US08630473B2
A method for suppressing noise in a diagnostic 3-D image, executed at least in part on a logic processor, captures, at each of a number of projection angles, 2-D image projection data, wherein each 2-D image projection has a central pixel and arranges the 2-D image projection data to form a 3-D data set. Each of the 2-D image projections is processed by performing a diffusion filtering process that obtains a homogeneity value for the 3-D data set, generates a diffusion conductance function according to an intensity gradient between adjacent digital image elements, and applies the diffusion filtering process to digital image elements according to the obtained homogeneity value, the generated diffusion conductance function, and a weighting value that relates to the distance of each pixel in the projection from the central pixel. The diagnostic 3-D image is reconstructed from the processed 2-D image projections.
US08630469B2
An abnormal skin area calculating system and a calculating method thereof are provided. The system includes an image capture module, a database, a skin analysis module, and a numerical calculation module. The database pre-stores at least one abnormal skin analysis data. The skin analysis module analyzes and marks an abnormal skin area in a skin image by using the skin analysis data. The numerical calculation module calculates a pixel area of the abnormal skin area graph, and calculates an actual skin area of a human body corresponding to the abnormal skin area graph with an area calibration parameter. The area calibration parameter is pre-stored in the database, or is generated by the numerical calculation module in calculating a transformation relation between a presented calibration length unit and a pixel distance unit according to a calibration object graph in the skin image.
US08630465B2
A method of obtaining an image of buried structures in an object, comprising: providing a camera for imaging visual and infrared-images; providing a bounded light source; partly irradiating said object by said bounded light source; imaging a non-irradiated area of said object by said camera to image said buried structure; and combining said buried structure image with a visual image of said object. Accordingly an image can be obtained while discarding specular reflections of the object. Additionally there is disclosed a method of enhancing imaging of buried structures in an object, comprising: aligning said infrared light source with a visual light source; providing a first edge analysis of said infrared image; providing a second edge analysis of said visual image; comparing said first and second edge analysis; and discarding edges in said infrared image that are also detected in said second image.
US08630463B2
Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area may be identified using one or more physical locate marks. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area comprising the dig area is received and processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more digital representations of the physical locate mark(s) applied to the dig area during the locate operation are added to the displayed input image(s) as “locate mark indicators” so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.
US08630447B2
A flaw detection image analyzer (10) takes in an inspection procedure command stored in a flaw detection condition database (40), takes in a flaw detection image signal corresponding to a flaw detection image indicated by the taken inspection procedure command from a database (50) for flaw detection image signal, and displays the flaw detection image based on the flaw detection image signal on a display (30), with a display range and a contrast indicated by the inspection procedure command in an arrangement pattern of image indicated by the inspection procedure command. Consequently, optimum images can be displayed sequentially with optimum arrangement pattern, optimum display range and contrast according to a flaw to be inspected when a flaw is detected by observing an ultrasonic flaw detection image.
US08630439B2
An acoustic conversion device includes: a driving unit including magnets, a yoke, a coil, a vibrating portion, and an armature fixed to the yoke; a diaphragm unit including a holding frame fixed to the driving unit, with one face as a first-joint face jointed to the driving unit, and the other face as a second-joint face, a resin film adhered to the holding frame, a diaphragm held on the holding frame, and a beam portion propagating vibration from the vibrating portion to the diaphragm; and a storage unit including a case body for storing the driving unit and diaphragm unit; with the driving unit and diaphragm unit being stored in the case body, the case body being pressed against and deforming a sealing agent loaded in the second-joint face, from a side facing the second-joint face, thereby sealing each gap between the case body, cover body, and holding frame.
US08630438B2
A loudspeaker mounting assembly for mounting a loudspeaker in an isolated relation to a structure includes an enclosure and a plurality of interface elements composed of a vibration-damping material. The enclosure has an interior for receiving the loudspeaker and includes at least two spaced-apart support members. Each of the at least two support members includes a support member outer surface and an inner surface extending from the support member outer surface into the support member. The inner surface defines a support member bore. Each interface element includes an interface element outer surface. Each interface element is disposed in a corresponding one of the support member bores and at least partially extends out from the respective support member outer surface, where each interface element outer surface contacts the respective inner surface of the support member.
US08630436B2
An ear unit for stably fitting in an ear includes a first surface facing inwardly toward the ear, a second, opposite surface facing outwardly from the ear and an outer circumferential surface formed between the first and second surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is shaped as a decremental curve. The distance between the ends of the decremental curve is approximately equal to the distance between a first cavity formed under the tragus of the ear and second cavity covered by the lower node of the antihelix of the ear. The first surface is provided with a curvature that provides a contact surface that substantially conforms to the concha, providing an improved attachment, thereby enabling the ear unit to fit closely against the concha when the ear unit is positioned into the ear.
US08630435B2
Apparatus for compensating for pressure changes in an acoustic transducer system includes a skeleton member having a predetermined configuration and adsorbent material having a regular structure and being supported on the skeleton member. The apparatus may include a plurality of members, each of the plurality of members having a plurality of hollows formed therein, at least one main surface of each of the plurality of members substantially facing and spaced apart from a main surface of an adjacent one of the plurality of members, and the adsorbent material may be provided within each of the plurality of hollows.
US08630429B2
A microphone system including an audio sensor with a first electrode and a second electrode. A voltage source is coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A high-impedance bias network is coupled between the voltage source and the first electrode of the audio sensor. Additional electronics operate based on a state of the first electrode of the electromechanical device. A feedback system is configured to maintain an electrical potential across the high-impedance bias network at approximately zero volts. Maintaining the electrical potential across the high-impedance bias network at approximately zero volts reduces the tendency of electrostatic pull-in occurring.
US08630426B2
A method for reducing howling in a communication system containing collocated mobile devices is presented. In a transmitter, an audio signal is received at a microphone. Acoustic feedback is removed from the audio signal and the resulting signal is encoded and transmitted either using direct or trunked mode operation to a receiver. The encoded signal is decoded at the transmitter, in addition to at the receiver, and fed back to an echo canceller with sufficient delay to account for substantially the entirety of a loop delay from encoding of the audio signal to reception of the acoustic feedback at the microphone to enable removal of the acoustic feedback. An estimate of the acoustic feedback is used to initially remove the acoustic feedback, the error being fed back to the processor to adaptively change the signal being subtracted from the audio signal to better reduce the acoustic feedback.
US08630423B1
A method for testing a speaker (212) and microphone (216) of a communication device (110) is provided. The method includes playing a first audio signal through the speaker (212) and determining whether the first audio signal is audible. If the first audio signal is audible, the communication device (110) receives a second audio signal through its microphone (216) and plays the second audio signal through the speaker (212). If the second audio signal is audible the method determines that the microphone (216) is properly functioning. Such a method allows the communication device (110) to be quickly and easily tested.
US08630422B2
A method includes encrypting information in accordance with an encryption scheme that uses a public key; encrypting a plurality of instances of a secret key, each being encrypted using at least one additional instance of the public key; sending the encrypted information and the plurality of encrypted instances of the secret key to a destination; receiving an encrypted result from the destination; and decrypting the encrypted result. A further method includes receiving a plurality of encrypted secret keys and information descriptive of a function to be performed on data; converting the information to a circuit configured to perform the function on the data; and applying the data to inputs of the circuit and evaluating the data using, in turn, the plurality of encrypted secret keys.
