are compounds of Formula I as disclosed herein, methods of modulating the activity of an estrogen receptor and methods of treating a disorder associated with estrogen receptors.
US08470869B2

The present invention relates to new salts of perindopril, particularly to a new calcium salt and new amine salts of perindopril, to a process for their preparation and to a pharmaceutical formulations containing the new salts.
US08470867B2

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) having pharmacological activity towards the sigma receptor, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which the sigma receptor is involved.
US08470862B2

A method for the prevention and treatment of hypotension and shock due to low peripheral resistance, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a certain imidazole derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable ester or salt thereof, and a method for the treatment of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a certain imidazole derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable ester or salt thereof.
US08470860B2

There is provided a compound of Formula I wherein X, Y and Z are each independently of each other an optional linker group; R1 is a ring system; R2 is selected from hydrocarbyl groups, oxyhydrocarbyl groups, cyano (—CN), nitro (—NO2) and halogens; R3 and R4 are independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl, ring A and B are independently optionally further substituted.
US08470859B2

Provided are an iminopyridine derivative having a selective α1D adrenergic receptor antagonistic action and useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of a lower urinary tract disease and the like, and a screening method for a compound having an α1D adrenergic receptor antagonistic action. An α1D adrenergic receptor antagonist containing a compound represented by the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, and a method of screening for an agent having an α1D adrenergic receptor antagonistic action for the prophylaxis or treatment of a lower urinary tract disease, which includes measuring the bladder smooth muscle tension of rats with bladder outlet obstruction.
US08470858B2

The present invention comprises an agave syrup stored for at least eight weeks, having phytochemicals preferably selected from the group comprising flavonoids, polycosanols and sapogenins, which provide anticancerigen and antioxidant properties to the agave syrup. It is also described an extract of said agave syrup and a related method for its extraction and application for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
US08470854B2

The present application describes lactam-containing compounds and derivatives thereof of Formula I: P4—P-M-M4  I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, wherein ring P, if present is a 5-7 membered carbocycle or heterocycle and ring M is a 5-7 membered carbocycle or heterocycle. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa.
US08470849B2

The present invention relates to 7-azaindole derivatives of formula I as selective inhibitors of the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD-1) and the use of such compounds for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, anxiety, depression, immune disorders, hypertension and other diseases and conditions.
US08470844B2

The present invention provides IA derivative compounds of the formula: where the variables are described herein.
US08470843B2

The invention provides novel compounds having the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and A are as described herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds.
US08470842B2

Disclosed are hydrochloride and tosylate crystalline salt forms of (5S,8S)-8-[{(1R)-1-(3,5-Bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethoxy}-methyl]-8-phenyl-1,7-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one, represented by Formula I and methods of preparing the same.
US08470838B2

Quinazolinones of formulae 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are disclosed. They are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases and disorders associated with KSP kinesin activity.
US08470834B2

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): (Chemical formula should be inserted here as it appears on abstract in paper form) (I) and tautomers, isomers, and esters of said compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and prodrugs of said compounds, wherein each of R, R1, X, Y, Z, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R18, R19, and n is selected independently and as defined herein. Compositions comprising such compounds are also provided. The compounds of the invention are effective as inhibitors of HCV, and are useful, alone and together with other therapeutic agents, in treating or preventing diseases or disorders such as viral infections and virus-related disorders.
US08470829B2

An imidazole derivative represented by formula (I): wherein Q is: A is hydrogen, halogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-4 alkyl group; E is independently selected from a C1-6 alkyl group; R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1-6 alkyls; X1 and X2 are independently selected from O and S; Y is selected from a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group and a substituted or unsubstituted divalent 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8- to 10-membered condensed heterocyclic group; Z is —CON(—Ra)—, —CO—, —OOO—, —NRa—C(═NH)NRb—, —NRa—C(═N—CN)NRb—, —N(—Ra)COO—, —C(═NH)—, —SO2—, —SO2N(—Ra)—, —SO2NR1—, —N(—Ra)CO—, —N(—Ra)CON(—Rb)—, —N(COR1)CO—, —N(—Ra)SO2—, —N(SO2R1)SO2—, —N(—Ra)— or —N(—Ra)SO2N(—Rb)—; R1 is independently a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or substituted or unsubstituted group selected from C1-6 alkyl group, heterocyclic group, aryl group, C3-8 cycloalkyl group and C3-8 cycloalkenyl group; or salt or prodrug thereof.
US08470818B2

Compounds active on protein kinases are described, as well as methods of using such compounds to treat diseases and conditions associated with aberrant activity of protein kinases.
US08470813B2

The invention relates to a series of thiazoline and oxazoline derivatives, compositions thereof, and methods of treating conditions and disorders using such compounds.
US08470811B2

The present application relates to novel substituted 1-[3-(heterocyclyl)benzyl]-1H-pyrazole derivatives, to processes for preparation thereof, to use thereof for treatment and/or prevention of diseases and to use thereof for production of medicaments for treatment and/or prevention of diseases, more particularly for treatment and/or prevention of hyperproliferative and angiogenic diseases and those diseases which arise from metabolic adaptation to hypoxic states. Such treatments can be effected in the form of monotherapy or else in combination with other medicaments or further therapeutic measures.
US08470810B2

The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; G is CH2 or CHR3; R1 is H, C,-C6-alkyl, C,-C6-alkyl substituted by C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C6-hydroxyalkyl, fluorinated C,-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, fluorinated C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6 alkenyl, fluorinated C3-C6-alkenyl, formyl, acetyl or propionyl; R2, R3 and R4 are, independently of each other, H, methyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, or trifluoromethyl; A is phenylene, pyridylene, pyrimidylene, pyrazinylene, pyridazinylene or thiophenylene, which can be substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, methyl, methoxy and CF3; E is NR5 or CH2, wherein R5 is H or C1-C3-alkyl; Ar is a cyclic radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic radical comprising as ring members 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S and a phenyl ring fused to a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, where the heterocyclic ring comprises as ring members 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S and/or 1, 2 or 3 heteroatom-containing groups each independently selected from NR8, where R8 is H, C1-C4-alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4alkylcarbonyl or fluorinated C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, and where the cyclic radical Ar may carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents Ra, wherein the variable Ra has the meanings given in the claims and in the description; and physiologically tolerated acid addition salts thereof. The invention also relates to the use of a compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a medical disorder susceptible to treatment with a dopamine D3 receptor ligand.
US08470809B2

The present invention relates to novel polymorph of Ceftiofur sodium as a crystalline product. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of novel polymorphs of crystalline Ceftiofur sodium of formula (I).
US08470805B2

A series of monoquarternary piperazium salts including a structure of a formula I or II are provided. In formula I or II, R1, Ra, and RX are as defined in the specification. The monoquarternary piperazium salt of KMUP or piperazine disclosed in the present invention is characterized by being presented in a pro-drug form and having various pharmaceutical functions.
US08470797B2

The invention relates to vectors for the inducible expression of RNA molecules in eukaryotic, particularly mammalian cells and transgenic animals.
US08470795B2

Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of kinesin-like 1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding kinesin-like 1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of kinesin-like 1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of kinesin-like 1 are provided.
US08470788B2

Dermatological conditions/afflictions such as rosacea, common acne, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, acneform rashes, transient acantholytic dermatosis, and acne necrotica miliaris, most notably rosacea, are treated by topically applying onto the affected skin area of an individual in need of such treatment, a topical pharmaceutical composition which comprises a thus effective amount of ivermectin.
US08470783B2

A therapeutic agent for prostate cancer and malignant lymphoma containing FK228 or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method for evaluating an antitumor effect of a histone deacetylase inhibitor which includes at least a step of treating a test cell with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, a step of measuring change in the expression amount of a specific gene in the test cell before and, after the treatment with the inhibitor, comparing the both expression amounts.
US08470781B2

The present invention provides novel physiological substrates of mammalian glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), new effectors of QC and the use of such effectors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such effectors for the treatment of diseases that can be treated by modulation of QC-activity, e.g. diseases selected from the group consisting of duodenal cancer with or w/o Heliobacter pylori infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, Familial British Dementia and Familial Danish Dementia.
US08470779B2

A novel mammalian catecholamine-regulated protein called CRP40 is identified. This protein, and nucleic acid encoding same, is useful in methods of diagnosing and treating hypodopaminergic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease, multisystem atrophy, lewy body dementia, schizophrenia, and bipolar disease.
US08470773B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R5, s, and Z are selected independently of each other and are as defined herein, to compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds as glucagon receptor antagonists and for the treatment or prevention of type 2 diabetes and conditions related thereto.
US08470772B2

Peptides are provided having leptin receptor agonist activity. The peptides are useful for treating obesity, insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and hypothalamic amenorrhea, anorexia-related infertility, among other diseases and conditions related to leptin deficiency and/or leptin resistance.
US08470763B2

Disclosed are a series of α-amino-N-substituted amide compounds having a structure of the following formula, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and the pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The α-amino-N-substituted amide compounds or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof according to the present invention have anti-tumor and/or anti-cancer activities in vivo and in vitro, can effectively depress the growth of various tumor cells and/or cancer cells, and thus can be used in preparing drugs for treating tumors and/or cancers.
US08470759B2

The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising biodegradable abrasive cleaning particles.
US08470745B2

Methods for isolating and using multi-protein complexes that are biologically active are provided. The complexes contain one or more proteins of interest (e.g. a receptor, ion channel, etc.) and associates scaffolding proteins such as phosphatases, kinases and post synaptic density components. Buffers that do not contain denaturing agents and which may be used to isolate the multi-protein complexes are also provided, as are protein arrays containing the biologically active multi-protein complexes. The protein arrays may be used, for example, for high throughput screening assays.
US08470744B2

A coated conductor is provided with improved electrical connection between the conductive layers such as the high temperature superconductor layer and a metal protection layer applied onto the high temperature superconductor layer and the substrate. A method includes obtaining such electrical connection, in particular, creating a coated conductor wherein the substrate is a core covered with the layers all around its periphery.
US08470742B2

Oil based emulsifiable concentrates containing a liquid saccharide including a) at least one oil component; b) at least one saccharide, particularly a liquid saccharide solution (LS); c) and at least one non-ionic surfactant. The concentrate may also contain at least one of d) at least one surfactant hydrocarbyl saccharide; or e) at least one anionic surfactant; or f) at least one additional oil soluble non-ionic surfactant. The concentrates are typically homogeneous for at least 24 hours and emulsify readily on dilution into water. The concentrates may also contain an antifoaming agent especially a polysiloxane. Upon dilution in water, the emulsions formed from the concentrates are applied to substrates in combination with agrochemically active ingredients, preferably N-phosphonomethylglycine in the form of its soluble salts, to control weeds.
US08470740B2

