US08559381B2
A predetermined parameter is used to determine a rate of uplink radio resources to downlink radio resources. Then an uplink radio resource is mapped to a unique one of the downlink radio resources dependent at least in part on the rate. There is then received on the mapped unique one of the downlink radio resources a reply to the uplink radio resource. Apparatus and computer programs are also described, for both a user equipment and a network node.
US08559374B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for data communication through a Coordinated Multi-Point Transmission in a multiple cell environment. According to the present invention, the data communication method through a coordinated multi-point transmission in a multiple cell environment including a serving base station and a cooperative base station for performing a coordinated multi-point transmission comprises the steps of: receiving data from the serving base station and the cooperative base station through a downlink channel; and demodulating the received data. Each datum transmitted from the serving base station and the cooperative base station includes a predetermined Reference Signal and a data Resource Element, and a Transmit Diversity is applied to the data resource elements of both the serving base station and the cooperative base station through Pairing.
US08559369B2
A method for providing a wireless Internet connection to WiFi-enabled devices (STAs) comprising: wirelessly connecting a first STA to the Internet through a first AP with a first SSID; remaining connected to the first Access Point (AP), the first STA creates a software-based wireless AP with a second SSID for wirelessly connecting other STAs to the Internet through the first STA. A software module running on the first STA allows a second STA a wide access to the Internet only if the second STA has a copy of the software module running installed and active therein. A method for configuring STAs to connect to a wireless network, comprising: a customer first connects a STA by wire to its network; a software on the STA copies to the STA the security information gained through the wired connection, thus setting the security parameters for the STA.
US08559364B2
A method is provided for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system. The method includes determining, when data to be transmitted to at least one Mobile Station (MS) is generated, a region where an MS that receive the generated data among the at least one MS is located, allocating resources of a data transmission region divided into a first region and a second region to the MS that receive the generated data according to the determination result, including the generated data in a region where the resource is allocated, and including, in a MAP message region, resource allocation information of the region where the data is included and information on an MS that receive the data included in the resource-allocated region, and transmitting, to the MS, a frame including the region in which the generated data is included, and the MAP message region.
US08559363B2
A method of enabling extension of a network service of a first domain to a remote customer site hosted by an Access Gateway (AG) in a Provider Ethernet domain. In the first domain, the remote customer site is represented as being hosted by a border gateway (BG) connected to the Provider Ethernet domain, such that subscriber packets associated with the network service are forwarded to or from the remote customer site via the BG. In the Provider Ethernet domain, a trunk connection is instantiated through the Provider Ethernet domain between the host AG and the BG. A trunk cross-connection function is installed in the host AG, for transferring subscriber packets associated with the network service between a respective attachment virtual circuit (AVC) through which the remote customer site is connected to the host AG and an extended AVC tunnelled through the trunk connection. A common service instance identifier (I-SID) is used to identify both the AVC between the host AG and the remote customer site and the extended AVC between the host AG and the BG.
US08559344B2
The invention includes a method and apparatus for creating a base station neighbor list at a target base station in a wireless network including a plurality of base stations. A method includes obtaining information for creating the base station neighbor list, creating the base station neighbor list using the obtained information, and storing the base station neighbor list. The obtained information includes at least one of geographic locations of ones of the base stations, network status information associated with the wireless network, and pilot signal strength measurement feedback information. The base station neighbor list includes a subset of the base stations of the network. The base stations of the base station neighbor list may be prioritized using at least a portion of the obtained information. The base station neighbor list may be updated periodically, or in response to changes to the obtained information. The base station neighbor list is distributed from the base station to wireless user devices served by the base station for use by the wireless user devices in making handoff decisions.
US08559342B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for discontinuously transmitting/receiving packets for low-power consumption of a terminal in a cellular system for packet transmission. The present research provides a method and apparatus that can perform a low-power consuming operation when a terminal is in active state in a cellular system. The method for discontinuously transmitting/receiving packet data to reduce power consumption of a terminal in a cellular system, including a) establishing discontinuous reception/transmission (DRX/DTX) parameters including discontinuous DRX/DTX cycle information for terminals operating in a transmission suspension mode, which is a sub-state of an active state; and b) performing DRX/DTX based on the DRX/DTX parameters in the terminals operating in the transmission suspension mode.
US08559338B2
A wireless network system includes a coordinator, a first device, and a second device. The coordinator transmits a first response to the first device to approve a first request message received from the first device; broadcast a first beacon, indicating that the first device is in a power saving mode, after transmitting the first response; transmit a second response to the second device to approve a second request message received from the second device; broadcast a second beacon, indicating that the first device needs to change a power management mode from the power saving mode to a normal mode, after transmitting the second response; transmit a third response to the first device to approve a third request message received from the first device; and broadcast a third beacon, indicating that the first device is in the normal mode, after transmitting the third response.
US08559328B2
The disclosure discloses a method and device for reporting channel state information aperiodically. Wherein the method comprises: collecting the channel state information reported by the UE through the configured receiving window; determining the change speed degree of the channel state of the UE according to the criterion for determining a change speed of the channel state information; deciding whether the UE needs to perform aperiodic reporting according to the mapping relationship between the change speed degree of the channel state information and a reporting period adjusting value, and determining timing for the aperiodic reporting if needed. By the method of the disclosure, on one hand, the base station sufficiently obtains the channel state information reported by the UE, which benefits for more suitable scheduling and resource allocating for the UE; on the other hand, PUSCH resources can be used more rationally.
US08559324B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for network routing metering are disclosed. In some embodiments, various changes to the routes, and other actions requested by a computer system, physical or virtual, can be metered. Those actions may be performed and later rated in order to determine what amount, if any, to charge an account associated with the requesting network participant system. The network participant system can be billed based on the activities performed on its behalf. Therefore, even if a network is performing poorly and requires more resources that would normally be allowed by a neighboring router, if the network owner pays to have these requests performed, then the embodiments herein can allocate more resources to supporting the network's rapidly changing network.
US08559321B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate Mobile IP home agent (HA) discovery in a wireless communication system. Discovery of a HA for Mobile IP can be conducted as described herein for a mobile terminal located on a network wherein movement of the terminal is managed by a network-based mobility protocol. For example, various aspects described herein can be utilized for discovery of a HA located in a 3GPP network from 3GPP and/or non-3GPP access. Further, various aspects described herein can be utilized to discover a gateway acting as mobility anchor for a network mobility protocol utilized by the network. As additionally described herein, HA discovery can be conducted in connection with DNS query formation and communication, network attach and/or re-attach procedures, Neighbor Discovery signaling, and/or other procedures.
US08559319B2
A system for progressively synchronizing stored copies of indexed media transmitted between nodes on a network. The system includes a transmitter at the sending node configured to progressively transmit available indexed media to a receiving node with a packet size and packetization interval sufficient to enable the near real-time rendering of the indexed media, wherein the near real-time rendering of the indexed media provides a recipient with an experience of reviewing the transmitted media live. The system also includes a receiver at the receiving node that progressively receives the transmitted indexed media and continually notes any indexed media that is not already locally stored at the receiving node. The receiver also continually generates and transmits to the sending node requests as needed for the noted indexed media. In response, the transmitter at the sending node transmits the noted indexed media to the receiving node. Both the sending node and the receiving node have storage elements configured to store the indexed media respectively. As a result, both the sending node and the receiving node each have synchronized copies of the indexed media.
US08559310B2
A method for bandwidth control includes maintaining priority rules for IP traffic. The method further includes determining current traffic characteristics associated with at least a portion of the IP traffic. The method also includes modifying a priority level based in part on the current traffic characteristics. In one embodiment, the method includes modifying a priority level based on a priority level associated with another user, application, protocol type, or interface identifier. In accordance with another embodiment, priority levels are modified in a plurality of networks or network elements.
US08559306B2
A packet aggregation system. In particular implementations, a method includes accessing one or more transmit queues, each corresponding to a wireless client associated with a given wireless mesh access point of a plurality of mesh access points. The method further includes selecting a mesh access point of the plurality of mesh access points and selecting a transmit queue corresponding to a wireless client associated with the selected mesh access point. The method further includes aggregating packets that are destined for the selected wireless client, up to a size limit, taking into account the path to the selected mesh point as well as quality of service constraints, and composing and transmitting the aggregated packet to the selected mesh access point.
US08559305B2
A communication device transmits a plurality of measurement packets to another communication device while successively varying a transmitting interval. After the plurality of measurement packets have been transmitted, the communication device determines a location of a usable bandwidth in relation to a first bandwidth range that is a range within which bandwidths are measured. The communication device resets the first bandwidth range to a second bandwidth range that is a range within which the bandwidths are measured and in which at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit is different from the corresponding limit in the first bandwidth range in accordance with the determination. The communication device selects a bandwidth that will be used when the measurement packets are transmitted. The communication device transmits the measurement packets to the other communication device using the bandwidth that has been selected.
US08559303B2
A user of a communications network is prevented from consuming an excessive amount of channel bandwidth by restricting use of the channel in accordance with the type of data being downloaded to the user. The user is provided an initial number of credits. As the user consumes the credits, the data being downloaded is checked to determine if is permissible or non-permissible. Non-permissible data includes file-sharing files and movie downloads if user subscription does not permit such activity. If the data is permissible, the user is provided another allotment of credits equal to the initial allotment. If the data is non-permissible, the user is provided an allotment of credits less than the initial allotment. Various restriction policies also can be applied, such as levying additional fees and/or terminating the user's access to the channel. Also, incentives can be provided to entice the user curb the misuse.
US08559297B2
A user apparatus to which radio access schemes of a single-carrier scheme and a multicarrier scheme are applied includes: a radio access scheme setting unit configured to set a radio access scheme; a discrete Fourier transform unit configured to perform discrete Fourier transform on a modulated symbol sequence when the radio access scheme is the single-carrier scheme; a serial parallel conversion unit configured to perform serial parallel conversion on the modulated symbol sequence when the radio access scheme is the multicarrier scheme; a frequency domain signal generation unit configured to assign radio resources to the modulated symbol sequence on which discrete Fourier transform has been performed or to the demodulated symbol sequence on which serial parallel conversion has been performed so as to generate a signal in the frequency domain; a waveform shaping filter configured to perform waveform shaping on the signal in the frequency domain; a transmission signal generation unit configured to perform inverse fast Fourier transform on the signal in the frequency domain on which waveform shaping has been performed so as to generate a transmission signal; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the transmission signal by radio.
US08559290B2
An optical information recording/reproducing optical system where resin material has Tg>115° C., first, second and third films are on an optical disc side of an objective lens and surfaces of an optical element, respectively, a light source side of the objective lens has a fourth film having four or more layers not containing Ti, each of the first, second and third films includes a non-high refractive index layer made of one of silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride and magnesium fluoride or a mixture of at least two of them, each of the first, second and third films is not made of one of Ti, Ta, Hf, Zr, Nb, Mo and Cr, a layer of the fourth film closest to a base material is the non-high refractive index layer. The fourth film satisfies 350<λmax(2)<420 and 600<λmin(2)<750, and reflectivity thereof decreases monotonously.
US08559285B2
An optical disc apparatus includes a focus controller including a first digital filter, tracking controller including a second filter, focus actuator driver, tracking actuator driver, defect detector for detecting a defect on an optical disc, and a system controller for controlling the focus controller, the tracking controller and the defect detector. The system controller holds an input and output of at least one of either the focus controller or the tracking controller on the basis of the output of the defect detector, and sets an initial value in a delay memory of the digital filter of the controller held upon awake of the hold state.
US08559284B1
Methods, software, and apparatuses for reading from and/or writing to an optical storage medium. The methods generally include steps for reading a region of an optical storage medium to produce a readback signal, processing predetermined pattern data to produce one or more measurement instructions, measuring one or more characteristics of the readback signal in response to the measurement instructions to produce one or more measurement results, and further processing the readback signal in accordance with one or more of the measurement results. Thus, the ability to flexibly set test parameters and to quickly and accurately test the write characteristics of a recordable or re-writable optical storage medium is provided.
US08559283B1
A signal corresponding to data read from an optical storage medium is equalized to generate an equalized signal. A signal level of the equalized signal is determined, and an expected signal level of the equalized signal without high frequency distortion is determined. A comparison between the signal level of the equalized signal and the expected signal level is performed, and an amplitude of the equalized signal is adjusted based on the comparison of the actual signal level of the equalized signal and the expected signal level. The equalized signal is decoded after adjusting the amplitude of the equalized signal.
US08559282B2
An average servo control method is provided. A target level of at least a servo signal is first detected, which is corresponding to a present condition of the optical disc drive. The target level is then compared with a current level of the servo signal, and a average servo loop gain is adjusted based on the comparison result. A target level calibration may be performed before the gain adjustment. The target level calibration analyzes the servo signal to determine a plurality of preset target levels each corresponding to a different condition. The preset target levels and corresponding conditions are stored as a lookup table. In this way, the target level is acquired based on the lookup table and the present condition.
US08559276B2
The system for timing a sports competition includes a main timing device having a first time base, and a secondary timing device having a second time base (5). The two timing devices are capable of operating in parallel when the timing system is enabled. The two timing devices are arranged such that the second time base (5) is synchronized by using a reference timer signal (CLKref) generated by the first time base. The second time base (5) includes a phase lock loop (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) for adapting the frequency of the second timer signal (CLK_T2) according to the frequency of the reference timer signal (CLKref).
US08559268B2
An apparatus for imaging an earth formation, the apparatus including: a logging instrument configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth formation; a source of acoustic waves disposed at the logging instrument, wherein the source is configured to emit first acoustic waves having at least a first frequency and to enable intermodulation of the first acoustic waves in a medium having a nonlinear acoustic property resulting in generating new acoustic waves that are transmitted to the earth formation, the new acoustic waves having a new frequency different from the at least first frequency; and a receiver of acoustic waves configured to receive the new acoustic waves reflected from the earth formation, wherein the received new acoustic waves provide an image of the earth formation.
US08559266B2
Seismic processing method, in which, in order to eliminate multiple reflections on seismic data, seismic data are migrated in time or in depth (110) arid the data thus migrated are processed to determine an approximation of multiple reflections to be subtracted from, seismic data (120 to 160).
US08559263B2
One or more techniques are provided for the synchronization of asynchronous signals without the use of an external system clock. In one embodiment, an asynchronous synchronization device is provided and configured to synchronize one or more asynchronous signals to an internal clock signal provided by an internal clock generator. The internal clock generator may be enabled upon detecting inputs on the one or more asynchronous signals, and disabled once the one or more asynchronous inputs are synchronized with the internal clock signal. Thus, the internal clock signal is provided only for a duration required to synchronize the one or more asynchronous signals. Embodiments of the asynchronous synchronization device, as disclosed herein, may be implemented in a processor-based device and/or a memory device.
US08559262B2
A verification circuit for a capacitor power supply measures at least two voltages across the terminals of the capacitor at two points in time, the two points in time defining a time interval dT. A change in voltage dV over the time interval dT is determined. An operation powered by the capacitor is initiated, or not, by deriving from the time interval dT and/or the voltage change dV, a total required time or a total required voltage for completing the operation, and comparing the total required time or total required voltage to a pre-determined necessary total time or predetermined necessary total voltage, respectively (a “time interval test”).
US08559260B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a charge pump circuit for generating a pass pump voltage in response to a clock signal and a pump enable signal and a regulator circuit for maintaining the pass pump voltage in the same level as a program pass voltage during a program operation and discharging the program pass voltage during a verification operation so that the program pass voltage has the same level as a verification pass voltage.
US08559258B1
Disclosed are various embodiments related to stacked memory devices, such as DRAMs, SRAMs, EEPROMs, and CAMs. For example, stack position identifiers (SPIDs) are assigned or otherwise determined, and are used by each memory device to make a number of adjustments. In one embodiment, a self-refresh rate of a DRAM is adjusted based on the SPID of that device. In another embodiment, a latency of a DRAM or SRAM is adjusted based on the SPID. In another embodiment, internal regulation signals are shared with other devices via TSVs. In another embodiment, adjustments to internally regulated signals are made based on the SPID of a particular device. In another embodiment, serially connected signals can be controlled based on a chip SPID (e.g., an even or odd stack position), and whether the signal is an upstream or a downstream type of signal.
US08559254B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a write driver for transmitting data loaded on a global line to a local line pair, a read driver for transmitting data loaded on the local line pair to the global line, a core region for storing data loaded on the local line pair or provide stored data to the local line pair, and a precharging circuit configured to precharge the local line pair by selectively using a first voltage and a second voltage in response to a precharge control signal and an operation mode signal, wherein the second voltage is lower than the first voltage.
US08559251B2
A circuit includes a first node, a second node, a memory cell, a first data line, a second data line, and a write driver. The memory cell is coupled to the first node and the second node and powered by a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node. The first data line and the second data line are coupled to the memory cell. The write driver has a third node carrying a third voltage less than the first voltage during a write operation. The write deriver is coupled to the first data line and the second data line and configured to, during a write operation, selectively coupling one of the first data line and the second data line to the third node and coupling the other one of the first data line and the second data line to the first node.
US08559250B2
Provided is a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, a plurality of word lines arranged corresponding to each row of the memory cells, a plurality of bit line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells, a column selector that selects any of the plurality of bit line pairs based on a column selection signal and connects the selected bit line pair to a data line pair, a precharge circuit that precharges the data line pair, a sense amplifier that amplifies a potential difference of the data line pair, and a control circuit that controls current for driving the sense amplifier based on potentials of the data line pair after a lapse of a specified period from start of amplification of the potential difference of the precharged data line pair by the sense amplifier.
US08559249B1
Embodiments of a memory are disclosed that may reduce the likelihood of a miss-read while reading a weak data storage cell. The memory may include a number of data storage cells, a column multiplexer, a first sense amplifier and a second sense amplifier, and an output circuit. The gain level of the first sense amplifier may be higher than the gain level of the second sense amplifier. The output circuit may include a multiplexer and the multiplexer may be operable to controllably select one of the outputs of the first and second sense amplifiers and pass the value of the selected sense amplifier. The output circuit may include a node that couples the outputs of the first and second sense amplifiers and the outputs of the first and second sense amplifiers may be able to be set to a high impedance state.
US08559248B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a clamping circuit that is used to maintain a bit line of a storage cell in a memory array at a nearly constant clamp voltage. During read operations the bit line is pulled high or low from the clamp voltage by the storage cell and a change in current on the bit line is converted by the clamping circuit to produce an amplified voltage that may be sampled to read a value stored in the storage cell. The clamping circuit maintains the nearly constant clamp voltage on the bit line. Clamping the bit line to the nearly constant clamp voltage reduces the occurrence of read disturb faults. Additionally, the clamping circuit functions with a variety of storage cells and does not require that the bit lines be precharged prior to each read operation.
US08559245B2
An internal voltage generating circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a first voltage generating unit to output a first output voltage to a common node, the first output voltage is generated in response to a first reference voltage, and a second voltage generating unit to output a second output voltage to the common node, the second output voltage is generated in response to a second reference voltage.
US08559243B2
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a sense amplifier configured to determine the slope of a bitline charging voltage and to utilize the determined slope in combination with a voltage level sensing scheme to aid in reading data from a memory cell associated with the bitline. In particular, a sense amplifier circuit is configured to determine a slope of a bit line charging voltage and based upon the determined slope to adjust the slope of the bitline voltage (e.g., by adding a dynamic slope dependent current to a memory cell current configured to charge the bitline) provided to a sense amplifier. By adjusting the slope of the bitline voltage, the charging speed of memory cells in a low resistive state (e.g., having a high cell current and therefore a good SNR) can be increased.
US08559237B2
In a nonvolatile memory, less than a full block maybe erased as one or more pages. A select voltage is applied through pass transistors to each of plural selected wordlines and an unselect voltage is applied through pass transistor to each of plural unselected wordlines of a selected block. A substrate voltage is applied to the substrate of the selected block. A common select voltage may be applied to each selected wordline and the common unselect voltage may be applied to each unselected wordline. Select and unselect voltages may be applied to any of the wordlines of a select block. A page erase verify operation may be applied to a block having plural erased pages and plural nonerased pages.
US08559236B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a control unit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix. The control unit erases data of the memory cells. The control unit interrupts the erase operation of the memory cells and holds an erase condition before the interrupt in accordance with a first command during the erase operation, and resumes the erase operation based on the held erase condition in accordance with a second command.
US08559235B2
A method of operating a non-volatile memory device includes performing an erasing operation to memory cells associated with a plurality of string selection lines (SSLs), the memory cells associated with the plurality of SSLs constituting a memory block, and verifying the erasing operation to second memory cells associated with a second SSL after verifying the erasing operation to first memory cells associated with a first SSL.
US08559229B2
A word line voltage generating method of a flash memory which includes generating a program voltage using a positive voltage generator; generating a plurality of negative program verification voltages corresponding to a plurality of negative data states using a negative voltage generator; and generating at least one or more program verification voltages corresponding to at least one or more states using the positive voltage generator. Generating a plurality of negative program verification voltages includes generating a first negative verification voltage; discharging an output of the negative voltage generator to become higher than the first negative verification voltage; and performing a negative charge pumping operation until an output of the negative voltage generator reaches a second negative verification voltage level.
US08559224B2
Provided is a method of operating a nonvolatile memory device that includes a substrate and memory blocks having a plurality of memory cells stacked along a direction perpendicular to the substrate. The method includes: reading data from a selected sub block among sub blocks of a selected memory block and selectively refreshing each sub block of the selected memory block in response to the reading of the selected sub block, wherein each sub block of the selected memory block is separately erased.
US08559223B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a fusion memory including a first memory cell array formed of a NAND cell unit and a second memory cell array formed of a DRAM cell on a semiconductor substrate. The NAND cell unit is formed of a non-volatile memory cell having a two-layer gate structure in which a first gate and a second gate are stacked, and a selective transistor connecting the first and second gates of the non-volatile memory cell. The DRAM cell is formed of a cell transistor having a structure same as the structure of the selective transistor, and a MOS capacitor having a structure same as the structure of the non-volatile memory cell or the selective transistor.
US08559215B2
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) element is configured to store a state when electric current flows and includes a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) for storing a data bit and a second MTJ for storing a reference bit. The direction of magnetization of the FL is determinative of the data bit stored in the at least one MTJ. Further, the MTJ includes a magnetic reference layer (RL) having a magnetization with a direction that is perpendicular to the film plane, and a magnetic pinned layer (PL) having a magnetization with a direction that is perpendicular to the film plane. The direction of magnetization of the RL and the PL are anti-parallel relative to each other in the first MTJ. The direction of magnetization of the FL, the RL and the PL are parallel relative to each other in the second MTJ.
US08559212B2
The invention provides a memory circuit. In one embodiment, the memory circuit comprises a first PMOS transistor, a second PMOS transistor, a first NMOS transistor, a second PMOS transistor, and a memory cell array. The first PMOS transistor is coupled between a first voltage terminal and a first node. The second PMOS transistor is coupled between the first voltage terminal and a second node. The first NMOS transistor is coupled between a third node and a second voltage terminal. The second NMOS transistor is coupled between a fourth node and the second voltage terminal. The memory cell array comprises a plurality of memory cells, at least one comprising a first inverter and a second inverter. A positive power terminal of the first inverter is coupled to the first node, a negative power terminal of the first inverter is coupled to the third node, a positive power terminal of the second inverter is coupled to the second node, and a negative power terminal of the second inverter is coupled to the fourth node.
US08559207B2
A variable resistance memory device comprises a variable resistance memory cell, a switch that selectively passes a write voltage to an input terminal of the variable resistance memory cell, and a trigger circuit that controls the switch to cut off the write voltage from the input terminal upon determining that the variable resistance memory cell is programmed to a target state by detecting voltage fluctuation of the one side of variable resistance memory cell.
US08559206B2
In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory includes a first buffer that receives notification of power-down and outputs a first signal changed from a first value to a second value based on the notification, a first controlling unit that receives and outputs a command signal, a second controlling unit that generates and outputs a basic signal that has a third value when the command signal output from the first controlling unit indicates an active command and has a fourth value when the command signal indicates a command corresponding to a write back instruction or the first signal has the second value, a memory cell array in which memory cells are arrayed, and a sense amplifier circuit that reads data from the memory cell.
US08559205B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus including a substrate, lower-layer electrode wires provided on the substrate, an interlayer insulating layer provided with contact holes at locations respectively opposite to the lower-layer electrode wires, resistance variable layers which are respectively connected to the lower-layer electrode wires; and non-ohmic devices which are respectively provided on the resistance variable layers. The non-ohmic devices each has a laminated-layer structure including plural semiconductor layers, a laminated-layer structure including a metal electrode layer and an insulator layer, or a laminated-layer structure including a metal electrode layer and a semiconductor layer. One layer of the laminated-layer structure is embedded to fill each of the contact holes and the semiconductor layer or the insulator layer which is the other layer of the laminated-layer structure has a larger area than an opening of each of the contact holes and is provided on the interlayer insulating layer.
US08559202B2
In a power conversion apparatus that boosts a solar light voltage, converts it to AC and supplies AC power to a load or system, power loss is reduced and efficiency is improved. An inverter unit, in which AC sides of three single-phase inverters receive DC power from respective sources with a voltage ratio of 1:3:9 as respective inputs are connected in series. Gradational output voltage control of an output voltage is carried out using the sum of the respective generated AC voltages. Also, a solar light voltage is boosted by a chopper circuit to generate the highest voltage DC power source. When the solar light voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage, the boosting of the chopper circuit is stopped, thereby reducing power loss due to the boosting.
US08559197B2
In one aspect the invention relates to an electrical circuit for use with a generator having an output port, the circuit to modify one of an electric current or voltage from the generator. The circuit includes a rectifier to convert the alternating current from the generator to direct current, the rectifier having a first port and a second port, the rectifier first port in communication with the output port of the generator; and a direct current to alternating current inverter to convert the direct current from the rectifier to alternating current, the inverter having a first port and a second port, the first port of the inverter in communication with the second port of the rectifier. In one embodiment, the generator is a linear alternator positioned within an energy converting apparatus comprising a Stirling engine having a piston such that motion of the piston drives the linear alternator.
US08559194B2
A converter circuit has a first resonant converter that is connected on the DC voltage side to a first energy storage circuit, and a transformer. A second resonant converter is connected on the AC voltage side to the secondary winding of the transformer and on the DC voltage side to a load converter, and a CLL resonant circuit is connected to the first resonant converter and to the primary winding of the transformer. The CLL resonant circuit has a resonant capacitance, a first resonant inductance and a second resonant inductance.
US08559190B2
Methods and apparatus for memory systems with memory chips are described. In an embodiment, a system includes a memory controller chip, memory chips, and a module connector each on a first substrate and at least two groups of conductors to provide read data signals from at least some of the memory chips to the memory controller chip and to provide read data signals from the connector to the memory controller chip. Furthermore, a memory module is inserted in the module connector and including memory chips on a second substrate at least some of which are to receive signals from at least some for the memory chips on the first substrate and at least some of which are to provide the read data signals to be provided to the second group of conductors. Other embodiments are described.
US08559189B2
A riser card is used for connecting at least one power supply to a motherboard in an electronic device. The riser card includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) and a second PCB. The first PCB includes at least one power connector for laterally receiving the at least one power supply. The second PCB is located parallel to the first PCB. The second PCB includes an insert terminal for connecting to the motherboard. The first PCB is spaced from the second PCB, and the first PCB and the second PCB are electrically connected.
US08559178B2
A cardlock clamp is described that is used to secure an electronics module in a channel of a card cage. The cardlock clamp is configured to convert an input compression force into clamping forces in at least two radial directions perpendicular to the input compression force. The described cardlock clamp also provides self-alignment and self-center functions for the electronics module inserted into the channel. Further, variations of the cardlock clamp are described that provide more effective heat transfer from the electronics module to the card cage.
US08559177B2
A system comprises a computer element (101) that moves into and out of a service position. The system further comprises a fan (106), separate from the computer element (101), that moves with the computer element (101) into and out of the service position. The fan (106) cools the computer element (101) while the computer element (101) is in the service position.
US08559169B2
A display device includes a display section, a frame casing including first and second divided frames, each of the first and second divided frames including first and second holes along a width direction of the frame casing, the first hole being closer to a back surface of the display section than the second hole, the first and second divided frames being attached to the display section by screws passing through the second holes, and a glass plate provided between a front surface of the display section and the frame casing.
US08559167B1
A power transfer device adapted for interconnection with the electrical system of a building includes a housing that includes a base having a back wall and an intermediate member that engages the base. A first housing section engages the base and the intermediate member and defines a first interior portion. A second housing section engages the base and the intermediate member and cooperates with the base to define a second interior portion. Fasteners secure the intermediate member, the first housing section and the second housing section together. Power transfer switching components are interconnected with and carried by one of the housing sections. A cover may be pivotably mounted to the housing.
US08559157B2
In an ion generation apparatus, an induction electrode for generating positive ions and an induction electrode for generating negative ions are each formed as an independent part and separately mounted on a substrate. Therefore, even if the substrate is warped with changes in temperature, tip end portions of needle electrodes can be positioned at the centers of through holes in the induction electrodes, respectively, and positive ions and negative ions can be stably generated.