US08630421B2
A system for securely storing application keys is comprised of a database system, a peripheral hardware security module and cryptographic keys, wherein cryptographic keys comprise application keys, intermediate keys and a master key. Application keys are grouped according to characteristic and are associated with a particular intermediate key, which is utilized to scramble and descramble application keys within the associated group. Intermediate keys are associated with the master key, which is utilized to scramble and descramble the intermediate keys. Scrambling and descrambling of keys is performed within the peripheral hardware security module.
US08630417B2
A method of operating by a second processing unit a content recorded by a first processing unit, said first and second processing units having a specific key being managed by a central server. The processing units have access to a removable storage memory intended to record a content ciphered by a content key accompanied by a file associated to the content. The content key is produced by means of a cascaded deciphering starting from the specific key of the first unit of at least two constants provided by the central server and a variable. The content is restored by the second processing unit by means of a cascaded deciphering starting from the specific key of the second unit by using the constants and the variable stored in the file accompanying the content and a transcoding key calculated by the central server.
US08630398B2
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for receiving, at a server system of a social network and from a telephone service provider, information identifying members of a preferred calling group for a first user that is associated with the telephone provider. The sever system of the social network identifies the first user as a member of the social network. The server system of the social network identifies one or more of the members of the preferred calling group as being one or more members of the social network. The server system of the social network automatically defines a social network group that includes the one or more members of the preferred calling group who are members of the social network.
US08630394B2
Methods, systems, and products provide communications services. A communication is received from an address, and a database of text messages is queried for the address. A text message associated with the address is retrieved and sent in response to the communication.
US08630393B2
A facility for blocking telephone calls is described. The facility is implemented by a telecommunications system that manages assigned and unassigned telephone numbers. The facility determines that a call originator has made two telephone calls to two different unassigned telephone numbers. The facility adds the call originator to a blacklist for a default time period. If the call originator calls any managed telephone number during the default time period, the facility renews the default time period. After the default time period expires, if the call originator makes additional telephone calls to other unassigned telephone numbers, the facility adds the call originator to the blacklist for a time period that is increased from the default time period. The facility increases the time period with each additional call to an unassigned telephone number. Accordingly, the time period is a function of the number of unassigned telephone numbers called by the call originator.
US08630388B2
Embodiments provide method and systems for determining or measuring objective eye alignment in an external-coordinate system so as to define a reference axis. Additional embodiments provide a method and system of aligning an objectively determined reference axis of the eye in a selected relationship to a therapeutic axis of an ophthalmic therapeutic apparatus and/or a diagnostic axis of an ophthalmic diagnostic apparatus. Embodiments provide a method and system for planning an ophthalmic treatment procedure based on objective eye alignment in an external-coordinate system so as to define a reference axis of an eye to be treated. The reference axis may be used to position a therapeutic energy component, for example, an orthovoltage X-ray treatment device, e.g., positioned to provide treatment to tissue on the retina, such as the macula.
US08630383B2
The present invention relates to a communication system and method for transmitting sync flags and pilot symbols during sync symbol periods. Example embodiments provide a method for sharing sync symbols to communicate flag sequences and pilot sequences during a sequence of sync symbol periods. The method includes modulating the pilot sequence by multiplying a pilot code by each value of the pilot sequence, and modulating the flag sequence by multiplying a flag code by each value of the flag sequence. The pilot and flag codes are mutually orthogonal to each other and each includes at least two non-zero values. The method further includes generating a resulting sync symbol sequence based on the modulated pilot sequence and modulated flag sequence, and sending the resulting sync symbol sequence during the sync symbol period.
US08630382B2
Embodiments of data recovery apparatus include oscillators, edge detection circuitry, and data storage. The oscillators generate data detection signals, which convey first series of pulses during time periods for which a serial bit stream conveys a logical 1, and second series of pulses during time periods for which the serial bit stream conveys a logical 0. The edge detection circuitry detects transition edges of the first and second series of pulses, and generates data storage signals that include first indications of detected transition edges in the first series of pulses and second indications of detected transition edges in the second series of pulses. In response to receiving a first indication, a logical 1 is written into an unmasked subset of data storage bit locations. In response to receiving a second indication, a logical 0 is written into the unmasked subset of bit locations.
US08630380B2
To improve the degree of removal of unwanted component signals with a small area while eliminating the need for a high-frequency signal source. IF band simulated image signals IM-I, IM-Q output from an IF band simulated image signal generating unit (12) are input to a quadrature mixer (14) through a path switch (13). The signals IM-I and IM-Q which are fed through and output from the quadrature mixer (14) are output from a complex filter (16), and the amplitudes of the signals IM-I and IM-Q are detected by an amplitude detecting unit (17). Based on the detected amplitudes, an element value control unit (18) controls element values of constituent elements of the complex filter (16) so as to decrease the amplitudes.
US08630376B1
Cophasing angles for a plurality of antennas are received from a hardware device by one or more processors separate from the hardware device. When steering vector feedback is to be transmitted, the one or more processors generate the steering vector feedback based on the cophasing angles. When explicit channel state information (CSI) feedback is to be transmitted, the one or more processors generate the explicit CSI feedback using the cophasing angles.
US08630372B2
Teachings presented herein offer a technique for using a demodulator to improve a demodulation process. For example, a demodulation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a multi-stage demodulator and may include: a demodulator configured to receive a baseband signal and configured to produce modem bit likelihood values based on the received baseband signal; a decoder configured to receive and process the modem bit likelihood values to produce improved modem bit likelihood values; a candidate value generator configured to produce, based on the improved modem bit likelihood values, candidate symbol values for a group of one or more symbols; and a detector configured to receive the baseband signal and the candidate symbol values and configured to produce one of (a) final modem bit estimates and (b) candidate symbol values for a group of symbols.
US08630370B2
An apparatus and a method for increasing Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) performance representing quality of transmission signal are provided. The apparatus and the method suppress an image frequency component generated due to mismatch of IQ channels in order to transmit/receive a large amount of data without distortion in 4th generation wireless communication standard candidate technologies such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and a mobile WiMax system. The apparatus includes a LOcal frequency (LO) buffer including an amplifier. The LO buffer controls the gain and the phase of the amplifier using a control bit for controlling resistor connection.
US08630369B2
An emphasis circuit includes: an applying circuit to add an emphasis signal to an input differential signal; a feedback path to feed back a differential output of the applying unit; a comparing circuit to compare a direct current component level of a positive phase signal and of a negative phase signal of the differential signal; a direct current component level controlling circuit to control a direct current component level of at least one of the positive phase signal and the negative phase signal; a delay unit circuit to add a delay to at least one of the fed-backed differential signal to generate the emphasis signal and inputs the emphasis signal into the applying unit; and a dummy load coupled to a positive phase signal output or a negative phase signal output of the applying unit.
US08630362B1
This invention discloses a new Co-State Maximum A-Posterior (MAP) trellis algorithm for implementing Quadrature Layered Modulation (QLM) demodulation over multiple layered channels. This MAP trellis algorithm has been demonstrated to provide performance which is at least as good as the current Maximum Likelihood (ML) trellis algorithm and to support a considerable reduction in the number of trellis paths to reduce the computational complexity. Computational complexity prevents ML trellis demodulation of higher order data symbol metrics over multiple layered channels since there is no viable means to support fewer trellis paths. MAP algorithms for reduction of trellis paths are disclosed for data symbol waveforms representative of OFDM, SC-OFDM, satellite, media, wire, and optical communications. QLM waveforms have mainlobes in time/frequency approximating square pulse mainlobes and have sidelobes which are relatively low to facilitate using iterative MAP trellis algorithms which include both mainlobes and sidelobes.