A flowering stimulant composition with Nitrobenzene for Agricultural and Horticultural flowering crops including Nitrobenzene as an Active ingredient, with Natural/Synthetic/Ionic (or) Non Ionic chemical surfactant and base with petro (or) Non petro solvent base. A typical example of 100 kg of the composition has 5 to 10 kgs. of Linear alkyl Benzene (Acid slurry), 1 to 2 kgs. of Sodium Hydroxide, 2 to 4 kgs. of Urea, 20 kg of Nitro Benzene and Quantum sufficientum Filler & stabilizer. In the case of 100 kgs. of granular formulation, the composition has 75 kg or 80 kg of Roasted or unroasted Bentonite clay or silica quartz sand granules, 10 kg or 15 kg Nitrobenzene and Quantum sufficientum Coating agent and De-activating Chemicals.
US08470730B2

Disclosed is a method for producing a catalyst, in which physical properties of a dried material or a calcined material in a production process of the catalyst are stable and a change in at least one of a catalyst activity and a selectivity to a target product is small and hence reproducibility of the catalyst is excellent. The present invention is a method for producing a catalyst containing molybdenum, bismuth, and iron, which contains the steps of washing a surface of at least one device equipped in an apparatus for the production of catalyst, to which a solid matter adheres, with a basic solution, and producing the catalyst with the apparatus for the production of catalyst thus washed.
US08470722B2

A composite wind barrier fabric having the ability to maintain a high MVTR while controlling air permeability. The fabric has a nanofiber layer optionally welded to, and in a face-to-face relationship with, a fabric layer. Optionally a second fabric layer is welded adjacent to and in a face-to-face relationship with the nanofiber layer and on the opposite side of the nanofiber layer to the first fabric layer. The fabric has a Frazier air permeability of between about 1.2 m3/m2/min and about 7.6 m3/m2/min, and an MVTR per ASTM E-96B method of greater than about 500 g/m2/day. The nanofiber layer is dyed over at least a portion or all of its surface or both.
US08470719B2

Provided are a nonvolatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same, in which a phase-change layer is formed using a solid-state reaction to reduce a programmable volume, thereby lessening power consumption. The device includes a first reactant layer, a second reactant layer formed on the first reactant layer, and a phase-change layer formed between the first and second reactant layers due to a solid-state reaction between a material forming the first reactant layer and a material forming the second reactant layer. The phase-change memory device consumes low power and operates at high speed.
US08470707B2

A process for forming an integrated circuit with reduced sidewall spacers to enable improved silicide formation between minimum spaced transistor gates. A process for forming an integrated circuit with reduced sidewall spacers by first forming sidewall spacer by etching a sidewall dielectric and stopping on an etch stop layer, implanting source and drain dopants self aligned to the sidewall spacers, followed by removing a portion of the sidewall dielectric and removing the etch stop layer self aligned to the reduced sidewall spacers prior to forming silicide.
US08470701B2

Various heat-sinked components and methods of making heat-sinked components are disclosed where diamond in thermal contact with one or more heat-generating components are capable of dissipating heat, thereby providing thermally-regulated components. Thermally conductive diamond is provided in patterns capable of providing efficient and maximum heat transfer away from components that may be susceptible to damage by elevated temperatures. The devices and methods are used to cool flexible electronics, integrated circuits and other complex electronics that tend to generate significant heat. Also provided are methods of making printable diamond patterns that can be used in a range of devices and device components.
US08470700B2

A method (and semiconductor device) of fabricating a semiconductor device provides a filed effect transistor (FET) with reduced contact resistance (and series resistance) for improved device performance. An impurity is implanted in the source/drain (S/D) regions after contact silicide formation and a spike anneal process is performed that lowers the schottky barrier height (SBH) of the interface between the silicide and the lower junction region of the S/D regions. This results in lower contact resistance and reduces the thickness (and Rs) of the region at the silicide-semiconductor interface.
US08470699B2

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor apparatus which provides a smooth silicon carbide surface while maintaining a high impurity activation ratio. The method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor apparatus which forms an impurity region in the surface layer of a silicon carbide substrate includes the steps of implanting an impurity into the surface layer of the silicon carbide substrate, forming a carbon film on the surface of the silicon carbide substrate, preliminarily heating the silicon carbide substrate with the carbon film as a protective film, and thermally activating the silicon carbide substrate with the carbon film as a protective film.
US08470698B2

In a method for growing a p-type SiC semiconductor single crystal on a SiC single crystal substrate, using a first solution in which C is dissolved in a melt of Si, a second solution is prepared by adding Al and N to the first solution such that an amount of Al added is larger than that of N added, and the p-type SiC semiconductor single crystal is grown on the SiC single crystal substrate from the second solution. A p-type SiC semiconductor single crystal is provided which is grown by the method as described above, and which contains 1×1020 cm−3 of Al and 2×1018 to 7×1018 cm−3 of N as impurities.
US08470695B2

A semiconductor element of the electric circuit includes a semiconductor layer over a gate electrode. The semiconductor layer of the semiconductor element is formed of a layer including polycrystalline silicon which is obtained by crystallizing amorphous silicon by heat treatment or laser irradiation, over a substrate. The obtained layer including polycrystalline silicon is also used for a structure layer such as a movable electrode of a structure body. Therefore, the structure body and the electric circuit for controlling the structure body can be formed over one substrate. As a result, a micromachine can be miniaturized. Further, assembly and packaging are unnecessary, so that manufacturing cost can be reduced.
US08470679B2

A semiconductor device includes a buried layer and a deep contact for providing a low resistive connection to the buried layer. The deep contact is formed by doped polycrystalline silicon. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a deep contact for providing a low resistive connection to the buried layer, with the steps of forming a buried layer, providing an active region adjacent the buried layer and forming a deep contact for providing a low resistive connection to the buried layer by patterning a contact shape for the deep contact on an upper surface of the active region, removing part of the active region underneath the contact shape to create a deep contact cavity. Subsequently a polycrystalline silicon layer for filling the deep contact cavity is deposited and doped.
US08470674B2

A structure, method and system for complementary strain fill for integrated circuit chips. The structure includes a first region of an integrated circuit having multiplicity of n-channel and p-channel field effect transistors (FETs); a first stressed layer over n-channel field effect transistors (NFETs) of the first region, the first stressed layer of a first stress type; a second stressed layer over p-channel field effect transistors (PFETs) of the first region, the second stressed layer of a second stress type, the second stress type opposite from the first stress type; and a second region of the integrated circuit, the second region not containing FETs, the second region containing first sub-regions of the first stressed layer and second sub-regions of the second stressed layer.
US08470673B2

A semiconductor device includes an active region having a sidewall, which has a sidewall step, a junction formed under a surface of the sidewall step, and a buried bit line configured to contact the junction.
US08470664B2

A dual polysilicon gate is fabricated by, inter alia, forming a polysilicon layer doped with impurities of a first conductivity type on a substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a mask pattern that covers the polysilicon layer in the first region and leaves the polysilicon layer in the second region, injecting impurities of a second conductivity type into the polysilicon layer in the second region left exposed by the mask pattern. Removing the mask pattern, and patterning the polysilicon layer to form a first polysilicon pattern in the first region and a second polysilicon pattern in the second region. The second polysilicon pattern is formed to have protrusions that laterally protrude from sidewalls thereof. Subsequently, impurities of the second conductivity type are injected into the substrate in the second region and into the protrusions of the second polysilicon pattern.
US08470662B2

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method for making the same, wherein, according to the method, after the gate stack is formed, a buffer layer is formed on sidewalls of an PMOS gate stack, the buffer layer being formed of a porous low-k dielectric layer; and then, sidewall spacers and source/drain/halo regions, and source and drain regions are formed for the device; and finally, a high-temperature anneal is conducted in an oxygen environment such that the oxygen in the oxygen environment diffuse through the buffer layer into the high-k dielectric layer of the second gate stack. The present invention lowers threshold voltage of the PMOS device without affecting the threshold voltage of the NMOS device, avoids damages to the gate and substrate incurred by removing the PMOS sidewall spacer in a traditional process, and hereby effectively improves the overall performance of the device.
US08470643B2

Conductive core balls are joined to joint pads formed on an upper substrate. Core balls are joined to joint pads formed on an extending part of an upper-substrate substrate material. The joint pads formed on the extending part of the upper-substrate substrate material are joined to the joint pads formed on an extending part of a lower-substrate substrate material via the core balls. The joint pads formed in an area corresponding to the upper substrate of the upper-substrate substrate material are connected to the joint pads formed in an area corresponding to a lower substrate of the lower-substrate substrate material via the core balls and the conductive core balls. The upper-substrate substrate material is fixed to the lower-substrate substrate material by a mold resin supplied therebetween. The extending parts of the upper-substrate substrate material and the lower-substrate substrate material are removed, and the semiconductor packages are individualized.
US08470633B2

A method comprises providing a bottom electrode, depositing, on the bottom electrode, an active material comprising a first structural portion having an absorption peak at a UV wavelength, wherein such first structural portion is photo-activatable at such wavelength and which is constituted by monomers or oligomers that, when irradiated at said wavelength, undergo a photo-polymerization and/or photo-cross-linking reaction, or constituted by a polymer that at a UV wavelength undergoes a photo-degradation reaction, and a second electrically active or activatable structural portion which is substantially transparent to such predetermined UV wavelength; exposing a portion of the active material, through a photomask, to UV radiation having such UV wavelength, with photo-activation of the exposed portion of such film; selectively removing either the exposed photo-activated portion or the non-exposed portion, with exposure of a respective portion of the bottom electrode; depositing a head electrode.
US08470630B2

The invention relates to a method for capping a MEMS wafer (1), in particular a sensor and/or actuator wafer, with at least one mechanical functional element (10). According to the invention, it is provided that the movable mechanical functional element (10) is fixed by means of a sacrificial layer (14), and that a cap layer (19) is applied to, in particular epitaxially grown onto, the sacrificial layer (14) and/or to at least one intermediate layer (17) applied to the sacrificial layer (14). The invention also relates to a capped MEMS wafer (1).
US08470628B2

A method is disclosed to fabricate an electro-mechanical device such as a MEMS or NEMS switch. The method includes providing a silicon layer disposed over an insulating layer that is disposed on a silicon substrate; releasing a portion of the silicon layer from the insulating layer so that it is at least partially suspended over a cavity in the insulating layer; depositing a metal (e.g., Pt) on at least one surface of at least the released portion of the silicon layer and, using a thermal process, fully siliciding at least the released portion of the silicon layer using the deposited metal. The method eliminates silicide-induced stress to the released Si member, as the entire Si member is silicided. Furthermore no conventional wet chemical etch is used after forming the fully silicided material thereby reducing a possibility of causing corrosion of the silicide and an increase in stiction.
US08470622B1

A method for manufacturing an array substrate of a transmissive LCD includes: (1) providing a substrate; (2) forming a transparent electrode layer on the substrate and forming a first metal layer on the transparent electrode layer; (3) applying a first photo-masking operation to form a gate terminal and a pixel electrode; (4) forming an insulation layer on the gate terminal and the pixel electrode; (5) applying a second photo-masking operation to form a gate insulation layer on the insulation layer; (6) forming a semiconductor layer on the gate insulation layer and forming a second metal layer on the semiconductor layer; and (7) applying a third photo-masking operation to form a channel layer on the semiconductor layer and also forming a drain terminal and a source terminal on the second metal layer, so as to form a thin-film transistor.
US08470616B2