US08559145B1
A receiver frontend includes a first input junction for receiving a first input signal, a second input junction for receiving a second input signal, a first output junction, a second output junction, and circuitry configured to perform equalization on the first input signal and the second input signal to establish a first output signal with a desired frequency response at the first output junction, and to establish a second output signal with a desired frequency response at the second output junction, and perform common-mode voltage adjustment on a common-mode voltage associated with the first output signal and the second output signal.
US08559133B2
A perpendicular magnetic write head includes: a magnetic pole having an end face on an air bearing surface; and side shield layers each having an end face on the air bearing surface, and arranged on both sides, in a write track width direction, of the magnetic pole with a side gap in between. The end face of the magnetic pole has a geometry in which a width at a trailing edge is larger than a width at a leading edge. Relationship D1
US08559122B2
Testing procedure (Integrated Head Spiral Testing) for disk media utilizes a single head with both write and read elements that are offset to allow spiral testing. The offset allows a write element to write one portion of a spiral track while a read element simultaneously reads a previously written portion of the spiral track.
US08559121B2
A method of targeted corruption of user data in a shingled magnetic recording disk includes identifying user data on a Track_N targeted for corruption; identifying a readback centerline of the Track_N; identifying a readback centerline of an adjacent track to Track_N; acquiring user data of the adjacent track; and rewriting the user data of the adjacent track with an offset write centerline to overwrite magnetic material at the readback centerlines of both Track_N and the adjacent track.
US08559112B2
An optical element includes an optical surface formed by a press molding method, wherein a ray effective portion of the optical surface has formed thereon an antireflection structure including a minute uneven structure, which contains a component different from that of a base of the optical element and has an average pitch of 400 nm or less.
US08559109B2
According to a method for producing a diffraction optical element, the center of a molding face and the center of a substrate are positionally aligned to each other based on a marker of a prescribed shape which is formed at the center of the molding face of a mold and the shape of a diffraction grating of the substrate. A nanocomposite material is located between the molding face and the diffraction grating, and the material is pressed by the mold and the substrate to form an optical adjusting layer on the diffraction grating.
US08559098B2
The present invention relates to a device and a method for selective transmission of an optical signal.It is an object of the present invention to provide a light modulator and a method for light modulation capable of selecting very short optical pulses of up to the femtosecond range with a low repetition frequency, wherein the repetition frequency can be variable in a range between several Hz up to the GHz range.To this end, the device has a first optical waveguide (3), a first drive circuit (14), a second optical waveguide (1, 2) and a second drive circuit (15), wherein the spacing between a switching element of the first drive circuit (14) and the first optical waveguide (3) is less than 3 mm, and the distance between a switching element of the second drive circuit (15) and the second optical waveguide (1, 2) is less than 3 mm, and the first optical waveguide (3) has a first absorber section (5), a pulse picker section (4) and a second absorber section (18).
US08559097B2
A light amplifier includes a single crystal semiconductor substrate with a rare earth oxide, light amplifying gain medium deposited on the substrate and formed into a light waveguide, and a pump laser. A lattice matching virtual substrate integrates the pump laser to the gain medium with a first opposed surface crystal lattice matched to the gain medium and second opposed surface crystal lattice matched to the pump laser. The pump laser is positioned with a light output surface coupled to a light input surface of the gain medium so as to introduce pump energy into the light waveguide. The light amplifier has a very small footprint and allows the integration of control and monitoring electronics.
US08559092B2
The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
US08559085B2
A focusing system for focusing an electromagnetic beam for three-dimensional random access applications comprises a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in an X-Z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in a Y-Z plane substantially perpendicular to the X-Z plane. The second pair of acousto-optic deflectors is arranged between the acousto-optic deflectors of the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors such that the first and fourth acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors and the second and third acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors.
US08559078B2
A colorimetric chart, for measuring a color reproduction characteristic of an image forming apparatus, includes: a patch column that is arranged in a sub-scanning direction representing a conveying direction in which the image forming apparatus conveys the colorimetric chart and that is used in detecting periodic color fluctuation attributed to the image forming apparatus, wherein the patch column includes patches that are arranged in different phases on the same patch column.
US08559077B2
A scanning device is provided with a first transparent plate on which an original sheet to is placed, the original sheet being scanned statically, a reading unit arranged below the first transparent plate and configured to scan an image on the original sheet in the main scanning direction, the reading unit being movable in an auxiliary scanning direction, and a first reference member defining a reference position for scanning an image on the original sheet, in the main scanning direction and in the auxiliary scanning direction. The first reference member is arranged at an unused area of the first transparent plate, the unused area being an area which is within the original sheet placeable area on the first transparent plate and is not covered with original sheets of a plurality of predetermined different sizes placed on the first transparent plate with being positioned with respect to a predetermined positioning point.
US08559058B2
An image forming apparatus outputs a proof chart in response to an instruction for calibration execution from a user and then a color measuring unit measures the colors of patches on the proof chart. A profile management unit selects, from entries in a base profile DB, a base profile in an entry that has color reproduction characteristics that are closest to the color measurement values of the patches and generates a sheet correction TRC that has an approximation to the color measurement values of the patches when the selected base profile is used. The selected base profile is used as a color conversion parameter in a color management module, and the generated sheet correction TRC is used as a tone correction parameter in a sheet-corresponding correcting unit.
US08559054B2
Disclosed is a color conversion method, the method including the steps of (a) converting a color using an approximation technique, and (b) correcting an error of the color using a preset error correction table containing information regarding a difference between a color channel based on an original conversion formula and a color channel based on the approximation technique.
US08559045B2
A method implemented in a data processing system including an image forming apparatus for producing a print job, which includes the steps of: (a) receiving data representing a document to be printed in the print job; (b) receiving job information about the print job; (c) determining if the job information includes an instruction to print multiple copies of the document in a collated order; (d) forwarding the data representing the document to be printed in the print job to an external storage unit when multiple copies of the document in collated order have been requested; (e) retrieving the data from the external storage unit; and (f) printing the multiple copies of the document in collated order.
US08559040B2
A method of determining a probability of a set of print jobs being completed within a time period may include receiving a schedule associated with a set of print jobs. The schedule may include a sequence in which the set of print jobs is to be processed, a mean processing time associated with each print job in the set, and a standard deviation of a processing time associated with each print job in the set. The method may include determining a probability that a print shop will complete processing of the set of print jobs within a time period based on the mean processing time and standard deviation associated with each of the print jobs in the set that has not been processed and displaying the probability on a display device.
US08559037B2
An image processing device includes an image processing portion, a reception portion, a determining portion and a stopping portion. The image processing portion is configured to execute a plurality of jobs in parallel. Each job requires at least one of a reading process for reading a manuscript, a printing process for printing an image, a facsimile transmission process for transmitting facsimile data and a facsimile reception process for receiving facsimile data. The reception portion is configured to receive a stop request of a job. The determining portion is configured to determine one of a plurality of running jobs as one that is to be stopped when a plurality of jobs are executed at the time of reception of the stop request, and to give a priority to a job that is executed in a state of a high stop emergency degree over a job that is executed in a state of a low stop emergency degree when determining a job that is to be stopped. The stopping portion is configured to stop execution of the job that is determined as one that is to be stopped by the determining portion.
US08559033B2
A method starts when a print job is received from a workstation. The print job includes an identification of an initial printer. The method ranks the abilities of the available printers to process the print job to identify the best printer for the print job. If the initial printer is not ranked as the best printer, the method presents a question/statement to the workstation (to the user through the workstation) regarding whether to redirect the print job to the best printer.
US08559010B2
A structural assembly and methods are provided to facilitate corrosion inspection, such as in those regions of a structure that may otherwise be visibly inspected only following at least partial disassembly of the structure. The structural assembly may include a structure and a coating disposed upon at least a portion of the structure that has optical properties that change in response to corrosion. The structural assembly may also include a fiber optic sensing network including a plurality of optical fibers and a sensor. The plurality of optical fibers are configured to expose the coating to incident optical signals and to receive responsive optical signals at least partially dependent upon any change in the optical properties of the coating. The sensor is configured to receive the responsive optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers. This sensor may also be configured to analyze the responsive optical signals to detect corrosion.
US08558990B2
An exposure method includes the following processes. An autofocus scan process is performed to detect a defocused portion of a first resist film over a semiconductor wafer and to generate a detection signal that indicates the defocused portion detected. A first exposure scan process is performed while selectively blinding the first resist film, with reference to a detection signal related to the defocused portion detected.
US08558985B2
A tunable liquid crystal optical device defining an optical aperture and having a layered structure. The device includes a film electrode formed on a surface of a first substrate and covered by a second substrate, and a contact structure filling a volume within the layered structure and contacting the film electrode. The contact structure is located outside of the optical aperture and provides an electrical connection surface much larger than a thickness of the film electrode, such that reliable electrical connections may be made to the electrode, particularly in the context of wafer scale manufacturing of such a device.
US08558983B2
An electro-optical device typified by an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, is manufactured by cutting a rubbing process, and in addition, a reduction in the manufacturing cost and an improvement in the yield are realized by reducing the number of process steps to manufacture a TFT. By forming a pixel TFT portion having a reverse stagger type n-channel TFT, and a storage capacitor, by performing three photolithography steps using three photomasks, and in addition, by having a uniform cell gap by forming wall-like spacers by performing one photolithography step, without performing a rubbing process, a multi-domain perpendicular orientation type liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle display, and in which a switching direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled, can be realized.
US08558981B2
Disclosed herein is a display device including a pair of substrates opposed to each other, a pixel region provided between the substrates, and an external wiring provided on an extension of one of the substrates. The external wiring is disposed in a recess formed on the extension. With this structure, the external wiring provided on the extension can be reliably protected to thereby improve the reliability of the display device.
US08558976B2
The present invention provides a color filter substrate for preventing an electrical short circuit between an electrode and other members at a place upper than the colored transparent layers disposed in a stack, and further preventing electrical disconnection on colored transparent layers other than the colored transparent layers in a stack, in the case where colored transparent layers are disposed in a stack and an electrode is stacked over the entire surface. The color filter substrate of the present invention comprises: colored transparent layers disposed side by side; and colored transparent layers disposed in a stack, wherein an electrode is disposed at a place upper than the colored transparent layers disposed side by side and an electrode is disposed at a place upper than the colored transparent layers disposed in a stack, the colored transparent layers disposed in a stack include a colored transparent layer having a reverse tapered shape, and the uppermost layer of the colored transparent layers disposed in a stack has a forward tapered shape.
US08558967B2
A light exit surface of an illuminating lens has a first light exit surface and a second light exit surface. The first light exit surface is recessed toward a point on the optical axis, and the second light exit surface extends outwardly from the periphery of the first light exit surface. The first light exit surface has a transmissive region and a total reflection region. When the position of a light source on the optical axis is defined as a starting point, the transmissive region transmits light that has been emitted from the starting point at a relatively small angle with respect to the optical axis, and the total reflection region totally reflects light that has been emitted from the starting point at a relatively large angle with respect to the optical axis. A reflective layer is formed on a bottom surface that surrounds a light entrance surface and faces oppositely to the light exit surface. The reflective layer reflects light that has been emitted from the light source, totally reflected repeatedly at the light exit surface, and then reached the bottom surface.
US08558955B2
Provided herein are methods and systems that provide automatic compensation for frequency attenuation of a video signal transmitted over a cable. In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes an equalizer and a compensation controller. The equalizer receives a video signal that was transmitted over a cable, provides compensation for frequency attenuation that occurred during the transmission over the cable, and outputs a compensated video signal. The compensation controller automatically adjusts the compensation provided by the equalizer based on comparisons of one or more portions of the compensated video signal to one or more reference voltage levels. The compensating is selectively locked and reset in response to specific conditions being detected, e.g., a locking condition and a reset condition.
US08558953B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for synchronizing an audio stream with a video stream. This method involves searching in the audio stream for audio data having values that match a distinct set of audio data values and synchronizing the audio stream with the video stream based on the search. In some embodiments, the distinct set of audio data values is defined by a predetermined distinct tone. In other embodiments, the distinct set of audio data values is defined by audio data contained in the video stream.
US08558951B2
A method and device for synchronizing audio/video signals is provided. A first and a second auxiliary signal are generated, wherein the first and the second auxiliary signals are pulse-shaped, and transmitted to a first and a second rendering device via a first and a second transmission path, respectively. The first audio/video output signal based on the first auxiliary signal and a second audio/video output signal based on the second auxiliary signal are outputted to a user. The user adjusts a delay of the first and/or second transmission path by synchronizing the first audio/video output signal with the second audio/video output signal.
US08558947B2
Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup element, including a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion for converting a quantity of incident light into an electric signal, and a plurality of pixel transistors; wiring layers formed on one surface side of a semiconductor substrate having the plurality of pixels formed therein, a light made incident from a side opposite to the one surface having the wiring layers formed thereon being received by corresponding one of the photoelectric conversion portions; a scribe line formed in a periphery of a pixel portion composed of the plurality of pixels; and square-shaped termination detecting portions each having higher hardness than that of the semiconductor substrate and formed in the scribe line; wherein each of the square-shaped termination detecting portions has a side parallel with a direction of the scribe line of the semiconductor substrate.
US08558945B2
A dome-shaped camera (1) includes a body (3) including a camera unit (2), and a dome cover (4) that covers the camera unit (2). The body (3) includes a tilt table (9) that supports the camera unit (2) in such a manner that the camera unit (2) is rotatable in a tilt direction, a pan table (8) that supports the tilt table (9) supporting the camera unit (2) in such a manner that the tilt table (9) is rotatable in a pan direction, and an elastic member (13) that biases the tilt table (9) in a direction opposite to the pan table (8). The dome cover (4) includes an inner cover (5) that covers the camera unit (2), and an outer cover (6) that covers the inner cover (5). The tilt table (9) is movable in the direction toward the pan table (8) against an elastic force of the elastic member (13), and the inner cover (5) is mounted on the tilt table (9). Consequently, a dome-shaped camera with enhanced impact resistance is provided.
US08558937B2
Provided is a dual display device for a camera apparatus having a projector therein, which includes a rotary mirror module configured to project light of the projector to a front side of the camera apparatus body to display the light to the outside or to a rear side of the camera apparatus body while being rotated by driving of a drive motor.
US08558936B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image to generate image data, a controller operable to calculate a target exposure value based on the image data and control exposure based on a first shooting parameter set by a user to obtain the target exposure value, and a display unit operable to provide a display. The controller calculates a first suitable range which is a range of the first shooting parameter for obtaining the target exposure value, and calculates a second shooting parameter based on the target exposure value and the first shooting parameter set by the user. The display unit displays exposure guide information including the first shooting parameter set by the user, information representing the first suitable range, and the calculated second shooting parameter.
US08558924B2
The camera platform system of the present invention operates at least one function selected from zoom/focus/tilt/pan/iris of a mounted camera or lens in response to an operation instruction output from an operation device. The camera platform system includes a drive control unit configured to convert an operation instruction output from the operation device into a drive control signal corresponding to any one motion of the zoom/focus/tilt/pan/iris; a motion prediction position calculation unit configured to calculate a motion prediction position of any one of the zoom/focus/tilt/pan/iris based on the drive control signal converted by the drive control unit; and a motion prediction position output unit configured to output the motion prediction position, which has been calculated by the motion prediction position calculation unit, as motion prediction position information.
US08558923B2
An image capturing apparatus and method for selective real-time focus/parameter adjustment. The image capturing apparatus includes a display unit, an adjustment unit, and a generation unit. The display unit is configured to display an image. The interface unit is configured to enable a user to select a plurality of regions of the image displayed on the display unit. The adjustment unit is configured to enable the user to adjust at least one focus/parameter of at least one selected region of the image displayed on the display unit. The generation unit is configured to convert the image including at least one adjusted selected region into image data, where at least one focus/parameter of the at least one adjusted selected region has been adjusted by the adjustment unit prior to conversion.
US08558915B2
A photographing apparatus includes a lens array and a photoelectric conversion unit. The lens array includes a plurality of lenses that are regularly arranged on a single plane. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas, each including a plurality of pixels. The plurality of photoelectric conversion areas are installed on a single plane. Each photoelectric conversion area corresponds to an irradiation range of light passing through a respective one of the plurality of lenses of the lens array. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a first mode and at least one second mode. In the first mode, data is continuously read out from all pixels included in the plurality of photoelectric conversion areas. In the at least one second mode, a subset of fewer than all pixels of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion areas are selected and used to generate a color image. The selected pixels of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion areas are at relatively the same positions with respect to each respective lens of the lens array. Data is continuously read out from the selected pixels.
US08558912B2
In an image pickup apparatus, image data obtained by an image pickup unit is subjected to predetermined image processing, and an image is displayed on an electronic viewfinder screen based on the image data that has undergone the image processing. A specified color is determined based on color information included in a predetermined region of an image that is currently being displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen, and image processing parameters are produced so that color conversion is carried out on the image while eliminating color components of colors other than the determined specified color.
US08558907B2
New systems and methods are hereby provided that inherently and naturally resolve the challenges of synthesizing coordinated inputs from multiple cameras. For example, a multi-sensor mediator may collect the input data from multiple sensors, and generate a composite signal that encodes the combined data from the different sensors. The multi-sensor mediator may then relay the composite signal to a sensor controller, as if the signal were coming from a single sensor. A computing device that receives the input from the sensor controller may then generate an output based on the composite signal, which may include processing the composite signal to combine the separate signals from the different sensors, such as to provide a stereo image output, for example. The multi-sensor mediator makes such an output possible by ensuring coordinated input and processing of the input from the multiple sensors, for example.
US08558903B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for video processes that selectively control the operation of motion stabilization processes. According to the present invention, motion sensor data indicative of motion of a mobile device may be received and processed. A determination may be made by comparing processed motion sensor data to a threshold. Based on the determination, motion stabilization may be suspended on select portions of a captured video sequence.
US08558900B2
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capture unit for capturing an image, a reproducing unit for reproducing and displaying an image, an attitude detecting unit for detecting an attitude, and a control unit for executing a preset and predetermined operation if a predetermined attitude change pattern is detected with the attitude detecting unit.
US08558898B2
An image pickup apparatus which decreases the number of components to reduce man-hours for assembly. A base plate, which supports a lens holder in such a manner that the lens holder is movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, has an engagement portion having an opening disposed in one direction around the optical axis. Movement of the lens holder in the direction of the optical axis is inhibited by engagement between part of the lens holder and the engagement portion. A rotation inhibition plate, which is provided on a subject side of the lens holder, is movable in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis integrally with the lens holder and is inhibited from moving in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction.
US08558893B1
A security system worn by an individual is provided for monitoring an adjacent area. The security system includes a mobile device in communication with an audio device, a camera, and a transparent display. The camera captures an image. The audio device inputs audio information associated with the image, wherein the information includes a priority. The transparent display displays images captured via other mobile devices and information associated with the images captured via the other mobile devices. The mobile device is associated with a location engine configured to determine a location of the mobile device.
US08558888B2
A video surveillance terminal avoids network congestion. The camera lowers exposure to unauthorized operation. Each apparatus discards unviewed higher resolution streams unless expressly desired by a host user. The client of the service determines an event of interest, selects an extent of data to represent the event, and derives a compact representation by video encoding and compression.
US08558883B2
A video broadcast of a live event is enhanced by providing graphics in the video in real time to depict the fluid flow around a moving object in the event and to provide other informative graphics regarding aerodynamic forces on the object. A detailed flow field around the object is calculated before the event, on an offline basis, for different speeds of the object and different locations of other nearby objects. The fluid flow data is represented by baseline data and modification factors or adjustments which are based on the speed of the object and the locations of the other objects. During the event, the modification factors are applied to the baseline data to determine fluid flow in real time, as the event is captured on video. In an example implementation, the objects are race cars which transmit their location and/or speed to a processing facility which provides the video.
US08558881B2
A telescopic probe monitoring system for riverbed elevation monitoring at a bridge pier is revealed. The system includes a measurement module for measuring riverbed elevation under water and a control module. The measurement module includes a housing, a multi-layer tube, a driving member with scales, a photographic unit for capturing images, and a sensing unit. The control module controls the driving member to extend the multi-layer tube. Thus the sensing unit on the bottom of the multi-layer tube contacts the riverbed and then sends a sensing signal to the control module for stopping pushing the multi-layer tube and controlling the photographic unit to capture images of the driving member. According to the images and movement of the measurement module, the control module learns the riverbed elevation and sends the riverbed elevation to a remote monitor unit for real-time monitoring of the riverbed elevation.
US08558879B2
An endoscope apparatus comprises an imaging unit, a measurement point setting unit, a corresponding-point setting unit, a region setting unit, a display unit, and a measuring unit. The imaging unit acquires image data containing a first image and a second image, the first image and the second image being about the same subject to be inspected. The measurement point setting unit sets a measurement point on the first image. The corresponding-point setting unit sets a corresponding point on the second image based on a position of the measurement point. The region setting unit sets an information display region on the second image based on a position of the corresponding point. The display unit displays the first image, the second image, the measurement point, the corresponding point, and the information display region. The measuring unit measures a subject using the image data.
US08558871B2
Inconsistency between a left-view video image and a right-view video image possibly occurs in a playback device having a function of switching between a monoscopic playback mode for monoscopically playing back video images and a stereoscopic playback mode for stereoscopically playing back video images. The present invention aims to prevent such inconsistency when switching from the monoscopic playback mode to the stereoscopic playback mode. Specifically, the present invention prevents the inconsistency by invalidating a rendering request which is Graphics#drawImage, copying a content stored in the left-view graphics plane to a right-view graphics plane, switching a graphics plane setting after the copying, and then removing prohibition of a rendering request which is StereoGraphics#drawImage.
US08558861B2
A method and a device for recording information within an information surface region in a data carrier, consisting of a carrier layer and a transparent plastic layer, by means of at least one laser beam of a point-like laser source wherein the laser beam is deflected via at least one deflection surface, in particular a mirrored surface before it impinges on the data carrier, wherein the at least one deflection surface is arranged in a region between the laser source and the data carrier and outside an intermediate region bounded by notional straight connection lines between the laser source and edge regions of the information surface region.
US08558858B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a light source that emits a light beam; a photosensitive member; a brushless motor including a stator where a plurality of coils are placed and a rotor where a plurality of magnets are placed; a rotary polygon mirror, which is rotated by the brushless motor, and which periodically deflects the light beam emitted from the light source to sequentially form scanning lines on the photosensitive member; an energization switching unit that turns on and off energizations of the coils; a voltage detecting unit that outputs a detection signal based on induced voltages that are generated in the coils by rotation of the rotor; and a control unit that controls turning on/off of the energizations by the energization switching unit based on the detection signal.
US08558852B2
A source driver that drives a plurality of source lines of an electro-optical device includes a grayscale voltage generation circuit that outputs first and second grayscale voltages corresponding to grayscale data, and a source line driver circuit that drives a source line among the plurality of source lines based on the first and second grayscale voltages. The source line driver circuit includes a flip-around sample/hold circuit that outputs an output grayscale voltage between the first and second grayscale voltages to the source line.
US08558837B2
Modular radiance transfer pre-computes a spectral decomposition of a one bounce transport operator for each of a set of shapes and replaces a scene dependent direct-to-indirect transfer lighting computation with an art-directable mapping step. Modular radiance transfer provides an approach for rendering an approximate indirect lighting which requires small amounts of data, can be used to model very large (or even random scenes), and propagates much of the indirect lighting using a small number of spectral coefficients, so that rendering scales well to large scenes.
US08558828B2
A driving circuit of an electrooptic device comprises: a plurality of scanning lines; a plurality of data lines; first and second capacitor lines; a common electrode; pixels, the pixels each including: a pixel switching element; a pixel capacitor; and a storage capacitor; a scanning-line driving circuit; and a capacitor-line driving circuit that shifts the voltage of a first (or second) capacitor line corresponding one scanning line to a predetermined voltage when said one scanning line is selected, and when a scanning line apart from said one scanning line by predetermined number of lines is selected, changes the predetermined voltage by a predetermined value or holds the predetermined voltage; and when said one scanning line is selected; and a data-line driving circuit.
US08558820B2
Provided is a human interactive interface device having a functional turntable. The interface device includes a housing unit, an interface circuit, a sensor unit, and a control unit. The housing unit has at least a left key, a right key, a mouse wheel, and a turntable. The turntable is disposed around the mouse wheel. The interface circuit is connected electrically to the turntable for generating a dial signal in accordance to a dial position of the turntable. The senor unit is located on the lower surface of the housing, and captures an image signal according to a reflex formed on a contact surface. The control unit is connected electrically to the interface circuit and the sensor unit, and is used for adjusting a coordinate axis positioning angle or a coordinate vector ratio of the sensor unit according to the dial signal, and further calculates a displacement according to the image signal.
US08558819B2
An electronic apparatus including a main body and a stylus is provided. The main body includes a containing trench having a bulge and a reset button. The stylus includes a stylus body, a stylus front end and a stylus rear end. A surrounding trench structure of the stylus body has a first end and a second end connected to a first stylus body and a second stylus of the stylus body respectively, wherein the cross section area of the first end is smaller than the same of the second end. The stylus front end passes into the containing trench to perform a first displacement to a first position, and then to perform a second displacement to a second position by pressing the stylus rear end to make the surrounding trench structure slide over the bulge such that the stylus tip touches the reset button to reset the electronic apparatus.
US08558815B2
A touchscreen system for locating an opaque object in a target region, detects interruption of light beams, using two or more independent touchscreens (TS1, TS2), arranged to provide redundancy, each of the touchscreens having one or more optical emitters (10) to create the beams, and one or more optical detectors (30) to provide detection signals, and circuitry (90) to determine location coordinates of the opaque object from the detection signals. Detection circuitry or software integrates (470) an output of a switching inverter (440, 450), which switches between outputting an inverted or not inverted version of each detection signal, in phase with the modulation of the corresponding emitters. It can use wavelengths compatible with night vision equipment.
US08558810B2
A touch device includes a touch panel, a stylus, a measuring wave transmitter sleeved the stylus and transmitting measuring waves, a frame surrounding the touch panel, three sensors embedded in the frame, and a processor electrically connected to the three sensors. The processor stores a coordinate system and location points of the three sensors, and calculates a location point (x, y) of the stylus according to √{square root over ((x−x11)2+(y−y11)2)}{square root over ((x−x11)2+(y−y11)2)}=√{square root over ((x−x12)2+(y−y12)2)}{square root over ((x−x12)2+(y−y12)2)}−ΔT1×V=√{square root over ((x−x13)2+(y−y13)2)}{square root over ((x−x13)2+(y−y13)2)}−ΔT2×V, wherein ΔT1 is time interval between a first time point when one sensor receives the measuring waves and a second time point when another sensor receives the measuring waves, ΔT2 is time interval between the first time point and a third time point when the remaining sensor receives the measuring waves, (x11, y11), (x12, y12), (x13, y13) are location points of the sensors receiving the measuring waves at the first, second and third time points, V is transmitting speed of the measuring waves.
US08558801B2
A mobile terminal having a touch screen and a method of controlling functions in the mobile terminal are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a touch screen including a touch panel to detect a drag and drop generated on a function execution screen and a display unit to display the function execution screen, a control unit to control the display unit to display of at least one control interaction guide to guide a control command to be executed on the function execution screen in response to a request to display the control interaction guide, to determine the control command corresponding to a drag generated on the function execution, and to execute a function corresponding to the determined control command on the function execution screen, and a memory unit to store the control command to be executed on the function execution screen and the control interaction guide to be displayed on the function execution screen.
US08558799B2
The invention relates to a user interaction device (200, 300) comprising an optical module (210, 310) having a layer (5) of a substance being electrically switchable between a first visual state and a second visual state, and an electrical switch (6a, 6b) for electrically switching the substance between the first and second visual states, a detector (6a, 11b) for detecting the presence of a physical object, and a control unit (290, 390) for controlling the electrical switch in response to the detection of presence of the physical object.
US08558796B2
Keyboard systems and methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, an overlay keyboard for touch screen devices includes a physical keyboard that can be mounted onto a touch screen device (e.g., a corded touch screen device or a touch screen mobile device) that provides a virtual keyboard (e.g., a software displayed touch screen), in which the physical keyboard can be overlaid onto the virtual keyboard of the touch screen device. When no key of the physical keyboard is pressed down, the physical keyboard does not trigger the touch screen of the touch screen device. When a key of the physical keyboard is pressed down, the physical keyboard touches the touch screen on a corresponding key of the virtual keyboard on the touch screen device, thereby causing the touch screen to detect that the corresponding key of the virtual keyboard has been pressed.