US08630361B2
An apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a bearing. The apparatus may comprise: a first transformer configured to transform a first signal formed from a set of multiple orthogonal subcarriers and received via a first path, from a time domain to a frequency domain and produce for each of a plurality of the multiple orthogonal subcarriers a respective first coefficient; a second transformer configured to transform a second signal formed from the set of multiple orthogonal subcarriers and received via a second path, different from the first path, from a time domain to a frequency domain and produce for each of a plurality of the multiple orthogonal subcarriers a respective second coefficient; and processing circuitry configured to process the plurality of first coefficients and the plurality of second coefficients to determine a bearing for the apparatus.
US08630352B2
Provided is a scalable video encoding method and apparatus, in which in adaptive reference fine grain scalability (AR-FGS) of scalable video coding, a weight value that is greater than a previous weight value provided for each slice overrides the previous weight value in order to generate a reference block for a enhancement layer when a macroblock mode of a base layer is a skip mode.
US08630351B2
Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding a motion vector. The method of encoding a motion vector includes: selecting a mode from among a first mode in which information indicating a motion vector predictor of at least one motion vector predictor is encoded and a second mode in which information indicating generation of a motion vector predictor based on pixels included in a previously encoded area adjacent to a current block is encoded; determining a motion vector predictor of the current block according to the selected mode and encoding information about the motion vector predictor of the current block; and encoding a difference vector between a motion vector of the current block and the motion vector predictor of the current block.
US08630349B2
In the method of determining motion vectors for a bi-predictive image block, reference index information from a co-located image block for the bi-predictive image block is obtained. The motion vectors of the bi-predictive image block are determined based on a type of reference picture referred to by the reference index information.
US08630348B2
According to one embodiment of the method of determining a motion vector of a current image block at least a first motion vector of a current image block is determined based on a kind of reference buffer storing a reference picture referenced by a co-located image block. For example, in one embodiment of the method, a first motion vector of the current image block may be set equal to a motion vector of the co-located image block and a second motion vector of the current image block may be set equal to zero if the reference buffer is a kind of buffer storing a long-term reference picture.
US08630344B2
A method of decoding a video signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining identification information indicating whether a coded picture of a current NAL unit is an inter-view picture group, obtaining interview reference information of the inter-view picture group, and constructing a reference picture list for inter-view prediction using the inter-view reference information according to the identification information, wherein the inter-view reference information includes view identification information of an inter-view reference picture.
US08630337B2
A method for demodulating a modulated signal, by: receiving a signal modulated in n-PSK or n-APSK comprising a succession of symbols organized in frames, each frame comprising a header followed by blocks of data symbols separated by blocks of pilot symbols, determining the phase of the headers and pilot blocks to predict the evolution of the signal phase, correcting the phase of the data symbols according to the evolution of the signal phase, and equalizing the data symbols corrected in phase using equalization coefficients evaluated thanks to estimated or known symbols of the signal, and pre-equalizing the header, pilot and data symbols, which is performed before determining the phase of the headers and pilot blocks, and using the estimated equalization coefficients to equalize the data symbols.
US08630333B2
A wireless communication system noncollaborative, multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) space division multiple access (SDMA) system determines subscriber station combining and weighting vectors that yield a high average signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Each subscriber station independently transmits information to a base station that allows the base station to determine a weight vector wi for each subscriber station using the determined combining vector of the subscriber station. The ith combining vector corresponds to a right singular vector corresponding to a maximum singular value of a channel matrix between a base station and the ith subscriber station. Each subscriber station transmits signals using a weight vector vi, which corresponds to a left singular vector corresponding to a maximum singular value of a channel matrix between the ith subscriber station and the base station. The base station uses the weight vector wi to determine the signal transmitted by the ith subscriber station.
US08630328B2
A melting furnace including a sealed container containing an inert gas atmosphere, a crucible that is located inside the sealed container and melts a raw material by induction heating, and a crucible cooling mechanism. The crucible cooling mechanism includes a pipe portion that includes an intake that communicates with the sealed container and enables the inert gas to be discharged from the sealed container, and an outlet that enables the inert gas to be introduced into the sealed container, a heat exchange portion that is located partway along the pipe portion, and a gas transporting portion that is located partway along the pipe portion.
US08630326B2
A hybrid integrated optical device includes a substrate comprising a silicon layer and a compound semiconductor device bonded to the silicon layer. The device also includes a bonding region disposed between the silicon layer and the compound semiconductor device. The bonding region includes a metal-semiconductor bond at a first portion of the bonding region. The metal-semiconductor bond includes a first pad bonded to the silicon layer, a bonding metal bonded to the first pad, and a second pad bonded to the bonding metal and the compound semiconductor device. The bonding region also includes an interface assisted bond at a second portion of the bonding region. The interface assisted bond includes an interface layer positioned between the silicon layer and the compound semiconductor device, wherein the interface assisted bond provides an ohmic contact between the silicon layer and the compound semiconductor device.
US08630325B2
A manufacturing method for manufacturing a surface-emitting laser device includes the steps of forming a laminated body in which a lower reflecting mirror, a resonator structure including an active layer, and an upper reflecting layer having a selective oxidized layer are laminated on a substrate; etching the laminated body to form a mesa structure having the selective oxidized layer exposed at side surfaces thereof; selectively oxidizing the selective oxidized layer from the side surfaces of the mesa structure to form a constriction structure in which a current passing region is surrounded by an oxide; forming a separating groove at a position away from the mesa structure; passivating an outermost front surface of at least a part of the laminated body exposed when the separating groove is formed; and coating a passivated part with a dielectric body.
US08630321B2
Methods and apparatuses for performing temporal scanning using ultra-short pulse width lasers in which only minimal (micro-scale) mechanical movement is required, and related methods for obtaining high-accuracy timing calibration, on the order of femtoseconds, are disclosed. A dual laser system is disclosed in which the cavity of one or more of the lasers is dithered using a piezoelectric element. A Fabry-Perot etalon generates a sequence of timing pulses used in conjunction with a laser beam produced by the laser having the dithered laser cavity. A correlator correlates a laser pulse from one of the lasers with the sequence of timing pulses to produce a calibrated time scale. The invention is applicable to applications requiring rapid scanning and time calibration, including metrology, characterization of charge dynamics in semiconductors, electro-optic testing of ultrafast electronic and optoelectronic devices, optical time domain reflectometry, and electro-optic sampling oscilloscopes.
US08630320B2
An apparatus for producing coherent pulsed light with a fiber-based master oscillator/fiber amplifier architecture includes a fiber-coupled mode-locked laser source. The fiber-coupled mode-locked laser source is configured to provide pulses having a pulse duration of less than 1 ns. The apparatus also includes a fiber-coupled amplitude modulator optically coupled to the fiber-coupled mode-locked laser source. The fiber-coupled amplitude modulator is capable of gate durations greater than 1 ns. The apparatus further includes a saturated fiber power amplifier optically coupled to the fiber-coupled amplitude modulator.
US08630303B2
A method and apparatus for preventing loops in a network with network devices operating a spanning tree protocol and network devices operating a link state routing protocol to prevent loops are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving from one of the network devices operating a link state protocol, a link state routing synchronization packet at a first network device in communication with one of the network devices operating the spanning tree protocol, blocking at the first network device, boundary ports in communication with the network devices operating the spanning tree protocol, transmitting a link state routing synchronization acknowledgement packet at the first network device after the boundary ports are blocked, and performing a loop-free topology convergence process at the first network device.