Apparatuses and methods for manufacturing a solar cell are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the solar cell may be manufactured by disposing a solar cell in a chamber having a particle source; disposing a patterned assembly comprising an aperture and an assembly segment between the particle source and the solar cell; and selectively implanting first type dopants traveling through the aperture into a first region of the solar cell while minimizing introduction of the first type dopants into a region outside of the first region.
US08470613B2

In one embodiment, a packaging solution for an application integrated circuit (IC) and one or more other ICs is provided. The packaging solution may support both chip-on-chip packaging of the application IC (in flip-chip connection to a package substrate) and other ICs (in non-flip chip orientation), and package-on-package packaging of the application IC and the other ICs. The package substrate may include a first set of pads proximate to the application IC to support chip-on-chip connection to the other ICs. The pads may be connected to conductors that extend underneath the application IC, to connect to the application IC. A second set of pads may be connected to package pins for package-on-package solutions. If the chip-on-chip solution proves reliable, support for the package-on-package solution may be eliminated and the package substrate may be reduced in size.
US08470608B2

The sensitivity of visually read lateral flow immunoassay tests is enhanced by adding a small quantity of fluorescing dye or fluorescing latex bead conjugates to the initial conjugate material. When the visible spectrum test line is visibly present, the test result is observed and recorded. However, in the case where the result is indeterminate, a light of an appropriate spectrum, such as a UV, visible, or infrared spectrum, is cast on the test line to excite and fluoresce the fluorescing latex beads which are bound in the test line in true positive tests to enhance the visible color at the test line.
US08470599B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing the differentiation of stem cells into renal progenitor cells. In particular, the present invention provides compositions containing activin-a, retinoic acid, and bmp-7, and variants thereof, for differentiating stem cells into renal cells containing tubular epithelia. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides stem cells cultured with compositions used to treat renal disease.
US08470594B2

Disclosed are embryonic stem cells and motor neurons derived from mice carrying transgenic alleles of the normal or mutant human SOD1 gene. Also disclosed are in vitro systems employing such SOD1 transgenic motor neurons for the study of neural degenerative disease.
US08470587B2

This invention relates to enzyme-sensitive biosensors and methods and kits using the same. Specifically, the invention relates to methods, systems and kits for the detection of enzymes using the chemical shift observed in an isotope complexed to the biosensor resulting from a change in the biosensor as the result of the enzyme's activity.
US08470582B2

The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism comprising one or more gene disruptions, the one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding an enzyme obligatory to coupling 1,4-butanediol production to growth of the microorganism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme, whereby the one or more gene disruptions confers stable growth-coupled production of 1,4-butanediol onto the non-naturally occurring microorganism. The microorganism can further comprise a gene encoding an enzyme in a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) biosynthetic pathway. The invention additionally relates to methods of using microorganisms to produce BDO.
US08470581B2

The present invention provides methods for increasing the amount of isoprene produced by cultured cells with only a minimal increase in carbon dioxide emitted, thereby resulting in process having a greater yield of isoprene relative to carbon dioxide. In addition, the present invention provides compositions that include the cultured cells or isoprene produced there from.
US08470575B2

The present invention provides a mutant 27 kDa NIa proteinase having reduced self-cleavage activity relative to the self-cleavage activity of its wild-type proteinase. The mutant has the same substrate cleavage activity as the wild-type proteinase but is more stable than the wild-type proteinase. The present invention also provides a method of obtaining large quantities of active 27 kDa NIa proteinase for use as a tool for purification of other proteins.
US08470567B2

A process and an apparatus for the manufacture of biogas and a solids fraction from an organic waste feedstock is provided. The process involves thermal hydrolysis of the organic waste feedstock at a temperature from about 100 to about 220° C., a pressure from about 5 to about 20 bars, for a period of time from about 15 minutes to 4 hours, to produce a hydrolysate. The hydrolysate undergoes anaerobic digestion at a temperature from about 25 to 60° C., for a period of time from about 1 to 35 days to produce a biogas stream, characterized as having a methane content from between 55 to 75% by volume and a digestate. The digestate is separated into a solids fraction and a liquid fraction, and a portion of the solids fraction is recycled for further anaerobic digestion.
US08470566B2

A non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol. The aforementioned organisms are cultured to produce isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol.
US08470555B2

As a result of dedicated research, the present inventors have successfully invented a collagen gene construct which can be easily purified and maintains a triple helix structure equivalent to that of naturally-occurring collagen while having a low molecular weight. Specifically, one-step purification by affinity purification is enabled because CR-D (a signal peptide) has a carbohydrate recognition domain. By substituting a portion of a human collagen structural gene of the present invention with the collagen-like structural gene portion of MBL, a low-molecular-weight collagen which maintains a triple helix structure and is thermally stable can be obtained with high purity and in large quantities.
US08470550B2

Disclosed herein are compositions for producing ethanol, which compositions comprise raw starch and amylase enzymes.
US08470549B2

The present invention relates to a method for detecting an antigen with use of an antibody and an enzyme. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for detecting an antigen without use of a labeled-antibody. the method comprises immersing particles in a first buffer solution which is predicted to contain the antigen; wherein an antibody and a multi-copper oxidase CueO are immobilized on each surface of the particles, and the antibody reacts specifically with the antigen. The method further comprises the following steps recovering the obtained particles; mixing the particles recovered, an oxidation-reduction indicator (reductant), and a second buffer solution so as to prepare a reaction solution; measuring an activity degree of the multi-copper oxidase CueO contained in the reaction solution; determining that the first buffer solution contains the antigen based on the above activity degree.
US08470546B2

Methods are provided for treating autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using agents that activate the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic (LC-NA) system of the brain and for screening for compounds for treating ASD comprising determining whether or not the compounds activate the LC-NA system.
US08470543B2

The present invention relates to novel methods and devices for differentiating in a patient parathyroid diseases, such as hyperparathyroidism and related bone diseases, from normal or non-disease states. One detects whole or non-fragmented (1 to 84) parathyroid hormone in a biological sample and also a large non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragment that can function as a parathyroid hormone antagonist. By either comparing values or using independently the value of either the large non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragment, the whole parathyroid hormone, or the combination of these values, one is able to differentiate parathyroid and bone related disease states, as well as differentiate such states from normal states.
US08470542B2

The invention provides methods of measuring and/or quantifying the presence and/or amount of p95 and/or p95 complex in a sample. The invention also provides antibodies specific for p95.
US08470537B2

A method of preselecting a multiplicity of DNA sequence segments that will comprise the DNA molecule of user-defined sequence, separating the DNA sequence segments temporally, and combining the multiplicity of DNA sequence segments with at least one polymerase enzyme wherein the multiplicity of DNA sequence segments join to produce the DNA molecule of user-defined sequence. Sequence segments may be of length n, where n is an odd integer. In one embodiment the length of desired hybridizing overlap is specified by the user and the sequences and the protocol for combining them are guided by computational (bioinformatics) predictions. In one embodiment sequence segments are combined from multiple reading frames to span the same region of a sequence, so that multiple desired hybridizations may occur with different overlap lengths.
US08470534B2

The present application is directed to methods of predicting the resistance of a tumor to molecularly targeted therapy and methods of predicting sensitivity of a tumor to DNA damaging therapy. The methods include: a) determining the level of expression of plurality of genes regulated by retinoblastoma tumor supressor (RB) in the individual, and b) comparing the level of expression of the plurality of genes regulated by RB in the individual with a level of expression of the plurality of genes regulated by RB in a control. The application is also directed to an RNA expression profile for the loss of RB.
US08470532B2

The present invention provides an aptamer-based colorimetric sensor system for determining the presence and optionally the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Methods of utilizing the sensor system and kits that include the sensor also are provided. The sensor utilizes a linker and oligonucleotide functionalized particles to form an aggregate, which disaggregates in response to the analyte.
US08470526B2

The present invention provides novel methods for treating and preventing coronary artery disease in HIV-1-infected individuals by interfering with Nef-mediated effect on ABCA1. The invention further provides novel methods for suppressing HIV infection by stimulating cholesterol efflux from cells by stimulating expression of ABCA1 in HIV-1-infected individuals. These methods take advantage of the finding that Nef, a regulatory protein of HIV-1, (1) diminishes expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), the main transporter of cholesterol from cells to extracellular acceptors; and (2) impairs cholesterol efflux from HIV-1-infected macrophages leading to cholesterol accumulation and formation of foam cells, which is a characteristic feature of atherosclerosis.
US08470524B2

This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications. In particular, the medical device reduces interference with an optical signal which is indicative of the presence of an analyte in a bodily sample.
US08470520B2

The invention provides for methods and materials to decellularize a solid organ and to recellularize such a decellularized organ to thereby generate a solid organ.
US08470519B2

Disclosed is a method of removing a photoresist pattern, which includes radiating light onto a substrate having a photoresist pattern formed thereon and implanted with a predetermined dopant so that the temperature of the substrate is increased to be equal to or higher than a temperature able to remove the photoresist pattern, and by which the photoresist pattern formed on the substrate can be almost completely removed using a simple process for radiating light onto the substrate so that the temperature of the substrate is increased to be equal to or higher than a temperature able to the photoresist pattern.
US08470518B2

The invention provides a photosensitive element and a method for preparing a printing form from the element. The photosensitive element includes a layer of a photosensitive composition containing a binder, a monomer, and a Norrish type II photoinitiator, wherein the photosensitive layer has a transmittance to actinic radiation of less than 20% and contains reinforcing particles of graphene and/or carbon nanotubes.
US08470515B2

A method of forming an etch mask includes: providing a substrate having thereon a material layer to be etched; forming a hard mask layer consisting of a radiation-sensitive, single-layer resist material on the material layer; exposing the hard mask layer to actinic energy to change solvent solubility of exposed regions of the hard mask layer; and subjecting the hard mask layer to water treatment to remove the exposed regions of the hard mask layer, thereby forming a masking pattern consisting of unexposed regions of the hard mask layer.
US08470510B2

A polymer for lithographic purposes has at least a repeating structural unit represented by following General Formula (I). In Formula (I), R1, R3, R4, and R6 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, cyano group, an alkyl group, or a haloalkyl group; R2 and R5 each independently represent hydrogen atom, cyano group, etc.; X1 and X2 each independently represent single bond, or a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent alkylene, alkenylene, or cycloalkylene group, etc.; X3 and X4 each independently represent single bond or —CO—; R7, R8, R9, and R10 each independently represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a cycloalkyl group. The polymer for lithographic purposes shows good balance between line edge roughness (LER) and etching resistance and allows very fine and uniform patterning.
US08470508B2

Disclosed is a toner manufacturing method, comprising: dispersing a polyester resin prepared by condensing a polyol and a polycarboxylic acid into an aqueous medium and adjusting a polyester resin particle dispersion liquid, wherein the polyol includes an unsaturated polyol, or the polycarboxylic acid includes an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid; and adding a radical polymerization initiator to the polyester resin particle dispersion liquid to cause a radical polymerization reaction, and adjusting the obtained dispersion liquid of polyester resin particles.
US08470496B2

A novel ion conductive material is provided. The ion conductive material composed of an amorphous material is employed.
US08470494B2