US08558792B2
The present invention is a storage medium storing a game program to be executed by a computer in a game apparatus comprising an input device for detecting positions designated by a player on an input surface. The game apparatus calculates an input graphic drawn on the input surface by using the positions detected by the input device. The game apparatus further calculates a degree of similarity between a share of each reference pattern indicated by previously stored shape data and a shape of the input graphic. Also, the game apparatus sets a reference value to each of the reference patterns. The game apparatus identifies the shape of the input graphic from among a plurality of reference patterns by using a result obtained by performing a predetermined calculation for each of the plurality of reference patterns through using the degree of similarity and the reference value set to one process is performed in accordance with the identified shape.
US08558783B2
The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.
US08558782B2
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for maintaining a target white point on a light emitting diode (LED) based backlight. In one embodiment, the backlight may include two or more groups of LEDs, each driven at a respective driving strength. Each group may include LEDs of a different chromaticity, and the respective driving strengths may be adjusted, for example, by varying the duty cycles, to maintain the target white point. To ensure that the white point may be maintained over an operational temperature range of the backlight, the LEDs may be selected so that the chromaticities of each group of LEDs are separated by at least a minimum chromaticity difference. Further, the LEDs may be selected so that at the equilibrium temperature of the backlight, the LEDs may produce the target white point when driven at substantially equal driving strengths.
US08558780B2
A display apparatus includes a backlight assembly, a first display panel assembly and a second display panel assembly. The backlight assembly includes a plurality of lamps disposed substantially parallel with each other. The backlight assembly emits first light through a first face and second light through a second face. The first display panel assembly is disposed adjacent to the first face to receive the first light. The second display panel assembly is disposed adjacent to the second face to receive the second light. The backlight assembly may further include a driving inverter electrically connected to first and second ends of the lamps to provide the lamps with driving voltages. Therefore, the backlight assembly applies light to the first and second display panel assemblies to reduce the number of backlight assemblies. Therefore, costs for manufacturing a display apparatus may be reduced.
US08558768B2
A pixel circuit provided on a substrate on which a signal line, first and second scanning lines supplying first and second control pulse signals, a fixed power line, and a variable power line are arranged includes a capacitance element, a sampling transistor connected between the signal line and one of ends of the capacitance element, where the gate of the sampling transistor is connected to the first scanning line, a drive transistor of which gate is connected to the other end, where one of a drain and a source of the drive transistor is connected to the fixed power line, an initializing transistor of which gate is connected to the second scanning line, which is connected between the other end and the other of the drain and the source, and a light emitting element connected between the variable power line and the other of the drain and the source.
US08558764B2
A method of driving a display device capable of obtaining a luminance of constant level irrespective of temperature change is provided. A change in luminance of an EL element due to temperature change is prevented by controlling the luminance of the EL element with current instead of voltage. Specifically, a TFT for controlling the amount of current flowing into the EL element is operated in a saturation range. Then a current value IDS of the TFT is hardly changed by VDS but is determined solely by VGS. Accordingly, the amount of current flowing in the EL element is kept constant by setting VGS to such a value as to make the current value IDS constant. The luminance of the EL element is substantially in proportion to the amount of current flowing through the EL element, and a change in luminance of the EL element upon temperature change can thus be prevented.
US08558760B2
High efficiency drive circuitry for a group of parallel-connected light emitting devices, in which each device is driven in series by a respective source of bias current. The maximum voltage drop among the group of biased light emitting devices is determined and in response, a control voltage to drive all the light emitting device at the lowest effective voltage for the LED group is produced.
US08558757B2
A display system including a display having a interface unit to provide bi-directional communication, a display unit to show an image, a signal processor to convert an image signal inputted through the interface unit to a signal being displayed by the display unit, and a MICOM to output a display information of a controllable functions over the display unit and the signal processor through the interface unit; and a controller connected to the interface unit and providing a graphic user interface corresponding to the display information received from the display and having a display controller to output a control instruction that the MICOM allows to control at least, one of the display unit and the signal processor according to setting through the graphic user interface, to the MICOM through the interface unit.
US08558754B2
A dielectrically-loaded antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core, a three dimensional antenna element structure comprising co-extensive helical conductors plated on a cylindrical side surface of the core and a dielectrically-loaded antenna has a solid cylindrical core made of a ceramic material, helical antenna elements made of a ceramic material, co-extensive helical antenna elements plated on the core, connecting conductors on a distal end surface, a matching section in the form of a printed circuit board overlying the core distal end surface and a coaxial feeder housed in an axial bore passing through the core. For ease of manufacture, the laminate board of the matching section contains a ball grid array having a plurality of solder elements which serve to connect the matching network to both the surface connection elements on the distal core end surface and to the feeder. At a proximal end of the feeder there is a transversely extending flange for connecting the shield of the feeder to a plating on a proximal end surface of the core, the plating forming part of an integral balun.
US08558749B2
The replacement and elimination of duplexers in a tightly coupled dipole phased array starts with transmit and receive functions physically separated and having different antenna port feeds. The simple coupling network used with tightly coupled dipole arrays is replaced by a state switch which alternates between a coupling state and a dipole feed connection state. The basic method can be applied to antenna apertures of various kinds, including both linear and dual polarized versions. The ability to locate state switches at various nodes in tightly coupled dipole phased arrays permits flexibility in antenna design and eliminates bulky and lossy components, simplifies the design requirements and allows independent optimization of the components.
US08558747B2
An antenna radiator is provided. The radiator includes four elements, each including a node, a first ring connected to the node, and a second ring connected to the node and disposed inside of and coplanar with the first ring. The first ring includes a first plurality of segments, and the second ring includes a second plurality of segments.
US08558743B2
A high-frequency measurement setup for measuring a high-frequency test object, in particular, an antenna is provided. The setup includes one or more reflectors for high-frequency signals, a laser tracker, retrotargets for laser beams of the laser tracker that are disposed on the reflectors and are provided to orient the high-frequency test object, and a measuring unit that is designed to actuate the laser tracker in such a way that the high-frequency test object and one or more reflectors are measured in terms of their propagation of high-frequency signals.
US08558735B2
A method of operating a multi-function phased array radar system having an antenna array populated with dual-pol antenna elements is described. The method includes selectively controlling individual dipoles of each dual-pol antenna element in order to operate the array in either a polarimetric mode with improved cross-pol isolation, or in a multi-mission mode, wherein a plurality of singularly-polarized signals are produced.
US08558725B2
A time-interleaved analog to digital converter (TIADC) that uses a digital filter to remove sampling-frequency symmetries that might otherwise degrade error correction. In an embodiment, two Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) cores provide a set of two ADC outputs. Interleaving the digital signals output by the ADC cores forms a digital representation of the input signal. The ADC cores have an offset correction input, a gain correction input, or a sample time correction input. Prior to estimating one or more of these errors, the ADC core output signals are filtered, with the filtering depending upon expected aliasing characteristics of the input signal.
US08558722B2
A touch apparatus, a transparent scan electrode, a geometric electrode structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The transparent scan electrode structure comprises a first transparent scan electrode, a second transparent scan electrode and an isolative layer. The first transparent scan electrode comprises a first resistance region and a second resistance region. A resistance value of the second resistance region is higher than that of the first resistance region. The isolative layer is disposed between the first transparent scan electrode and the second transparent scan electrode.
US08558716B2
A media client receives, from a remote control device, a signal to launch a selected interactive television application and sends, to the remote control device, a client program for reprogramming buttons on the remote control device. The media client sends, to the remote control device, a script, for button functions of the remote control device, which are based on the selected interactive television application. The remote control device executes the script on the client program to reprogram the buttons functions. The media client presents, on a display device, a button map that corresponds to the script, and receives, from the remote control device, a signal based on the scripting.
US08558709B2
A system for combining multiple direct current power sources is provided. The system is operable to combine multiple feeds from an array of power generating elements, such as solar panel arrays and combine the feeds into a single voltage output. The system includes a current monitoring assembly operable to monitor the current from each input to evaluate whether there is a malfunction or other problem associated with a particular output. An alarm or other signal can be provided to inform the operator of which power generating element in the array need to be analyzed.
US08558707B1
A temperature-sensitive thermal cutoff fuse RFID tag is provided with a bimorph element and thin conductive bridges positioned on an RFID tag substrate that can react to all changes in storage temperature conditions. The bimorph element is configured and positioned so that when it bends in response to one or more predetermined temperatures, the bimorph element will break one of the conductive bridges and cause an open circuit that can be detected when the RFID tag is interrogated by a sensor. The temperature-sensitive thermal cutoff fuse RFID tag can provide high and low temperature information about numerous stored objects such as food, medicine, chemicals, batteries, explosives and munitions. Multiple temperature conductive bridge cutoff fuse RFID tag arrangements and methods for notifying the user when a required storage temperature has been reached with a passive temperature-sensitive thermal cutoff fuse RFID tag.
US08558699B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a Radio Frequency ID (RFID) tag that contains multiple Radio Frequency (RF) network nodes that provide enhanced memory capabilities, redundant functionality, and multiple frequency capabilities to the RFID tag using an inter-RF network node communication connection. The inter-RF network node communication may allow the coordination of RFID tag memory and functionality.
US08558698B1
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.
US08558691B2
Sensing apparatus, sensor information gathering apparatus, sensing method, and remote sensing method
A sensing apparatus which controls the detection timing of a sensor by a prescribed guidance signal includes a guidance signal analyzing unit for analyzing the prescribed guidance signal, and a sensing control unit for determining, based on the result of the detection, an effective detection period during which an output of the sensor is effective.
US08558682B2
A deviation angle, between a progression direction of a vehicle and a direction of a target destination point after a predetermined forward gaze duration on a target course the vehicle is travelling on, is detected by target destination point deviation angle detection unit. A yaw angular speed proportional to the deviation angle detected by the target destination point deviation angle detection unit is predicted by yaw angular speed prediction unit, as a yaw angular speed realized by steering wheel operation by a driver after a predetermined lag time for matching a timing of change in the vehicle movement with a timing of change in curvature of the target course. By so doing, the yaw angular speed due to steering wheel operation by a driver can be predicted with good precision.
US08558674B2
A wireless presentation system includes a first wireless input element, a second wireless input element and a wireless receiving and processing host. A pairing method for use in the wireless presentation system includes the following steps. The wireless receiving and processing host generates a first identification code, and if the first wireless input element is present, issues the first identification code to the first wireless input element for storage, so that a pairing relation therebetween is established by the first identification code. The wireless receiving and processing host automatically generates a second identification code after the first identification code is issued, and if the second wireless input element is present, issues the second identification code to the second wireless input element for storage, so that the pairing relation therebetween is established by the second identification code.
US08558668B2
This invention relates generally to a method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags that are associated in some manner to any type of object. More particularly, the present invention writes data to these tags, reads data from these tags, and manages data that is written to and/or read from these tags.
US08558664B2
A system and method of passive approach detection is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a plurality of data signals corresponding to multiple power levels respectively from a fob device based on motion detected in the fob device; each of the plurality of data signals includes initial bytes encoded with a power level and transmitter identification (ID); receiving one or more of the plurality of data signals at a receiver based on the distance between the fob device and the receiver; filtering out signals at a secondary processor by comparing one or more of the plurality of data signals received to a predetermined list of signals valid for reception; and transmitting a wake-up signal to a primary processor based on the comparison, the wake-up signal enabling the primary processor to transition from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode.
US08558662B2
This is generally directed to identifying unauthorized users of an electronic device. In some embodiments, an unauthorized user of the electronic device can be detected by identifying particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior. In some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identity of the owner of the electronic device. When an unauthorized user is detected, various safety measures can be taken. For example, information related to the identity of the unauthorized user, the unauthorized user's operation of the electronic device, or the current location of the electronic device can be gathered. As another example, functions of the electronic device can be restricted. In some embodiments, the owner of the electronic device can be notified of the unauthorized user by sending an alert notification through any suitable medium, such as, for example, a voice mail, e-mail, or text message.
US08558661B2
The wireless power transmission is a system for providing wireless charging and/or primary power to electronic/electrical devices via microwave energy. The microwave energy is focused to a location by a power transmitter having one or more adaptively-phased microwave array emitters. Rectennas within the device to be charged receive and rectify the microwave energy and use it for battery charging and/or for primary power.
US08558648B2
Disclosed is an electromagnetic switching apparatus capable of reducing noise occurring when a movable contact comes in contact with or is separated from a fixed contact, and capable of enhancing a function to extinguish arcs. The electromagnetic switching apparatus includes a fixed terminal fixed in a manner to penetrate through a housing, a fixed contact configured to approach to or to be separated from the fixed terminal, an elastic member fixed between the fixed terminal and the fixed contact, and providing an elastic force to a direction to separate the fixed contact from the fixed terminal, a movable contact configured to contact or to be separated from the fixed terminal, and a moving unit configured to move the movable contact so as to contact or to be separated from the fixed contact.
US08558647B2
Provided is a technology which has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and does not increase cost. A terminal member to be press-fitted into a terminal hole formed in a base, includes a press-fitted portion which is to be press-fitted in the terminal hole, and a terminal portion extending from the press-fitted portion and protruding from the base. The terminal portion is formed by folding a plate-like body such that folded portions overlap a planar portion. At least one of the folded portions has a cut-away portion extending from the base, respectively at an edge near the press-fitted portion. A sealing agent can be injected into the terminal hole via the cut-away portions.
US08558642B2
A splitter circuit for separating voice and data signals includes an input, a first output, a second output, a first inductance transformer, a second inductance transformer, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of resistors. The first inductance transformer and the second inductance transformer are connected in series. The second inductance transformer includes a core, a first coil winding, and a second coil winding. The first coil winding and the second coil winding are wound on the core and are connected in series. Two connecting terminals of the first inductance transformer are connected to the input, and two connecting terminals of the first coil winding are connected to the second output. Capacitors and the resistors are interconnected between the first inductance transformer and the second inductance transformer.
US08558640B2
A directional coupler includes a dielectric substrate having at least an input terminal and an output terminal on a surface thereof, a main line disposed in the dielectric substrate and extending between the input terminal and the output terminal, a first coupling line for monitoring a level of an input signal which is input through the input terminal, the first coupling line being disposed in the dielectric substrate and having an end electrically connected to a first terminating resistor, and a second coupling line for monitoring a level of a reflected signal which is input through the output terminal, the second coupling line being disposed in the dielectric substrate and having an end electrically connected to a second terminating resistor.
US08558635B2
Provided is a 3-way balun for a double balanced mixer. This research provides a 3-way balun available for a planar-type double balanced mixer and a planar-type double balanced mixer employing the same. The 3-way balun includes a first output unit for receiving and outputting an input signal of a predetermined frequency; and second and third output units connected to the first output unit and outputting signals whose phase is different by 180 from a phase of a signal of the first output unit and amplitude is a half of an amplitude of the signal outputted from the first output unit.
US08558630B2
An amplifier circuit for amplifying output signal from the crystal oscillator circuit is connected to the output side of the crystal oscillator circuit. The amplifier circuit amplifies the difference between the output voltage of the crystal oscillator circuit and the input voltage of a CMOS inverter of the crystal oscillator circuit. For example, a differential amplifier is connected to the output side of the crystal oscillator circuit, then the output voltage of the crystal oscillator circuit and the input voltage of the CMOS inverter are connected to the inputs of the differential amplifier.
US08558628B2
A piezoelectric vibrating piece includes a pair of vibration arm portions that is placed in a row in a width direction; a base portion to which proximal end sides in the pair of vibration arm portions in an extending direction are connected; and weight metal films that are formed on outer surfaces of the vibration arm portions, wherein the weight metal films are formed in positions that avoid regions of tip portions in the vibration arm portions in a longitudinal direction.
US08558625B1
A technique for enhancing the frequency tuning range for monolithic RF source generation using fully-integrated coupled Voltage-Controlled-Oscillator (VCO) arrays that contain an odd number of VCOs. Fully-monolithic SiGe VCO arrays using on-chip inductor and varactor with on-chip bias current sources have been carefully designed and simulated in IBM 7HP 0.18 μm BiCMOS technology and taped out for fabrication. The SPICE simulated frequency and phase tuning of the 1-D VCO×5 array is dependent on the edge VCOs termination impedance, the tuning voltages, and the VCO coupling strength. The simulated data suggests that the enhanced tuning range and beam steering can be accomplished using coupled-VCO arrays without needing complex and bulky phase shifters. This design technique imposes no apparent phase noise penalty but can provide simulated RF frequency tuning range of ˜40% and also ˜+/−25° beam steering for active antennas applications.
US08558622B2
A radio frequency power amplifier includes a transistor and amplifies a radio frequency signal of a first frequency; an input matching circuit connected to an input terminal of the transistor; and an output matching circuit connected to an output terminal of the transistor. A reactance control circuit includes one end connected to the output terminal of the transistor, and the other end connected to an input terminal of an output matching circuit and a bias terminal. The reactance control circuit has a reactance which resonates at a second frequency with a parasitic capacitance of the transistor at the output terminal of the transistor, and the second frequency is identical or close to the first frequency.
US08558617B2
A multilevel class-D differential amplifier which can be operated in at least three modes includes a first power stage and a second power stage. In an idle mode, an output of the first power stage varies between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, wherein an output of the second power stage varies between the first voltage level and the second voltage level. In a PWM mode, the output of the first power stage varies between the first voltage level and the second voltage level, wherein the output of the second power stage varies between the first voltage level and the second voltage level. In a Multi-Level mode, the output of said first power stage varies between said second voltage level and a third voltage level, wherein said output of said second power stage is fixed at said first voltage level, and wherein said differential signal between said outputs of said power stages is pulse width modulated.
US08558612B2
An electronic device comprising an amplifier having at least a first input transistor of a first doping type. A first transistor is coupled with a channel as a feedback path between an output of the amplifier and a control gate of the first input transistor forming an input of the amplifier. A diode-coupled second transistor is coupled with a channel between a first current source and the output of the amplifier wherein a control gate of the first transistor is coupled between the first current source and the diode-coupled second transistor and the first transistor is of a second doping type which is opposite to the first doping type of the first input transistor of the amplifier.
US08558607B2
A charge domain filter (CDF) is provided. The CDF includes a switched-capacitor network (SCN) and a clock generator. An input of the SCN receives an input signal. The SCN samples the input signal according to clock signals with different phases. The clock generator is coupled to the SCN for providing the clock signals. The clock generator adjusts phase differences of the clock signals or pulse widths of the clock signals in accordance with a control signal.
US08558606B2
A debounce apparatus and a method thereof are provided, which includes a debounce module, a register and a timer. The debounce module receives an input signal and eliminates a bounce phenomenon of the input signal within a transient-time of the state-changing of the input signal to produce a debounce signal. The register outputs an output signal according to the value stored in the register. When the input signal changes its state, the timer starts time-counting according to a counting-value of settling-time; when the debounce signal changes its state, the timer recounts time; and when time-counting is ended and when the value corresponding to the debounce signal is different from the register's value, the register's value is updated by the value corresponding to the debounce signal. In this way, the apparatus can eliminate the system misjudgement problem caused by occurred voltage level errors in the stable state.
US08558603B2
A level shifting multiplexer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a multiplexer is coupled to receive a first input signal from circuitry in a first power domain and a second input signal from circuitry in a second power domain. The multiplexer is configured to output a selected one of the first and second input signals to circuitry in the second power domain. The multiplexer also includes a level shifter circuit. When the first input signal is selected, the level shifter circuit may be enabled. When enabled, the level shifter circuit may level shift the first signal such that its voltage swing corresponds to that of the second voltage domain. The multiplexer may also include isolation circuitry configured to inhibit the level shifter.
US08558598B2
A phase shift generation circuit has an edge detector, which outputs a first and a second edge signal. The circuit also has a divide by N circuit, which receives a first clock signal and a group of signals representing a number N, and outputs a second clock signal. The circuit further comprises a pulse counter, which receives the first edge signal and the second clock signal, and outputs a group of signals representing the number of the second clock pulses between occurrences of the first edge signal. The circuit has first and second recycling timers, which output a group of pulses approximating a uniformly spaced group across the time duration of the period of the input pulse. The circuit also comprises at least one flip flop which generates a phase shifted output pulse.
US08558595B2
In a clear period, transistors NT38 and PT38 turn on and state retention nodes HQ and H/Q are cleared to an L level and an H level, respectively. In this clear period, a transistor NT21 is off. Consequently, a precharge node PS maintains itself at an H level. Thus, transistors PT31 and NT32 are off, thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring in a clear period. A short circuit is also prevented from occurring in a preset period.
US08558591B1
A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a phase frequency detector powered by a first analog supply voltage; a charge pump powered by a second analog supply voltage, different from the first analog supply voltage; a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) powered by a third analog supply voltage, different from the first and second analog supply voltages, wherein a frequency of the VCO is controlled by a control voltage; and a supply voltage provider having a first circuit node coupled to a fourth analog supply voltage, a second circuit node which provides the first analog supply voltage, a third circuit node which provides the second analog supply voltage, and a fourth circuit node which provides the third analog supply voltage, and a current compensator coupled to one of the second, third, or fourth circuit nodes, wherein the current compensator provides a variable current draw based on the control voltage.
US08558588B2
A clock divider circuit has a plurality of dividers for which dividing ratios are settable, a preset register group that stores the dividing ratios set for the plurality of dividers, and a selector that selects a single preset register within the preset register group, and imparts the dividing ratios stored in the selected preset register to the plurality of dividers.
US08558587B2
A gate driver turns on/off a switching element Q1 by applying a control signal from a controller to a gate of the switching element. The switching element has the gate, a drain, and a source and contains a wide-bandgap semiconductor. The gate driver includes a parallel circuit that includes a first capacitor C1 and a first resistor R1 and is connected between the controller and the gate of the switching element and a short-circuit unit S4 that is connected between the gate and source of the switching element and short-circuits the gate and source of the switching element after a delay from an OFF pulse of the control signal.
US08558584B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a driver circuit includes a low-side driver having a first output configured to be coupled to a control node of a first semiconductor switch, and a reference input configured to be coupled to a reference node of the first semiconductor switch. The low-side driver also includes a first capacitor coupled between an output node of the first semiconductor switch and a first node, a first diode coupled between the first node and a first power input of the driver, and a second capacitor coupled between the first power input of the low-side driver and the reference node of the first semiconductor switch.
US08558582B1
A packaged controller for closed-loop control applications includes two dies packaged together in a semiconductor package. The first die is optimized for digital circuitry and includes a processor, an ADC, a serial bus interface, and a sequencer. The second die is optimized for analog circuitry and includes a serial bus interface, a plurality of sample/hold circuits, and an analog multiplexer. The sequencer on the first die causes a series of multi-bit values to be communicated serially across a low latency serial bus to the second die, and thereby controls the analog multiplexer and the asserting of a sample/hold signal on the second die. Under control of the sequencer, multiple voltages are captured simultaneously on the second die, and then are multiplexed one by one to the ADC on the first die for conversion into digital values. The architecture reduces complexity and cost of the overall packaged controller.
US08558578B1
A programmable input/output circuit includes a programmable output circuit configured to drive an output signal to an input/output pad at a plurality of voltages, at least one of the plurality of voltages being supplied by an external circuit. The programmable input/output circuit further includes a programmable input configured to detect an input signal from the input/output pad at the plurality of voltages. The voltage levels of the input and output circuits may be independently and dynamically controllable.
US08558577B1
A signal separation module includes a single-ended bidirectional pin coupled to a processing device, a single-ended unidirectional output pin coupled to a differential signal transceiver, a single-ended unidirectional input pin coupled to the differential signal transceiver, and signal separation logic. The signal separation logic is to detect a current flow condition that indicates the bidirectional pin is asserted by the processing device; assert, as a result of the existence of the current flow condition, the unidirectional output pin and prevent the unidirectional input pin from affecting the bidirectional pin; detect an opposite current flow condition that indicates that the unidirectional input pin is asserted by the differential signal transceiver; and assert, as a result of the existence of the opposite current flow condition, the bidirectional pin and prevent the assertion of the bidirectional pin from affecting the unidirectional output pin.
US08558562B2
This method is applied to a dual-use jack of an electronic device. Either a headphone plug or a line output plug is inserted into the dual-use jack. The method determines the type of a plug connected to the dual-use jack when the plug is inserted into the dual-use jack. The determination is made based on a load resistance of the plug connected to the jack. The method includes feeding an electric current through the load resistance in a first direction. The method compares a voltage across the load resistance to a reference voltage and determines the type of the plug in use. The method also includes feeding an electric current through the load resistance in a second direction. This electric current can reduce or eliminate a pop-noise when the plug type is determined. The second direction is different from the first direction.
US08558561B2
A multi-function sensor apparatus includes multiple sensing electrodes and a control circuit adapted to receive signals from each of the sensing electrodes and to deem whether the sensing electrodes are in a touched state or an untouched state. The control circuit also is adapted to selectively provide an output based on the sensor's states and the manner in which the sensors came to be in such states.
US08558557B2
An inductive conductivity measurement cell of the invention includes: sending coil, a receiving coil, and a coil support body having an annular, sending coil chamber and an annular, receiving coil chamber, wherein there extends through the coil support body at least one section of a closed media path, which passes through the sending coil chamber and through the receiving coil chamber, characterized in that the coil support body has first connection bores, which extend from a surface of the coil support body to the sending coil chamber and through which the connection lines of the sending coil extend, and second connection bores, which extend from a surface of the coil support body to the receiving coil chamber and through which the connection lines of the receiving coil extend. The connection lines of the sending coil in the first connection bores are shielded from the connection lines of the receiving coil in the second connection bores by the coil support body.
US08558554B2
Terminals of a device under test are connected to corresponding contact pads or leads by a series of electrically conductive contacts. Each terminal testing connects with both a “force” contact and a “sense” contact. In one embodiment, the sense contact partially or completely laterally surrounds the force contact, so that it need not have its own resiliency. The sense contact has a forked end with prongs that extend to opposite sides of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact surrounds the force contact and slides laterally to match a lateral translation component of a lateral cross-section of the force contact during longitudinal compression of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact includes rods that have ends on opposite sides of the force contact, and extend parallel.
US08558553B2
Methods and apparatus selecting settings for circuits according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a measurement element connected to the circuit. The circuit may include a voltage source adapted to supply a voltage to the measurement element. The voltage may be substantially independent of the characteristics of the measurement element. The circuit may further include a measurement sensor responsive to a current in the measurement element. The measurement sensor may generate a control signal according to the current in the measurement element.
US08558549B2
A detector circuit for detecting degradation in the distortion characteristics of a power amplifier based on signals from both ends of a coupled line of a directional coupler. The detector circuit includes a phase shifter/attenuator for phase shifting and attenuating a signal from a coupled terminal of the coupled line, a differential amplifier for outputting difference between an output signal from the phase shifter/attenuator and a signal from the isolated terminal of the coupled line, a wave detector circuit for converting the difference into a DC signal, and a comparing circuit for determining whether the voltage level of the DC signal exceeds a predetermined level. When degradation in the distortion characteristics of the power amplifier arises, the phase shifter/attenuator phase shifts the signal from the coupled terminal and outputs a signal 180° out of phase with the signal from the isolated terminal.
US08558539B2
A stroke amount detecting device includes a first magnetic field generation member, a second magnetic field generation member, and a magnetic sensor unit. The first magnetic field generation member and the second magnetic field generation member are opposed to each other with respect to a direction perpendicular to a straight stroking axis of a stroking object, and magnetized in opposite directions. The magnetic sensor unit is movable in an area between the first magnetic field generation member and the second magnetic field generation member, along a straight traveling axis that is parallel to the straight stroking axis relative to the first magnetic field generation member and the second magnetic field generation member in accordance with a stroke motion of the stroking object. The magnetic sensor unit has a magnetosensitive surface facing a direction parallel to the traveling axis, thereby to detect an amount of stroke of the object.
US08558538B2
An electromagnetic field sensor assembly for blade tip clearance measurement in a gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes a ceramic sensor body, a multi-layered wire coil wound about a distal end portion of the sensor body for producing an electromagnetic field, a ceramic well enclosing the sensor body and the coil, and a metallic housing surrounding the well and having an open distal end.
US08558537B2
In a process for testing the measurement accuracy of at least one magnetic field sensor, in particular during manufacturing, a semiconductor wafer that has at least two semiconductor chips is provided. A measurement coil is integrated into at least one first semiconductor chip, and a magnetic field-sensitive electric circuit is integrated into at least one second semiconductor chip that forms the magnetic field sensor. The first semiconductor chip, of which at least one is present, is positioned at an exciter coil that is supplied with current in order to generate a reference magnetic field. With the aid of the measurement coil a first measured value that is dependent on the magnetic flux density is acquired and the current in the exciter coil is adjusted depending on the first measured value. The second semiconductor chip, of which at least one is present, is positioned at the exciter coil. With the aid of the electronic circuit a second measured value that is dependent on the magnetic flux density is acquired and compared with a reference value range.
US08558532B2
A method of measuring signals related to a photodiode based sensor and calculating a corrected data value thereof is disclosed. A nominal reset voltage value of the photodiode may be measured. A knee point voltage may be applied to the photodiode and resets a voltage on the photodiode to the knee point voltage when the voltage on the photodiode falls below the knee point voltage. Applying the knee point voltage may extend the dynamic range of the sensor. An output voltage of the photodiode at end of an integration time of the photodiode may be measured. The knee point voltage may be applied again after the end of the integration time. A voltage value of the photodiode of the knee point voltage may be measured. The nominal reset voltage value, the output voltage of a sensor and the knee point voltage may be reported to calculate the corrected data value.