US08630302B2
A communications network is disclosed and includes a broadband communication line having a first derived voice channel and a second derived voice channel, wherein the first and second derived voice channels are established as a function of an available bandwidth associated with the broadband communication line. The communication network further includes a residential gateway in communication with the broadband communication line. The residential gateway includes a switch, a network interface device in communication with the switch, and wherein the switch is configured to select at least one of the first or second derived voice channels for voice communication over the broadband communication line as a function of the available bandwidth.
US08630301B2
A system and method to provide an emergency communication network including a first responder device and at least one recipient by using a local agency communication node configured to relay communications using, in part, a VoIP interface to retransmit a communication received at a local agency as a ham communication received by at least one ham radio communication node which may be sent to and received by one or more recipients though a VoIP interface over the Internet.
US08630293B2
A solar collector controller that can process solar field control commands can include a network interface that can receive a variable-length data packet with a collector controller. The collector controller can control one or more solar collectors. In addition, the variable-length data packet can include a header segment identifying a command to be performed by the collector controller and a data segment having one or more parameters associated with the command. The data segment can have a length that depends on a type of the command. Moreover, the solar collector controller can include a processor that can execute the command in response to receiving the data packet.
US08630279B2
An apparatus for generating a downlink signal and a cell search apparatus are disclosed. An apparatus for generating a downlink signal generates a downlink signal by one unique cell identification code group and a plurality of frame synchronization identification sequences, generates a downlink signal by a plurality of unique cell identification code groups and a plurality of frame synchronization identification sequences, or generates a downlink signal by a plurality of unique cell identification code groups and one frame synchronization identification sequence. A cell search apparatus obtains frame synchronization and identifies cells through a frame synchronization identification sequence and a unique cell identification code group.
US08630274B2
A method for guaranteeing a data frame transmit opportunity in a wireless LAN system having three different transmission modes includes: setting a first transmission protection interval based on a lowest transmission mode, when a node of a mode having a lowest transmission rate among the three transmission modes exists in the wireless LAN system, aggregating a data frame to be transmitted within time of the set transmission protection interval, and transmitting the data frame; and setting a second transmission protection interval based on a mode having a highest transmission rate, when only nodes of a mode having a highest transmission rate among the three transmission modes exist, aggregating a data frame to be transmitted within time of the set transmission protection interval, and transmitting the data frame.
US08630268B2
In a distributed antenna system in which plural antennas are dispersed spatially, a base station apparatus 102 collects the terminal throughput of the uplink and downlink communication, the number of simultaneous communication terminals, and the information on a radio propagation channel from a distributed antenna to a terminal antenna, and estimates the throughput in each communication mode from the number of simultaneous communication terminals and the radio propagation channel information, selects a communication mode by comparing the estimated throughput with a request value, connects the distributed antenna and the base station apparatus 102 in an antenna connection pattern in the selected communication mode, and switches the communication mode between the base station device and the terminal to continue the communication, when the terminal throughput is below the request value, or above the request value plus a certain threshold value.
US08630261B2
A notification unit conveys a transmit timing of a signal to a target radio apparatus. A receiver receives the signal transmitted from the target radio apparatus with a neighborhood of the transmit timing conveyed. A demodulation unit derives a difference between the receive timing and an estimated timing. A determining unit determines a new transmit timing for the target radio apparatus, based on the difference and outputs the new transmit timing determined to the notification unit. When a state in which the receive timing lags the estimated receive timing occurs more than a predetermined frequency, the determining unit instructs the target radio apparatus to start a handover.
US08630260B2
A communication system includes plural application servers; a first base station and a second base station; and a radio communication apparatus configured to use one of the application servers via the first base station, wherein, when the radio communication apparatus is handed over to the second base station, it is determined whether to switch the application server that the radio communication apparatus uses to another application server based on a communication quality of a communication path including the communication path between the second base station and the application server.
US08630238B2
An apparatus, system and method are provided for transmitting data from logical channel queues over a telecommunications link, each of the logical channel queues capable of being associated with quality of service attributes, the method including determining available resources for transmission over the telecommunications link in a frame; selecting one of the logical channel queues based on a first one of the quality of service attributes; packaging data from the selected one of the logical channel queues until one of: a second one of the quality of service attributes for the selected one of the logical channel queues is satisfied, the available resources are used, or the selected one of the logical channel queues is empty; and repeating the selecting step and the packaging step for remaining ones of the logical channel queues.
US08630235B2
In a method for the computer-aided classification of measurements for the featured-based positioning of a mobile object in a predetermined region, for which one or more starting regions are defined through which the mobile object can leave and enter the predetermined region, each measurement is specified by a time and features of several base stations. The measurements are classified based on the relative base stations positions and the base station features, wherein a respective first class measurement is categorized as a measurement in a mobile object position inside the predetermined region and a respective second class measurement is categorized as a potential measurement in a mobile object position outside of the predetermined region. Subsequently, for a respective second class measurement, the path of the mobile object is tracked to determine whether the respective measurement is located inside the predetermined region to be also assigned to the first class.
US08630234B2
A method of initiating a call to a callee using a mobile telephone involves: receiving, from a user of the mobile telephone, a callee identifier associated with the callee; transmitting an access code request message to an access server, said access code request message including said callee identifier; receiving an access code reply message from the access server in response to said access code request message, said access code reply message including an access code different from said callee identifier and associated with said callee identifier; and initiating a call with the mobile telephone using said access code to identify the callee.
US08630229B2
Base station and method for reducing asynchronous interference in a multi-tier OFDMA overlay network
Embodiments of a base station and method for reducing asynchronous interference in a multi-tier OFDMA overlay network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a lower-tier base station is configured to adjust OFDMA frame boundaries to cause frames communicated by a higher-tier to arrive within a cyclic prefix at the lower-tier base station. The lower-tier base station may also be configured to adjust OFDMA frame boundaries to cause frames communicated by a lower-tier of the network to arrive within a cyclic prefix at a higher-tier mobile station. Accordingly, frames from one tier may arrive within the cyclic prefix of another thereby reducing asynchronous interference.
US08630227B2
The invention relates to a method for retransmitting data packets in a network. Further, the invention relates to an adapted system for performing the method. To improve the robustness in the transmission of an acknowledgment message by a mobile terminal to the network, while minimizing a signaling overhead, the invention provides mechanisms that optimize the retransmission of data packets and manage acknowledgement messages. The mechanisms disclosed are particular applicable to heterogeneous radio access networks.
US08630217B2
A wireless communications terminal includes: an RF wake-up detection unit detecting a first RF signal including an RF ID for waking up; and a wireless communications unit waking up when the RF ID included in the first RF signal detected by the RF wake-up detection unit matches a pre-set reference ID in a sleep mode.
US08630216B2
A method to read selectively system information messages in a mobile wireless communication device. The mobile wireless device receives a first transmission of a multiple segment message through a radio frequency receiver. The mobile wireless device detects decoding errors in at least one of the received segments of the first transmission. In response to detecting decoding errors, the mobile wireless device selectively receives a first subset of segments in a second transmission of the multiple segment message. The mobile wireless device powers down at least a portion of the radio frequency receiver during receive time intervals for a second subset of segments in the second transmission. The first subset of segments in the second transmission corresponds to segments in the first transmission received with decoding errors. The second subset of segments in the second transmission corresponds to segments in the first transmission received without decoding errors.
US08630214B2
A method according to an embodiment of the invention includes receiving and transmitting signals over a time division duplex (TDD) communication path. Signals are received over the TDD communication path via a first portion of a first frequency band. The first frequency band is adjacent to a second frequency band and to a third frequency band. The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band and from the third frequency band. A first frequency division duplex (FDD) communication path can be operable in the second frequency band. A second FDD communication path can be operable in the third frequency band. Signals are transmitted over the TDD communication path via a second portion of the first frequency band that is different from the first portion of the first frequency band.