A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including a first substrate and a second substrate and a catalyst layer between the first substrate and the second substrate is provided, where the first substrate is a polymer electrolyte membrane and the second substrate is a electrode substrate, or the first substrate is the electrode substrate and the second substrate is the polymer electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer has a h1/t1 ratio of about 0.5 or more, where s1 represents a point on the first substrate at one end of the catalyst layer, h1 represents a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate, s2 represents a point on the first substrate closest to s1 at which a height (h) of the catalyst layer becomes h1, and t1 represents the distance between the s1 and the s2. The membrane-electrode assembly can include a greater amount of catalyst by decreasing a shadow effect, and thereby increasing its energy density.
US08470491B2

A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly. The fluid distribution insert includes a hollow insert with a first end and a second end. An inlet is formed at the first end of the hollow insert in fluid communication with a source of a reactant gas and adapted to receive the reactant gas therein. An outlet is formed intermediate the first end and the second end. The outlet is adapted to deliver the reactant gas to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly, wherein the hollow insert delivers the reactant gas to the fuel cells in a substantially simultaneous and uniform manner.
US08470489B2

Disclosed herein is a method of producing bipolar plates. In one embodiment, is method for producing bipolar plates, the method comprising (a) providing an electrically conductive sheet; and (b) cutting through the sheet to create therein at least one opening for a fluid, where the cut sheet includes a plurality of elongate parallel oxidant flow openings and where at least one oxidant inlet manifold opening and at least one oxidant outlet manifold opening are located at the ends of the elongate oxidant flow openings and in communication therewith.
US08470488B2

A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a carbide coating that makes the bipolar plate conductive, hydrophilic and stable in the fuel cell environment. Suitable carbides include, but are not limited to, chromium carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide and zirconium carbide. The carbide coating is then polished or textured by a suitable process, such as laser or chemical etching, to provide a surface morphology that makes the coating more hydrophilic, and further reduces the contact resistance on its surface.
US08470486B2

A fuel cell system has a plurality of fuel cells stacked in one or more groups of fuel cells. Each fuel cell includes a fuel electrode supplied with fuel gas at a fuel gas supply pressure, an oxidizing electrode supplied with oxidizing gas at an oxidizing gas supply pressure, and an electrolyte membrane disposed between the fuel electrode and the oxidizing electrode. A pressure-difference control unit generates a pressure difference across the membrane such that the fuel gas supply pressure is greater than the oxidizing gas supply pressure in each fuel cell, a cell-voltage measuring device measures a cell voltage for each fuel cell or each group of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack, and a leakage determination unit determines the presence or absence of a leaking cell based on the behavior of the cell voltage of each fuel cell while the pressure difference is increased with time.
US08470484B2

A fuel cell system capable of stably supplying hot water to a load is provided.The fuel cell system includes a solid-oxide fuel cell 31, a heat exchanger 40 that exchanges heat between an exhaust gas from the solid-oxide fuel cell 31 and water, a hot water storage tank 42 that reserves the water, circulation pipes 43a and 43b for circulating the water between the hot water storage tank 42 and the heat exchanger 40, and a circulation pump 41 provided to the circulation pipes 43a and 43b. The fuel cell system is provided with a controller 39 that controls the fuel utilization ratio during power generation by the solid-oxide fuel cell 31 in accordance with the used amount of reserved hot water.
US08470483B2

An example fuel cell stack (10, 40) includes a cathode plate (60) having oxidant flow passages (62) and coolant flow passages (64), and a porous anode plate (42) adjacent the coolant flow passages (64). The porous anode plate (42) includes fuel flow passages (46) and a network of pores (44) that fluidly connect the fuel flow passages (46) and the coolant flow passages (64). A membrane electrode arrangement (50) adjacent the fuel flow passages (46) generates electricity in a fuel cell reaction. A hydrophilic gas diffusion layer (48) between the membrane electrode arrangement (50) and the porous anode plate (42) distributes water from the coolant flow passages (64) to maintain or establish a wet seal (70) within the network of pores (44) that limits fuel transport through the network of pores (44) from the fuel flow passages (46) to the coolant flow passages (64).
US08470482B2

The fuel processor (10) comprises a desulphurisation reactor (12), a catalytic partial oxidation reactor (14), a combustor (16) and a pre-reformer (18), means (20) to supply a hydrocarbon fuel to the desulphurisation reactor (12), means (24) to supply air to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor (14) and means (24) to supply air to the combustor (16). A method of operating the fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement includes (a) supplying safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation, (b) supplying synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation and (c) supplying processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation.
US08470481B2

A clean power supply unit with a high fuel utilization rate using a fuel cell is provided. The power supply unit of the present invention comprises a fuel cell using methanol as fuel; a secondary battery for supplying power to a load; a fuel cell control part for controlling the amount of fuel and/or air supplied to the above-mentioned fuel cell; and a power converter for converting the power output from the above-mentioned fuel cell to a predetermined voltage or current, supplying power to the load and/or the above-mentioned secondary battery and controlling the supplied power so as to fall within a predetermined range including the value at which the amount of methanol discharged from the above-mentioned fuel cell becomes minimized.
US08470479B2

A technique for determining the relative humidity of the cathode input airflow to a fuel cell stack that eliminates the need for a dew-point sensor. The cathode input airflow is humidified by a water vapor transfer unit that uses water in the cathode exhaust gas. The technique employs an algorithm that determines the flow of water into the cathode inlet of the stack. In one embodiment, the algorithm determines the volume flow of water through the water vapor transfer unit using the Arrhenius equation, and then converts the water volume flow to a water mole flow. The algorithm then uses the water mole flow through the water vapor transfer unit and the water mole flow of ambient air to determine the water mole flow into the cathode inlet. The algorithm then uses the water mole flow into the cathode inlet to determine the relative humidity of the cathode airflow.
US08470477B2

At least one of an aqueous solution A containing lithium, an aqueous solution B containing iron, manganese, cobalt, or nickel, and an aqueous solution C containing a phosphoric acid includes graphene oxide. The aqueous solution A is dripped into the aqueous solution C, so that a mixed solution E including a precipitate D is prepared. The mixed solution E is dripped into the aqueous solution B, so that a mixed solution G including a precipitate F is prepared. The mixed solution G is subjected to heat treatment in a pressurized atmosphere, so that a mixed solution H is prepared, and the mixed solution H is then filtered. Thus, particles of a compound containing lithium and oxygen which have a small size are obtained.
US08470474B2

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, having an internal resistance of 10 mΩ or less as an alternating-current impedance value of 1 kHz, comprises a metal outer container, a nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the container, a positive electrode contained in the container, a negative electrode contained in the container, a separator interposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, a negative electrode lead having one end connected to the negative electrode, and a negative electrode terminal attached to the outer container so as to be connected electrically to the other end of the negative electrode lead, at least the surface of the negative electrode terminal which is connected to the negative electrode lead being formed of aluminum alloy with an aluminum purity of less than 99 wt. % containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Cr, Mn, Cu, Si, Fe and Ni.
US08470473B2

An electrode has a current collector, and an active material-containing layer provided on the current collector and containing active material particles and ceramic particles, and a weight concentration of the ceramic particles to the active material particles in a surface part in the active material-containing layer on the opposite side to the current collector is higher than a weight concentration of the ceramic particles to the active material particles in a lower part in the active material-containing layer on the current collector side. Furthermore, the thickness of the surface part is not less than 30% nor more than 60% of the total thickness of the surface part and the lower part.
US08470471B2

Provided is an electrochemical cell having a quasi-bipolar structure, particularly, a case of the electrochemical cell in which an electrode assembly is accommodated. A reliable electrolyte isolation barrier wall is disposed between the case and the electrode assembly, and an electric connection part constructed using the case is provided for the electrochemical cell for voltage equalization.
US08470469B2

A gasket is for use in a starved electrolyte bipolar battery. The gasket may be made from a hydrophobic material in the shape of a frame to prevent the creation of an electrolyte path between adjacent cells when mounted in a battery. The frame may be designed to at least partially encompass a biplate when mounted in a bipolar battery, and include a device or way to permit gas passage through the gasket. The gasket may be made from a material with deformable properties to provide a sealing to a biplate and/or endplate when mounted in a bipolar battery, whereby an outer pressure tight seal of the battery may be obtained. A starved bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a starved bipolar battery are also disclosed.
US08470456B2

The invention relates to a layer system for the formation of a surface layer on a surface of a substrate, in particular on the surface of a tool, wherein the layer system includes at least one first hard layer of the composition (MoSipAYq)γ(NrCsOt)δ with (o+p+q)=γ, (r+s+t)=δ, and (γ+δ)=100, wherein 40≦γ≦60 and wherein M is at least one metal of the group of the chemical elements consisting of Al and the elements of the secondary groups IVb, Vb, VIb of the periodic system of elements. In accordance with the invention the component AY is at least one element of the group of the chemical elements consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and the elements of the secondary group IIIB and the elements of the main group IA, IIA and IIIA and the elements of the group of the lanthanoids of the periodic system of chemical elements, with AY preferably additionally containing boron.
US08470450B2

Provided is a method of producing a two-layered copper-clad laminate with improved folding endurance, wherein the two-layered copper-clad laminate retains folding endurance of 150 times or more measured with a folding endurance test based on JIS C6471 by subjecting the laminate in which a copper layer is formed on a polyimide film through sputtering and plate processing to heat treatment at a temperature of 100° C. or more but not exceeding 175° C. Specifically, provided are a method of producing a two-layered copper-clad laminate (two-layered CCL material) in which a copper layer is formed on a polyimide film through sputtering and plate processing, wherein the rupture of the outer lead part of a circuit can be prevented due to the improvement in folding endurance; and a two-layered copper-clad laminate obtained from the foregoing method.
US08470449B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a propylene-based polymer composition which is excellent in transparency and heat resistance (particularly, heat resistance at high heat deformation temperature) and is free from occurrence of stickiness even when it is used at a high temperature for a long period of time. The propylene-based polymer composition of the invention comprises (A) a propylene-based polymer (PP) satisfying the following requirements (1) and (2), in an amount of 1 to 99 parts by weight, and (B) a propylene/ethylene/α-olefin copolymer satisfying the following requirements (I) to (IV), in an amount of 99 to 1 part by weight, with the proviso that the total amount of the component (A) and the component (B) is 100 parts by weight; (1) the polymer (A) has a melting point (Tm), as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), of not lower than 110° C. but not higher than 170° C., (2) the polymer (A) has an isotactic pentad fraction (mmmm fraction) of not less than 90%, (I) the copolymer (B) contains constitutional units derived from propylene in amounts of 73.1 to 87.0% by mol, constitutional units derived from ethylene in amounts of 10.0 to 16.9% by mol and constitutional units derived from an α-olefin of 4 to 20 carbon atoms in amounts of 3.0 to 10.0% by mol, (II) the copolymer (B) has an isotactic triad fraction (mm), as calculated by 13C-NMR, of not less than 85%, and (III) the copolymer (B) has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn, Mw: weight-average molecular weight, Mn: number-average molecular weight, both being in terms of polystyrene), as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), of not more than 3.5.
US08470437B2