US08558528B2
The invention is composed of peak current generator, peak current detector, peak current error amplifier and compensator, peak current controller and MOSFET driver. The advantage of the invention is to control switching converter's inductor peak current in high accuracy. The invention can automatically compensate error due to inductor current rising slope, the delay times Td, Tp of comparator and driver and comparator's offset voltage. The invention can largely decrease performance requirements of comparator and driver circuit and help to down the cost to implement the system.
US08558527B2
A switching power supply system controlling switching operations of switching devices by a control circuit to convert an input voltage into a desired output voltage, the system being provided with a under voltage lock out circuit including: an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage and producing an input voltage digital signal corresponding to the input voltage Vin; and a voltage level comparison unit carrying out digital comparison of the input voltage digital signal with each of two voltage detection level data and outputting the results of the comparisons as an output signal, in which by changing voltage detection level data stored in two registers, desired voltage detection levels and hysteresis characteristic are easily actualized.
US08558520B2
An electrical circuit for manipulating at least one of a voltage and a current on a bus wire comprises a first switch having a first gate, a first source, and a first potential reduction unit. The first potential reduction unit is suitable for lowering a potential difference between the first gate and the first source of the first switch, wherein the lowering of the potential difference is caused by a shutting-off of a first control voltage.
US08558518B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for sensing a phase-cut dimming signal and outputting a control signal compatible with a switching power circuit. Embodiments of the invention generate at least one of a low-frequency pulse-wave-modulated control signal, an analog output control signal, or a digital (e.g., higher-frequency pulse-wave-modulated) output control signal. Some embodiments further provide preloading and/or startup control functionality to allow proper functioning of the circuitry under small-conduction-angle (i.e., highly dimmed) conditions.
US08558517B2
The power supply comprises a bridge rectifier connected to an AC source; a boost converter series-connected to the bridge rectifier comprising an inductance coil; a filter capacitor series-connected to the boost converter; a DC/DC converter connected to a load; a hold-up-time enhancer connected to and positioned between the filter capacitor and the DC/DC converter; and a virtual by-pass system parallel-connected to the hold-up-time enhancer comprising an induction coil inductively coupled to the inductance coil of the boost converter. As such, voltage is induced on the induction coil by the inductance coil in the boost converter and the virtual by-pass system parallel-connected to the hold-up-time enhancer is thereby turned on and off.
US08558514B2
A battery-powered electrical device is disclosed, which may be implemented as an implantable medical device, wherein the device contains at least one battery voltage monitoring unit which is designed to monitor a voltage profile at a battery during the charging of a capacitor, via a transformer in a charging circuit, and which on the basis of the voltage characteristic is able to specify a magnetic presaturation of the transformer, and one control unit which terminates the charging process whenever a predefined threshold value for the magnetic presaturation of the transformer is exceeded.
US08558513B2
A safety circuit includes a thermal fuse electrically connected in a main current path so that an electric current flowing in the main current path flows, through the thermal fuse; a switching element electrically connected to the thermal fuse to cause the thermal fuse to open and interrupt the electric current flowing in the main current path when the switching element is turned on; a microcontroller electrically connected to the switching element and the main current path to turn on the switching element when an overcurrent flows in the main current path; and a noise removing unit electrically connecting the microcontroller to the switching element.
US08558504B2
An EVSE system includes an electric vehicle supply circuit, and a timer adapted to automatically control the electric vehicle supply circuit. The timer may be adapted to enable and/or disable the electric vehicle supply circuit at one or more predetermined times. The timer may be coordinated with a scheduling system such as a calendar utility on a computer or portable communication device such as a smart phone. The system may include a user interface for the timer. The user interface may include an embedded server such as an embedded web server to enable a user to program the timer through the Internet.
US08558493B2
A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for replacing a PSC motor in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The blower motor assembly includes a variable speed motor and motor controller; a first power input for receiving a plurality of AC power signals from a control device for use in determining an operating parameter for the motor; and a second power input for receiving AC power from an AC power source for powering the motor controller even when no AC power signals are received by the first power input.
US08558488B2
A vibration-type motor controller controls a driving speed of a vibration-type motor relatively moving a vibrating body in which a vibration is excited by an electromechanical energy conversion element 20 to which a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal having a phase difference are applied, and a contacting body which contacts the vibrating body. The vibration-type motor controller includes a speed controller 1 configured to alternately switch a frequency control which changes frequencies of the first and second frequency signals while fixing the phase difference and a phase difference control which changes the phase difference while fixing the frequency so that at least one of a plurality of frequency controls or a plurality of phase difference controls are included to increase and decrease the driving speed of the vibration-type motor.
US08558483B2
A non-linear load driving circuit and a controller for controlling a conversion circuit to drive a non-linear load are provided. The controller includes a feedback unit, a pulse width control unit, and an overshoot reduction unit. The feedback unit generates a feedback signal according to a current feedback signal that represents a load current flowing through the non-linear load. The pulse width control unit generates a control signal according to the feedback signal to control a power output of the conversion circuit. The overshoot reduction unit generates an overshoot reduction signal when the load current changes from being smaller than to being greater than a predetermined value according to the current feedback signal. The pulse width control unit receives the overshoot reduction signal and reduces the duty cycle of the control signal accordingly. Thereby, stability of feedback control is improved and damage to circuit is prevented.
US08558459B2
An electronic ballast for an electrical lamp (2) provided with a first (21) and a second filament (22), includes a heating device which is used to heat the filaments (21, 22) and includes a resonance circuit (5), and an evaluation unit (11) designed for the evaluation of at least one measuring value of an electrical parameter during pre-determinable adjustments of operating conditions of the resonance circuit (5). The number of filaments (21, 22) of the electrical lamp (2) in electrical contact with the electronic ballast (1) can be identified according to the measuring value, and the electrical lamp (2) can be switched on by the electronic ballast (1) according to the identified number. A method for operating an electrical lamp by an electronic ballast is also described.
US08558450B2
The present invention provides a color conversion film that can maintain sufficient conversion light intensity without increasing the thickness thereof, and a multicolor light-emitting organic EL device that uses such a film. The color conversion film of the invention includes a polymeric dye material that has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 1,000 but not more than 100,000 and that is composed of a first dye unit and a second dye unit. The first dye unit absorbs light incident on the color conversion film and transfers energy of the absorbed incident light to the second dye unit. The second dye unit receives the energy from the first dye unit and emits light.
US08558447B2
A dispersion-type electroluminescence device is provided, the dispersion-type electroluminescence device including: a pair of electrodes including a transparent electrode and a back electrode; and at least a light emitting layer provided between the pair of electrodes, the light emitting layer containing phosphor particles, wherein the phosphor particles have D10 of more than 10 μm, D90 of less than 32 μm, and a D90/D10 value of less than 2.40, where D10 and D90 are particle diameters at 10% and 90% values in cumulative distribution of particle size distribution.
US08558443B2
In a method for controlling a headlight assembly for a vehicle (10) with a right and a left headlight unit (1, 2), for a dipped-beam function, the optical axes (L1, L2) of the headlight units (1, 2) are tilted away from one another horizontally relative to a parallel direction. According to the method for a main-beam function, the optical axes (L1, L2) of the headlight units (1, 2) are tilted toward one another horizontally relative to a parallel direction. A respective headlight assembly can be particularly suitable for carrying out the method.
US08558442B2
A plasma jet ignition plug exhibiting high plasma generation efficiency while restraining occurrence of preignition. P1 represents the position of a rear end of a region of a metallic shell ledge, the region being in contact with an insulator. P2 represents the position of a rear end of a region of the insulator ledge, the region being in contact with the center electrode. Front end surfaces of the metallic shell, the insulator, and center electrode, an imaginary plane S1 which is perpendicular to the axis and contains position P1, and an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis and contains position P2 are disposed in this order from front side to rear side along the axis. The axial distance A from the front end surface of the insulator to imaginary plane S1 and axial distance B from the imaginary plane S1 to imaginary plane S2 satisfy 0.5×A≦B.
US08558441B2
A plasma jet ignition plug including a wire-wound resistor for restraining the radiation of noise while allowing application of a sufficiently large current for generation of plasma to a spark discharge gap at the time of ignition. The wire-wound resistor having an inductance of 1 μH to 100 μH inclusive and a resistance of 1Ω or less, and is provided on at least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode. The wire-wound resistor restrains current which is generated by the influence of stray capacitance present in the plasma jet ignition plug, thereby reducing noise.
US08558434B2
Provided are an electrode having high conductivity and high durability to driving deformation, and an actuator including the electrode, the actuator having a large amount of displacement. The actuator includes a pair of electrodes arranged oppositely and an intermediate layer arranged between the pair of electrodes, the intermediate layer containing an electrolyte, and the actuator being deformed by applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes, in which at least one of the pair of electrodes includes a porous structure containing a first conductive material and having conductivity, a second conductive material, and an electrolyte, pores of the porous structure being filled with the second conductive material and the electrolyte.
US08558432B2
The aim of the present invention is the uses of a modified hydraulic press to generate electric power. The electric power is generated by two arrays of piezoelectric cells placed at the top and bottom of the larger unit. The new modification of the hydraulic press is based on the restoration of the potential energy of the larger unit.
US08558428B2
A windingly laminated core of a rotary electric machine, having a first number of magnetic poles in total and configured by unit cores, each of which is formed in an arc and thin plate shape and has a second number of magnetic poles, wherein a winding lamination is applied to the unit cores in a circumferential direction and in a spiral manner so as to form a cylindrical shape and a lamination thickness in an axial direction of the winding lamination is set to a predetermined thickness, includes an adjustment unit core having magnetic poles whose number is less than the second number, wherein the adjustment unit core is arranged at a start or an end of the winding lamination, in a circumferential direction, in order to align a rotational phase of the start of the winding lamination to a rotational phase of the end of the winding lamination.
US08558426B2
An arrangement to compensate a non-uniform air gap, which is located in an electric machine is provided. The electrical machine includes a stator arrangement and a rotor arrangement. The rotor arrangement rotates around a longitudinal axis. At least parts of the rotor arrangement interact with parts of the stator arrangement to generate electrical power. The air gap is defined by the distance between the parts of the rotor arrangement and the parts of the stator arrangement. The parts of the stator arrangement are opposite to the parts of the rotor arrangement along a certain length. The cross section of the air gap changes along this length thus the air gap is not uniform in view to the referred certain length. The flux density of magnets, which are part of the rotor arrangement, is changed in dependency to the cross section of the air-gap.
US08558423B2
A stator-arrangement for a generator is disclosed. The stator arrangement includes a plurality of stator segments. Each of the plurality of stator segments includes at least one stator winding and is adapted to build a ring-shaped stator when assembled. At least one cooling means is provided with each of the plurality of stator segments.
US08558411B2
In one aspect, the present invention provides a universal power supply for wired and wireless electronic devices. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a universal power supply that is reconfigurable to provide a wide range of power supply options.
US08558410B2
A energy transfer arrangement including a first energy surface, a second energy surface, first means for transferring energy from the first energy surface to the second energy surface, and second means for transferring energy from the second energy surface to a terminal device.
US08558406B2
An electrical system for a fuel cell hybrid vehicle where the vehicle includes a fuel cell stack and a high voltage battery. A traditional bi-directional DC/DC power converter is provided in a high voltage bus that couples the fuel cell stack voltage and the battery voltage. Further, a traditional power inverter module is provided that converts the high voltage DC power signal on the high voltage bus to an AC signal suitable for an electric traction motor on the vehicle. The present invention proposes using the already existing bi-directional DC/DC power converter and the PIM as part of an electric power take out (EPTO) circuit that provides AC power for external vehicle loads while the fuel cell stack and battery are not being used to power the vehicle.
US08558405B2
A full converter connected to a series compensated transmission line. The full converter comprises a generator side converter, a DC link connected across an output of the generator side converter, a line side converter connected across an output of the DC link, and a converter controller configured to control the full converter to mitigate effects of subsynchronous oscillations present on the series compensated transmission line.
US08558404B2
The present invention relates to a smart ship, and in particular to a smart ship which makes it possible to enhance a sailing efficiency of a ship by minimizing an air resistance occurring due to a cross wind when a ship sails while generating an electric power by using a cross wind which power can be used for sailing or for an internal use of a ship. The smart ship of the present invention is equipped with a cross wind power generator for thereby effectively preventing a cross wind resistance and generating an electric power by using a cross wind, so the generated electric power can be used for sailing a ship and for an internal use of a ship, by means of which it is possible to enhance a sailing efficiency of a ship.
US08558401B2
A system to control a wind turbine, including meteorological instruments for measuring ambient climatic conditions, and generating corresponding meteorological signals, a memory for storing an icing tolerance, a first calculator for calculating an overall icing probability based on the meteorological signals and a controller for stopping the wind turbine when the overall probability of icing is greater than the icing tolerance. Also disclosed is a method for controlling a wind turbine, including the steps of a) measuring ambient climatic conditions and generating corresponding meteorological signals; b) storing in memory an icing tolerance; c) calculating an overall probability of icing based on the meteorological signals; and d) stopping the wind turbine when the overall probability of icing is greater than the icing tolerance.
US08558390B2
According to one embodiment, provided is a semiconductor device including a lower layer wiring, and an upper layer wiring that is drawn in the same direction as a direction in which the lower layer wiring is drawn. Intermediate wirings include at least a first intermediate wiring and a second intermediate wiring. Conductors include at least a plurality of first conductors connecting between the lower layer wiring and the first intermediate wiring, a plurality of second conductors connecting between the upper layer wiring and the second intermediate wiring, and a plurality of third conductors which connect between the first intermediate wiring and the second intermediate wiring, and are less in number than the first conductors or the second conductors on a drawn side of the lower layer wiring and the upper layer wiring.
US08558379B2
A packaged microelectronic assembly includes a microelectronic element having a front surface and a plurality of first solid metal posts extending away from the front surface. Each of the first posts has a width in a direction of the front surface and a height extending from the front surface, wherein the height is at least half of the width. There is also a substrate having a top surface and a plurality of second solid metal posts extending from the top surface and joined to the first solid metal posts.
US08558373B2
According to one embodiment, a heatsink includes a base and heat radiation fins placed on one of surfaces of the base and arranged in parallel to each other with a submillimeter narrow pitch. Each of the multiple heat radiation fins has a submillimeter thickness, a length in a width direction of 60 mm or smaller, and a height of 40 mm or smaller. The heatsink assembly may be constituted by allaying a plurality of the heatsinks and thermally connecting each of the heatsinks to each other using a heat transport device.
US08558372B2
A semiconductor device includes a wiring substrate, a first semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring substrate, and a second semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring substrate. The second semiconductor chip generates less heat than the first semiconductor chip. A heat dissipation plate is arranged on the wiring substrate and partially at a higher location than the first and second semiconductor chips. The heat dissipation plate is connected to the first semiconductor chip and includes an opening formed at a location corresponding to an upper surface of the second semiconductor chip. The upper surface of the second semiconductor chip is entirely exposed from the heat dissipation plate through the opening.
US08558367B2
A semiconductor module includes: an insulating plate; a plurality of metal patterns formed on the insulating plate and spaced apart from each other; a power device chip solder-joined on one the metal pattern; a lead frame solder-joined on the metal pattern to which the power device chip is not solder-joined, and on the power device chip; an external main electrode provided to an outer casing, and joined by wire bonding to the lead frame above the metal pattern to which the power device chip is not joined; and a sealing resin formed by potting to seal the power device chip, the lead frame, and the metal patterns.
US08558365B1
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of a package-in-package semiconductor device including an RF package and a semiconductor die which are provided in a stacked arrangement and are each electrically connected to an underlying substrate through the use of conductive wires alone or in combination with conductive bumps. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the RF package and the semiconductor die are separated from each other by an intervening spacer which is fabricated from aluminum, or from silicon coated with aluminum. If included in the semiconductor device, the spacer is also electrically connected to the substrate, preferably through the use of conductive wires. The RF package, the semiconductor die, the spacer (if included) and a portion of the substrate are at least partially covered or encapsulated by a package body of the semiconductor device.
US08558360B2
There is provided a flip chip package including an electronic device, a board including a conductive pad disposed inside a mounting region of the board on which the electronic device is mounted, and a connection pad disposed outside the mounting region, a resin layer formed on the board and including a trench formed by removing a part of the resin layer, and a dam member provided on the trench and preventing the leakage of an underfill between the mounting region and the connection pad. Since the dam member, formed on the processed resin layer, can prevent the leakage of the underfill, a package defect rate can be lowered, and connection reliability can be improved.
US08558353B2
An electrical device comprising an integrated circuit (IC) having an uppermost layer that includes landing pads that are distributed throughout one side of the IC.
US08558348B2
A method of forming a memory device includes forming a first interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first electrode in the first interlayer insulating layer, the first electrode having a top surface of a rectangular shape extending in a first direction, and forming a variable resistance pattern on the first electrode, the variable resistance pattern having a bottom surface of a rectangular shape extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, the bottom surface of the variable resistance pattern contacting the first electrode, wherein the area of contact between the lower electrode and the variable resistance pattern is substantially equal to a multiplication of a minor axis length of a top surface of the first electrode and a minor axis length of a bottom surface of the variable resistance pattern.
US08558342B2
A reverse blocking IGBT according to the invention can include a reverse breakdown withstanding region, p-type outer field limiting rings formed in a reverse breakdown withstanding region and an outer field plate connected to the outer field limiting rings, the outer field plate including a first outer field plate in contact with outer field limiting rings nearest to the active region and second outer field plates in contact with other outer field limiting rings. The first outer field plate having an active region side edge portion projecting toward the active region and second outer field plate having an edge area side edge portion projecting toward the edge area. The reverse blocking IGBT according to the invention can facilitate improving the withstand voltages thereof and reducing the area thereof.
US08558340B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including an element isolation region configured to be formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the element isolation region is formed of a multistep trench in which trenches having different diameters are stacked and diameter of an opening part of the lower trench is smaller than diameter of a bottom of the upper trench.
US08558339B1
A photo diode array includes: a substrate having a major face and a back face; photo diodes separated from each other and arrayed in parallel on the major face of the substrate and being linear in a plan view facing the major face of the substrate; a buried layer between the photo diodes and including a separating channel having a V-shape cross section; and a first metal mirror on an inclined face of the separating channel, reflecting incident light entering from the back face of the substrate, and leading the incident light to light-absorbing layers of the photo diodes. Band gap energy of the buried layer is wider than band gap energies of the light-absorbing layers.
US08558337B2
Techniques are disclosed for creating optical systems and assemblies that provide increased field of view (FOV) for light detection by coupling a flip-chip light sensor directly to a condenser lens. According to certain embodiments of the invention, an optical assembly can include a condenser lens with a substantially flat surface optically contacted with a substantially flat surface of a substrate of a flip-chip light sensor. The thickness of the substrate is such that the active area of the light sensor is disposed on a focal plane of the optical system. This enables accurate light detection and increased FOV over conventional techniques.
US08558329B2
A device includes a substrate having a first surface. A piezoelectric nanowire is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The piezoelectric nanowire has a first end and an opposite second end. The piezoelectric nanowire is subjected to an amount of strain. A first Schottky contact is in electrical communication with the first end of the piezoelectric nanowire. A second Schottky contact is in electrical communication with the second end of the piezoelectric nanowire. A bias voltage source is configured to impart a bias voltage between the first Schottky contact and the second Schottky contact. A mechanism is configured to measure current flowing through the piezoelectric nanowire. The amount of strain is selected so that a predetermined current will flow through the piezoelectric nanowire when light of a selected intensity is applied to a first location on the piezoelectric nanowire.
US08558318B2
Optimizing carrier mobilities in MOS transistors in CMOS ICs requires forming (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS. Methods such as amorphization and templated recrystallization (ATR) have disadvantages for fabrication of deep submicron CMOS. This invention is a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) which has (100) and (110)-oriented regions. The method forms a directly bonded silicon (DSB) layer of (110)-oriented silicon on a (100)-oriented substrate. The DSB layer is removed in the NMOS regions and a (100)-oriented silicon layer is formed by selective epitaxial growth (SEG), using the substrate as the seed layer. NMOS transistors are formed on the SEG layer, while PMOS transistors are formed on the DSB layer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
US08558315B2
A trench isolation metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) P-N junction diode device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The trench isolation MOS P-N junction diode device is a combination of an N-channel MOS structure and a lateral P-N junction diode, wherein a polysilicon-filled trench oxide layer is buried in the P-type structure to replace the majority of the P-type structure. As a consequence, the trench isolation MOS P-N junction diode device of the present invention has the benefits of the Schottky diode and the P-N junction diode. That is, the trench isolation MOS P-N junction diode device has rapid switching speed, low forward voltage drop, low reverse leakage current and short reverse recovery time.
US08558313B2
An integrated circuit is provided that integrates an bulk FET and an SOI FET on the same chip, where the bulk FET includes a gate conductor over a gate oxide formed over a bulk substrate, where the gate dielectric of the bulk FET has the same thickness and is substantially coplanar with the buried insulating layer of the SOI FET. In a preferred embodiment, the bulk FET is formed from an SOI wafer by forming bulk contact trenches through the SOI layer and the buried insulating layer of the SOI wafer adjacent an active region of the SOI layer in a designated bulk device region. The active region of the SOI layer adjacent the bulk contact trenches forms the gate conductor of the bulk FET which overlies a portion of the underlying buried insulating layer, which forms the gate dielectric of the bulk FET.
US08558308B1
In a semiconductor die, source zones of a first conductivity type and body zones of a second conductivity type are formed. Both the source and the body zones adjoin a first surface of the semiconductor die in first sections. An impurity source is provided in contact with the first sections of the first surface. The impurity source is tempered so that atoms of a metallic recombination element diffuse out from the impurity source into the semiconductor die. Then impurities of the second conductivity type are introduced into the semiconductor die to form body contact zones between two neighboring source zones, respectively. The atoms of the metallic recombination element reduce the reverse recovery charge in the semiconductor die. Providing the body contact zones after tempering the platinum source provides uniform and reliable body contacts.
US08558301B2
There is provided a semiconductor device in which degradation of reliability originating in the interface between an upper insulating layer and an element isolation insulating layer is suppressed. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region; a plurality of stacked structures each of which is disposed on the semiconductor region and has a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, an upper insulating layer, and a control electrode stacked sequentially; an element isolation insulating layer disposed on side faces of the plurality of stacked structures; and a source-drain region disposed on the semiconductor region and among the plurality of stacked structures. The element isolation insulating layer includes at least one of SiO2, SiN, and SiON, the upper insulating layer is an oxide containing at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of a rare earth metal, Y, Zr, and Hf, and Si, and respective lengths Lcharge, Ltop, and Lgate of the charge storage layer, the upper insulating layer, and the control electrode in a channel length direction satisfy the relation “Lcharge
US08558298B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a groove; a gate insulator; a first diffusion region; a gate electrode; a hydrogen-containing insulator; and a fluorine-containing insulator. The gate insulator covers inside surfaces of the groove. The first diffusion region is formed in the substrate. The first diffusion region has a first contact surface that contacts the gate insulator. The gate electrode is formed on the gate insulator and in the groove. The hydrogen-containing insulator is formed over the gate electrode and in the groove. The hydrogen-containing insulator is adjacent to the gate insulator. The fluorine-containing insulator is formed on the hydrogen-containing insulator and in the groove. The first contact surface includes Si—H bonds and Si—F bonds.
US08558296B2
An analog floating-gate electrode in an integrated circuit, and method of fabricating the same, in which trapped charge can be stored for long durations. The analog floating-gate electrode is formed in a polycrystalline silicon gate level, and includes portions serving as a transistor gate electrode, a plate of a metal-to-poly storage capacitor, and a plate of poly-to-active tunneling capacitors. Silicide-block silicon dioxide blocks the formation of silicide cladding on the electrode, while other polysilicon structures in the integrated circuit are silicide-clad.
US08558290B2
Disclosed herein are various semiconductor devices with dual metal silicide regions and to various methods of making such devices. In one example, the device includes a gate electrode and a plurality of source/drain regions formed in a substrate proximate the gate electrode structure. The device further includes a first metal silicide region formed in each of the source/drain regions, wherein the first metal silicide region has an inner boundary and a second metal silicide region formed in each of the source/drain regions, wherein the second metal silicide region is positioned laterally between the inner boundary of the first metal silicide region and an edge of the gate electrode structure.
US08558283B2
A semiconductor device or a memory which includes the same have a line pattern, and a contact plug, the line pattern including a first linear feature to which the contact plug is connected by design, and a second linear feature having a connecting portion and a dummy portion adjacent the location at which the contact plug is electrically connected to the first linear feature. A second contact plug is electrically connected to the connecting portion of the second linear feature of the line pattern. In the case of a misalignment error or the like, the first contact plug may also be electrically connected to the second linear feature of the line pattern but at the dummy portion thereof so as to not create a short circuit in that case. The dummy portion thus allows a sufficiently large process margin to be secured for the contact plug.
US08558277B2
A semiconductor device has an integrated passive device (IPD) formed over a substrate. The IPD can be a metal-insulator-metal capacitor or an inductor formed as a coiled conductive layer. A signal interconnect structure is formed over the first side or backside of the substrate. The signal interconnect structure is electrically connected to the IPD. A thin film ZnO layer is formed over the substrate as a part of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure. The thin film ZnO layer has a non-linear resistance as a function of a voltage applied to the layer. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate. The thin film ZnO layer is electrically connected between the signal interconnect structure and conductive layer to provide an ESD path to protect the IPD from an ESD transient. A ground interconnect structure is formed over the substrate and electrically connects the conductive layer to a ground point.
US08558275B2
This invention discloses a semiconductor power device formed in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor power device further includes rows of multiple horizontal columns of thin layers of alternate conductivity types in a drift region of the semiconductor substrate where each of the thin layers having a thickness to enable a punch through the thin layers when the semiconductor power device is turned on. In a specific embodiment the thickness of the thin layers satisfying charge balance equation q*ND*WN=q*NA*WP and a punch through condition of WP<2*WD*[ND/(NA+ND)] where ND and WN represent the doping concentration and the thickness of the N type layers 160, while NA and WP represent the doping concentration and thickness of the P type layers; WD represents the depletion width; and q represents an electron charge, which cancel out. This device allows for a near ideal rectangular electric field profile at breakdown voltage with sawtooth like ridges. In another exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor power device further includes a sawtooth insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). In another exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor power device further includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). In another exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor power device further includes a power diode.
US08558274B2
A light-emitting diode and a method of manufacturing the light-emitting diode are provide, the light-emitting diode including a lower electrode on a substrate, a template layer on the lower electrode. The template layer may have a plurality of open regions. A plurality of nano-dashes may be formed in the plurality of open regions of the template layer. A transparent insulating layer may be formed between the nano-dashes. A transparent upper electrode may be formed on the nano-dashes and the transparent insulating layer.
US08558268B2
Provided is a light emitting diode (LED) package. The LED package includes a package main body, first and second electrode structures, first and second LED chips, and first and second resin packing parts. The package main body includes a concave portion and a barrier wall dividing the concave portion into at least first and second accommodation recesses. The first and second electrode structures are formed at the package main body and are exposed at bottom surfaces of the first and second accommodation recesses respectively. The first and second LED chips are electrically connected to the first and second electrode structures are respectively mounted on the bottom surfaces of the first and second accommodation recesses. The first and second resin packing parts include at least one fluorescent material and are formed in the first and second accommodation recesses for packing the first and second LED chips.
US08558267B2
An organic EL display device manufacturing method that allows the reliability of the organic EL display device having undergone a defect repair process to be improved. Manufacturing method for organic EL display device, method including an organic EL element substrate formation step of forming at least one organic EL element on an organic EL element substrate, the organic EL element including an organic EL film, an anode electrode, reflection electrode that form a first conductive film provided below the organic EL film, a cathode electrode that forms a second conductive film provided above the to organic EL film, resin sealing step of providing a thermoplastic sealing resin to cover the upper side of the organic EL element, defect detection step of detecting a defect in the organic EL element, and defect elimination step of eliminating the defect detected in the defect detection step by irradiating the defect with a laser beam.
US08558266B2
In an LED lighting device of the present invention, the reflecting surface of the light guide body is formed of division lines and a connection line connecting between the division lines. Each division line divides a cross section line of a virtual reflecting surface crossing projection lines. Each projection line is radially drawn at a selected angle from a selected point of a given distance away from a center point of the LED element toward the cross section line of the virtual reflecting surface of the light guide body. Each division line is adjusted by similar amplification or similar contraction so as to be contained within the thickness line with its length large enough to receive all the incoming light.