US08630212B2
A data transmitter for a wireless communication system is provided. Said apparatus comprises an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbol generating part that generates a plurality of OFDM symbols, a frame configuration part that configures a frame comprising includes said plurality of OFDM symbols, and a transmission part that transmits said plurality of OFDM symbols based on said frame that has been configured. Said frame is divided into a plurality of sub-frames, the number of OFDM symbols that are included in an optional sub-frame is any one of 5, 6, and 7, and the bandwidth of said wireless communication system is 8.75 MHz. Based on a new frame configuration, new parameter requirements may be satisfied taking backward compatibility into account.
US08630206B2
A server judges whether a withdrawn terminal is included in a first communication group, wherein the withdrawn terminal is a terminal which is provided with sending permission in a second communication group and not provided with sending permission in the first communication group. The server sends a notice of withdrawal of the withdrawn terminal from the second communication group, when judged that the withdrawn terminal is included in the first communication group.
US08630201B2
There is provided a call control system, a call controller, a terminal device, and a call control method of this type, whereby a communication network to be used by a terminal device on the receiving side is determined in an efficient manner to allow communication promptly, in a communication where plural communication networks are selectively used. On receipt of a reception request from the terminal device 220 on the receiving side, call control signals are concurrently transmitted, each having a call identifier for identifying a call to the plurality of communication networks, respectively, estimated to be available to the terminal device on the receiving side, based upon the available network data held by the holding, and upon receipt of each of call responses to the call control signals concurrently transmitted, from each of the plurality of communication networks, a communication network to be used by the terminal device on the receiving side is determined based upon call control condition information representing a condition relating to the call control and communication resource information included in a single call response received in a relatively early order.
US08630200B2
A uniform resource locator (URL) encoding system and method are provided for embedding message information in a compressed URL includes associating a link identifier with a first URL, the first URL identifying a target web page. A message identifier representative of at least one message parameter is generated and the link identifier and the message identifier are combined using a reversible pairing function to generate a first combined identifier, the first combined identifier in a first base number system. The first combined identifier is converted to a second combined identifier in a second base number system which is greater than the first base number system. The second URL is generated using the second combined identifier.
US08630192B2
A device, comprising: an access-network modem enabling the device to communicate with a network system over a wireless access network; a local-area-network modem enabling the device to communicate with one or more other devices, including a particular device, over a local-area network; and one or more processors coupled to the access-network modem and to the local-area-network modem, the one or more processors capable of executing one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to cause or at least assist the device to provide a forwarding service to the particular device, the forwarding service for forwarding traffic between the particular device and the network system, and cause or at least assist the device to provide information associated with the forwarding service to the particular device, the information at least for assisting in control of usage of the forwarding service by the particular device.
US08630191B2
The present invention is directed to a method and system for broadcasting a message to selected devices. More specifically, the method and system identifies appropriate VoIP devices of a recipient client suitable for a broadcast message and transmits the broadcast message to the identified appropriate VoIP devices over a digital communication channel. The appropriate VoIP devices are selected in accordance with various constraints of broadcasting such as recipient client's preference, functionality and capability of the recipient VoIP device, broadcaster's bandwidth, a set of broadcasting rules, or the like. In order to identify appropriate VoIP devices or a recipient client, the information relating to the recipient client and VoIP devices may be exchanged using the digital communication channel.
US08630190B2
A method and apparatus to analyze real-time data transmissions across a network is described. The method may comprise transmitting a sample data stream between source and destination endpoints across a test data path which includes network devices. The method may then compare a measured quality of the received sample data stream with pre-defined quality criteria associated with the network. If the measured quality fails to meet the pre-defined quality criteria, the network devices in the test data path may be identified, device performance data may be obtained, and a network report may be generated based on the device performance data. The device performance data may comprise processor utilization, memory utilization, bandwidth over subscription, buffer over run, and/or a number of non-error packets that are discarded at the network device.
US08630188B2
A device detects a signal condition for a link aggregation group (LAG) link, compares the detected signal condition to a signal threshold range, and enables one of a disabled state or a disabled timer state for the LAG link if the detected signal condition is outside the signal threshold range.
US08630179B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus used to identify how long a packet associated with a CPE device can be delayed based upon information associated with the CPE device and/or the stream. In some examples, during periods of high volume, packets associated with a recipient device and/or the stream can be delayed based upon identification of an acceptable latency.
US08630177B2
In one embodiment, traffic flows through a root node of a primary directed acyclic graph (DAG) in a computer network are monitored to detect whether a particular traffic flow is above a path cost threshold. If so, then a corresponding source device may be instructed to cease using the primary DAG for the particular traffic flow, and specific action may be taken based on whether the particular traffic flow is point-to-point (P2P) or point-to-multipoint (P2MP). In particular, in response to the particular traffic flow being P2P, a source route may be computed and sent to the source device to cause the source device to use the source route for the particular traffic flow, while in response to the particular traffic flow being P2MP, the source device may be instructed to create a secondary DAG for the particular traffic flow with the source device as the secondary DAG root.
US08630166B2
A ring network with plural network relay devices connected in a ring shape includes first and second control ports to be transitioned into either a forwarding state that permits relaying information, or a blocking state that prohibits relaying information; and a ring protocol control unit for transmitting connection confirmation information indicative of communications being possible between the first and the second control port, from the first to the second control port, and from the second to the first control port at a predetermined time interval, or for, in the event that the first or the second control port does not receive the connection confirmation information from the second or the first control port, transmitting failure information indicative of communications being not possible between the first and the second control port, from the first to the second control port, or from the second to the first control port. The ring protocol control unit transitions the first control port into the blocking state when the first control port receives the failure information, or into the forwarding state when the first control port transmits the failure information. The ring protocol control unit transitions the second control port into the blocking state when the second control port receives the failure information, or into the forwarding state when the second control port transmits the failure information.
US08630165B2
A method is provided for establishing a reliable communication channel between an encapsulation node and a cluster of decapsulation nodes across a communication network. The method is implemented at the encapsulation node and comprises the following steps. A primary session is initialized with a primary decapsulation node in the cluster of decapsulation nodes during which an assigned address is received. A redundant session is initialized with a redundant decapsulation node in the cluster of decapsulation nodes. Data is transmitted to and received from the decapsulation node until a failure is detected. Once the failure is detected, data is transmitted to and received from the redundant decapsulation node instead of the primary decapsulation node.
US08630162B2
Fast flooding based fast convergence to recover from a network failure. A router detects a network failure, and responsive to that failure, transmits a fast failure notification message to a set of one or more routers. The fast failure notification message includes information that identifies the network failure and also indicates that the fast failure notification message is to be flooded by the set of routers independently of convergence. The router updates a routing table to reflect the network failure. The transmission of the fast failure notification message is performed prior to completion of the routing table update to reflect the network failure.
US08630158B2
A method for reducing a number of input terminals of an APC circuit is provided, where the APC circuit is arranged to control an optical pickup unit (OPU) within an optical storage device. The method includes: utilizing at least one switching module to ground one of a first and a second input terminals of the APC circuit at a time; and utilizing the switching module to electrically connect an APC front end within the APC circuit to a non-grounded input terminal of the first and the second input terminals, in order to receive a detection signal of a photo diode of the OPU through the non-grounded input terminal at the time. An associated APC circuit is also provided.