A porous concrete road surface structure made from polymer modified cement and a construction method thereof are disclosed. The structure successively comprises a bottom layer, a bonding layer, a porous concrete layer and a surface treatment layer. The bonding layer is located on the bottom layer, and the porous concrete layer on the bonding layer is prepared through paving, leveling and jolting a composition mixed from broken stone, sand and a slurry mixture of polymer modified cement. The addition of polymer promotes bonding of granular materials with the slurry mixture tightly, the use of the bonding layer makes the road surface structure and the bottom layer form an integral body, and the road surface structure has high strength, good crack resistance, water resistance, ageing resistance and corrosion resistance; the use of an intermittent or single graded of particles results in large pores, makes the road surface water-penetrating, decreases noise and amount of the polymer; and, the surface treatment can improve markedly surface properties and its use according to the application can make the porous concrete layer has rigid or flexible characteristic. The porous concrete road surface can be paved, leveled and jolted by paving machine or manual labor.
US08470433B2

A multi layer film which comprises the following layers: I. an upper layer composed of a polyamide molding composition which is transparent at the selected layer thickness, and II. a lower layer composed of a polyamide molding composition which comprises the following components: a) from 70 to 99% by weight of a polyamide selected from a group of polyamides and copolyamides, as described, b) from 1 to 30% by weight of a copolymer which contains units of the following monomers: α) from 20 to 94.5% by weight of one or more α-olefins having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, β) from 5 to 79.5% by weight of one or more acrylic compounds, γ) from 0 to 50% by weight of an olefinically unsaturated epoxide, carboxylic anhydride, carboximide, oxazoline, or oxazinone, and has good printability and adhesive-bondability and transparency, and can be used, for example, as an overcoating for skis.
US08470428B2

An optical recording medium includes an inorganic recording layer, a first protective layer provided on at least one surface of the inorganic recording layer and containing indium oxide, and a second protective layer provided so as to be adjacent to the first protective layer and containing titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, or tin oxide.
US08470426B2

Provided is a read-only optical information recording medium (for instance, a dual-layer BD-ROM), which uses blue laser and is provided with a reflecting film which has sufficiently high reflectivity while ensuring optical transparency required in manufacture, has excellent reproduction stability when used for an optical information recording medium and has excellent durability. The read-only optical information recording medium includes a structure wherein a plurality of laminated layers of the reflecting film and the optical transparent layer are formed on a substrate, and reproduces information by means of blue laser. The reflecting film closest to the substrate among the reflecting films is substantially composed of an Al-based alloy containing 0.5-3.0 atm % of Ti, and has a film thickness of 10 nm or more but not more than 30 nm.
US08470422B2

An carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber latex formulation composed of a blend of a first acrylonitrile terpolymer and a second acrylonitrile terpolymer, wherein: the acrylonitrile content of the blended terpolymers is between 17 and 45% by weight, the methacrylic acid content of the blended termpolymers is less than 15% by weight, and the remaining balance of the terpolymers being butadiene. The invention also includes an elastomeric nitrile rubber article made from the formulation.
US08470421B2

[Problem] To provide a polylactic acid bottle having a vacuum-evaporated film on the inner surface of the bottle wall, effectively preventing the thermal deformation of the bottle at the time of forming the film and exhibiting excellent barrier property against oxygen and water.[Means for Solution] A biodegradable resin bottle has a wall formed by a biodegradable resin and a vacuum-evaporated film on an inner surface of the wall by a plasma CVD method, and wherein said vapor-evaporated film exhibits hydrocarbon peaks stemming from CH, CH2 and CH3 in a region of a wave number of 3200 to 2600 cm−1 as measured by FT-IR, and per the sum of CH, CH2 and CH3 calculated from the hydrocarbon peaks, a CH2 ratio is not larger than 35% and a CH3 ratio is not smaller than 40%.
US08470419B2

An electronic device housing includes a substrate and a nano titanium dioxide coating formed on the substrate is provided. The nano titanium dioxide coating has a thickness of about 10-100 nm. The nano titanium dioxide coating is formed of rutile crystals or composite crystals formed of rutile and anatase. A method for making the electronic device is also described there.
US08470413B2

Disclosed is a negative C-type retardation compensator for a liquid crystal display. The negative C-type retardation compensator for the liquid crystal display includes polyarylate having a thio group or a sulfur oxide group in a polymer main chain thereof. Accordingly, the retardation compensator has an absolute value of negative retardation that is larger in a thickness direction than a retardation compensator which includes polyarylate having no thio group or sulfur oxide group in a polymer main chain thereof even though the retardation compensator having the thio group or sulfur oxide group and the retardation compensator having no thio group or sulfur oxide group are the same as each other in thickness. Thereby, the negative C-type retardation compensator for liquid crystal displays is capable of being desirably applied to the liquid crystal displays.
US08470408B2

In a process for fabricating a nanopore device, at least one carbon nanotube catalyst region is formed on a structure. A plurality of nanopores is formed in the structure at a distance from the catalyst region that is no greater than about an expected length for a carbon nanotube synthesized from the catalyst region. Then at least one carbon nanotube is synthesized from the catalyst region. This fabrication sequence enables the in situ synthesis of carbon nanotubes at the site of nanopores, whereby one or more nanotubes articulate one or more nanopores without requiring manual positioning of the nanotubes.
US08470407B2

A method is provided for applying a reactive thiol containing coating to a substrate. The method includes subjecting the substrate to a plasma discharge in the presence of a compound of formula (I) or formula (Ia): where X is an optionally substituted straight or branched alkylene chain(s) or aryl group(s); R1, R2 or R3 are optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclic groups, and m is an integer greater than 0; Rn is a number of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclic groups, where n is 0-5.
US08470403B2

An organic thin film deposition device that is compact and high in processing capability is provided. Inside a vacuum chamber, first and second substrate arrangement devices that can be in a horizontal posture and a standing posture are provided; and when in the standing posture, substrates held by the respective substrate arrangement devices and first and second organic vapor discharging devices face each other. When one of the substrate arrangement devices is in the horizontal posture, masks and the substrates are lifted up by alignment pins and transfer pins and are replaced with a substrate not yet film formed, for position adjustment. With one organic thin film deposition device, two substrates can be processed at the same time.
US08470398B2

The present invention provides a method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles having extremely uniform outer diameters and inner diameters with no need for classification operation. Further, the present invention provides single-hole hollow polymer particles produced by the method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles.The present invention provides a method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles including the steps of preparing a dispersion of swollen particle droplets by mixing a seed particle dispersion obtained by dispersing seed particles containing a non-crosslinked polymer in a water-containing dispersion medium with an oil-soluble solvent and thereby making the seed particles absorb the oil-soluble solvent; preparing a mixed solution by mixing the dispersion of the swollen particle droplets with an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer; and precipitating the water-soluble polymer on the surfaces of the swollen particle droplets by carrying out operation for lowering the solubility of the water-soluble polymer in the mixed solution.
US08470396B2

Refractory metal powders are dehydrided in a device which includes a preheat chamber for retaining the metal powder fully heated in a hot zone to allow diffusion of hydrogen out of the powder. The powder is cooled in a cooling chamber for a residence time sufficiently short to prevent re-absorbtion of the hydrogen by the powder. The powder is consolidated by impact on a substrate at the exit of the cooling chamber to build a deposit in solid dense form on the substrate.
US08470395B2

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotary gas separation device, such as a rotary pressure swing adsorption device. The rotary pressure swing device can include, for example, a rotor with a plurality of adsorber elements, a stator with a plurality of conduits, and a rotary valve comprising a seal assembly positioned between the rotor and the stator.
US08470391B2

A method for manufacturing discrete track media and patterned media is disclosed which enables a magnetic recording layer having excellent magnetic characteristics to be obtained without imparting damage to a crystal orientation control layer which is at the surface when forming the magnetic recording layer. The method for manufacturing magnetic recording media comprises a process of forming a soft magnetic layer on a substrate; a process of forming a first crystal orientation control layer on the soft magnetic layer; a process of providing a depression in at least a portion of the first crystal orientation control layer; a process of performing heat treatment of the first crystal orientation control layer; and a process of forming a magnetic recording layer on the first crystal orientation control layer.
US08470382B2

Subject of the invention is a method for the production of a carnitine granulate, which includes the steps of (a) providing an aqueous solution comprising at least 65% (w/w) carnitine, (b) providing a particulate carrier comprising silica, the carrier having an average particle size of more than 150 μm, and (c) mixing the aqueous solution and the carrier. Another subject of the invention is a carnitine granulate.
US08470381B2

Disclosed herein are antifouling compositions including at least one spinosyn active material. These compositions provide protection to surfaces coated or impregnated therewith from attachment of various biofouling organisms. Compositions include, for example, paint, varnish, and sealant formulations.
US08470380B2

The invention relates to a process for extracting one or more polyphenols from fruits such as apples and to uses of said extracts in the treatment or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and digestive health.
US08470367B2

An oral drug delivery system comprising a coated tablet having one or more surfaces. The coated tablet further comprises a core and a coating surrounding the core. The core comprises an active ingredient composition comprising at least one active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a composition selected from a swellable composition and a reactive composition located in an immediate vicinity of one or more preselected surfaces. The coating comprising water insoluble polymer(s) and leachable component(s) is operable to be reliably removed fully from the one or more of the preselected surfaces of the tablet upon contact with an aqueous environment, but not removed from at least one of the surfaces.
US08470363B2

An antihypertensive pharmaceutical composition is provided, which contains levamlodipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and indapamide. In the present invention, levamlodipine and indapamide are administrated in combination for treating hypertension, a good synergistic antihypertensive effect is achieved, and the edema side effect due to sodium and water retention caused when levamlodipine is administrated alone and the side effect of glucose metabolism interference caused when indapamide is administrated alone are mitigated.
US08470354B2

Described are osteogenic implants that include a first implant material covered at least in part by a second implant material carrying an osteogenic protein such as a bone morphogenic protein. The first implant material can comprise a mineral and provide an inner scaffolding portion for supporting bone ingrowth, and the second implant material can comprise a collagen or other sponge carrier covering the first implant material and having a liquid osteogenic protein formulation imbibed therein. Related implant materials and methods of preparation and use constitute additional aspects of the invention.
US08470352B2

A composition for administration to a subject, such as oral administration to a subject, for example, has been provided. Such a composition may comprise at least one magnesium-counter ion compound. A magnesium-counter ion composition described herein may be useful for any of a variety of applications provided herein, such as maintaining, enhancing, and/or improving health, nutrition, and/or another condition of a subject, and/or cognitive, learning, and/or memory function. A magnesium-counter ion composition provided herein may be useful for administration to a subject presenting magnesium deficiency, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ALS, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, migraine, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and/or hypertension. A kit, method, and other associated technology are also provided.
US08470350B2

A self-standing container holds particles of a cosmetic composition. The container may be cup-shaped or box-shaped, for example, and made of laminated paper or polystyrene. When ready to use, the user opens the container and adds liquid or gel to mix with the dry particles to form a moist cosmetic composition, so no separate mixing container or measuring cup is necessary. The composition formed is suitable for treating a user's skin and/or hair. A fill mark on the container informs the user of a proper amount of the liquid or gel to add to the container. The particles may include both ground-up and whole particles from substances such as dried botanicals (plant ingredients) and a binding agent. A cosmetic composition includes a ready-to-mix mixture of ingredients including particles from dried herbs and/or flowers and a dried food, and an essential oil.
US08470349B2