US08558262B2
A method for fabricating a silicon submount for LED packaging. A silicon substrate is provided. A reflection layer is formed on the silicon substrate. Portions of the reflection layer and the silicon substrate are removed to form openings. A wafer backside grinding process is carried out to thin the silicon substrate thereby turning the openings into through silicon vias. An insulating layer is then deposited to cover the reflection layer and the silicon substrate. A seed layer is formed on the insulating layer. A resist pattern is then formed on the seed layer. A metal layer is formed on the seed layer not covered by the resist pattern. The resist pattern is then stripped. The seed layer not covered by the metal layer is then removed.
US08558260B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a reflective layer comprising an alloy of at least one of an Ag-based alloy, an Al-based alloy, Ag, Al, Rh, or Sn, and at least one of Pd, Cu, C, Sn, In or Cr, and a light emitting semiconductor layer comprising a second conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a first conductive semiconductor layer on the reflective layer.
US08558259B2
An optoelectronic component includes a connection carrier on which at least two radiation-emitting semiconductor chips are arranged, a conversion element fixed to the connection carrier, wherein the conversion element spans the semiconductor chips such that the semiconductor chips are surrounded by the conversion element and the connection carrier, and at least two of the radiation-emitting semiconductor chips differ from one another with regard to wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation they emit during operation, wherein the conversion element spans the semiconductor chips as a dome.
US08558258B2
The present invention relates to a nitride semiconductor light emitting device including: a substrate having a predetermined pattern formed on a surface thereof by an etch; a protruded portion disposed on a non-etched region of the substrate, and having a first buffer layer and a first nitride semiconductor layer stacked thereon; a second buffer layer formed on the etched region of the substrate; a second nitride semiconductor layer formed on the second buffer layer and the protruded portion; a third nitride semiconductor layer formed on the second nitride semiconductor layer; an active layer formed on the third nitride semiconductor layer to emit light; and a fourth nitride semiconductor layer formed on the active layer. According to the present invention, the optical extraction efficiency of the nitride semiconductor light emitting device can be enhanced.
US08558251B2
A light emitting device according to one embodiment includes a board; plural first light emitting elements mounted on the board to emit light having a wavelength of 250 nm to 500 nm; plural second light emitting elements mounted on the board to emit light having a wavelength of 250 nm to 500 nm; a first fluorescent layer formed on each of the first light emitting elements, the first fluorescent layer including a first phosphor; and a second fluorescent layer formed on each of the second light emitting elements, the second fluorescent layer including a second phosphor. The second phosphor is higher than the first phosphor in luminous efficiency at 50° C., and is lower than the first phosphor in the luminous efficiency at 150° C.
US08558250B2
Embodiments of displays with embedded MEMS sensors and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08558249B1
A space efficient arrangement of at least one LED with a rectifying element and a current limiting element forms a compact module that can be powered using an AC voltage source.
US08558244B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a SiC layer of a first conductivity type, a SiC region of a second conductivity type, and a conductive layer of the second conductivity type. The SiC layer of the first conductivity type has a hexagonal crystal structure. The SiC region of the second conductivity type is formed in a surface of the SiC layer. The conductive layer of the second conductivity type is provided on the SiC region and is in contact with a portion of the SiC region including SiC of a cubic crystal structure.
US08558243B2
A micro light emitting diode (LED) and a method of forming an array of micro LEDs for transfer to a receiving substrate are described. The micro LED structure may include a micro p-n diode and a metallization layer, with the metallization layer between the micro p-n diode and a bonding layer. A conformal dielectric barrier layer may span sidewalls of the micro p-n diode. The micro LED structure and micro LED array may be picked up and transferred to a receiving substrate.
US08558235B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display that includes a substrate, a thin film transistor, and a pixel electrode. The thin film transistor is formed on the substrate and includes a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the thin film transistor and is formed on the same layer as the source electrode and the drain electrode. The source electrode and the drain electrode include a first conductive layer, and the pixel electrode includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer stacked thereon.
US08558231B2
The present invention provides an array substrate comprising: a substrate, having a thin film transistor (TFT) formed thereupon, the TFT having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; a first metal layer, formed on the substrate, and comprising a gate line and the gate electrode of the TFT; a first insulating layer, covering the first metal layer and the substrate; a semiconductor layer, an ohmic contact layer, and a second metal layer, which are sequentially formed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer, covering the semiconductor layer, the ohmic contact layer, and the second metal layer; a pixel electrode, provided on the second insulating layer and is connected to the drain electrode. The second metal layer further comprises an etch-blocking pattern in the peripheral area of the pixel electrode within the overlapping region between the pixel electrode and the first metal layer.
US08558228B2
A device includes a first MOM capacitor; a second MOM capacitor directly over and vertically overlapping the first MOM capacitor, wherein each of the first and the second MOM capacitors includes a plurality of parallel capacitor fingers; a first and a second port electrically coupled to the first MOM capacitor; and a third and a fourth port electrically coupled to the second MOM capacitor. The first, the second, the third, and the fourth ports are disposed at a surface of a respective wafer.
US08558227B2
The manufacturing method of the present invention includes steps of selectively forming a photocatalyst material or a material including an amino group by discharging a composition including the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group; immersing the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group in a solution including a plating catalyst material so as to adsorb or deposit the plating catalyst material onto the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group; and immersing the plating catalyst material in a plating solution including a metal material so as to form a metal film on a surface of the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group adsorbing or depositing the plating catalyst material, thereby manufacturing a semiconductor device. The pH of the solution including the plating catalyst material is adjusted in a range of 3 to 6.
US08558222B2
An organic light emitting diode display includes: a substrate main body having a plurality of pixel regions, each including an opaque region and a transparent region; and organic light emitting diodes, thin film transistors, and conductive lines that are formed in the opaque region of the substrate main body. The transparent region includes a transparent square space that has an area that is at least 15% of the entire area of the pixel region.
US08558221B2
A polymer comprising the repeating units derived from an aromatic compound having a specific structure and a repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (1): wherein Ar1 to Ar4 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 40 ring-forming carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having 3 to 40 ring-forming atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms; X is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 40 ring-forming carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having 3 to 40 ring-forming atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted di- to tetravalent styrene-derived group; and s is an integer of 0 to 3. The polymer is useful as a light emission material and realizes a polymer electroluminescence device excellent in device characteristics such as lifetime and emission efficiency.
US08558206B2
A flexible, digital enhanced reading device (P) comprises at least one label containing encoded information, a spatially structured element placed over the label itself, defined by a material indicating predetermined temperature level and exposure time range, and comprising a material with morphological and/or structural and/or chemical and/or physical state changing properties detectable following a predetermined heat absorption; the mentioned spatially structural element is adapted to at least partially cover determined zones of said label with dimensions between 0.01% and 100% of the surface of the label itself, and comprises molecular materials and/or polymer materials and/or liquid crystals and/or mixtures of said materials in any proportion.
US08558192B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for applying a voltage gradient to a gas delivery system, delivering a gas through a length of the gas delivery system having the voltage gradient, the gas having a pressure-distance product of less than about 1×10−2 Torr-inches or greater than about 100 Torr-inches, and delivering the gas into a housing of an ion microscope, the housing including an emitter and an extractor.
US08558191B2
A charged particle beam lens includes a first electrode on a downstream side and a second electrode on an upstream side in a travelling direction of a charged particle beam. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode has a first through hole formed therein, through which the charged particle beam passes. The second electrode further has a second through hole formed therein, through which the charged particle beam does not pass. A distance defining member is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode such that the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced away from each other. A gap is surrounded the first electrode, the second electrode, and the distance defining member, wherein both the first through and the second through hole communicate to the gap. A third through hole passes through the first electrode and the second electrode in the travelling direction of the charged particle beam, and the third through hole is provided outside of the gap and does not communicate to the gap.
US08558189B2
A variable waveform detector may include multiple stages.
US08558187B1
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for neutron detection. The method comprises receiving neutrons into a number of sensing layers of a plurality of diodes of a number of arrays. Each diode has a sensing layer. A plurality of reactions between the neutrons and each sensing layer of the number of sensing layers are captured in a set of layers for each sensing layer in the number of sensing layers. Each sensing layer is located between the set of layers for each sensing layer. Each set of layers are intrinsic. The method also comprises generating a current pulse for each sensing layer of the number of sensing layers in response to capturing the result of a reaction between the neutrons and each sensing layer of the number of sensing layers.
US08558186B2
In a radiography system, after a radiation dose, signal charges are accumulated in sensor pixels in an imaging area of a flat panel detector corresponding to the dosed amounts of radioactive rays on the pixels. The signal charges are read out from the pixels and converted into voltage signals representative of density levels of respective pixels of a radiographic image. Before reading the signal charges, a dose profile representative of distribution of the dosed amounts of radioactive rays is measured by leak currents from the pixels or bias currents through bias lines for applying a bias voltage to the pixels. Based on the contrast or difference between the maximum value and the minimum value in the dose profile, a gain of amplifiers for the voltage signals is determined such that the gain increases with decreasing contrast.
US08558183B2
A radiological image conversion panel includes: a scintillator made of a phosphor which emits fluorescence when exposed to radiation, in which a fluorescence emitting surface of the scintillator is bonded to a sensor panel having a pixel array detecting the fluorescence generated at the scintillator, through an adhesive layer, the scintillator includes a group of columnar crystals which are obtained by growing crystal of the phosphor into columnar shape, the fluorescence emitting surface is configured by a set of tip parts of the columnar crystals, at least edge portions of the fluorescence emitting surface are flattened by filling between the group of columnar crystals with filler, and the filling depth of the filler at a center portion of the fluorescence emitting surface is smaller than that at the edge portions of the fluorescence emitting surface.
US08558176B2
In a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus as a medical image diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment, a PET detector is configured to detect a gamma ray emitted from a nuclide introduced into a body of a subject. A PET image reconstruction unit is configured to reconstruct a nuclear medicine image (PET image) as a medical image from the gamma ray projection data created based on the gamma ray detected by the PET detector using successive approximation. A controller is configured to control the PET image reconstruction unit to change the parameter used in the successive approximation depending on information regarding the scanning region in the body of the subject.
US08558175B2
The invention relates to a reduced sensor head (30) for an X-ray detector (74), comprising a printed circuit board (10) having an end face (12) and lateral faces (14), a sensor chip (32) which is arranged on the end face (12) of the printed circuit board (10) and which is sensitive to X-ray radiation (72), a plurality of signal and control connections (40), a plurality of bonding islands (16) which are arranged on the printed circuit board (10) so as to make contact and which are electrically conductively connected to the signal and control connections (40) by means of at least one respective bonding wire (46), wherein the bonding islands (16) are arranged on the lateral faces (14) of the printed circuit board (10). The inventive arrangement of the bonding islands (16) on the lateral faces (14) of the printed circuit board (10), together with lateral bonding of the bonding wires (46), allows the components of the sensor head (30) to be arranged in a space-saving manner, the overall result of which is a reduction in the sensor head (30).
US08558171B2
A focused charged particle beam apparatus including an aberration corrector, capable of finding the absolute value of the aberration coefficient at high speed, and capable of making high-accuracy adjustments at high speed. A deflection coil tilts the input beam relative to the object point, and measures the defocus data and aberration quantity at high speed while the beam is tilted from one image, and perform least squares fitting on these results to find the absolute value of the aberration coefficient prior to tilting the beam, and to adjust the aberration corrector.
US08558161B2
A lens element comprising a base, a plurality of lens sections and a top lens section is disclosed. The plurality of lens sections are formed above a planar parallel to the base with each of the lens sections being positioned rotationally symmetric about an optical axis. The lens sections define a dome shape with every adjoining lens sections being conjugated with each other. A top lens section is formed at the center above the other lens sections and conjugated therewith. All of the lens sections are conjugated with each of its neighboring lens sections. Each of the lens sections has a optical property to direct light towards a target point. The target point may be positioned along the optical axis.
US08558154B2
The current application is directed to autofocus subsystems within optical instruments that continuously monitor the focus of the optical instruments and adjust distances within the optical instrument along the optical axis in order to maintain a precise and stable optical-instrument focus at a particular point or surface on, within, or near a sample. Certain autofocus implementations operate asynchronously with respect to operation of other components and subsystems of the optical instrument in which they are embedded. The described autofocus subsystems employ multiple calibration curves to precisely adjust the z-position of an optical instrument.
US08558153B2
A guided projectile may include a projectile body, an inertial measurement unit disposed within the projectile body, one or more control surfaces extendable from the projectile body, and a controller which controls the one or more control surfaces in response, at least in part, to measurement data received from the inertial measurement unit. The inertial measurement unit may include sensors to measure motion parameters relative to first, second, and third mutually orthogonal axes, wherein each of the first, second and third mutually orthogonal axes is oblique to a longitudinal axis of the projectile body.
US08558145B2
A thermos consists of a body, a cap and a heating device. The body has an inner wall, an outer wall and a bottle opening, where an intermediate space is formed between the inner and outer walls. The cap is fitted to the bottle opening. The heating device contains an induction coil, a donut magnet and a resistance heater. The induction coil is wound in the inner wall. The donut magnet is placed in the intermediate space and it can move freely within the intermediate space. The resistance heater is electrically connected to the induction coil and touches the inner wall.
US08558135B2
A method for monitoring the quality of laser-machining processes (500), in particular laser-cutting or laser-welding processes, including the operations of: acquiring via sensor means (540), in particular optical sensors, a machining-process signal (Xp) and calculating from said signal representing the process (Xp) parameters (E1, E2, DC) that represent the machining quality during the laser-machining process; and making available (130) corresponding reference parameters (E1r, E2r, DCr) representing a given machining quality, which are calculated from a process reference signal (Xr) acquired via said sensor means (540). According to the invention said method further includes the operations of: comparing (230) said parameters (E1, E2, DC) representing the machining quality with said reference parameters (E1r, E2r, DCr) representing a given machining quality to obtain a set of regulated process parameters (N1, N2, NDC); making available (140) a plurality of statistical models (θk) that identify respective states of the machining process (500), said states including states of defect (D); and executing in real time an operation of recognition (300) that a set of process observations (x; N1, N2, NDC, DIR) acquired in real time which includes said set of regulated process parameters (N1, N2, NDC) belongs to one or more of said plurality of statistical models (θk) that identify states of the machining process (500), said recognition operation (300) including identification (330) of one or more causes of defect (D) as a function of the states recognized in said recognition operation.
US08558129B2
An apparatus including an electrical switching device to control current to a load and a second case arranged to substantially encapsulate the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device includes a first case; a plurality of contacts disposed in the first case; and an opening in the first case disposed to expose the contacts. The second case is arranged to duct a blast from the opening of the first case of the electrical switching device.
US08558128B2
A switch device includes a body, an insulator which forms an outer casing with the body, a first engagement portion formed at a side portion of the body, a flange portion formed at an edge part of the side portion of the body, a second engagement portion formed on the insulator so as to be engaged with the first engagement portion, and a pressing portion which is formed on the insulator and is adapted to press the flange portion in a state that a plane part of the pressing portion is in line-contact with the edge part of the flange portion when the first engagement portion is engaged with the second engagement portion. The edge part of the flange portion is in intimate contact with the pressing portion by a restoring force of the flange portion under a condition that the flange portion is pressed by the pressing portion, and the flange portion urges the second engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion in a restoring direction of the flange portion so as to reinforce the engagement of the first engagement portion with the second engagement portion.
US08558126B2
Provided herein is a mechanism for correcting the deformation generated at a portion of the rotation pin between a single pole unit farthest away from a switching mechanism and a single pole unit adjacent thereto, and there is disclosed a correction plate provided at a portion of the pair of rotation pins located between a single pole unit farthest away from the switching mechanism and a single pole unit adjacent thereto, having a pair of rotation pin through hole portions to allow the pair of rotation pins to be penetrated, respectively, and a pair of adjustment extending portions extended in the direction in which the rotation pins penetrate at the upper or lower portion of the rotation pin through hole portions to determine the height of penetration allowance hole of the rotation pins together with the rotation pin through hole portions.
US08558121B2
An electronic device includes an upper shield arranged on a front side of a circuit board, and a lower shield arranged on a back side thereof. The lower shield includes a contact portion at an edge thereof. The contact portion is in contact with a lower surface of the circuit board. A plate spring portion is formed in the contact portion. An end portion of the plate spring portion abuts on the upper shield.
US08558119B2
An electronic component includes a component body including a mounting surface facing a circuit substrate, and a plurality of first external electrodes arranged on the mounting surface so as to extend between a first side and a second side of the mounting surface substantially parallel with each other and so as to be within a first region having a width that is substantially equal to half a length of the first side in a direction in which the first side extends. A circuit substrate includes a substrate body, a plurality of second external electrodes, arranged on a main surface of the substrate body, respectively connected to the plurality of the first external electrodes, and support units arranged to protrude from the main surface of the substrate body and such that the electronic component overlaps the support units outside the first region.
US08558111B1
An adapter plate for mounting an electrical device including an adapter having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, an outer perimeter, and an inner perimeter, a gasket for installing between a round electrical box and the second surface of the adapter, and wherein the adapter outer perimeter comprises two straight sides and two concave sides.
US08558109B2
A copolymer having a structure represented by: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group; Ar1 and Ar2 are independently an aromatic or heteroaromatic group including about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms, and can be optionally substituted; a and b are independently an integer from 1 to about 4; Ar3 and Ar4 are independently an aromatic or heteroaromatic group comprising about 4 to about 20 carbon atoms, and can be optionally substituted; c and e are independently an integer from about 0 to about 2; d is 1 to 4 and the carbon-carbon double bond is in the E-configuration; and n represents a number from 2 to about 5,000.
US08558107B2
Provided are a novel ZnO dye-sensitized solar cell and method of fabricating the same. In one embodiment, deliberately added lithium ions are used to mediate the growth of ZnO aggregates. The use of lithium provides ZnO aggregates that have advantageous microstructure, morphology, crystallinity, and operational characteristics. Employing lithium during aggregate synthesis results in a polydisperse collection of ZnO aggregates favorable for porosity and light scattering. The resulting nanocrystallites forming the aggregates have improved crystallinity and more favorable facets for dye molecule absorption. The lithium synthesis improves the surface stability of ZnO in acidic dyes. The procedures developed and disclosed herein also help ensure the formation of an aggregate film that has a high homogeneity of thickness, a high packing density, a high specific surface area, and good electrical contact between the film and the fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode and among the aggregate particles.
US08558102B2
Provided are novel junction boxes for solar modules. The junction boxes or J-boxes can be rotated or otherwise moved to change the module's electrical connection state. According to various embodiments, the J-boxes are movable between two or more orientations each associated with an electrical connection configuration. In particular embodiments, the configurations include two or more of an on position, an off position, an on series configuration, an on series-parallel configuration, and a bypass configuration. A J-box according to certain embodiments includes a replaceable insert. The insert may include one or more bypass diodes, an inverter or a DC/DC converter.
US08558101B2
A supported PV assembly may include a PV module comprising a PV panel and PV module supports including module supports having a support surface supporting the module, a module registration member engaging the PV module to properly position the PV module on the module support, and a mounting element. In some embodiments the PV module registration members engage only the external surfaces of the PV modules at the corners. In some embodiments the assembly includes a wind deflector with ballast secured to a least one of the PV module supports and the wind deflector. An array of the assemblies can be secured to one another at their corners to prevent horizontal separation of the adjacent corners while permitting the PV modules to flex relative to one another so to permit the array of PV modules to follow a contour of the support surface.
US08558100B2
A music production apparatus includes a melody data storage operative to store music data for a plurality of melody elements forming music, a condition storage operative to store a condition for combining melody elements and a condition related to an attribute applicable when playing the melody element, an element selector operative to determine, at a predetermined point of time, whether a melody element should be allocated to a track where no melody elements are allocated, and to select, when it is determined that a melody element should be allocated to the track, a melody element that should be allocated to the track by referring to the condition for combining melody elements stored in the condition storage, an attribute determination unit operative to determine an attribute applicable when playing the selected melody element, and a sound production unit operative to read music data for the selected melody element from the melody data storage, to apply the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit, and to produce a sound signal that should be output to a speaker, using the music data for the melody element allocated to the track.
US08558097B2
A hand-held percussive shaker assembly comprising two identical shakers capable of producing different percussive sounds and rhythms in a single assembly is disclosed. The shakers are detachably connected by an integrally formed lock assembly. The shakers may be played as a single assembly or detached and played individually. Each shaker comprises one or more bottles filled with a striker material. Each bottle isolates its striker material from the striker material in other bottles and from any other part of the shaker. The shakers may produce the same or different tones when the shaker assembly is moved.
US08558095B2
A keyboard apparatus capable of being easily designed to have action units whose upper end positions are made low and whose efficiency of drive of whippens is increased. Each of keys of the keyboard apparatus has an upper front part, a bent part extending downward from a rear end of the upper front part, and a lower rear part extending rearward from a lower end of the bent part. An upper surface of a rear end portion of the lower rear part nearly horizontally extends at a height position lower than that of a key fulcrum. Action units are disposed above respective ones of rear end portions of the keys. A driven point of a whippen of each action unit is located at a position lower than the key fulcrum in a non-key-depression state.
US08558089B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV350669. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV350669, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV350669 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 CV350669 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 CV350669.
US08558077B2
An edible bean seed designated as <06203> or Sinaloa, a sample of the edible bean deposited under accession no. PI 660004 PVPO is disclosed. Methods of using the edible bean seed designated as <06203> or Sinaloa for breeding new varieties of bean seed are also disclosed, as well as seeds of the edible bean seed designated as <06203> or Sinaloa.
US08558076B1
A soybean cultivar designated 8595250112 is disclosed. Seeds of soybean 8595250112, the plants of soybean 8595250112, to plant parts of soybean 8595250112, and methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean 8595250112 with itself or with another soybean variety are disclosed. Methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods are disclosed. Also disclosed are soybean cultivars, breeding cultivars, plant parts, and cells derived from soybean 8595250112, methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean 8595250112, and the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Also disclosed are hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing 8595250112 with another soybean cultivar.
US08558074B1
A soybean cultivar designated XT4111 is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include the seeds of soybean XT4111, the plants of soybean XT4111, to plant parts of soybean XT4111, and methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean XT4111 with itself or with another soybean variety. Embodiments of the invention include methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments of the invention also relate to soybean cultivars, breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean XT4111, methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean XT4111, and the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Embodiments of the invention further include hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing XT4111 with another soybean cultivar.
US08558072B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP32005 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP32005, cells from soybean variety XBP32005, plants of soybean XBP32005, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP32005. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP32005 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP32005, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP32005, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP32005. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP32005 are further provided.
US08558071B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP34004 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP34004, cells from soybean variety XBP34004, plants of soybean XBP34004, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP34004. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP34004 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP34004, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP34004, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP34004. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP34004 are further provided.
US08558068B2
The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, ATCC accession number PTA-6779 or PTA-6778.
US08558055B2
The present invention relates to the engineering of animal cells, preferably mammalian, more preferably rat, that are deficient due to the disruption of gene(s) or gene product(s) resulting in cytokine-cytokine mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disease. In another aspect, the invention relates to genetically modified rats, as well as the descendants and ancestors of such animals, which are animal models of human autoimmune and inflammatory disease and methods of their use. Specifically, the invention pertains to a genetically altered rat, or a rat cell in culture, that is defective in at least one of two alleles of a cytokine gene such as the Faslg gene, the Fas gene, etc. In one embodiment, the cytokine gene is the Faslg gene. In another embodiment, the cytokine gene is one of several known cytokine genes, such as Fas, IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-12. The inactivation of at least one of these cytokine alleles results in an animal with a higher susceptibility to cytokine-cytokine mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disease induction. In one embodiment, the genetically altered animal is a rat of this type and is able to serve as a useful model for cytokine-cytokine mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disease and as a test animal for autoimmune and other studies.
US08558054B2
An absorbent body material article includes an absorbent article main unit, an absorbent body material included in the absorbent article main unit and including absorbent fibers and a super absorbent resin, and interspersed sections in the absorbent body material and having a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction. A densely gathered state of the absorbent fibers in each of the interspersed sections is less dense than a densely gathered state of the absorbent fibers around each of the interspersed sections. An occupied volume ratio of the super absorbent resin in the interspersed sections is greater than an occupied volume ratio of the super absorbent resin around the interspersed sections. At least one of the interspersed sections overlaps a fold line and the longitudinal direction of the at least one of the interspersed sections is aligned with the fold line.
US08558052B2
A method for providing a piece of a film of a magnetoelastic material having an initial bending stiffness with an enhanced bending stiffness in a first direction. According to the method, the piece is provided with at least one scored line in the first direction of the piece. Furthermore, the piece is bent along at least one of the at least one scored lines so as to provide the piece with a lasting bend in a direction transverse to the first direction, whereby an enhanced bending stiffness is provided in the first direction of the piece. Also, a product obtained by the method, a sensor and an absorbent structure and an absorbent article including the sensor.
US08558037B2
A method of producing butanol, which has a step of removing impurities contained in a butanol-containing solution, is provided. In the method, a butanol-containing solution is filtered through a nanofiltration membrane. Then the butanol-containing solution is collected from the permeate flow of the nanofiltration membrane.
US08558035B2
In order to perform organic synthesis process through action with supercritical water and acid stably while suppressing a trouble caused by a by-product, a method and an apparatus are provided, including the following steps. Water is supplied to high-pressure pumps (110) and (210) from water headers (101) and (201), and a pressure-reducing valve (324) is regulated to increase the pressure to 35 MPa. Temperatures of preheaters (120) and (220) and a heater (310) are increased until the reaction solution is at a temperature of 400° C. Acid (sulfuric acid) and an organic compound raw material (glycerin) are supplied from an acid header (203) and a raw-material header (203′) for action with the supercritical water to obtain a reaction solution. The obtained reaction solution is cooled to 100 to 200° C. by first cooling (420) and a solid component included in the reaction solution is separated for removal from the reaction solution by a filter (320), and then the reaction solution is cooled to a temperature of about 100° C. or lower by second cooling (620) and pressure thereof is reduced (324). Further, the reaction solution is cooled by third cooling (720) and then a synthesized product (acrolein) is captured.
US08558029B2
Phenolic glycol ethers, e.g., ethylene glycol phenyl ether, are prepared by a continuous, nonaqueous process comprising the steps of (A) contacting under isothermal reactive conditions in a first reactor or reaction zone an alkylene oxide, e.g., ethylene oxide, with (i) a stoichiometric molar excess of a phenolic compound, e.g., phenol, and (ii) a catalytic amount of a base, e.g., sodium hydroxide, homogeneously dispersed throughout the phenolic compound, to form a first intermediate phenolic glycol ether product, (Bj transferring the first intermediate phenolic glycol ether product to a second reactor or reaction zone, and (C) subjecting the first intermediate phenolic glycol ether product to adiabatic reactive conditions in the second reactor or reaction zone to form a second intermediate phenolic glycol ether product comprising phenolic glycol ether, unreacted phenolic compound, catalyst, water and byproduct glycols. In addition, the mono-/di-product weight ratio can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of base catalyst employed.
US08558026B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates.
US08558025B2
A process for the production of high purity ethyl acetate from ethanol is described. The process involves reacting ethanol over a suitable catalyst in a reactive distillation column. The reactive distillation setup allows overcoming the reaction equilibrium for increased conversion of ethanol. Hydrogen is removed as the distillate and ethyl acetate is obtained as a bottoms product from the reactive distillation column. A feed of hydrogen at the bottom of the column and a suitable hydrogenation catalyst placed at the bottom of the column allows for a significant reduction of impurities such as butan-2-one, butyraldehyde in the ethyl acetate product. Adding side reactors to the reactive distillation column allows additional catalyst holdup for improved reactant conversion.
US08558017B2
Chiral ruthenium catalysts comprising salen and alkenyl ligands are provided for stereoselective cyclopropanation, and methods of cyclopropanation are provided. The chiral ruthenium catalyst is prepared in situ by combining an alkenyl ligand, a deprotonated chiral salen ligand, and a ruthenium (II) metal. A preferred catalyst is prepared in situ by combining 2,3-dihydro-4-venylbenzofuran,deprotonated 1,2-cyclohexanediamino-N,N′-bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-salicylidene) and RuCl2(p-cymene)]2.
US08558014B2
A process is disclosed for the preparation of a compound of formula and/or an addition salt of a proton acid, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, each aryl or aralkyl being optionally further substituted with alkyl, alkoxy and/or halogen. The process involves reacting a mixture comprising a methyl ketone of formula and a compound of formula H2N—R2 (V) and/or an addition salt of proton acid, and formaldehyde in the presence of a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, aliphatic alcohols, cycloaliphatic alcohols and mixtures thereof, and optionally a proton acid to afford a β-amino ketone of formula and/or an addition salt of a proton acid, and reducing the carbonyl group of said β-amino ketone to afford a compound of formula I, and/or an addition salt of a proton acid wherein the first step is carried out at a pressure above 1.5 bar.
US08558013B2
Compounds of the general structure: Z-A-(S—B)n where A represents a linear aromatic molecular core, S represent a flexible spacer unit, B represents a crosslinking group such as a methacrylate group, n equals 1 to 3, and Z represents any entity compatible with the B groups, and in which A is a substantially aromatic nucleus containing fluorene ring structures substituted at the 9-position and in which the 9-positions of the fluorenes are not susceptible to oxidation.