US08630151B2
The receiver (1) is for receiving radio-synchronous signals for adjusting the time base of a timepiece. The receiver includes an antenna (2) for receiving radio-synchronous signals, a low noise amplifier (3), connected to the antenna, a frequency conversion unit (7) for converting the frequency of the filtered and amplified incoming signals from the amplifier, and a processing unit (8) receiving data signals (data_out) from the conversion unit for adjusting the time base. The conversion unit includes a local oscillator stage (10) with a quartz (12) for supplying oscillating signals (Sm) at a determined frequency, a mixer unit (4) for mixing the incoming signals with the oscillating signals from the oscillator stage to generate intermediate signals (IF), a bandpass filter (5) for filtering the intermediate signals (IF), and a demodulator (6) receiving the filtered intermediate signals and supplying the data signals. The local oscillator stage is configured automatically by a control signal (Cm) from the processing unit to adapt the frequency of the oscillating signals (Sm) in accordance with the incoming radio-synchronous signal frequency, so that the intermediate signal (IF) frequency is within the frequency band of the bandpass filter.
US08630141B2
Circuits and methods for providing refresh addresses and alternate refresh addresses to be refreshed
Circuits and refresh address circuits for providing a refresh address, and methods for refreshing memory cells. One such method includes refreshing a first plurality of memory cells and interrupting the refreshing of the first plurality of memory cells. A second plurality of memory cells is refreshed, at least one of the second plurality of memory cells the same as one of the first plurality of memory cells. Refreshing of the first plurality of memory cells is resumed following the refreshing of the second plurality of memory cells. One such refresh address circuit includes a refresh address counter configured to provide addresses to be refreshed and a refresh address interrupt circuit configured to interrupt the provision of addresses. An alternate refresh address circuit is configured to provide an alternate address and the refresh address counter resumes providing the addresses responsive to completing the refreshing of the alternate address.
US08630140B2
A method of setting a reference current of a nonvolatile memory device comprises measuring a noise characteristic of each of multiple reference cells, and selecting at least one of the reference cells as a reference cell for generating a reference current according to the measured noise characteristics.
US08630139B2
Disclosed is a memory array in which the lower of two supply voltages from two power supplies is dynamically selected for bitline pre-charge operations. In the memory array, a voltage comparator compares the first supply voltage on a first power supply rail to a second supply voltage on a second power supply rail and outputs a voltage difference signal. If the voltage difference signal has a first value indicating that the first supply voltage is equal to or less than the second supply voltage, than a control circuit ensures that the complementary bitlines connected to a memory cell are pre-charged to the first supply voltage. If the voltage difference signal has a second value indicating that the first supply voltage is greater than the second supply voltage, then the control circuit ensures that the complementary bitlines are pre-charged to the second supply voltage. Also disclosed is an associated method.
US08630134B2
A method of controlling a plurality of memory cells in a row. The method includes controlling a switching element using at least one write word line signal to raise a voltage of a node connected to the plurality of memory cells in the row when the plurality of memory cells in the row operate in a first mode. The method further includes controlling at least one transistor using the at least one write word line signal to connect the plurality of memory cells in the row to a reference voltage when the plurality of memory cells in the row operate in a second mode.
US08630130B2
A memory circuit includes a transistor having a channel in an oxide semiconductor layer, a capacitor, a first arithmetic circuit, a second arithmetic circuit, a third arithmetic circuit, and a switch. An output terminal of the first arithmetic circuit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the second arithmetic circuit. The input terminal of the second arithmetic circuit is electrically connected to an output terminal of the third arithmetic circuit via the switch. An output terminal of the second arithmetic circuit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the first arithmetic circuit. An input terminal of the first arithmetic circuit is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor. The other of the source and the drain of the transistor is electrically connected to one of a pair of electrodes of the capacitor and to an input terminal of the third arithmetic circuit.
US08630129B2
A semiconductor device is provided with a control circuit generating a plurality of first control signals indicating timings at which column switches conduct at the time of reading and a plurality of second control signals indicating timings at which the column switches conduct at the time of writing. The control circuit activates the plurality of first control signals such that timing at which the data read from each of memory cell arrays arrives at a FIFO circuit after reception of a read instruction from outside is the same in each bank and activates the plurality of second control signals such that the column switches match a timing at which write data input from outside to a first data input/output terminal arrives at the corresponding column switch.
US08630121B2
A system including a reference voltage module to generate one or more reference voltages used to determine states of a plurality of memory cells of a nonvolatile memory. The memory cells have a threshold voltage distribution. A divider module selects, in response to a change in the threshold voltage distribution, a voltage range within which to update one of the reference voltages, and divide the voltage range into a plurality of regions. A counting module counts a number of the memory cells having threshold voltages within each of the plurality of regions. An update module selects one of the plurality of regions having the threshold voltages of a smallest number of the memory cells, and updates the one of the reference voltages to a voltage value associated with the selected one of the plurality of regions to compensate for the change in the threshold voltage distribution.
US08630115B2
A non-volatile electronic memory device is integrated on a semiconductor and is of the Flash EEPROM type with a NAND architecture including at least one memory matrix divided into physical sectors, intended as smallest erasable units, and organized in rows or word lines and columns or bit lines of memory cells. At least one row or word line of a given physical sector is electrically connected to at least one row or word line of an adjacent physical sector to form a single logic sector being erasable, with the source terminals of the corresponding cells of the pair of connected rows referring to a same selection line of a source line.
US08630112B2
The present disclosure concerns a multilevel magnetic element comprising a first tunnel barrier layer between a soft ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that can be freely aligned and a first hard ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that is fixed at a first high temperature threshold and freely alignable at a first low temperature threshold. The magnetic element further comprises a second tunnel barrier layer and a second hard ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that is fixed at a second high temperature threshold and freely alignable at a first low temperature threshold; the soft ferromagnetic layer being comprised between the first and second tunnel barrier layers. The magnetic element disclosed herein allows for writing four distinct levels using only a single current line.
US08630106B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell unit, word lines, a driver circuit, and first transistors. The word lines are connected to the control gates of 0-th to N-th memory cells. The (N+1) number of first transistors transfer the voltage to the word lines respectively. Above one of the first transistors which transfers the voltage to an i-th (i is a natural number in the range of 0 to N) word line, M (M
US08630097B2
Disclosed herein are a power module using sintering die attach and a manufacturing method of the same. The power module includes: a substrate having an insulating layer formed on a surface of a metal plate; a circuit layer formed on the substrate and including a wiring pattern and an electrode pattern; a device mounted on the wiring pattern; a sintering die attach layer applying a metal paste between the wiring pattern and the device and sintering the metal paste to bond the wiring pattern to the device; and a lead frame electrically connecting the device to the electrode pattern, whereby making it possible to simplify and facilitate the process, increase electrical efficiency and improve radiation characteristics, and manufacture firm and reliable power module.
US08630093B2
A semiconductor device is provided with a power module capable of supplying an alternate current to a load, while a direct current is supplied from a battery to the power module for conversion into the alternate current, a cooling member capable of radiating heat generated by the power module, and a mounting member, integrally formed with a spring portion protruding in part therefrom and having elasticity, which allows the power module to be mounted on the cooling member under a state where one surface of the power module is caused to face the cooling member and the spring portion is pressed against the other surface of the power module in opposition to the one surface thereof.
US08630088B2
A portable computing device (PCD) docking station is disclosed and may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion coupled to the upper housing portion. A PCD docking pocket formed in the lower housing portion of the PCD docking station may be configured to removably receive a PCD. The PCD docking station may further include a keyboard incorporated into the lower housing portion, a display incorporated into the upper housing portion and a battery. The PCD docking station may be configured to allow access to a PCD via the keyboard when the PCD is docked with the PCD docking station.