Cosmetic or dermatological preparations with a content of an aqueous extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae inflatae or licochalcone A, one or more ethoxylated or propoxylated raw materials, optionally one or more polyols.
US08470346B2

The present invention provides antiviral compositions that comprise one or more of an ionic multivalent metal component, a cationic polymer, and a cationic surfactant. The present invention also provides methods for making and using such antiviral compositions.
US08470341B2

Variants of the pathogenic E. coli ‘AcfD precursor’ have been identified with increased solubility as compared to the native AcfD protein that raise a substantially similar immune response in a subject as the native AcfD protein.
US08470337B2

Methods for treating a coronary risk factor (such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity) and/or a respiratory disorder (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis) and/or arthritis by local administration of a botulinum neurotoxin to at least one of a head, neck or shoulder location (for example, by subdermal, subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of the botulinum neurotoxin) of a patient with a coronary risk factor, respiratory disorder or arthritis.
US08470336B2

The present invention provides a method of vaccinating a young animal against L. intracellularis infection comprising the step of administering to an animal an effective dose of L. intracellularis antigen. It also provides a method of vaccinating an animal, preferably a young animal, having anti-L. intracellularis antibodies or is exposed to anti-L. intracellularis antibodies. In particular, those anti-L.intracellularis antibodies are maternally derived antibodies.
US08470330B2

The invention includes stable multimeric, particularly dimeric, forms of PSMA protein, compositions and kits containing dimeric PSMA protein as well as methods of producing, purifying and using these compositions. Such methods include methods for eliciting or enhancing an immune response to cells expressing PSMA, including methods of producing antibodies to dimeric PSMA, as well as methods of treating cancer, such as prostate cancer.
US08470320B2

The present invention provides humanized antibodies and binding domains thereof with anti-tumor activity. In particular the humanized antibodies have specific binding to and direct killing of human colon tumor cells and display potent immune-mediated cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer cells in vitro using antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assays and in vivo using mouse tumor models.
US08470318B2

The invention provides a polypeptide containing at least one IgG Fc region, wherein said at least one IgG Fc region is glycosylated with at least one galactose moiety connected to a respective terminal sialic acid moiety by a α 2, 6 linkage, and wherein said polypeptide having a higher anti-inflammatory activity as compared to an unpurified antibody.
US08470304B2

The present invention concerns topical sun-protecting formulations including therapeutically effective amounts of Vitamin D, including formulations that provide Vitamin D in bioavailable amounts that correspond to decreased natural Vitamin D production resulting from the sun-blocking effects of the formulations and formulations for the prevention and treatment of disorders and disease states associated with vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency.
US08470303B2

A system and method for delivering molecular iodine or any other substance into a pet's drinking water on a daily basis without exceeding the safe amount allowed for the pet. The present invention delivers a particular amount of molecular iodine into the pet water supply to achieve maximum benefit of I2 to reduce or eliminate bad pet breath and minimize total iodine in the pet diet so that 20-40 μg/mL/Kg/day iodine is consumed for optimum thyroid health. The preferred method is to use a solution created by dissolving iodine crystals in absolute ethanol. The iodine will only be in solution as I2 for a short time as it undergoes out gassing and hydrolysis at neutral pH. The present invention removes the iodine from the drinking water after the pet drinks. Therefore, during the day, pets will get no additional iodine—only fresh water from the water reservoir. Each enrolled pet is recognized by the system using an ID tag such as an RFID tag. This insures that, when there are multiple enrolled pets, each pet receives its specific dose, and only as often as is programmed. Vitamins, drugs and other substances can also be administered to pets using the present invention.
US08470289B2

Catalytic structures are provided comprising octahedral tunnel lattice manganese oxides ion-exchanged with metal cations or mixtures thereof. The structures are useful as catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes and may be prepared by treating layered manganese oxide under highly acidic conditions, optionally drying the treated product, and subjecting it to ion exchange.
US08470288B2

The present invention relates to synthesis of copper zinc tin sulfide, Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) in an ionic liquid, using a mixture of copper-containing sulfides, zinc-containing sulfides, and tin-containing sulfides. Cu2ZnSnS4 is useful as an absorber material in thin film solar cells.
US08470284B2

An improved catalyst for producing carbon fibrils is made by incorporating an effective yield-enhancing amount of a carboxylate into a fibril-forming catalyst. Alternatively, such a catalyst is made by coprecipitating a compound of a metal having fibril-forming catalytic properties and an aluminum and/or magnesium compound, optionally in the presence of carbon particles or carbon fibril aggregates. The catalyst may also be made by incorporating a compound of a fibril-forming metal onto magnesia particles in carbon particles or carbon fibril aggregates. The catalysts, methods of using them to form carbon fibrils and those carbon fibrils are also disclosed.
US08470277B2

A process and an apparatus enhance urea utilization for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx, by controlled preparation and feed of gasified urea during combustor load variation. The concentration of NOx in the combustion gases and a required total gas flow necessary to supply an SCR reactor with NOx reducing and carrier gases are determined. Urea is gasified by gasification gases in a thermal gasification reactor. The resulting urea gasification products are mixed with carrier gases to provide an injection grid supply stream. Heating is reduced and flue gas enthalpy is efficiently used by controls utilizing monitoring the temperatures of gases fed to the thermal gasification reactor and of the stream of carrier gases.
US08470276B1

A process for CO2 separation using a regenerable Mg(OH)2 sorbent. The process absorbs CO2 through the formation of MgCO3 and releases water product H2O. The MgCO3 is partially regenerated through direct contact with steam, which acts to heat the magnesium carbonate to a higher temperature, provide heat duty required to decompose the magnesium carbonate to yield MgO and CO2, provide an H2O environment over the magnesium carbonate thereby shifting the equilibrium and increasing the potential for CO2 desorption, and supply H2O for rehydroxylation of a portion of the MgO. The mixture is polished in the absence of CO2 using water product H2O produced during the CO2 absorption to maintain sorbent capture capacity. The sorbent now comprised substantially of Mg(OH)2 is then available for further CO2 absorption duty in a cyclic process.
US08470264B2

An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.
US08470262B2

It is a microfluidic device including a flowchannel in which liquid flows. The flowchannel includes a main channel and a pair of branch channels provided across the main channel from each other to be each connected to the main channel. The main channel includes a first zone, a second zone, and a coupling zone that connects the first zone and the second zone. The second zone is smaller than the first zone in a distance between a bottom surface and a ceiling surface. The coupling zone is configured such that the distance between the bottom surface and the ceiling surface thereof gradually decreases towards the second zone from the first zone. A connection zone provided in the main channel and connected to each of the pair of branch channels overlaps with the coupling zone.
US08470258B2

Embodiments of the invention relate a surface-structured device for life-sciences and a life-science method applying the surface-structured device. The surface-structured device has a substrate with a frontside surface corresponding to a first surface; and a plurality of protrusions arranged on the frontside surface. A shortest dimension of the protrusions at the junction from the protrusion to the front-side surface is smaller than 250 nm and at least a first group of the plurality of protrusions is arranged on a first planar area of the frontside surface in a first regular pattern in a plane of the first planar area of the frontside surface. Further embodiments relate to a stamper which may be used in the manufacturing method of the surface-structured device and a manufacturing method for surface-structured device.
US08470256B2

A method for sorting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for sorting CNTs of the present disclosure comprises providing to a surface of a substrate, the surface modified with a trans isomer of photo-isomerization-reactive diazo compound, a dispersion containing a mixture of conducting CNTs and semiconducting CNTs; removing CNTs which are not associated with the modified surface from the surface; and irradiating the modified surface to detach the CNTs associated with the modified surface.
US08470255B2

There is provided a honeycomb filter wherein particles having an average particle diameter smaller than the average pore diameter of partition walls are deposited at least in open pores formed in the surface layer of the partition wall and in the pores of the partition wall in a surface layer portion of the partition walls on the exhaust gas inflow side, thereby forming a composite region. The average pore diameter of the partition walls is 5 to 40 μm, and the porosity of the partition wall is 35 to 75%. The particles to be deposited have an average particle diameter of 1 to 15 μm, and the height of the composite region is not more than 80 μm in the direction from the outermost contour line of the partition walls to the surface of the partition walls.
US08470245B2

A device for reprocessing used plastic containers including a system for analyzing the degree of contamination of the plastic, a system for determining decontamination process parameters as a function of the degree of contamination thus detected, and a system for controlled decontamination of the plastic according to the decontamination process parameters thus determined. The system for determining decontamination process parameters provides determined decontamination process parameters to corresponding decontamination control elements that are automatically adjusted depending on the degree of contamination.
US08470235B2

Process for manufacturing a fuel tank provided with internal accessories, based on a plastic parison, which is split or in at least two parts, in which process, the accessories are positioned on the parison while it is being molded, using a core (1) forming part of a mold which also comprises dies (2a, 2b), and in which process, the core is able to move in a controlled manner at a variable speed and/or between optional stop positions of variable duration.
US08470226B2

A method for forming an end cap includes cleaning an exposed end of a conduit upon which the end cap will be formed, inserting a backing material into the exposed end of the conduit to the desired resin depth, dispensing the resin into the conduit, spreading the resin across the backing material, curing the resin with a radiation source and applying additional layers of resin and curing until the resin is flush with or forms a convex surface relative to an exposed end of the conduit.
US08470218B2

The invention relates to a process and a device for manufacturing a composite strand formed by combining continuous glass filaments with continuous high-shrinkage organic thermoplastic filaments.
US08470208B2

The present disclosure relates to organometallic complexes and electronic devices containing the complexes. The complexes have the formula MYnZ, where n is 1, 2, or 3; M is a metal in a +2, +3, or +4 oxidation state, Y is selected from an 8-hydroxyquinolate and a substituted 8-hydroxyquinolate, and Z is a phenolate. At least one Y is a substituted 8-hydroxyquinolate having the formula where: R1 and R2 are the same or different at each occurrence and each represents one or more of a substituent selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, aryl, fluoroaryl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, fluoroalkoxy, fluoroaryloxy, heteroalkyl, fluoroheteroalkyl, heteroaryl, fluoroheteroaryl, heteroalkylaryl, heteroalkoxy, heteroaryloxy, fluoroheteroalkoxy, fluoroheteroaryloxy, a solvent-solubilizing group, and a Tg enhancing group, wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a solvent-solubilizing or Tg enhancing group; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl group, and a substituted alkyl group.
US08470196B2

An alloy comprising tin, silicon and carbon, and containing a crystalline M-Sn phase, M being an inert metal.An alloy comprising tin and silicon, comprising: a) a nanocrystalline phase containing at least 50 at. % of the element silicon Si°; b) a nanocrystalline phase containing a compound based on tin; c) a nanocrystalline phase constituted by the element tin Sn°. A manufacturing process for this alloy.
US08470191B2