US08558011B2
The invention is directed to TRPM8 antagonists of Formula (I). More specifically, the present invention relates to certain novel compounds, methods for preparing compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and methods for treating TRPM8-mediated disorders. Pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions and methods of treating pain and various other disease states or conditions using compounds of the invention are also described.
US08558010B2
A process for aziridination of olefins using NaIO4/alkali metal bromide/H+/Chloramine-T combination in presence of dipolar aprotic solvent under ambient conditions to obtain aziridines is disclosed.
US08558008B2
Salts of glycopyrrolate, including solid forms thereof are herein disclosed. Methods of making glycopyrrolate salts and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with salts of glycopyrrolate are disclosed.
US08558005B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of 2-halo-4-nitroimidazole and intermediates thereof. Further, the present invention relates to a production process of 1,4-dinitroimidazole comprising subjecting 4-nitroimidazole to nitration reaction. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a production process of 4-nitroimidazole comprising subjecting imidazole to nitration reaction.
US08558003B2
The present invention relates to compounds and methods for imaging and treating Alzheimer's disease or an amyloidosis-associated pathological condition that utilize a novel amyloid imaging tracer for detecting amyloid deposits in a subject suffering from these conditions. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to [N-2[18F]fluoropropyl]-2-(4′-(methylamino)-phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (F-18MHT) and dimers thereof.
US08557990B2
2,5-di(p-methoxyanilino)terephthalic acid crystal types I and II are made by controlling the pH during the recovery of the oxidized product of the condensation of dimethylsuccinyl succinate with p-methoxyaniline. The resulting 2,5-di(p-methoxyanilino)-terephthalic acid can be converted into 2,9-dimethoxyquinacridone or a solid solution thereof having controlled characteristics.
US08557988B2
The present invention provides a phosphorescent tris-chelated transition metal complex having one carbon-nitrogen (C^N) or nitrogen-nitrogen (N^N) chromophoric ligand forming a coordination sphere thereof with a transition metal, and two identical carbon-phosphorus (C^P) chelates being incorporated into the coordination sphere, wherein the metal is iridium, platinum, osmium or ruthenium, and the chromophoric ligands possess a relatively lower energy gap in comparison with that of the non-chromophoric chelate, the latter afforded an effective barrier for inhibiting the ligand-to-ligand charge transfer process, so that bright phosphorescence can be observed. The architecture and energy gap of the present molecular designs are suitable for generation of high efficiency blue, green and even red emissions.
US08557978B2
This invention provides cross-linked glycopeptide-cephalosporin compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful as antibiotics. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; methods for treating bacterial infections in a mammal using such compounds; and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08557975B2
Disclosed herein are sequences, molecules and methods used to suppress the expression of HD genes encoding for huntingtin protein in primates including Macaca mulatto and Homo sapiens. These sequences, molecules and methods aid in the study of the pathogenesis of HD and can also provide a treatment for this disease.
US08557974B2
The present invention relates generally to detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a sample. In particular, the invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting and analyzing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other methicillin-resistant bacteria in a sample.
US08557972B2
The present invention provides reagents and methods for RNA transfection and protein expression.
US08557970B2
A polynucleotide encoding a modified luciferase polypeptide. The modified luciferase polypeptide has at least 60% amino acid sequence identity to a wild-type Oplophorus luciferase and includes at least one amino acid substitution at a position corresponding to an amino acid in a wild-type Oplophorus luciferase of SEQ ID NO:1. The modified luciferase polypeptide has at least one of enhanced luminescence, enhanced signal stability, and enhanced protein stability relative to the wild-type Oplophorus luciferase.
US08557968B2
The invention concerns novel biotinylated hexadecasaccharides of general formula (I) wherein: Biot is a biotin derivative; R, R1 and R2, represent independently of one another a C1-C6 alkoxy or and —OSO3; R3 represents a C1-C6 alkoxy or an —OSO3, or R3 constitutes a —O—CH2— bridge; Pe represents a saccharide concatenation; as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and their use as medicines.
US08557967B2
The present invention relates generally to the generation and characterization of neutralizing anti-IFN-α monoclonal antibodies with broad reactivity against various IFN-α subtypes. The invention further relates to the use of such anti-IFN-α antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with increased expression of IFN-α, in particular, autoimmune disorders such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
US08557961B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising alpha 1-antitrypsin linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in the treatment of alpha 1-antitrypsin-related diseases, disorders, and conditions.
US08557956B2
The present disclosure relates to the present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating an aligned polymer containing a bonded substrate and related compositions. The method involved placing a polymer in solution which is capable of alignment wherein the polymer is also bound to a selected substrate. This may then be followed by placing the polymer solution in an electrochemical cell wherein the polymer solution is in contact with at least one electrode and applying an electric field/voltage to the polymer solution and generating a pH gradient wherein the polymer and bonded substrate positions at the isoelectric point of the polymer in solution.
US08557954B2
The present invention relates to a method to prepare dimerized rosins dispersible in water in presence of extremely low level of dimerization acid catalyst. The present invention relates also to its use as a tackifier resin, solid or in water, and ink resin, and an adhesive composition and ink composition comprising the rosin resin.
US08557952B2
The invention pertains to novel (per)fluoropolyethers comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) comprising at least one recurring unit (R2) having formula: CF2—CF(CF2OSO2F)—O— (poly(fluorosulfate) PFPE) to a process for their manufacture, and to their use for providing functional (per)fluoropolyethers.
US08557950B2
High intrinsic viscosity melt phase polyester polymers with acceptable acetaldehyde generation rates
A method for the production of solid polyester polymer particles comprising: a) polycondensing a molten polyester polymer composition in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst composition comprising antimony species; b) continuing the polycondensation of the molten polyester polymer composition to an It.V. of 0.68 dL/g or more; and c) after reaching an It.V. of 0.68 dL/g or more, adding a catalyst stabilizer or deactivator to the polymer melt; and d) after reaching an It.V. of 0.68 dL/g or more, solidifying the melt into solid polyester polymer particles which do not contain organic acetaldehyde scavengers. In a further embodiment, after solidification of the polyester from the melt phase polycondensation process: e) the amount of residual acetaldehyde in the particles in the solid state is reduced to a level of 10 ppm or less without increasing the It.V. of the particles by more than 0.03 dL/g. Such particles having an AA (acetaldehyde) generation rate of 20 ppm or less upon being melted after solidification following the melt phase production and a free AA level reduced after melt phase production to 10 ppm or less are introduced into a melt processing zone to make articles such as bottle preforms having acceptable levels of residual AA.
US08557949B2
Process for the production of di- and poly(diamino diphenyl methane) comprising the steps of (a) reacting aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (b) neutralizing the reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (c) separating the neutralized reaction mixture into an organic phase containing di- and polyamines and an aqueous phase; (d) further treating the organic phase separated off in step (c) by (d1) washing with water followed by (d2) separating the washed mixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase and (d3) further fractionation of the organic phase to produce purified di- and polyamines on the one hand and aniline/water on the other hand; (e) further treating the aqueous phase separated off in step (c) by (e1) washing with aniline followed by (e2) separating the washed mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and (e3) further treatment of the aqueous phase to remove the aniline thereby leaving an effluent stream; wherein phase separation in step (c) and/or step (d2) is facilitated by using any of the following methods either on its own or in combination with one or more of the other methods: (A) removal of some of the aromatic amine from the neutralized reaction mixture obtained in step (b) or the organic phase separated in step (c); (B) addition of di- and polyamine to the organic phase separated in step (c); (C) return of some of the organic phase obtained in step (d2) or (d3) to the washed mixture in step (d1).
US08557948B2
A photosensitive composition, at least containing: a carboxyl group-containing photosensitive polyurethane resin; a phosphorus-containing flame retardant; a polymerizable compound; and a photopolymerization initiator, wherein both a resin polymer of the photosensitive polyurethane resin and the polymerizable compound do not contain a phosphorus atom, wherein the photosensitive polyurethane resin has the weight average molecular weight from 2,000 to 60,000, the acid value from 20 mg KOH/g to 120 mg KOH/g, and the ethylenically unsaturated group equivalent from 0.05 mmol/g to 3.0 mmol/g, and wherein the photosensitive polyurethane resin has, in the side chain thereof, at least one particular functional group.
US08557947B2
Curable polyurethane, polyurea and polyurethane/polyurea compositions that are particularly useful as the outer layer and/or at least one inner layer of golf balls, cured compositions, golf balls comprising the cured composition, and methods of increasing the initial velocity of a golf ball using the curable polyurethane, polyurea and polyurethane/poly urea compositions are disclosed.
US08557946B1
A flexible polyurethane foam with improved resistance to discoloration from oxidation is disclosed. Such discoloration may be due to exposure to oxides of nitrogen, for example, the oxides commonly found in burnt gas fumes. The foam may be used for applications such as intimate apparel and other consumer products that need extended term color stability. The foam composition includes high levels of reactive and non-reactive phosphite esters that improve color stability without disadvantage to the foam's physical and aesthetic properties during and after production.
US08557944B2
Endblocked polysiloxanes with lateral amino functions and at least one further lateral and/or terminal functional group.
US08557943B2
Provided are inorganic-organic block copolymers that self assemble without the addition of a precursor. The inorganic block of the polymers includes silicon and the organic block may be any organic polymer. The inorganic-organic block copolymers self assemble to form a material in which the inorganic polymer block may be crosslinked to produce an organosilicate and/or silica matrix, and further thermal curing of the matrix results in the formation of a porous nanostructured film.
US08557942B2
Single-component silicone elastomer compositions (SEA) are crosslinkable by polyaddition into self-adhesive state, contain at least one polyorganosiloxane (POS) including sites of ethylenic and/or acetylenic unsaturation {POS containing units ═Si— [unsaturation]}; at least one polyorganosiloxane (POS) containing units ═Si—H; a catalytic system including at least one metal catalyst and at least one crosslinking inhibitor; a filler; at least one adhesion promoter; optionally, at least one POS resin; optionally, at least one thermal resistance agent; and, optionally, at least one other functional additive, and are useful for gluing, assembling, sealing, e.g., joints, coatings, electrical, electronic and automobile engineering parts.
US08557935B2
Bimetallic catalysts, methods of producing bimetallic catalysts comprising a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a metallocene, and methods of olefin polymerization using such catalysts are provided. The method of producing the bimetallic catalyst may include combining (a) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising a Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide, optionally including a magnesium compound, with (b) a modifier compound (“modifier”), wherein the modifier compound is a Group 13 alkyl compound, to form a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst is preferably non-activated, that is, it is unreactive towards olefin polymerization alone. The molar ratio of the Group 13 metal (of the modifier) to the Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide may be less than 10:1. The bimetallic catalysts are useful in producing bimodal polymers, particularly bimodal polyethylene, having a Polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of from 12 to 50, which may be used in pipes and films.
US08557930B2
The invention relates to a modified hydrocarbylphenol-aldehyde resin prepared by reacting a hydrocarbylphenol-aldehyde resin with a primary or secondary amine and further with an epoxide. The invention also provides a process for preparing a modified, hydrocarbylphenol-aldehyde resin and a rubber composition containing such resin.
US08557919B2
Provided are polymeric films that include a polyolefin and at least one cavitating agent including a poly(alkylene terephthalate) of formula (I); wherein n, representing the number of methylene segments in the repeating unit, is 3 or an integer greater than or equal to 5; p, representing the degree of polymerization, is an integer greater than 1. The polymeric film may be an opaque polymeric film. A preferred cavitating agent is poly(trimethylene terephthalate). Also provided are methods for making such polymeric films.
US08557915B2
A process for simply and inexpensively producing a conjugated diene polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution and a high cis-bond content at a low cost is provided. The process comprises a polymerization step, wherein a conjugated diene polymer having a cis-1,4-bond content of 98.5 mass % or more and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) measured by gel permeation chromatography of 2.5 or less is obtained by carrying out a polymerization reaction in conjugated diene compounds using a catalyst composition containing a rare earth element-containing compound or a reaction product of the rare earth element-containing compound with a Lewis base, an aluminoxane and/or organoaluminum compound, and an iodine-containing compound.
US08557912B2
An aromatic vinyl-based thermoplastic resin composition includes a rubber-modified acrylic graft copolymer and a branched aromatic vinyl copolymer resin including a silicon compound.
US08557910B2
The invention relates to polymer compositions comprising PCT (poly((cyclohexylene-dimethylene)terephthalate)) polymer and a fibrous glass filler having a non-circular cross-sectional aspect ratio of greater than at or about 4.
US08557903B2
The present invention describes a composition comprising a diene-based rubber and at least one cyclo-aliphatic epoxide-based polyether or polyglycol ether. The present invention also describes a composition comprising at least one extending oil and at least one cyclo-aliphatic epoxide-based polyether or polyglycol ether, wherein the at least one extending oil is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic oil, an aliphatic oil, a naphthenic oil, and mixtures thereof.
US08557900B2
A water-based cement for producing tires, having water as solvent, cross-linkable unsaturated-chain polymer base, of sulphur, reinforcing filler, zinc oxide, accelerators, and an emulsifier of the general formula (I) [R1R2R3NR5(N(R4)3)n](n+1)+(n+1)X− (I) where: X is an anionic atom or group R1, R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, are each CmH2m+1, where m ranges between 1 and 3, or CH2CHCH2 or CHCHCH3 R4 is CH2CHCH2 or CHCHCH3 n is 0 or 1 R5 is an aliphatic group C15-C22 when n is 0; and is an aliphatic group C8-C16 when n is 1 when n is 0, at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R5 has a double bond.
US08557895B2
Disclosed are aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, such as nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods for making an aqueous dispersion of polymer-enclosed particles, polymerizable polymers useful in such a method, powder coating compositions formed from such an aqueous dispersion, substrates at least partially coated with such a composition, and reflective surfaces comprising a non-hiding coating layer deposited from such a composition.
US08557892B2
Disclosed are low-tack, hydrophobic, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers as principal device-forming monomers, a tack-reducing macromer additive and a glistening-reducing additive. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other implantable ophthalmic devices.
US08557891B2
The present invention relates to a photocurable resin composition including an epoxy resin, an oxetane compound and a photopolymerization initiator, in which the epoxy resin includes the following ingredients (A) and (B) in combination, and the oxetane compound includes the following ingredient (C): (A) an epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups in one molecule thereof and being liquid at 60° C. or higher; (B) a solid epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups in one molecule thereof and having a refractive index of 1.6 or more by itself; and (C) an oxetane compound represented by the following general formula (1) in which n is an integer of 1 to 6.
US08557889B2
The invention provides an ink composition including a sensitizer represented by the following Formula (I), a photopolymerization initiator, and a polymerizable compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond. In the Formula (I), R1, R6 and R8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group which may be substituted, or an alkoxy group which may be substituted. R2, R4, R5 and R7 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a cyano group. R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group which may be substituted, or a cycloalkyl group which may be substituted.
US08557888B2
Composition which contains polymerizable binder and an initiator according to the following Formula I: R1—X—O—O—[Y—O—O—]nR2 (Formula I) and having a large through-curing depth and a sufficiently long processing time and which cures without the development of high temperatures.
US08557886B2
Disclosed is a polyol composition comprising an aliphatic polyester polyol having a hydroxyl value of less than about 100 and prepared by the reaction of at least a polycarboxylic acid with a polyhydroxy compound; an aromatic polyester polyol; a Novolac-type polyether polyol; and a hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent; that may be storage-stable for at least 60 days. This composition may be reacted with a polyisocyanate at an isocyanate index of from about 2.5 to about 4 to form a rigid poly-isocyanurate foam. The foam shows improved cohesion in general and also improved adhesion and a reduced incidence of voids when applied to a metal substrate.
US08557876B2
The present invention relates to novel pyrimidine derivatives and their use in perfume compositions. The novel pyrimidine derivatives of the present invention are represented by the following formula: wherein m and n are integers that when m is 0, n is 1; when m is 1, n is 0 or 1; or when m is 2, n is 0; wherein (CH)m and (CH)n are each independently optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl; wherein X is selected from the group consisting of N, O, and S; and wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent H or a hydrocarbon group, or R1 and R2 together represent a fused ring or a ring system, with the proviso that when R1 is H, R2 is not H.
US08557874B2
The present invention relates to hemostatic fabric materials, and to the methods for making and using such materials. In particular, the present invention relates to hemostatic fabric materials made from chemically treated cellulose, where the hemostatic material can be soluble on wound surfaces.
US08557873B2
The invention provides a method for treating septic shock or endotoxemia, which comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising formula I, II, III or IV and their salt, ester or solvate thereof.
US08557869B2
This invention provides diets useful for promoting fat loss in animals having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 6 to about 10 g/Mcal. This invention also provides compositions for promoting fat loss in animals, methods for preparing the compositions, methods for using the diets and compositions, articles of manufacture comprising the diets and compositions, and means for communicating information or instructions about such diets, compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture.
US08557868B2
The present invention relates to a lens care solution comprising: 0.001 to about 5 weight percent of a low molecular weight amine of the general formula: Where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are —H or low molecular weight radicals, and R5 is a low molecular weight radical, or salt thereof; an effective amount of tonicity agent; and the balance water.
US08557847B2
The invention is directed to a method of inhibiting FLT3 tyrosine kinase activity or expression or reducing FLT3 kinase activity or expression in a cell or a subject comprising the administration of a farnesyl transferase inhibitor and a FLT3 kinase inhibitor selected from compounds of Formula I′: Included within the present invention is both prophylactic and therapeutic methods for treating a subject at risk of (or susceptible to) developing a cell proliferative disorder or a disorder related to FLT3.
US08557843B2
A compound of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A pharmaceutical composition having a therapeutically effective amount of the compound. The compound is useful for the treatment of cancer, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, inflammation, stroke, ischemic myocardium, atherosclerosis, macular edema or psoriasis.
US08557841B2
Novel heterocyclic aromatic compounds are provided that are useful in stimulating endogenous production or release of growth hormone, said compounds having the general structure of formula I wherein R1, R1′, R2, R3, R4, Xa, Y, Z and n are as described herein. The compounds provided herein are useful in treating obesity, osteoporosis (improving bone density) and in improving muscle mass and muscle strength.
US08557835B2
The invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a carboxyalkylether which lowers triglycerides and elevated HDL, and a statin which inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, thereby reducing LDL, said composition being useful for treating vascular diseases.
US08557832B2
The present invention is directed to benzoquinazilinone compounds of formula (I) which are M1 receptor positive allosteric modulators and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the M1 receptor is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain or sleep disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and to the use of the compounds and compositions in the treatment of diseases mediated by the M1 receptor.
US08557830B2
The present invention comprises a new class of compounds capable of modulating the activity of Raf kinase and, accordingly, useful for treatment of Raf kinase mediated diseases, including melanomas, tumors and other cancer-related conditions. The compounds have a general Formula (I) wherein each of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, bond B, X, rings Z1 and Z2, R1 and R3 are defined herein. The invention further comprises pharmaceutical compositions, methods for treatment of Raf kinase mediated diseases, and intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
US08557826B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain pentafluorosulfur imino heterocyclic compounds, including compounds Formula (I): and tautomers thereof, and solvates, prodrugs, esters, and deuterates of said compounds and said tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds, tautomers, solvates, prodrugs, esters, and deuterates, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R9, R11, ring A, ring B, m, n, p, q, r, -L1-, L2-, and L3- is selected independently and as defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use in treating pathologies associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, including Alzheimers Disease, are also disclosed.
US08557822B2
Disclosed are carboxamide, sulfonamide and amine compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use. One embodiment is a compound having the structure in which R1, R2, R4, D, E, J, T, p, q and x are as described herein. In certain embodiments, a compound disclosed herein activates the AMPK pathway, and can be used to treat metabolism-related disorders and conditions.
US08557814B2
Salt forms of mTOR inhibitors of the Formula (I): and methods of preparation, formulation, and use in treating disease.
US08557812B2
The invention relates to small molecules which function as inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member proteins (e.g., Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL). The invention also relates to the use of these compounds for inducing apoptotic cell death and sensitizing cells to the induction of apoptotic cell death.
US08557808B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided that comprise selective β-glucuronidase inhibitors for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, especially enteric bacteria normally associated with the gastrointestinal tract. The compounds, compositions and methods can be for inhibiting bacterial β-glucuronidases and for improving efficacy of camptothecin-derived antineoplastic agents or glucuronidase-substrate agents or compounds by attenuating the side effects caused by reactivation by bacterial β-glucuronidases of glucuronidated metabolites of camptothecin-derived antineoplastic agents or glucuronidase-substrate agents or compounds.
US08557803B2
Compounds represented by general formula (I) (all of the symbols in the formula conform to the definitions in the Description) are compounds that, in addition to having a Btk-selective inhibitory activity, exhibit an excellent metabolic stability and can avoid hepatotoxicity or the like, and as a consequence can provide safe therapeutic agents for diseases in which B cells or mast cells participate.
US08557794B2
The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the immune system and the treatment and/or prevention of immune system related disorders in a mammal, particularly newborns, said method comprising the administration of acid oligosaccharide and neutral oligosaccharide. Food compositions suitable for use in the above method are also provided.
US08557777B2
The present invention is directed to prostate specific antigen (PSA) and tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) peptide compositions and methods for treating cancer with the compositions.
US08557776B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds suitable for or already radiolabeled with 18F, methods of making such compounds and use of such compounds for diagnostic imaging. Such labeled compounds are characterized by Formula II, wherein the substituents G, Q, L, Y and U have the meaning as defined in the specification and claims.
US08557768B1
The β-subunit of human nerve growth factor (βNGF) is prepared in essentially pure form in commercially useful quantities using recombinant DNA technology. The nucleotide sequence and vectors encoding human βNGF and host cells transformed with the vectors are also provided. The βNGF which the invention provides is useful, for example, in treating nerve damage.
US08557755B2
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and a compound obtained/obtainable by a process comprising reacting a glycolic acid, a 2-halo-acetic acid, or a lactic acid, or an alkali or alkaline metal salts thereof, (typically glycolic acid or a 2-halo-acetic acid) with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an amine, an alcohol, and an aminoalcohol. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition in an internal combustion engine.
US08557752B2
There is provided an automatic transmission fluid composition comprising a major amount of a base oil; one or more friction modifiers, wherein total nitrogen content provided by the one or more friction modifiers is greater than or equal to about 300 ppm; and one or more ashless dispersants, wherein the total nitrogen content provided by the one or more ashless dispersants is greater than or equal to about 500 ppm. The automatic transmission fluid may have a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of from about 4 cSt to about 6.5 cSt and a Brookfield viscosity at −40 ° C. of from about 4,000 cP to about 20,000 cP.
US08557750B2
A solid lubricating coating formed on a contact surface of a threaded joint for pipes has a matrix of a lubricating oil-containing polymer. The lubricating oil-containing polymer has either a uniform composition or a gradient composition in which the concentration of lubricating oil decreases towards the contact surface and in which there is substantially no lubricating oil in the vicinity of the contact surface.
US08557743B2
Disclosed are methods of selecting phage encoding a target binding protein. The methods can include forming a mixture comprising a plurality of diverse display phage, a target, and a support, and forming phage immobilized to the support, each of which comprises a phage which binds the target and the target immobilized to the support. Phage that do not bind to the target are separated. Host cells are contacted with the phage immobilized to the support via binding to the target so that the host cells are infected by the phage immobilized to the support. Replicate phage are produced from the infected cells in the presence of the target immobilized to the support, thereby forming replicate phage immobilized to the support via binding to the support. Replicate phage that do not bind to the target are separated. Host cells are contacted with the replicate phage immobilized to the support.
US08557734B2
This invention relates to a new herbicidal composition comprising desmedipham and optionally phenmedipham and/or ethofumesate.
US08557733B2
The present invention relates to biotechnology. The invention can be used for stimulation of regeneration of plants from tissues and undifferentiated cells cultivated under artificial conditions. The present invention can also be applied in agriculture for acceleration of germination of seeds, increase in germination of aged, long-stored seeds as well as for increase of resistance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses.
US08557718B2
A method of forming a surface passivation layer on a surface of a crystalline silicon substrate is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes depositing an Al2O3 layer on the surface, the Al2O3 layer having a thickness not exceeding about 15 nm; performing an outgassing process at a temperature in the range between about 500° C. and 900° C., after the deposition of the Al2O3 layer on the surface; and after the outgassing process, depositing at least one additional dielectric layer such as a silicon nitride layer and/or a silicon oxide layer on the Al2O3 layer.
US08557709B2
In a plasma processing apparatus comprising a processing chamber arranged in a vacuum chamber, a sample stage arranged under the processing chamber and having its top surface on which a wafer to be processed is mounted, a vacuum decompression unit for evacuating the interior of the processing chamber to reduce the pressure therein, and introduction holes arranged above said sample stage to admit process gas into the processing chamber, the wafer having its top surface mounted with a film structure and the film structure being etched by using plasma formed by using the process gas, the film structure is constituted by having a resist film or a mask film, a poly-silicon film and an insulation film laminated in this order from top to bottom on a substrate and before the wafer is mounted on the sample stage and the poly-silicon film underlying the mask film is etched, plasma is formed inside the processing chamber to cover the surface of members inside the processing chamber with a coating film containing a component of Si.
US08557703B2
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of pre-migrating metal ions is disclosed. A metal in a semiconductor configuration is exposed to water and oxygen to yield metal ions. The metal couples a conductor to another material. The metal and the conductor are exposed to an electrical field in such a manner that one or both of the metal and the conductor becomes an anode to a corresponding cathode. The metal ions are then allowed to migrate from the anode to the cathode to form a migrated metal. Finally, a migration inhibitor is applied on top of the migrated metal to prevent further migration.
US08557695B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including: a substrate; a stacked portion that includes a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of insulation layers alternately stacked on the substrate, at least one layer of the plurality of conductor layers and the plurality of insulation layers forming a marker layer; a charge accumulation film that is formed on an inner surface of a memory plug hole that is formed in the stacked portion from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof; and a semiconductor pillar that is formed inside the memory plug hole through the charge accumulation film.
US08557681B2
A method for fabrication of a III-nitride film over a silicon wafer that includes forming control joints to allow for overall stress relief in the III-nitride film during the growth thereof.
US08557672B2
Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus may include one or more insulator layers having a refractory metal and a non-refractory metal for use in a variety of electronic systems and devices. Embodiments can include electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus having a tantalum aluminum oxynitride film. The tantalum aluminum oxynitride film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The tantalum aluminum oxynitride film may be formed using atomic layer deposition. Metal electrodes may be disposed on a dielectric containing a tantalum aluminum oxynitride film.
US08557667B2
By reducing a deposition rate and maintaining a low bias power in a plasma atmosphere, a spacer layer, for example a silicon nitride layer, may be deposited that exhibits tensile stress. The amount of tensile stress is controllable within a wide range, thereby providing the potential for forming sidewall spacer elements that modify the charge carrier mobility and thus the conductivity of the channel region of a field effect transistor.
US08557659B2
The disclosure relates to spacer structures of a semiconductor device. An exemplary structure for a semiconductor device comprises a substrate having a first active region and a second active region; a plurality of first gate electrodes having a gate pitch over the first active region, wherein each first gate electrode has a first width; a plurality of first spacers adjoining the plurality of first gate electrodes, wherein each first spacer has a third width; a plurality of second gate electrodes having the same gate pitch as the plurality of first gate electrodes over the second active region, wherein each second gate electrode has a second width greater than the first width; and a plurality of second spacers adjoining the plurality of second gate electrodes, wherein each second spacer has a fourth width less than the third width.
US08557657B1
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first doped portion to a first depth and a second doped portion below the first depth. A deep trench capacitor is formed in the substrate and extends below the first depth. The deep trench capacitor has a buried plate that includes a dopant type forming an electrically conductive connection with second doped portion of the substrate and being electrically insulated from the first doped portion.
US08557655B2
A semiconductor device with first and second groups of transistors, the second group transistors each having a lower operating voltage than that of each of said transistors in said first group, the first group transistors have first gate electrodes formed from a silicon based material layer on a semiconductor substrate through a first gate insulating film, the second group transistors have second gate electrodes formed such that metal based gate materials are respectively filled in gate formation trenches formed in an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate through a second gate insulating film, and a resistor on the substrate has a resistor main body utilizing the silicon based material layer and is formed on the substrate through an insulating film.
US08557653B2
A method of manufacturing a junction-field-effect-transistor (JFET) device, the method includes the steps of providing a substrate of a first-type impurity; forming a first well region of a second-type impurity in the substrate; forming a second well region and a third well region of the first-type impurity separated from each other in the first well region; forming a fourth well region of the first-type impurity between the second well region and the third well region; forming a first diffused region of the second-type impurity between the second well region and the fourth well region; forming a second diffused region of the second-type impurity between the third well region and the fourth well region; forming a pair of first doped regions of the second-type impurity in the first well region, and a pair of second doped regions of the first-type impurity in the second well region and the third well region respectively; forming a third doped region of the second-type impurity in the first well region between the second well region and the third well region over the fourth well region; and forming a patterned conductive layer including a pair of drain terminals on the pair of first doped regions, a pair of gate terminals on the pair of second doped regions, and a source terminal on the third doped region.