US08630081B2
A ceramic electronic component includes a plurality of first reinforcement layers. The plurality of first reinforcement layers are arranged in a first outer layer portion so as to extend in the length direction and in the width direction, and are stacked in the thickness direction. The volume proportion of the plurality of first reinforcement layers in a region of the ceramic body in which the plurality of first reinforcement layers are provided is greater than the volume proportion of the first and second internal electrodes in an effective portion.
US08630079B2
Described are transport elements for dissipating electrostatic charge including at least two outer structural layers coupled in an overlapping arrangement. Some examples may include a transport element having an inner structural layer coupled to an inner surface of the at least two outer structural layers. Other examples may include an outer resin layer coupled to the outer surface of the at least two outer structural layers, wherein the outer resin layer comprises materials that display a distinctive appearance when viewed under an ultraviolet light. An electrical resistance per length of the outer structural layers, the inner structural layer, and/or the outer resin layer is about 105 to 109 Ω/meter.
US08630074B2
A triac circuit comprises a triac having first and second main terminals (MT1,MT2) and a gate terminal and a thyristor connected between one of the main terminals (MT1,MT2) and a control terminal of the triac circuit. The thyristor is used to prevent turn on of the triac when it has turned on by temperature induced leakage currents.
US08630072B2
A circuit includes an input terminal and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit includes a diode string formed from a plurality of P-N junction devices arranged in series. The diode string includes an input coupled to the input terminal and includes at least one output coupled to a power supply terminal. The circuit further includes a plurality of shunt elements. Each of the plurality of shunt elements includes a first terminal coupled to one of the plurality of P-N junction devices and a second terminal coupled to the power supply terminal. Each of the plurality of shunt elements is controllable to selectively couple the one of the plurality of P-N junction devices to the power supply terminal to distribute current flow across the diode string in response to an ESD event.
US08630063B2
A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer annular portion, and an upper opposing portion. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a lower thrust plate. A radial dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a radial gap. A lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a lower thrust gap. A lower seal portion is defined in a lower seal gap located between the sleeve portion and the lower outer annular portion. An upper seal portion is defined in an upper seal gap continuous with an upper thrust gap. The sleeve portion includes a first communicating channel in communication with the upper seal gap, and a second communicating channel located between the sleeve body and the lower thrust plate. A lower mouth portion of the first communicating channel axially overlaps the lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion.
US08630058B2
A magnetic tape apparatus performs at least one of data reading processing and data writing processing on LTO wound around a reel. The magnetic tape apparatus causes the reel to rotate and move the LTO to a position at which the data writing processing or the data reading processing can be performed by a magnetic head. The magnetic tape apparatus is arranged along the width direction of the magnetic tape of LTO, which is driven, to detect medium abnormality that occurred in either a start-end or a stop-end in the width direction of the magnetic tape.
US08630055B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting contact. For example, a method for detecting head contact is disclosed that includes: receiving an interface signal operable to indicate a physical contact between a sensing device and a storage medium; band pass filtering a data set derived from the interface signal to yield a band pass filtered output; comparing the band pass filtered output to a level threshold to yield a comparator output; summing the comparator output with at least one prior instance of the comparator output to yield an aggregated value; and comparing the aggregated value to an aggregate threshold to yield a contact output.
US08630054B2
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a data storage system that includes a disk and solid-state non-volatile memory (NVM). During a power failure, the data storage system may use back EMF (BEMF) voltage from the spindle motor of the disk to park the heads of the disk and/or store data in the NVM. In one embodiment, a demand regulation circuit regulates loads that use voltage generated from the BEMF. The demand regulation circuit may be used to selectively cause a controller to adjust the rate of programming to the NVM in order to reduce the load. For example, the demand regulation circuit may assert a throttle signal to the controller upon detecting that the voltage generated from the BEMF is below a certain threshold. Programming rate may be throttled, programming cycles may be staggered, and/or programming time may be lengthened. Throttling may enable the use of smaller circuitry.
US08630053B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is discussed that includes: a buffer circuit, an equalizer circuit, a data processing circuit, and a retry determination circuit. The buffer is operable to store digital samples as a buffered output, and the equalizer circuit is operable to equalize the buffered output using a first equalization target to yield a first equalized output, and to yield a second equalized output using a second equalization target. The retry determination circuit is operable to select the second equalization target based at least in part on an occurrence of an error.
US08630050B2
A micromechanical component is described having a component which has a moth-eye structure which covers at least a partial surface of the component. At least a portion of the partial surface, as a first contact surface, may contact a contact component of the micromechanical component on at least one second contact area of the contact component, which has a needle-shaped microstructure, the moth-eye structure of the first contact area and the needle-shaped microstructure of the second contact area being at least partially interlocked with one another. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the partial surface may be at least one partial area of an outer side and/or of an exposed inner side, facing the inner space, of the component configured as a light window. Also described is an optical device having such a micromechanical component, a manufacturing method for a micromechanical component, and a manufacturing method for an optical device.
US08630047B2
An imaging lens includes a first lens; a second lens; and a third lens. A curvature radius of an object-side surface and an image plane-side surface of the first lens is positive. The second lens is formed such that a curvature radius of an object-side surface is negative and a curvature radius of an image plane-side surface is positive. A curvature radius of an object-side surface and an image plane-side surface of the third lens is positive. When the first lens has a focal length f1, the second lens has a focal length f2, the third lens has a focal length f3, a composite focal length of the first lens and the second lens is f12, and a composite focal length of the second lens and the third lens is f23, the imaging lens satisfies the following expressions: f1<|f2| f1
US08630041B2
A data storage assembly is presented. The data storage assembly includes a bi-layered antireflective coating. An inner layer of the antireflective coating includes diamond like carbon. An outer layer is disposed over the inner layer.
US08630040B2
Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The optical display filters include a multi-layer stack that contains at least one organic layer. The filters have high visible light transmittance, low visible light reflection, and provide electromagnetic interference shielding.
US08630036B2
A laser system includes a seed laser operable to output a seed laser signal along an optical path and a phase modulator disposed along the optical path and operable to receive the seed laser signal. The laser system also includes a phase modulator driver coupled to the phase modulator. A drive signal from the phase modulator driver is operable to produce, as an output from the phase modulator, an unmodulated seed laser signal when the drive signal is associated with a first state and a modulated seed laser signal when the drive signal is associated with a second state. The laser system further includes a fiber amplifier disposed along the optical path and operable to receive the output of the phase modulator. A spectral bandwidth of an output of the fiber amplifier associated with the second state is less than a spectral bandwidth of the output of the fiber amplifier associated with the first state.
US08630024B2
A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged.
US08630008B2
A print device may include an inbound queue in communication with a cloud administration system via a firewall. The cloud administration system may operate as a shared resource for the print device. The print device may include a transmission module in communication with the cloud administration system, and a plurality of outbound queues. Each outbound queue may correspond to a print job type or a type of print device information. Each queue may be in communication with the transmission module. The cloud administration system may be located remotely from the print device.
US08630007B2
An image forming apparatus is configured to access a storage that stores, therein, first associating information indicating a first terminal identifier for identifying a terminal and a first user identifier for identifying a user. The apparatus receives data based on which a print job is to be executed and which contains a second terminal identifier. If the second terminal identifier contained in the data matches the first terminal identifier indicated in the first associating information, then the apparatus executes the print job. Otherwise, the apparatus suspends execution of the print job. The apparatus receives an input of a second user identifier. If the second user identifier matches the first user identifier indicated in the first associating information, and, if the print job whose execution is suspended is selected, then the apparatus stores, into the storage, second associating information indicating the second terminal identifier and the second user identifier.