Plating accelerator is applied selectively to a substantially-unfilled wide (e.g., low-aspect-ratio feature cavity. Then, plating of metal is conducted to fill the wide feature cavity and to form an embossed structure in which the height of a wide-feature metal protrusion over the metal-filled wide-feature cavity is higher than the height of metal over field regions. Most of the overburden metal is removed using non-contact techniques, such as chemical wet etching. Metal above the wide feature cavity protects the metal-filled wide-feature interconnect against dishing, and improved planarization techniques avoid erosion of the metal interconnect and dielectric insulating layer. In some embodiments, plating of metal onto a substrate is conducted to fill narrow (e.g., high-aspect-ratio feature cavities) in the dielectric layer before selective application of plating accelerator and filling of the wide feature cavity.
US08470190B2

A method for processing at least one wall of an opening formed in a silicon substrate, successively including the steps of implanting fluorine atoms into an upper portion of the wall of the opening, performing an oxidization step, and applying a specific processing to at least a portion of the non-implanted portion of the opening.
US08470188B2

Porous nano-imprint lithography templates may include pores, channels, or porous layers arranged to allow evacuation of gas trapped between a nano-imprint lithography template and substrate. The pores or channels may be formed by etch or other processes. Gaskets may be formed on an nano-imprint lithography template to restrict flow of polymerizable material during nano-imprint lithography processes.
US08470185B2

A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic write head capable of precisely narrowing a side gap is provided. A tip portion having a cross sectional geometry of an inverted trapezoid is formed in an opening portion of a non-magnetic layer and thereafter, the non-magnetic layer is etched with the tip portion as a mask. Thereby, a portion adjacent to the tip portion in a writing track width direction remains and an outermost edge portion of the tip portion in that direction is located on a plane which coincides with an etching face (side face) of the non-magnetic layer. When a gap layer is formed with a vapor phase growth such as a sputtering method to cover the side face of the non-magnetic layer and thereafter a side shield layer is formed adjacently to the tip portion therethrough, a thickness of the gap layer becomes extremely thin and is reproduced precisely. Therefore, the side gap is narrowed with high precision.
US08470183B2

The present invention may be embodied as a processing system for processing raw slurry material. The processing system comprises a barrel member, at least one pre-processing member, and a plurality of separator members. The at least one pre-processing member and the plurality of separator members are supported by the barrel member, and the plurality of separator members define at least one separator gap. As the barrel member rotates about the processing axis A, the at least one pre-processing member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the feed portion to the separator portion through the pre-processing portion. The plurality of separator members transport at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the pre-processing portion to the outlet opening through the separator portion.
US08470181B2

The present invention relates to a process for reducing the amount of organic components in water, wherein a surface-reacted naturalcalcium carbonate and a hydrophobic adsorbent, selected from the group consisting of talc, hydrophobized calcium carbonate, hydrophobized bentonite, hydrophobized kaolinite, hydrophobized glass, or any mixture thereof, are brought into contact with the water to be purified, the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate being the reaction product of a naturalcalcium carbonate with an acid and carbon dioxide, which is formed in situ by the acid treatment and/or supplied externally, and the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate being prepared as an aqueous suspension having a pH of greater than 6.0, measured at 20° C.
US08470178B2

An organic oil boom is a method for containing pollution floating on water or the sea. The invention describes a method that makes it possible to isolate pollution as, for example, oil, from the surrounding environment. Spraying a viscous liquid such as an alginate or chitosan solution over and around the oil results in isolation of the oil from the seawater as the mixture has a density that is lighter than seawater and heavier than oil. To isolate the oil also from the air, a gas is added so that the density of the mixture is lower than the density of the oil. The addition of a multivalent cation solution such as calcium ions will, under the right pH conditions, polymerise the viscous liquid, thus forming a solid polymer film which surrounds the oil and isolates it from the surrounding environment.
US08470170B2

The invention is an apparatus and method for treating fluid in a pool, spa, or water tank, etc., using ozone and treated air. A fluid filter is placed in an auxiliary reservoir or a smaller fluid tank located in or next to the pool, spa, or main water tank. An ozone generator pumps a combination of ozone and air into the smaller fluid tank. Fluid in the smaller fluid tank passes through a filter and back into the main reservoir without the use of any fluid pump. More specifically, a vertical lift tube is placed beneath the smaller fluid tank so that the open top of the lift tube is within the smaller fluid tank. Fluid from the main reservoir is piped to the bottom of the lift tube. Ozone and air from the ozone generator is also piped into the lift tube near its bottom. The fluid flows through the filter due to the effect of ozone and air bubbles released by a diffuser at the bottom of the lift tube. The diffuser releases thousands of tiny bubbles into the lift tube, which cause the fluid in the tube to rise and mix with fluid already in the smaller fluid tank. This rising fluid also causes fluid to flow through the filter. The ozone treated fluid output from the filter is piped back into the main storage tank/pool.
US08470167B2

A device for the dosed transfer of filtered softened water inside boilers of household appliances includes a tank, a cartridge including a water softening agent, a double drain pipe with vertical axis. The double drain pipe is formed of an adjacent pair of conduits and situated downstream a drain hole configured to be closed by a shut-off plate which is normally closed by the return action of a spring
US08470166B2

The present invention is drawn to a method of processing heavy paraffinic oils or heavy aromatic oils using radiation chemistry of polyethylene under oxidizing conditions. The process of the invention will result in a chain reaction for oxidative scission as the basis for a radiation processing for heavy paraffinic or aromatic oils. The method of the invention will allow for the cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly processing of heavy oils into lighter petroleum products.
US08470165B2

Process for the production of high-quality kerosene and diesel fuels and for the coproduction of hydrogen from a so-called light naphtha cut to which any quantity of LPG cut can be added where the steps of the process include: separating normal and iso-paraffins, dehydrogenation of the paraffins, oligomerization of the olefins and hydrogenation of the oligomerized olefins, the process permitting the production of kerosene and diesel fuels meeting market specifications, or even improved relative to the latter.
US08470162B2

Quantifying devices and methods are disclosed for quantifying substrate content using a biosensor where the methods include a first detecting step for detecting an electrical change generated between a measuring electrode and a counter electrode of a biosensor by applying a sample liquid to the biosensor; a second detecting step for detecting an electrical change generated between a detecting electrode of the biosensor and the counter electrode or the measuring electrode by applying the sample liquid to the biosensor; and a notification step for informing a user when the second detecting step does not occur within a predetermined period after the first detecting step.
US08470150B2

Methods for fabricating electrode structures on a substrate are presented. The fabrication method includes providing a substrate with a patterned metal layer thereon, defining an electrode area. A passivation glue is formed on the patterned metal layer. An electrode layer is formed in the electrode area. A filling process is performed to deposit nano metal oxides on the electrode layer to extensively fill the entire electrode area.
US08470129B1

The present invention provides a method and machine for separating a liquid crystal panel and a liner pad. The method includes (1) providing a separation machine and a combination of the liquid crystal panel and liner pad to be separated, the separation machine including a separation device that includes a suction device, air blasting devices and shaking devices; (2) the suction device moving toward the combination; (3) a central suction nozzle first engaging and sucking a liner pad of the combination and later the first suction nozzles engaging the sucking the liner pad of the combination; (4) the shaking devices being operated to subject the combination to vibration and the air blasting devices being operated to eject air streams to side edges of the combination; and (5) the combination, after being subjected to vibration and air streams, being separated so as to realize separation of the liquid crystal panel and liner pad.
US08470122B2

A method for the production of an abrasion-resistant film (7, 9), in particular for the production of laminate floor materials or abrasion-resistant furniture surfaces, comprising the following method stages: a first application stage (AI) in which a decorative paper (1) is provided with an impregnation (2) containing a first synthetic resin, a second application stage (AII) in which a layer (4wet) which contains a second synthetic resin and particulate abrasion-reducing material is applied to the moist impregnate (3wet), a first treatment stage (BI) in which a heat treatment for partial curing of synthetic resins and for partial removal of the moisture from the moist coated impregnate (5wet) is effected, a third application stage (AIII) in which the application of a cover layer (6wet) containing a third synthetic resin is effected, and a final second treatment stage (BII) in which a heat treatment for removing the moisture is effected.
US08470118B2

In a method of assembling a laser probe tip, an optical fiber comprising an optical fiber core and silica glass cladding surrounding the core is provided. A fiber cap formed of silica glass is also provided. Silicone oil is applied to a surface of the cladding at a distal end of the optical fiber or an interior surface of the fiber cap. The distal end of the optical fiber is inserted into the interior cavity of the fiber cap. The silicone oil is then converted into silica glass, which bonds the fiber cap to the optical fiber.
US08470113B2

A fluid-filled chamber may include an upper barrier portion, a lower barrier portion, and a tensile member. An upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion. The upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion may have first areas and second areas. The first areas may be indentations extending into the chamber, and the second areas may be protrusions extending outward from the chamber. At least a portion of the first areas may be unbonded with the upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion. Accordingly, one or more properties of the chamber, such as a flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, compressibility, or force attenuation property, may be altered.
US08470104B2

A method of manufacturing a high strength valve spring for a vehicle engine is provided, which includes (a) forming a high strength wire rod in the form of a spring using a roller type jig, (b) cutting an end of the formed spring using a rotary type cutting blade, (c) performing residual stress removal heat treatment at 390° C. to 410° C. for 20 to 40 minutes, (d) performing shot peening for applying compression stress to a surface of the spring with fine ball particles, and (e) performing hot setting for applying, in advance, plastic deformation to the spring. Accordingly, the damage of the spring during the spring forming process is prevented, and the hardness deterioration of the spring during the residual stress removal heat treatment process is also prevented.
US08470101B2

Disclosed is a lead-free copper alloy for casting which contains 0.1-0.7% of S, 8% or less (excluding 0%) of Sn, and 6% or less (excluding 0%) of Zn, and in which a sulfide is dispersed and the average spheroidization ratio of the sulfide is 0.7 or greater. Due to this constitution, said lead-free copper alloy for casting has excellent mechanical properties such as strength, high pressure resistance and good machinability and, therefore, is useful as a starting material for faucet metal fittings, water faucet and so on, even though the alloy contains no lead which causes deterioration of water.
US08470097B2

A method of providing sulfidation corrosion resistance and corrosion induced fouling resistance to a heat transfer component surface includes providing a silicon containing steel composition including an alloy and a Si-partitioned non-metallic film formed on a surface of the alloy. The alloy is formed from the composition η, θ,and τ, in which η is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, and mixtures thereof, θ is Si, and τ is at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Sc, La, Y, Ce, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, As, In, Sn, Sb, Pb, B, C, N, P, O, S and mixtures thereof. The Si-partitioned non-metallic film comprises at least one of sulfide, oxysulfide and mixtures thereof.
US08470095B2

A process for surface preparation of a substrate (2), which comprises introducing or running a substrate (2) into a reaction chamber (6, 106). A dielectric barrier (14, 114) is placed between electrodes (1, 10, 110). A high-frequency electrical voltage is generated, to generate filamentary plasma (12, 112). Molecules (8, 108) are introduced into the reaction chamber (6, 106). Upon contact with the plasma, they generate active species typical of reacting with the surface of the substrate. An adjustable inductor (L) placed in parallel with the inductor of the installation is employed to reduce the phase shift between the voltage and the current generated and to increase the time during which the current flows in the plasma (12, 112).
US08470093B2