US08557652B2
Semiconductor structures including a high k gate dielectric material that has at least one surface threshold voltage adjusting region located within 3 nm or less from an upper surface of the high k gate dielectric are provided. The at least one surface threshold voltage adjusting region is formed by a cluster beam implant step in which at least one threshold voltage adjusting impurity is formed directly within the high k gate dielectric or driven in from an overlying threshold voltage adjusting material which is subsequently removed from the structure following the cluster beam implant step.
US08557644B2
According to one disclosed embodiment, a monolithic vertically integrated composite device comprises a double sided semiconductor substrate having first and second sides, a group IV semiconductor layer formed over the first side and comprising at least one group IV semiconductor device, and a group III-V semiconductor body formed over the second side and comprising at least one group III-V semiconductor device electrically coupled to the at least one group IV semiconductor device. The composite device may further comprise a substrate via and/or a through-wafer via providing electric coupling. In one embodiment, the group IV semiconductor layer may comprise an epitaxial silicon layer, and the at least one group IV semiconductor device may be a combined FET and Schottky diode (FETKY) fabricated on the epitaxial silicon layer. In one embodiment, the at least one group III-V semiconductor device may be a III-nitride high electron mobility transistor (HEMT).
US08557640B2
A low voltage protection device that includes a silicon substrate comprises an inner layer of a first dopant type. The device also includes a first outer layer of a second dopant type disposed adjacent a first surface of the inner layer and a second outer layer of the second dopant type disposed adjacent a second surface of the inner layer opposite the first surface. The device further includes a first mesa region disposed in a peripheral region of a first side of the low voltage protection device. The first mesa region includes a first area that includes a peripheral portion of a cathode of the low voltage protection device, the cathode formed by diffusing a high concentration of dopant species of the first type on a first surface of the silicon substrate, and a second area comprising a high concentration of diffused dopant species of the second type.
US08557636B1
A semiconductor system in a package in which at least first and second semiconductor substrates are mounted one above the other on a package substrate. The first substrate is mounted on the package substrate with its active (or front) side facing the package substrate. A plurality of through-silicon-vias (TSVs) extend through one or more peripheral regions of the first substrate; and a redistribution layer is located on the back side of the first substrate and connected to the TSVs. The second substrate is mounted on the first substrate and electrically connected to circuits in the active side of the first substrate through the redistribution layer and the TSVs. Illustratively, one of the substrates is an FPGA and one or more of the other substrates stores the configuration memory and/or other functional memory for the FPGA.
US08557621B2
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel, including: sequentially forming a first silicon layer, a second silicon layer, a lower metal layer, and an upper metal layer on a gate insulating layer and a gate line; forming a first film pattern on the upper metal layer; forming a first lower metal pattern and a first upper metal pattern that includes a protrusion, by etching the upper metal layer and the lower metal layer; forming first and second silicon patterns by etching the first and second silicon layers; forming a second film pattern by ashing the first film pattern; forming a second upper metal pattern by etching the first upper metal pattern; forming a data line and a thin film transistor by etching the first lower metal pattern and the first and second silicon patterns; and forming a passivation layer and a pixel electrode on the resultant.
US08557611B2
An exposure apparatus includes a light emission part 10 generating EUV light by plasma excitation of a predetermined atom, a condenser part 20 condensing the EUV light emitted from the light emission part, an exposure part 30 irradiating a substrate via a mask with the EUV light condensed by the condenser part, a first plasma position monitor 11a detecting the position of an emission point of the EUV light within the light emission part, and a light emission part drive unit 13 adjusting the position of the light emission part. The exposure apparatus determines a first shift amount between the emission point detected by the plasma position monitor and a reference light emission position, and drives the light emission part drive unit according to the first shift amount.
US08557605B2
The invention relates to a device for performing immunological, histochemical and cytochemical, molecular biological, enzymological, clinical-chemical and other analyzes, wherein the device comprises an object holder having one or more elongate adhesive surfaces and a reagent holder having one or several channels. The object holder is detachably connectable to the reagent holder in such a manner that the elongate adhesive surfaces each face one of the channels and, when reaction partners bound to a solid phase are disposed on the elongate adhesive surfaces and reactants dissolved in liquid are present in the channels, the reaction partners and the reactants are in contact. Means are provided for preventing the liquid from passing from one channel into an adjacent channel. A method for performing a corresponding analysis can be performed with this device, by connecting the object holder to the reagent holder in such a manner that the elongate adhesive surfaces each face a channel, liquid having reactants dissolved therein is introduced into the channels such that the solid phase substrates having reaction partners bound thereto and being disposed on the adhesive surfaces come into contact with the liquid, and the object holder and the reagent holder are moved together in such a manner that the liquid alternately moves into the two longitudinal directions of the channels.
US08557600B2
A rapid, efficient and convenient method to detect one or more biological entities on a blotting membrane is provided. The detection can relate to the position, nature or amount of the biological substance on one or more membranes. The invention method involves a pressure assisted regiment (such as vacuum or positive gas pressure) for the supply and removal of reagents and permits washing of the contaminants from substances embedded in the membrane to be detected using very low volumes of liquid. This method enables completion of the blocking, washing and antibody binding steps in about 30 minutes without comprising blot quality. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting the method of the invention. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane.
US08557599B2
A method of determining a kind of a sample, in a method for analyzing a substance by the steps of supplying the sample to be analyzed to a reaction system by a supplying means comprising a transparent region composed of a transparent material, reacting a reagent for detecting the substance with the sample in the reaction system, and analyzing a signal derived from a product obtained by the reaction, characterized by irradiating the transparent region with light in the supplying step, and analyzing an optical intensity of the light.
US08557592B2
The present invention provides a reagent kit for detecting lupus anticoagulant which includes a first clotting time-measuring reagent containing manganese salt and a second clotting time-measuring reagent which contains manganese salt at a concentration lower than that of the first clotting time-measuring reagent or does not contain manganese salt and a method of determining the presence or absence of lupus anticoagulant using the kit.
US08557591B2
The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase. The amount of hydrogen peroxide generated in the reaction is measured for determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.
US08557590B2
A method for measuring glycated hemoglobin includes hemolyzing a blood sample with a hemolysate; reacting the hemolyzed blood sample with bead conjugates in which beads are conjugated with glycated hemoglobin binding materials; measuring the amount of total hemoglobin in the reacted blood sample; isolating normal hemoglobin from the glycated hemoglobin conjugated with the bead conjugates; measuring the amount of glycated hemoglobin isolated from the normal hemoglobin; and determining the percentage of the glycated hemoglobin in the blood sample on the basis of the measured amounts of total hemoglobin and glycated hemoglobin. The isolation of normal hemoglobin is performed by absorbing the normal hemoglobin using an absorption pad that is a porous pad having pores, each of which has a size greater than the size of the normal hemoglobin and smaller than the size of the bead.
US08557581B2
The present invention is a process for preparing soft tissue such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia, dermis, human valves and human veins for implant in a human and removes cellular components and forms an decellular matrix having as major components collagens and elastins while sterilizing the tissue. The process comprises the following steps: (1) isolating from a suitable donor a desired soft tissue sample of the biological material; (2) processing and decellularizing the soft tissue including inspection for visual defects, trimming and soaking the tissue in a detergent depending on whether the tissue is fascia or dermis and rinsing same with sterile water; (3) sterilizing the soft tissue in a vacuum and soaking the tissue in an antibiotic composition or peracetic acid depending on whether the soft tissue is fascia or dermis and rinsing same; (4) processing the tissue by cutting the tissue to size and perforating the tissue; and (5) dipping the tissue in 70% ethanol and packaging the tissue.
US08557579B2
Compounds that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein 1 (PSGL-1) on the surface of T cells or natural killer (NK) cells can be used to induce T cell or NK cell depletion and/or to induce T cell or NK cell apoptosis. The compounds and methods of the invention can be used to control unwanted T cell- or NK cell-mediated immune responses in conditions such as autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, and allergic diseases.
US08557577B2
The present invention concerns a solid phase method for isolating and/or enriching predetermined cells from a sample. Such methods are used e.g. to isolate and enrich predetermined cells like fetal cells from a sample of maternal peripheral blood, tumor cells from a sample of body fluid or stem cells from a fluid or fluidized sample of body tissue or body fluid. The solid phase isolation method of the present invention is used for isolating predetermined cells from a sample containing such predetermined cells by binding the predetermined cells to a solid surface. According to the invention the sample is contacted with the solid surface and then removed from the solid surface, wherein the sample or a washing buffer contains a polyol during or after contacting the sample with the solid surface.
US08557564B2
Provided is a method of separating microorganisms from a sample including contacting the sample containing microorganisms with an inorganic on exchange material such that the sample reacts with the inorganic on exchange material, and contacting the reacted sample with a means for capturing microorganisms.
US08557554B2
The present invention relates to a variant archaeal DNA polymerase having a modified amino acid sequence of a wild-type amino acid sequence, the modified sequence being in the amino-terminal amino acids that comprise a uracil-binding pocket in the wild-type polymerase whereby the variant polymerase has reduced affinity for uracil than the wild-type polymerase. Such variant polymerases may be usefully employed in biological assay systems such as the polymerase chain reaction.
US08557552B2
Compounds and related methods for selective inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase over inducible and endothelial isoforms, such compounds as can provide reduced cationic character and enhanced bioavailability.
US08557550B2
An isolated novel polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one polypeptide involved in biosynthesis of pyripyropene A, a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide and a transformant comprising the polynucleotide are disclosed. By the present invention, a pyripyropene A biosynthetic gene useful for production of a novel pyripyropene analog, improvement of productivity of a pyripyropene A-producing bacterium, production of an insecticidal agent for microorganisms, creation of a plant resistant to insect pests or the like are provided.
US08557549B2
The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having the properties noted above are also provided herein.
US08557547B2
The present invention provides enzymes capable of hydrolysing organophosphate (OP) molecules. In particular, the invention provides a phosphotriesterase enzyme identified from an Agrobacterium radiobacter strain isolated from soil that hydrolyses OP pesticides, and the gene encoding that enzyme. The invention also provides mutants of the identified phosphotriesterase enzyme which have altered substrate specificity. The use of these enzymes in bioremediation strategies is also provided.
US08557542B2
The present invention aims to synthesize a polypeptide having an unnatural structure at the N-terminus via a biosynthetic process by translation of amino acid sequence information encoded by a nucleic acid. A polypeptide having any amino acid at the N-terminus is synthesized by using an ARS ribozyme that catalyzes the acylation of tRNA with any amino acid to attach any amino acid to an initiator tRNA, thereby initiating a translation with the initiator tRNA.
US08557537B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of an overproducing Staphylococcus aureus strain comprising: (a) culturing a Staphylococcus aureus strain on a culture medium M1, M2 or M3, (b) optionally, recovering the strains thus produced from the culture medium, and also to the use of said strains for the production of polysaccharides.
US08557534B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of a physiologically acceptable polymer molecule bound to a protein, an antibody or other composition being capable of specifically binding to a physiologically acceptable polymer molecule, and a kit containing said antibody or composition.
US08557531B2
Endothelial cells are detected in a blood sample by enriching the endothelial cells from the blood sample followed by performing on the enriched endothelial cells an immunoassay capable of detecting antigens expressed by the endothelial cells. The immunoassay is capable of detecting antigen expressed from 300 endothelial cells per milliliter of blood. The method can be used for assaying mature circulating endothelial cells or circulating endothelial progenitor cells.
US08557521B2
The invention relates to methods and systems for sequencing and constructing a high resolution physical map of a polynucleotide. In accordance with the invention, nucleotide sequences are determined at the ends of restriction fragments produced by a plurality of digestions with a plurality of combinations of restriction endonucleases so that a pair of nucleotide sequences is obtained for each restriction fragment. A physical map of the polynucleotide is constructed by ordering the pairs of sequences by matching the identical sequences among the pairs.
US08557507B2
Nanopillars with nanoscale diameters are provided where the nanopillar has uniformly aligned nano-twins either perpendicular or inclined by 1-90° to the pillar-axis with no grain-boundaries or any other features.
US08557505B2
A system for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The system includes a radiation-sensitive material configured to at least one of initiate, polymerize, crosslink and dissociate with exposure to radiation. At least one radiation source is configured to project a radiation beam toward the radiation-sensitive material. A smart glass device is disposed between the radiation-sensitive material and the at least one radiation source. The smart glass device includes at least one switchable layer selectively operable from an active state to an inactive state. The smart glass device is configured to expose the radiation-sensitive material to a desired exposure pattern when in one of the active state and the inactive state. A method for fabricating the radiation-cured structure is also provided.
US08557503B2
A relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving is provided that includes above a support, as a crosslinked relief-forming layer, a thermally crosslinked layer of a resin composition for laser engraving that includes (Component A) a compound containing a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or a silanol group and that does not include (Component B) a binder polymer or includes it at less than 2 wt % relative to the total weight on a non-volatile component basis. There are also provided a process for making a relief printing plate that includes a step of preparing the relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving and a step of forming a relief layer by laser-engraving the crosslinked relief-forming layer, and a relief printing plate that includes a relief layer formed by the process for making a relief printing plate.
US08557499B2
According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound (A) that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates any of the acids of general formula (II) below and a resin (B) whose rate of dissolution into an alkali developer is increased by the action of an acid.(The characters used in general formula (I) have the meanings mentioned in the description.)
US08557494B2
There is provided a toner block, which is formed by preparing a toner suspension in which toner particles are dispersed in water so that a water amount is 32.5 to 37% by mass; absorbing water contained in the toner suspension by a water absorptive material which absorbs 0.2 ml of water within 3 minutes to prepare an aggregate of the toner particles containing water of not more than 32.3% by mass; and drying the aggregate, and which has a maximum compressive stress of 80000 to 550000 N/m2 upon collapse.
US08557481B2
Fuel cell comprising a stack of bipolar plates (1) and polymer films (2), in which the polymer films comprise a lip (3) that overhangs on all sides relative to the adjacent bipolar plates (1).
US08557480B2
A fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a porous electrolyte support structure defining an array of microchannels, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and oxidant electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a fuel cell according to one embodiment includes forming an array of walls defining microchannels therebetween using at least one of molding, stamping, extrusion, injection and electrodeposition; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby creating a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the microchannels; and forming cathode electrodes along other of the microchannels. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.
US08557475B2
The present invention provides an air battery module comprising: a housing; a plurality of power sections incorporated in the housing; and an electrolytic solution which is filled in the housing to immerse the plurality of power sections and in which oxygen is dissolved, one of the power sections and another of the power sections sharing the electrolytic solution. The air battery module is capable of attaining downsizing and of obtaining high output.
US08557467B2
A fuel cell includes separators sandwiching electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the separators includes a fuel gas supply passage, four first bridges extending radially outwardly from the fuel gas supply section, and sandwiching sections connected to the first bridges. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the fuel gas supply section. Each of the sandwiching sections has a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel. The four electrolyte electrode assemblies are arranged concentrically around the fuel gas supply section. A fuel cell stack includes such fuel cells.
US08557465B2
A fuel cell includes: a first discharge mechanism that connects an inlet of a discharge flow path directly to a porous body so as to cause liquid in the porous body and liquid in the discharge flow path to be continuous, thereby discharging the liquid in preference to the offgas; and a second discharge mechanism that connects an inlet of a discharge flow path to the porous body via a hollow portion of a predetermined size to prevent liquid in the porous body and liquid in the discharge flow path from becoming continuous, thereby discharging the offgas in preference to the liquid. The fuel cell is easy-to-manufacture with long-lasting effectiveness, and is capable of separating and discharging offgas and liquid in a porous body.
US08557464B2
In the present invention, after the initial setting of the FC entry target pressure, the FC entry target pressure is maintained at this initial-setting value until the concentration of impurities in the gas supplied to the anode in the fuel cell falls below a certain value. This initial-setting value is set to a pressure higher than the FC entry target pressure set in response to the FC electric current during normal power generation. If the concentration of impurities in the gas supplied to the anode in the fuel cell has fallen below the certain value, then the FC entry target pressure is sought using a map showing the relationship between the FC electric current detected in step S5 and the entry target pressure set in response to the output required for the fuel cell.
US08557462B2
A fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system using the same are disclosed. The fuel cell stack may include an electricity generation unit generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of fuel and oxidizer. The fuel cell stack may include a regulation member made of porous materials to disperse coolant flowed in through a cooling channel formed in the fuel cell stack.
US08557461B2
A fuel cell vehicle is provided. The voltage of a fuel cell is fixed, by a DC/DC converter, to a voltage outside an oxidation reduction progress voltage range of the fuel cell. In this state, oxygen concentration or hydrogen concentration is decreased by a gas supply unit, and electric power outputted from the fuel cell is decreased. In this state, regenerative electric power generated by regeneration is collected into a battery.
US08557460B2
A hydrogen system (10) comprising a reformer (12), in which a vaporized hydrocarbon fuel (50) is reformed to yield a reformate gas (62) comprising hydrogen, and a hydrogen consumer (40), the reformer and the hydrogen consumer being arranged in fluid communication such that the reformate gas can be fed to the hydrogen consumer, the hydrogen consumer, when in use, consuming at least a part of the hydrogen produced by the reformer wherein the hydrogen system further comprises:—an off gas burner (35) which is arranged such that it is in fluid communication with the hydrogen consumer and a first heat exchanger (21), in which offgas burner, when in use, remaining reformate gas in offgas from the hydrogen consumer is combusted, producing exhaust gas (53) which is passed through the first heat exchanger;—at least one air pump (30) which is arranged such that it is in fluid communication with the reformer and the offgas burner, the at least one air pump, when in use, supplying air to said reformer and offgas burner,—and—a water pump (31) which is arranged such that it is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and, thereafter, the reformer, the water pump, when in use, feeding water to the first heat exchanger wherein the heat energy contained in the exhaust gas from the offgas burner is used to produce steam, the steam being fed to the reformer.
US08557459B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, a fuel gas supply apparatus, a pressure reduction apparatus, and a dilution apparatus. The oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus supplies an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack. The oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus is capable of supplying the air to the fuel gas flow field at the time of stopping operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel gas supply apparatus supplies a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. The pressure reduction apparatus suctions gases in the oxygen-containing gas flow field and the fuel gas flow field. The dilution apparatus dilutes the fuel gas suctioned by the pressure reduction apparatus using the air.
US08557451B2
An elongated fuel processor assembly is coupled to a fuel cell stack for producing a reformate for consumption by the fuel cell stack. The elongated fuel processor assembly includes an annular core having a thermal conduction mass for conducting heat, an annular reformer surrounding and supported by the annular core, and a vaporizer surrounding and supported by the annular core.
US08557448B2
The fuel cell of the invention includes an electrolyte assembly, and a separator having one face as a gas flow path-forming face with a gas flow path formed thereon to allow flow of a reactive gas and the other face, which is reverse to the one face, as a refrigerant flow path-forming face with a refrigerant flow path formed thereon to allow flow of a refrigerant. The gas flow path-forming face of the separator has multiple linear gas flow paths that are arranged in parallel to one another, and a gas flow path connection structure that divides the multiple linear gas flow paths into plural linear gas flow path groups and connects at least part of the plural linear gas flow path groups in series. The refrigerant flow path-forming face has multiple linear refrigerant flow paths that are formed as a reverse structure of the multiple linear gas flow paths on the gas flow path-forming face, and a refrigerant flow path connection structure that is formed as a reverse structure of the gas flow path connection structure on the gas flow path-forming face to connect the multiple linear refrigerant flow paths in parallel.
US08557447B2
The rechargeable lithium battery includes: a negative electrode including a non-carbon-based negative active material; a positive electrode including a positive active material that reversibly intercalates and deintercalates lithium ions; and an electrolyte that includes a non-aqueous organic solvent that includes ethylene carbonate in an amount of 20 volume % or less, a lithium salt including LiPF6, a first additive represented by the following Formula 1 and a second additive that is LiB(C2O4)2. The electrolyte has a viscosity of 3.02 cP or less: wherein, R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halogen, a cyano (CN), a nitro (NO2), and a C1 to C5 fluoroalkyl, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a cyano (CN), a nitro (NO2), and a C1 to C5 fluoroalkyl.
US08557444B2
This invention provides a multi-layer article comprising a first electrode material, a second electrode material, and a porous separator disposed between and in contact with the first and the second electrode materials, wherein the porous separator comprises a nanoweb consisting essentially of a plurality of nanofibers of a fully aromatic polyimide. Also provided is a method for preparing the multi-layer article, and an electrochemical cell employing the same. A multi-layer article comprising a polyimide nanoweb with enhanced properties is also provided.
US08557439B2
The present invention has an objective to improve the storage characteristics and pulse discharge characteristics, especially in the high temperature region of 100° C. or more, of a lithium battery comprising a positive electrode including manganese oxide, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. To achieve this objective, the lithium battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode (3) including manganese oxide in mixed crystal state, a negative electrode (4) desorbing lithium ions during discharging, and a non-aqueous electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity. The aforementioned manganese oxide in mixed crystal state includes at least λ-type manganese oxide and β-type manganese oxide. The aforementioned non-aqueous electrolyte includes at least one additive selected from the group consisting of cyclic sultone compounds and sulfone compounds.
US08557433B2
Disclosed is a secondary battery that enhances the safety and reliability thereof by preventing the danger of ignition and explosion when it is compressed or damaged due to an external impact. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator; a can accommodating the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly covering a top opening of the can. The cap assembly includes a cap plate having a first hole at a central portion thereof and electrically connected to a first electrode tab protruding from the first electrode plate, an insulation plate located under the cap plate, a terminal plate located under the insulation plate, an electrode terminal penetrating the cap plate, the insulation plate, and the terminal plate and electrically connected to a second electrode tab protruding from the second electrode plate, and a short-circuit plate located under the cap plate. The short-circuit plate is disposed in a manner that the short-circuit plate contacts the terminal plate or the second electrode tab whenever a distorting pressure is applied to the secondary battery.
US08557431B2
Disclosed is a pouch including a first sealing portion wherein an upper sheet and a lower sheet are sealed, and a second sealing portion present in a partial or entire region of the first sealing portion.The pouch further includes a second sealing portion present in a partial or entire region of the first sealing portion, thus efficiently preventing permeation of external moisture and leakage of electrolyte solution through the first sealing portion and enabling fabrication of batteries with improved capacitance maintenance and resistance increase.
US08557427B2
An electric power tool includes a main body having a drive portion with a motor, an output portion for holding a tool, and a battery pack attachment portion, and a battery pack attached to the battery pack attachment portion by means of an attaching and detaching mechanism. The battery pack supplies electric power to the drive portion to operate the output portion. The attaching and detaching mechanism has a releasing unit for releasing the battery pack from the main body by operating plural types of release operation portions in their entirety.
US08557424B2
A secondary battery for an electronic appliance, including a battery cell. The battery cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte in a pack. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are lead out from the same side face of the pack. A metallic battery can accommodates the battery cell therein such that the side face from which the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are lead out is faced towards the opening side. A lid, made of a synthetic resin, in which terminal parts to be connected to the electrodes of the electronic appliance upon being connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are faced outwardly, plugs the opening of the battery can, the battery cell being accommodated in the battery can upon being adhered onto an inner face thereof.
US08557416B2
A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack, the system using an integrated battery venting assembly comprised of an integrated exhaust port, a valve retention plate that covers the exhaust port and includes a plurality of retention plate ports, and a plurality of valves that are configured to seal the retention plate ports under normal conditions and unseal the retention plate ports during thermal runaway. As hot gas passes through the retention plate ports, the plate is configured to melt and be ejected, thereby allowing subsequent hot gas to pass through the larger exhaust port. A perforated cover plate may be used to protect the external surfaces of the retention plate and valves. An internally mounted exhaust guide may be used to direct the flow of hot gas expelled during the thermal runaway event.
US08557405B2
A coated member includes a base material and a coating film formed on the surface thereof. At least one layer in the coating film is a hard film of a cubic metal compound including at least one element selected from the group consisting of the group 4 elements (Ti, Zr, Hf, etc.), group 5 elements (V, Nb, Ta, etc.) and group 6 elements (Cr, Mo, W, etc.) of the periodic table, Al, Si, B, Y and Mn together with at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, N and O. In the pole figure for the face (111) of the hard film, the X-ray intensity distribution in the α-axis shows the maximum intensity in the α-angle range of 50-65°. In the pole figure for the face (200), the X-ray intensity distribution in the α-axis shows the maximum intensity in the α-angle range of 60-80°.
US08557399B2
Novel combination of materials and device architectures for organic light emitting devices are provided. In some aspects, specific charge carriers and solid state considerations are features that may result in a device having an unexpectedly long lifetime. In some aspects, emitter purity is a feature that may result in devices having unexpectedly long lifetime. In some aspects, structural and optical considerations are features that may result in a device having an unexpectedly long lifetime. In some aspects, an emissive layer including an organic phosphorescent emissive dopant and an organic carbazole host material results in devices having an unexpectedly long lifetime.
US08557392B2
In order to provide a flexible laminate circuit board using a surface treated copper foil satisfying all of a bonding strength of a copper foil with respect to polyimide, acid resistance, and etching property, in a flexible laminate circuit board formed by a copper foil on the surface of a polyimide resin layer, the copper foil is a surface treated copper foil formed by depositing an Ni—Zn alloy onto at least one surface of a untreated copper foil, and the Zn deposition amount in the deposited Ni—Zn alloy is 6% or more and 15% or less of the (Ni deposition amount+Zn deposition amount), and the Zn deposition amount is 0.08 mg/dm2 or more to provide a flexible copper clad laminate.
US08557383B2
A material composite has at least one region of copper or a copper alloy, at least one region of a predominantly graphitic material, and at least one boundary region between them. The boundary region has one or more carbides from the group of the IVb, Vb, VIb transition metals and one or more elements of the group consisting of Si, B, Al, Ge, Mn, Sn. In a preferred implementation of the invention, the composite is produced with a back-casting process.
US08557380B2
Novel hydroquinone flakes are prepared from a powder thereof, by, if necessary, melting the hydroquinone powder, depositing the hydroquinone in the liquid state as a film on a support made of a material or coated with a material which conducts heat, solidifying the hydroquinone by adjusting the support to an appropriate temperature, and recovering the solidified product in the form of flakes.
US08557377B2
A photochromic optical element comprising an optical substrate, a photochromic coat layer, and a hard coat layer that are laminated in this order, wherein (I) the photochromic coat layer comprising an alkylamino group-containing photochromic compound and/or a dialkylamino group-containing photochromic compound in a total amount of 0.1 to 10.0% by mass, and (II) the hard coat layer is obtained by curing a hard coat agent comprising metal oxide fine particles and an organosilicon compound, the hard coat agent containing as the organosilicon compound at least one selected from the group consisting of a tetraalkoxy silane, a methyl trialkoxy silane, and partial hydrolysates thereof in an amount of 10 to 60% by mass based on the total mass of the metal oxide fine particles and the organosilicon compound.
US08557374B2
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
US08557363B2
An artificial grass turf carpet comprises a ground structure having an upper surface and upstanding synthetic grass fibers attached to the ground structure, which synthetic grass fibers form a grass surface of the artificial grass turf. The carpet further has upstanding synthetic base layer fibers attached to the ground structure at positions between the upstanding synthetic grass fibers. The base layer fibers have a lower height than the grass fibers. The base layer fibers are positioned tight against one another and against neighboring grass fibers, so that a dense base layer is obtained above which the grass fibers extend. An artificial grass turf system includes such a carpet and preferably includes a thin, rubber-free infill layer on top of the base layer.
US08557359B2
A closure for a container, e.g., a container for holding reagents for an automated analyzer. The closure comprises a cap having an opening, the opening capable of communicating with the mouth of a container. The invention also provides an assembly comprising the closure of this invention and a container. The invention also provides a method for preparing the closure.
US08557347B1
Embodiments of the present invention use melamine-based resins as a pretreatment on fabrics and fabric blends in combination with phosphorus-based flame retardants to improve flame retardant performance, durability, and further promote char formation in a combustion zone of the fabric.
US08557342B2
This disclosure relates to phosphate coatings that inhibit corrosion of metals, specifically coatings comprising acidic phosphate and alkaline metal oxide/hydroxide components. In one particular embodiment, phosphate-based coating formulations that reduce or eliminate corrosion of steel and other metals are disclosed. In other embodiments, methods for coating steel surfaces with acidic phosphate and alkaline metal oxide/hydroxide components to reduce or eliminate corrosion of the metal surfaces are disclosed.
US08557339B2
Disclosed are processes for depositing ruthenium containing films on substrates using an organometallic compound having the following formula: L-Ru—X (I) wherein L is a non-aromatic cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ligand (L), having at least six cyclic carbon atoms, said cycle being unsubstituted or substituted, and X is either a non aromatic cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ligand identical or different from (L), having at least six cyclic carbon atoms said cycle being unsubstituted or substituted or a cyclic or acyclic conjugated alkadienyl hydrocarbon ligand having from five to ten carbons atoms, said hydrocarbon ligand being unsubstituted or substituted.
US08557338B1
This invention is directed to a method of inhibiting corrosion-erosion in pipelines carry slurries. The method includes contacting for a period of at least 1 hour an inner surface of the pipeline with a composition of matter, the composition being at least one corrosion inhibitor within a water solvent, purging the pipeline of the water, and then transporting a slurry through the pipeline. This method is surprisingly effective because it prevents erosion with materials that were previously known to not have any effect on erosion. In addition it is effective on especially hard slurries such as bauxite for which previous uses of these inhibitors did not prevent erosion.
US08557334B2
The invention provides a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a hydrophilic coating thereon that is covalently attached to the lens and has a good hydrophilicity, intactness and durability. The invention also provides a silicone hydrogel contact lenses having a hydrophilic coating consisting of a prime coating covalently attached to the contact lens and a top coating covalently attached to the prime coating.
US08557310B2
Compositions and methods are described for delaying the onset of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in humans. The compositions can include curcumin, piperine, oleic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, galantamine, and huperzine A, among other compounds. Curcumin is an antioxidant, while galantamine and huperzine A inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the brain. Piperine and oleic acid increase the bioavailability and gastrointestinal absorption of curcumin, galantamine, huperzine A, and other nutrients. The composition can also include at least one of phytic acid, piracetam, aniracetam, or indium.
US08557309B2
The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising compounds extracted from the vegetation liquor of the palm oil milling process has been suggested. This composition is rich in antioxidants and exhibits enhanced antimicrobial activity and bactericidal effect against a number of micro-organisms.
US08557308B2
An extract of Andrographis paniculata extract containing andrographolide, 14-deoxyandrographolide, 14-deoxy-11,12-dehydroandrographolide, neoandrographolide, polysacchorides, and flavanoids. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition containing such an extract and its use for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
US08557299B2
An improved dietary and/or therapeutic supplement composition comprising a quantity of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent having a pH that upon ingestion with food or a beverage would limit the effectiveness of the agent and a sufficient amount of an alkaline electrolyte additive is provided in combination with the agent to raise the pH of the composition to a level of from about 8 to about 12.5 to increase the effectiveness and functional utilization of the agent while the composition is in the person's stomach. In a preferred composition, the electrolyte additive is selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium and potassium electrolytes. The supplement composition may be in the form of tablet, capsule, powder or liquid forms. The supplement composition is designed to provide for optimum utilization of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent when taken orally with food or a beverage.
US08557298B2
New chemotherapeutic medicaments and certain medical uses and methods for use of such chemotherapeutic medicaments for treatment of disease in human or animal tissue are described, wherein a primary active component of such medicaments is a halogenated xanthene or halogenated xanthene derivative. Preferably, the halogenated xanthene is Rose Bengal or a functional derivative of Rose Bengal. The halogenated xanthenes constitute a family of useful chemotherapeutic agents that afford selective, persistent accumulation in certain tissues. In preferred embodiments, such medicaments are used for treatment of a variety of conditions affecting the skin and related organs, the mouth and digestive tract and related organs, the urinary and reproductive tracts and related organs, the respiratory tract and related organs, the circulatory system and related organs, the head and neck, the endocrine and lymphoreticular systems and related organs, various other tissues, such as connective tissues and various tissue surfaces exposed during surgery, as well as various tissues exhibiting microbial or parasitic infection. In another preferred embodiment, such medicaments are produced in various formulations useful for intracorporeal or topical administration, including in liquid, semisolid, solid or aerosol delivery vehicles.
US08557287B2
A therapeutic silicone composition and a delivery device operable for the self-administration of the therapeutic silicone composition to the skin. Silicone gel compositions are known in the art to promote wound healing and reduce scarring. The therapeutic silicone composition of the present invention contains a silicone gel formulated with inert thickening agents and/or carriers sufficient to provide a firm, semisolid silicone gel material that substantially retains its shape when extruded from a tube. When topically applied to hypertrophic tissue, the composition, which is applied as a light film to cover the tissue, is transparent and substantially dry, obviating the need for an occlusive dressing.
US08557277B2
Described, in certain aspects, are medical products comprised of uniquely prepared remodelable extracellular matrix (ECM) materials retaining at least a portion of their native bioactivity. Also described are methods for forming and using such products. In one embodiment, an inventive product comprises a layer of remodelable ECM material modified through contact with periodic acid or a salt thereof. In some forms, such a modified ECM material layer includes non-native Schiff's base crosslinks within and/or between certain components of the ECM material (e.g., between two collagen molecules, two non-collagen molecules, and/or a collagen molecule and a non-collagen molecule). Other inventive products are comprised of various gels, foams, pastes, and formed, coherent, porous bodies at least containing ECM materials that have been modified in accordance with the present invention.
US08557275B2
Beneficial and synergistic effects for alleviating joint pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis have been found using a mixture of fish oil and fish oil derived, choline based, phospholipid bound fatty acid mixture including polyunsaturated EPA and DHA either alone or in combination with other active constituents, including astaxanthin and polymeric hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) in an oral dosage form.
US08557266B2
A synergistic antimicrobial composition comprising: (a) a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phoshponium salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine; and (b) tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane.
US08557260B2
A cosmetic composition includes comprising a blend of cycloalkylmethicones comprising at least two different cycloalkylmethicones having general formula I: where R1 is a hydrocarbon radical containing about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon radical containing about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; a is a positive number between 0
US08557254B2
This invention pertains to Lawsonia intracellularis bacterium of a serotype which is reactive with monoclonal antibody INT-LIC-02-02 as produced by hybridoma INT-LIC-02-02 deposited with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Micro-organismes of the Institut Pasteur at Paris France under nr. CNCM I-4049 but which is not reactive with antibody INT-LIC-01-28 as produced by hybridoma INT-LIC-01-28 deposited with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Micro-organismes of the Institut Pasteur at Paris France under nr. CNCM I-4048. The invention also pertains to vaccines for protection against an infection with Lawsonia intracellularis based on those novel bacteria, antibodies suitable for diagnosing the novel Lawsonia intracellularis serotype and hybridomas for producing the said antibodies.
US08557253B2
The invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: a) inactivated whole virus, and b) a stabilizing excipient which comprises: i. a buffer solution, ii. a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids, iii. a disaccharide, iv. a polyol, v. a chelating agent, vi. urea or a urea derivative, and vii. a nonionic surfactant.
US08557246B2
Fusion protein with directioning of vaccinal antigens toward antigen-presenting cells and the applications thereof. This invention relates to a gene construct that comprises, operatively bound, at least one nucleotide sequence (A) that encodes a polypeptide with SEQ ID NO: 1, which has a region that recognizes the β chain of the class-II DR antigen present on the surface of antigen-presenting cells; and one nucleotide sequence (B) that encodes a vaccinal antigen of interest. Moreover, this invention relates to recombinant vectors useful for the expression of the gene construct of the invention, transgenic cells and plants transformed or transfected with said vectors, fusion proteins encoded by the gene construct of the invention and vaccines that comprise said fusion proteins.
US08557245B2
The invention features methods and compositions for preventing or treating bone cancer pain including cancer pain associated with bone metastasis by administering an antagonist of nerve growth factor (NGF). The NGF antagonist may be an anti-NGF (such as anti-hNGF) antibody that is capable of binding hNGF.
US08557239B2
The invention provides methods of treating psoriasis in a subject by administering to a subject an antibody capable of binding to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23.
US08557238B2
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides designated herein as EG-VEGF and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Also provided herein are methods of screening for modulators of EG-VEGF. Furthermore, methods and related methods of treatment are described herein which pertain to regulating cellular proliferation and chemotaxis.
US08557230B2
A cosmetic composition containing at least one block copolymer having a hard segment and a soft segment, at least one tackifier component, at least one solvent, or solvent mixture, at least one shine enhancing agent, and optionally, at least one colorant, and wherein the at least one hard segment has a Tg value of 50° C. or more and the at least one soft segment has a Tg value of 20° C. or less, and the at least one solvent, or solvent mixture, is capable of solubilizing either the at least one hard segment or the at least one soft segment, or both the hard and the soft segments.
US08557227B2
The disclosure relates to sunscreen compositions having a synergistic combination of ultraviolet light (UV) filtering agents that provide a high sun protection factor (SPF). Compositions according to the disclosure have high SPF values without requiring high overall amounts of UV filtering agents, and without requiring the use of oxybenzone. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to methods of using the described compositions for protecting keratinous substances such as skin and hair from UV radiation.
US08557225B2
The invention relates to a solution with a concentration of 6N of HCl, citric acid (C6O7H8) and water demineralised by reverse osmosis and bacterially purified by ozonisation and lemon-flavored artificial liquid essence or anise-flavored artificial liquid essence and water demineralised by reverse osmosis and bacterially purified by ozonisation, and to a method for using same to dissolve the brown pigmentation of teeth affected by problems of mottled enamel or chronic endemic dental fluorosis, as well as teeth with white, opaque or yellow stains. The composition is applied to the surface of the part to be treated using a small cotton swab secured with snap clamps, which performs a firm circular rubbing motion until the stains have been removed. Subsequently, a paste comprising calcium hydroxide and water is applied to the part to be treated in order to neutralize any surplus solution and, finally, the mouth is washed with simple water in order to remove any calcium hydroxide residue. In addition, the above-mentioned lemon-flavored or anise-flavored essence leaves a pleasant taste and freshness in the patient's mouth.
US08557223B2
The present invention provides kits and methods for treating hair on the scalp comprising non-toxic compositions providing beneficial effects on hair without employing high temperatures, free radical initiators or rinsing hair after applying the compositions.
US08557219B2
A method of crystallizing a crystalline molecular sieve having a pore size in the range of from about 2 to about 19 Å, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element (Y), at least one hydroxide source (OH−), and water, said mixture having a solid-content in the range of from about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. %; and (b) treating said mixture to form the desired crystalline molecular sieve with stirring at crystallization conditions sufficient to obtain a weight hourly throughput from about 0.005 to about 1 hr−1, wherein said crystallization conditions comprise a temperature in the range of from about 200° C. to about 500° C. and a crystallization time less than 100 hr.
US08557210B2
Trichlorosilane production is increased while simultaneously lowering environmental burden due to destruction and disposition of high boilers by feeding high boilers from trichlorosilane production or from polycrystalline silicon production into a fluidized bed for production of trichlorosilane from metallic silicon and hydrogen chloride.
US08557206B2
Methods and configurations are drawn to a plant in which an effluent gas (102) comprising oxygen and sulfur dioxide is catalytically reacted with hydrogen sulfiden (148) and hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide (114) to form a treated gas that is substantially oxygen free and in which sulfur dioxide is converted to hydrogen sulfide. In most preferred aspects, the hydrogen sulfide is provided to the process via a recycle loop (134B).
US08557188B2
A UV photocatalytic air purifier/sterilizer in which the multiple limited-lifetime components (such as the UV light, UV light electronics, and catalytic portion) of a photocatalytic UV air purifier/sterilizer are packaged together to form a single, handheld, unitized package, designed for easy insertion and removal into an air purifier. The invention may be configured enable maximum air flow through the photocatalytic portions of the device, thus further improving air cleaning efficiency by allowing many volumes of room air to be recirculated through the device and cleaned/purified/sterilized over the course of a day. In a preferred embodiment, the device may package a series of stacked TiO2 coated parallel metal catalytic plates, a UV germicidal lamp with a fluorescent tube form factor, and a UV lamp ballast into a single disposable or recyclable unit. This disposable unit can be easily clipped into a motorized air purifier unit designed for rapid servicing.
US08557183B2
A submersible, self-propelled apparatus for analyzing a component contained in a liquid medium. The submersible, self-propelled apparatus uses kinetic energy of the apparatus to drive a liquid under analysis through the apparatus. This is accomplished by use of a conveyance system that is attached to the analytical system of the apparatus. A sensor system is used to analyze the component collected within the confines of an analysis chamber, a part of the analysis system. The invention also includes a method of using the analytical apparatus.
US08557173B2
An integrated system for blast furnace iron making and power production based upon higher levels of oxygen enrichment in the blast gas is disclosed. The integrated system leads to; 1) enhanced productivity in the blast furnace, 2) more efficient power production, and 3) the potential to more economically capture and sequester carbon dioxide. Oxygen enhances the ability of coal to function as a source of carbon and to be gasified within the blast furnace thereby generating an improved fuel-containing top gas.
US08557169B2
A process for making an embossed web includes providing a precursor web a first forming structure having a plurality of discrete first forming elements and a first pressure source and applying pressure between the first pressure source and the first forming structure to force the precursor web to conform to the first forming elements of to form a first embossed web having a plurality of first discrete extended elements. The first embossed web is then provided between a second forming structure having a plurality of discrete second forming elements and a second pressure source and pressure is applied between the second pressure source and the second forming structure to force the first embossed web to conform to the second forming elements to form a second embossed web having a plurality of second discrete extended elements. The resulting embossed web has a plurality of first and second discrete extended elements.
US08557168B2
An external breast prosthesis having a thin-walled outer shell and an air-filled interior cavity. The prosthesis is fabricated using a method and die set to form the two-part shell without internal supporting structure. The method provides a repeatable process which yields a prosthesis having durable air-tight seal between the anterior and posterior shell and a Class-A exterior surface which accurately replicates the visual and tactile characteristics of a human breast.
US08557159B2
A method of forming a plurality of hollow fibers includes the step of providing an elongated flexible substantially continuous fiber and coating an outer surface of the fiber with a hollow fiber material. The hollow fiber material is cured or hardened. A gap is created between the outer surface of the support fiber and the inner surface of the coating layer defined thereon. The coated support fiber is cut into a plurality of fiber segments each having exposed ends. The support fiber segments are removed from the coating layer so as to provide a plurality of hollow fibers.
US08557156B2
Disclosed, amongst other things, is a method of post-mold cooling of a molded article, the molded article having just been molded within mold halves, the method comprising: receiving, in a post-mold device, the molded article; subjecting the molded article to post-mold cooling, the post-mold cooling including: implementing a first post-mold cooling process portion in the post-mold cooling device at a first temperature; and implementing a second post-mold cooling process in the post-mold cooling device portion at a second temperature, said second post-mold cooling temperature being greater than said first post-mold cooling temperature; determining a switch point; triggering at the switch point, a transition from the first post-mold cooling process portion to the second post-mold cooling process portion.
US08557150B2
Lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses are described which can advantageously be applied to zirconium oxide ceramics in particular by pressing-on in the viscous state and form a solid bond with these.
US08557147B2
The present disclosure provides a chemiluminescent composition where the chemiluminescent substrate is 1,2-dioxetane, which contains 1,2-dioxetane and an alkyl dimethyl benzyl quaternary ammonium salt having the structure of general formula I. The present disclosure also provides an enhancing reagent and methods for enhancing chemiluminescence of 1,2-dioxetane, where the enhancing reagent contains an alkyl dimethyl benzyl quaternary ammonium salt having the structure of general formula I.
US08557145B2
A conductive polymer compound includes: a conductive polymer; a first repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; a second repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 2; and a third repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 3 and/or Chemical Formula 4,
US08557144B2
A material for forming a conductive antireflection film contains: a base resin having conductivity; a crosslinking agent; a thermal acid generator; and a solvent.
US08557138B2
An emulsion of pitch in water preferably characterized by having a lower level of tack on drying by virtue of using as the emulsifying agent a fatty acid, a chemically modified fatty acid, a rosin acid, a chemically modified rosin acid, or combinations thereof, especially a tall oil fatty acid, or a chemically modified tall oil fatty acid, where the pitch emulsion is useful for reducing the development of fugitive dust in a dust-forming material.
US08557137B2
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising alpha alumina, fumed alumina, silica, an oxidizing agent that oxidizes nickel-phosphorous, oxalic acid, optionally, tartaric acid, optionally, a nonionic surfactant, optionally, a biocide, and water. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising contacting a substrate with a polishing pad and the chemical-mechanical polishing composition, moving the polishing pad and the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate.
US08557128B2
Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microchannels utilizing an aqueous emulsion of an amphiphilic agent and a water-soluble, hydrogel-forming polymer, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08557110B2
A method of treating a site containing contaminants and apparatus are described The method and apparatus sparges the site with an air/ozone gas stream delivered with a hydroperoxide, which is a substantial byproduct of a reaction of a contaminant present in the aquifer or soil formation with the ozone.
US08557100B2
The present invention is directed to the fabrication of rigid memory disks, including a metal plating composition which impedes deposition of non-metallic particles during a plating process. The plating composition includes at least one sulfated fatty acid ester additive, or mixtures or salts thereof, of formula: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of OH, OCH2, H2CH3, C1-C7 alkyl, linear or branched; R2 selected from H and C1-C7 alkyl, linear or branched; m=1 to about 5; n=2 to about 30; o=0 to about 10; M+ is a metal or pseudo metal ion or H+. The additive has a zeta potential which impedes deposit of non-metallic particles. The invention is further directed to a method for electroless plating utilizing the additive composition in a bath with at least a stabilizing agent, complexing agent and reducing agent and source of metal ions.
US08557091B2
An electrolytic reactor consisting of a substantially hollow rectangular plastic housing for supporting a plurality of electrode plates using embedded metal fasteners and metal cap brackets for releasably fastening and sealing end cap members to the end of the reactor housing for sealed and pressurized operation in addition to providing a method for sealing and concentric alignment of electrode connectors within the reactor housing.
US08557089B2
An anode assembly for an impressed current cathodic protection system is disclosed. The anode assembly is arranged to protect a structure in a body of water. It includes an anode, an anode support and a base and is arranged to be electrically connected to the cathodic protection system. The base is a weighted member. The anode comprises a spherical hollow titanium body coated with a mixed metal oxide and filled with a non-conductive material. The anode support is an elongated titanium tube that projects upward from the base. The anode is welded on the top portion of the support to be disposed above the bed of the body of water. The anode assembly is connected to the cathodic protection system by an electrical connector mounted in a box.
US08557082B2
A process of forming a resistive device such as a load resistor or a heater is provided that includes forming a dielectric layer onto a substrate, a target, or an adjacent functional layer, wherein the dielectric layer in one form defines a single layer of dielectric tape. The dielectric tape is laminated to the substrate, the target, or the adjacent functional layer through a single predetermined cycle of pressure, temperature and time, and then a resistive layer is farmed on the dielectric layer, and a protective layer is formed over the resistive layer.
US08557079B2
The present invention relates to polyethylene material that has a plurality of unidirectionally oriented polyethylene monolayers cross-piled and compressed at an angle to one another, each polyethylene monolayer composed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and essentially devoid of resins. The present invention further relates to ballistic resistant articles that include or incorporate the inventive polyethylene material and to methods of preparing the material and articles incorporating same.
US08557073B2
The invention relates to a method of producing protective tubes. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: producing a plurality of flat warp knit bands using a Rachel loom; and shaping said flat bands such that the longitudinal ends of each flat band join together and overlap each other, thereby forming a tubular shape. The inside diameter of the tube and the overlapped segment can be controlled and defined by the method and said inside diameter can be virtually limitless.
US08557072B2
The present invention relates to provide a method for making square rugs from recycled materials. Firstly, make one piece of surface material: Melt the woven layer of the surface material at a proper temperature. Then, apply a proper pressure to press the surface material till each fluff of the surface material is firmly secured to the woven layer. After that, make one piece of base material and one piece of middle material made of the resilient foam material reclaimed from abandoned waste. Apply a proper pressure to press the base material, the middle material and the surface material till they are stuck on each other. Heat the stuck surface material, the middle material and the base material. The middle material will foam after heating, and produce a force to stick itself on the surface material and the base material. Thus, a square rug is finished.
US08557063B2
A method for heat treating a serviced turbine part to improve a hold time fatigue cracking resistance of the serviced turbine part is provided. The method includes positioning the serviced turbine part in a vacuum furnace configured to limit surface oxidation. The serviced turbine part is controllably heated to prevent distortion. A surface damage layer is recrystallized into a fine grain structure to prevent fatigue crack initiation. The serviced turbine part is controllably cooled to prevent distortion.
US08557059B2
A mold plate having a mold cavity configured for plastic injection molding one or more articles such as a panel or frame of an electronic display screen such as a flat screen TV is formed from a low carbon martensitic stainless steel alloy comprising: about 0.05%-0.07% by weight C, about 1.15%-1.45% by weight Mn, a maximum of 0.025% by weight P, a maximum of 0.008% by weight S, about 0.3%-0.6% by weight Si, about 12.15%-12.65% by weight Cr, about 0%-0.5% by weight Ni, about 0.45%-0.65% by weight Cu, about 0.02%-0.08% by weight V, about 0.04%-0.08% by weight N, with the balance being Fe with trace amounts of ordinarily present elements.
US08557044B2
A shadow mask, a method of manufacturing the shadow mask, and a method of forming a thin film using the shadow mask are provided. The shadow mask includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The upper layer includes a first opening. The lower layer is formed on a lower surface of the upper layer around the first opening and includes an opening having the same size as the first opening. When the thin film is formed using the shadow mask, the lower layer of the shadow mask is close to the edge of a cavity of a substrate, and a position on which the thin film may be formed as defined by the lower layer of the shadow mask. Therefore, the thickness of the thin film can be uniform.
US08557041B1
A method for manufacturing a P-I-N microcrystalline silicon structure for thin-film solar cells, includes the steps of: (a) forming a P-type layer; (b) forming an I-type layer including a plurality of sub-layers successively stacked on the P-type layer using gas mixtures including fluoride and hydride that have different gas ratios, respectively; and (c) forming an N-type layer on the I-type layer. First, second, and third I-type sub-layers may be formed on the P-type layer using gas mixtures including fluoride and hydride at a first, second, and third gas ratios, respectively. Then, advantageously, the third gas ratio may be larger than the second gas ratio and the second gas ratio may be larger than the first gas ratio, and the first gas ratio may be 8%, the second gas ratio may range between 15% and 35%, and the third gas ratio may range between 35% and 50%.
US08557027B2
This disclosure involves an adsorption-desorption material, e.g., crosslinked epoxy-amine material having an Mw from about 500 to about 1×106, a total pore volume from about 0.2 cc/g to about 2.0 cc/g, and a CO2 adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles CO2 per gram of crosslinked material, and/or linear epoxy-amine material having an Mw from about 160 to about 1×106, a total pore volume from about 0.2 cc/g to about 2.0 cc/g, and a CO2 adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles CO2 per gram of linear material. This disclosure also involves processes for preparing the crosslinked epoxy-amine materials and linear epoxy-amine materials, as well as selective removal of CO2 and/or other acid gases from a gaseous stream using the epoxy-amine materials.
US08557024B2
An IGCC plant has a precombustion decarbonization unit in which acid gas is removed from a combustion gas before the combustion gas enters a combustion turbine. In one preferred configuration, a sulfur removal unit removes hydrogen sulfide from a feed gas before the desulfurized feed gas enters an autorefrigeration unit in which carbon dioxide is removed. In another preferred configuration, hydrogen sulfide is converted to carbonyl sulfide in a dryer, and the carbonyl sulfide is absorbed in the liquid carbon dioxide that is prepared from the feed gas using autorefrigeration.
US08557020B2
A compound represented by General Formula (1) below, where R denotes a C1-C10 hydrocarbon group, Z denotes any one of a sulfide group, a sulfinyl group and a sulfonyl group, and n denotes an integer of 4 to 8 is described. A method for extracting metals and a metal recovery method using a metal extractant comprising the compound represented by General Formula (1) are also described.
US08557010B2
Fused particles containing, by weight percent: more than 15% but less than 55% of Al2O3; more than 20% but less than 45% of TiO2; more than 3% but less than 30% of SiO2; less than 20%, in total, of at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Ce2O3, and HfO2; less than 1% of MgO; and more than 1% but less than 15%, in total, of at least one selected from the group consisting of CaO, Na2O, K2O, SrO, B2O3, and BaO. Also, a ceramic product or material obtained by sintering the fused particles.
US08557009B2
A method of manufacturing a ceramic diesel particle filter (DPF) and a DPF manufactured by the method, the DPF having a ceramic filter body (1) including gas channels (18, 18′) with planar and porous filter segments (3), which are provided for the exhaust gas stream (2) to flow through them transversely to the face of the filter segments (3). The filter body (1) is formed by sintering at least one ceramic-impregnated fiber web (4) in a firing step under heat such that fibers (5) of the fiber material are burned off and the ceramic material (6) is sintered together to form the porous filter segment (3) between its two surfaces (7, 8). At least one fiber web (4) is corrugated to form the gas channels (18, 18′) and rolled up to form the filter body (1), and the cross section of at least a portion of the gas channels (18, 18′) changes from an inlet end (33) to a discharge end (34).
US08557005B2
The present invention provides a polyurethane foam, which, despite having a low specific gravity, has a hardness and an elasticity favorable for a polishing pad, and a polishing pad made using the polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam is obtained by reacting a blend composition containing (A) a polyisocyanate, (B) a polyol, (C) a chain extender with a molecular weight of equal to or smaller than 400, and (D) water, and in the blend composition, MDI is blended as a main component of the component (A) and a blending amount of the MDI is 45 to 70 parts by weight when a total weight of the respective components (A), (B), and (C) is taken as 100 parts by weight.
US08557004B2
A method for dewatering water-containing coal which includes heating the water-containing coal at a temperature of 100 to 350° C. under a pressure not less than a saturated steam pressure at the temperature for the heating, while applying a shearing force of 0.01 to 20 MPa to the coal, in a sealed vessel. The method is novel and allows the production of dewatered coal which is inhibited from reabsorbing water after dewatering and is also inhibited from absorbing oxygen after dewatering.
US08556992B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions of lightening the color of hair that has been recently contacted with a relaxing or straightening composition, the method comprising combining a bleach composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, their salts and mixtures thereof, and at least one rheology-modifying agent, with a developer composition comprising hydrogen peroxide and a cosmetically acceptable carrier in order to form a lightening composition, wherein the pH of the lightening composition is from about 2 to about 7; applying the lightening composition onto the hair; leaving the lightening composition on the hair for a time period sufficient to achieve an increase of 1 to 4 in the tone height of the hair; and rinsing the hair with water.
US08556990B2
Systems, methods and devices usable in the repair of a bone defect are described. A portion of a bone defect is covered with a multilayered membrane that includes a reinforcing layer. A member of the reinforcing member is fastened to an area of bone and soft tissue is secured about the membrane. The membrane facilitates healing of the defect. One membrane comprises a plurality of layers that includes a binding layer and a PTFE layer which has a textured surface and a substantially smooth surface. The textured surface provides a top surface of the membrane and the substantially smooth surface contacts bone.
US08556989B2
A medical barrier includes a sheet of unsintered substantially unexpanded hydrophilic polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) polymer material. A PTFE polymer material is described that has a density in a range of about 1.2 gm/cc to about 2.3 gm/cc, and preferably in the range of about 1.45 gm/cc to about 1.55 gm/cc, and having at least one textured surface. In accordance with one embodiment, the sheet has one textured surface and one substantially smooth surface, and has substantially uniform strength in all directions.
US08556988B2
A space in a muscle wall such as the inguinal canal is dilated to break up fibrotic bands by divulsion. While the space is dilated a dynamic plug is advanced into it, with the plug expanding and contracting with the space. Shields may be placed against opposite sides of the wall surrounding the space.
US08556981B2
An implant having a porous tissue ingrowth structure and a bearing support structure is disclosed. The implant includes a metal insert having a bone ingrowth structure, an intermediate structure and a bearing support structure. A bearing surface is formed from a polymer material and attached to the bearing support structure. The intermediate structure has a porosity sufficient to inhibit the polymer material from translating through the bearing support structure to the bone ingrowth structure.
US08556979B2
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US08556977B2
A method for securing an implant to tissue of a patient using a fixation apparatus and a delivery apparatus releasably carrying the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus includes first and second anchors and an adjustable band connecting the anchors. The band includes a cinch line and a tether connected to one of the anchors. The delivery apparatus includes a body, a tubular shaft, a displacement rod within the tubular shaft, and an actuator. The method comprises positioning the implant in proximity to the tissue, deploying the anchors into or through the tissue, and applying tension to the cinch line to foreshorten the adjustable band and secure the implant to the tissue with at least a portion of the implant positioned between the band and the tissue.
US08556976B2
There is described an instrument set for use in spinal surgery that includes as elements a spinal body spacer, a placement tool, and an extraction tool. The spinal body spacer has a threaded opening and keyways connected to the threaded opening. The spacer may have an outer face positioned around the opening and the placement tool may have a contact face that comes into contact with the outer face when the placement tool is fully connected with the spacer. The extraction tool has a tip configured to pass through the opening of the spacer.