A device for pulling a single crystal from a melt having a widened portion between an upper and a lower neck portion including a pulling device having a pulling device cable drum configured to wind a pulling cable, the pulling cable configured to pull the single crystal and a supporting device configured to relieve the upper neck portion of a weight of the single crystal.
US08470087B2

The present invention relates to a production method for a lightweight construction material using asbestos waste, and more specifically to a production method for a lightweight construction material using asbestos waste in which the production takes place with the addition of loess, silicon carbide, a zeolite and half silty clay to asbestos waste, and relates to a lightweight construction material produced thereby. By adding silicon carbide, loess, a zeolite and half silty clay to asbestos waste, the present invention has the advantageous effect that construction materials can be made lighter in weight without the asbestos component being detected, and an environmentally friendly lightweight construction material can be produced which has outstanding strength, thermal insulation properties, forming properties, water-absorbing power and water-retaining ability.
US08470084B2

An electrode precipitator having a high voltage electrode and a low voltage electrode arranged apart from each other at a desired interval. The high voltage electrode includes a charging part which is positioned upstream of an air flow direction to charge a pollutant, and a dust collection part which is spaced from the charging part and positioned downstream of the air flow direction to precipitate the charged pollutant therein.
US08470077B2

Processes for operating an ammonia stripper at a low pressure in a gas purification system include providing a first side-draw stream from the ammonia stripper; heating the first side-draw stream with a second side-draw stream from a regenerator; providing a stripper offgas stream from the ammonia stripper to a stripper overhead condenser; and utilizing the stripper offgas stream as a heat source for a regenerating system fluidly coupled to the stripper overhead condenser. Also disclosed are systems for implementing the processes.
US08470073B2

The apparatus and process for separating hydrogen isotopes is provided using dual columns, each column having an opposite hydrogen isotopic effect such that when a hydrogen isotope mixture feedstock is cycled between the two respective columns, two different hydrogen isotopes are separated from the feedstock.
US08470068B2

Method and system for producing metallic nuggets includes providing reducible mixture of reducing material (such as carbonaceous material) and reducible iron bearing material (such as iron oxide) that may be arranged in discrete portions, such as mounds or briquettes, on at least a portion of a hearth material layer (such as carbonaceous material). A coarse overlayer of carbonaceous material may be provided over at least some of the discrete portions. Heating the reducible mixture to 1425° C. or 1400° C. or 1375° C. results in formation of an intermediate product of one or more metallic iron nuggets, which may have a sulfur content of less than 0.03%, and slag, which may have less than 5% mass MgO, which may have a ratio of percent by weight sulfur in the slag over percent by weight sulfur in the metallic nuggets of at least about 12 or at least about 15.
US08470067B2

Process for preparing a foaming slag former for electric furnaces comprising the steps of aggregating solid slag particles into a coarser granular material and carbonating the solid slag particles to form the foaming slag former. The solid slag particles are preferably aggregated before carbonization, so that the carbonates form a solid matrix binding the particles together.
US08470066B2

The present invention provides a method for forming compositions having a plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles, and the metallic composition produced therewith. Also provided is a substrate coated with the plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles obtained in accordance with the method of the present invention.
US08470065B1

The invention describes a new method for the production of high nitrogen organically-augmented inorganic fertilizer that incorporates municipal biosolids or organic sludges that can compete with traditional fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and urea on the commodity fertilizer marketplace. The method creates a thixotropic paste-like material from the biosolids or organic sludge that is blended with hot or molten ammonium salts, especially a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate. The invention can be an add-on to commercial production of ammonium salts or it can stand alone by manufacturing ammonium salts prior to their introduction to the conditioned biosolids. The invention is oriented to be tailored to production facilities for individual municipal waste treatment plants in order to keep manufacturing plants small with a minimization of logistics and liability.
US08470060B2

A method of forming a thermally stable cutting element that includes disposing at least a portion of a polycrystalline abrasive body containing a catalyzing material to be leached into a leaching agent; and subjecting the polycrystalline abrasive object to an elevated temperature and pressure is disclosed. Thermally stable cutting elements and systems and other methods for forming thermally stable cutting elements are also disclosed.
US08470040B2

Implant devices for implantation within an intervertebral space are provided, together with methods and tools for use therewith. Implant devices of the present invention include an implant body formed of a synthetic bone substitute material, such as a nanocrystalline calcium phosphate material. The implant body and the methods and tools used therewith are configured to optimize strength and stability of the implant, minimize areas of stress concentration in the implant body and promote bone growth through the implant body and fusion of the vertebra.
US08470033B2

A flexible intraocular implant for placing in a capsular bag, the implant comprising an optical portion of substantially circular shape that presents an optical axis, and a haptic portion connected to the periphery of the optical portion, said haptic portion comprising: a contact portion constituted by n (n≧2) contact elements in the form of circular arcs all having the same radius of curvature and each having an outer edge that is in contact with the equatorial zone of the capsular bag, and n connection elements, each connection element being connected via respective ends to two consecutive contact elements, presenting a deformable curved shape, and presenting stiffness that is much less than that of the contact elements; and n deformable connection arms each connected to the periphery of the optical portion and to a contact element.
US08470029B2

Systems, devices and methods for performing small incision DLEK include providing a corneal transplantation donor tissue graft; then forming the tissue graft into an implantable configuration using the flexible substrate. Related medical kits and tools for forming a compact or rolled donor tissue graft are also described.
US08470028B2

Disclosed are devices and methods for treating regurgitation through a valve in the heart. The devices can include an expandable, fluid-tight bladder configured to be deployed between valve leaflets of the heart valve. The bladder can include an upper portion that extends into the atrium of the heart; a lower portion that extends into the ventricle of the heart; and a middle portion positionable within the line of valve leaflet coaptation that provides a sealing surface for one or more of the leaflets.
US08470027B2

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports. An outer boundary of the second support is greater than an outer boundary of the first support.
US08470026B2

A mechanical heart valve apparatus includes a loop-shaped frame defining a valve opening and formed with a pair of transverse slot units and a pair of longitudinal slots; and a pair of valve plates mounted on the loop-shaped frame. Each of the valve plates includes a pair of first studs that are slidably and respectively inserted into the transverse slot units, and a second stud that is slidably inserted into a respective one of the longitudinal slots. The valve plates are pivoted to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other between a closed position, in which the second studs are disposed adjacent to upper ends of the longitudinal slots, and an opening position, in which the second studs are disposed adjacent to lower ends of the longitudinal slots.
US08470007B2

A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached to the antero-lateral portions of at least first and second vertebrae and is structured to facilitate engagement of the plate to the vertebrae from an approach extending in the anterior-posterior directions.
US08470006B2

Bone treatment plate assemblies, methods of fabrication, and methods of use. Such assemblies comprise spring structures assembled to bone treatment plates. The spring structure comprises elongate bands, and springs between the bands, urging the bands against structure of the plate. Spring width is less than spring height and/or one or more protuberances extending from the band or bands cooperate with one or more detents in the plate thereby to arrest longitudinal movement of the spring structure with respect to the plate.
US08470005B1

The assembly supports the trailing end of a lag screw or hip nail device being used to immobilize a hip fracture, and enables the compression of the fractured bone ends together, thereafter enabling sliding of the femoral head together with the lag screw or hip nail laterally, while simultaneously limiting their rotation, thereby promoting healing of the fracture.
US08470001B2

A bone-anchoring device is provided. The bone-anchoring device may comprise a screw including a threaded shaft portion configured to engage bone tissue, and a head portion having a cup-shaped cavity. The device may further include a rod connector and a linking member, wherein the linking member includes a spherical head portion configured to engage the cup-shaped cavity of the head of the screw, a widened flange s configured to engage the linking member, and an elongate body extending from the widened flange portion and configured to extend through an opening in the rod connector.
US08469998B2

A suture anchor comprises a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough and having one or more purchase enhancements on an exterior surface of the body adapted to enhance purchase of the body within a bone hole, such as threads. A lateral port passes through the body from the bore to the exterior surface and is formed of a slot entering the body from its proximal end. A length of suture for attaching soft tissue to bone passes down along the exterior surface over the one or more purchase enhancements, over a distal end of the body, up into the bore through and then back out of the bore and up along the exterior surface over the one or more purchase enhancements.
US08469986B2

Lancet device including a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle may extend, a movably mounted holding member configured to receive a lancet, and a combined triggering and cocking system structured and arranged to move the holding member to a retracted position during a cocking phase and to cause the holding member to move to an extended position during a triggering phase. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device includes disposing the skin engaging end against a user's skin and manually activating the combined triggering and cocking system. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08469985B2

A puncture instrument includes a movable body movably disposed in a case, and a needle unit held by the movable body and having a needle. When a distal end face of the movable body is brought into abutment against a region to be punctured and the case is advanced toward the region to be punctured, the case is advanced together with the needle unit, and the tip end of the needle becomes protruded from the movable body and punctures the region to be punctured. An arm of the needle unit is abutted against and turned about a fulcrum member, thereby withdrawing the needle rearwardly.
US08469980B2

Methods and devices are provided for preparing and implanting tissue scaffolds. Various embodiments of scribing tools are provided that are configured to mark one or more predetermined shapes around a defect site in tissue. The shape or shapes marked in tissue can be used to cut a tissue scaffold having a shape that matches the shape or shapes marked in tissue. In one embodiment, the scribing tool used to mark a shape in tissue can also be used to cut the tissue scaffold.
US08469977B2

Described herein are endoscopic plicators passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed plicators allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver sutures, staples or other means for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications is formed, medical devices may be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
US08469973B2

A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
US08469971B2

A lead assembly includes a lead and a stylet. The lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer lead covering. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and at least one lumen defined in the lead that extends from the distal end to the proximal end. The lead also includes a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals. The stylet is configured and arranged for inserting into one of the at least one lumens of the lead. The stylet includes an elongated body and a protective feature that is coupled to the elongated body. The protective feature is configured and arranged for absorbing or redirecting an amount of force applied to the stylet above a threshold amount of force.
US08469970B2

A retrieval apparatus for entrapping and retaining an object located in a body for its extraction therefrom is described. The retrieval apparatus includes a snare and a snare control assembly. The snare has a proximal section and a distal section, and comprises a plurality of filaments extending from a proximal end of the proximal section towards the distal section, and then returning to the proximal end to form a plurality of loops. In the deployed state, the loops are interlaced to each other within the proximal section and are free and not interleaved within the distal section. Segments of the filaments of the distal section are bent with respect to segments of the filaments of the proximal section such that the retrieval snare in the contracted state forms a hollow cavity extending from the distal section towards the proximal section.
US08469968B2

Disclosed is a stent comprising a bioabsorbable polymeric scaffolding; and a plurality of depots in at least a portion of the scaffolding, wherein the plurality of depots comprise a bioabsorbable material, wherein the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable polymer of the scaffolding is faster than the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable material of the depots.
Patent Agency Ranking