US08630006B2
An image processing system comprises a job cooperation server for executing a predetermined processing necessary for execution of a job; an image processing device for cooperating with the job cooperation server and executing the job; an authentication server for executing user authentication and issuing an underlying ticket corresponding to a user and for issuing a ticket to use the job cooperation server based on the underlying ticket; and an information processing device for acquiring and storing the underlying ticket by sending a request for authentication to the authentication server and for acquiring the ticket to use the job cooperation server from the authentication server with the underlying ticket. The information processing device acquires the ticket to use the job cooperation server from the authentication server with the underlying ticket and transmits to the image processing device. The image processing device executes the job through cooperation with the job cooperation server.
US08630002B2
One digital copying machine is set as a parent machine and other copying machines are set as child machines. When documents are set both on an ADF of the parent machine and on an ADF of at least one child machine, a CPU of the parent machine performs two types of controls in parallel. In the first control, the ADF of the parent machine automatically feeds each of the original documents, the scanner of the parent machine reads images, and MEM-C or HDD of the parent machine stores the images. In the second control, the ADF of the child machine automatically feeds each of the original documents, the scanner of the child machine reads images, IEEE1394 1/F of the child machine transfers the images to the parent machine, and the MEM-C or the HDD of the parent machine stores the images.
US08629997B2
A print control apparatus includes a rendering unit, a sending unit, a distribution unit, and a saving unit. The rendering unit performs rendering in response to a print instruction described in a page-dependent page description language where details of a change of a print resource on a certain page are applied to other pages. The sending unit sends the entire print instruction including pages to the rendering unit. The distribution unit distributes, to the rendering unit, a process request specifying which of the pages is to be rendered. The saving unit saves a process state of the rendering unit after rendering a preset page. When executing rendering by extracting the print instruction of the page specified by the distributed process request to image data, if the process request is distributed in descending order, the rendering unit resumes the process state saved in the saving unit, and renders the specified page.
US08629996B2
A printing apparatus comprises a movement unit which moves a carriage incorporating a print head along a carriage shaft arranged in a main scanning direction, and a conveyance unit which conveys a printing medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The printing apparatus stores image data. The image data is divided into a plurality of first image data in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and is read out. Predetermined image processing is executed based on the first image data and first image data adjacent to the first image data in the sub-scanning direction. Second image data is extracted, based on information about a deflection of the carriage shaft in the sub-scanning direction, from the first image data for which the image processing has been executed. The extracted second image data is transferred to the print head.
US08629995B2
An information processing apparatus, which is connected to a peripheral apparatus via a network, issues, to the peripheral apparatus, a request required to acquire a response including information that represents whether or not the peripheral apparatus can notify the information processing apparatus of an event upon completion of print processing. Then, when the information included in the response returned from the peripheral apparatus in response to the request represents that the peripheral apparatus cannot notify the information processing apparatus of any event, the information processing apparatus deletes a print job, data of which have been sent to the peripheral apparatus, from a printer queue required to stack print jobs.
US08629983B2
The invention relates to an assembly for detecting the presence of a target based on a detection of a resonance associated to surface polaritons, such as long-range surface exciton polaritons (LRSEP). The invention relates to an assembly to be used in connection with a bio-sensor. The assembly comprising a carrier substrate (1) and a sensor layer (2) positioned on the carrier substrate. The sensor layer is of a material having a complex permittivity with an imaginary part being greater than or similar to the real part.
US08629980B2
The invention provides an optical microscope that prevents an increase in the complexity of the light source system and is equipped with optics readily capable of adequate operation even when the modulation frequency is increased in order to reduce the impact of the intensity noise of the laser, etc. This optical microscope 100 irradiates a sample 6 with a first train of optical pulses having a first optical frequency, which is generated by a first light source, and a second train of optical pulses having a second optical frequency, which is temporally synchronized with the first train of optical pulses and is generated by a second light source, and detects light scattered from the sample 6. The repetition frequency of the train of optical pulses generated by the first light source is an integral sub-multiple of the repetition frequency of the train of optical pulses generated by the second light source.
US08629979B2
Setting a spatial filter requires repeatedly confirming a scan image through visual inspection by an operator and adjusting the spatial filter. A setting state is also dependent on the operator. Therefore, in the present invention, a scattered light image (beam image) and a diffracted light image (Fourier image) are simultaneously observed, and an intensity profile of the scattered light image (beam image) and an intensity profile of the diffracted light image (Fourier image) are simultaneously monitored. A field of view of a diffracted light image is scanned with only one spatial filter, and a state change with respect to the intensity profiles in the absence of insertion of the spatial filter is detected. A setting condition for a spatial filter is determined on the basis of the detected state change.
US08629976B2
A TOF system acquires depth data using n≧3 modulation frequencies f1, f2, . . . , fm separately, associated with separate aliasing interval ranges Z1, Z2, . . . , Zm. Next, n intermediate frequencies fDE1, fDE2, . . . , fDEn are generated sorted by order of fDE1
US08629971B2
In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced.
US08629958B2
A liquid crystal display device capable of dealing with highly definition display and securing both of transmission type display luminance and reflection type display luminance, wherein the Cs on-gate structure is adopted, and a light reflectance is set to be in a range of 1% or more and 30% or less and a light transmittance is set to be in a range of 4% or more and 10% or less on the display panel formed by arranging in matrix a plurality of pixel regions 4 having a reflection region A for reflection type display by reflection of an ambient light and a transmission region B for transmission type display by transmission of light from a light source provided inside.
US08629952B2
A mobile terminal device includes a liquid-crystal portion that displays an image; a substrate that sandwiches another component between one surface of the substrate and the liquid crystal portion, and that has another surface that is provided with a control circuit; a connecting portion that connects the liquid-crystal portion and the control circuit; and a spacer member formed of an insulator and interposed between the another surface of the substrate and the connecting portion.
US08629948B2
A liquid crystal display panel includes: a plurality of switching elements each provided on a transparent substrate (10) for each sub-pixel and having a drain electrode (14b); an interlayer insulating film (17) provided to cover the switching elements and including an inorganic insulating film (15) and an organic insulating film (16) sequentially layered; a capacitor electrode (18a) provided on the interlayer insulating film (17); a capacitor insulating film (19) provided to cover the capacitor electrode (18a); a plurality of pixel electrodes (20a) which are provided on the capacitor insulating film (19) and face the capacitor electrode (18a); and a connection region (R) at which the drain electrode (14b) and the capacitor electrode (18a) overlap each other via the inorganic insulating film (15) exposed from the organic insulating film (16).
US08629946B2
A display substrate includes a data line disposed on a base substrate, a first pixel electrode disposed at a first side of the data line, a second pixel electrode disposed at a second side of the data line and a storage electrode overlapping with the data line. The storage electrode overlaps with the first pixel electrode by a first overlapping width, and overlaps with the second pixel electrode by a second overlapping width larger than the first overlapping width.
US08629942B2
A method of processing remote control commands at a control device consistent with certain embodiments involves at the control device, receiving commands directed to the control device; at the control device, receiving a command directed to a source device, the source device being operative to provide video content to a display; and at the control device, interpreting the command directed to the source device in order to track a state of operation of the source device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08629929B2
An image processing apparatus includes an operation receiving unit; and a control unit configured to perform a normal mode display process of displaying icon images of kinds corresponding to an operation status of the apparatus in a display unit and an icon description display process of displaying an icon selection image for selecting an icon image that is being displayed in the display unit upon reception of an operation input to activate an icon description mode by the operation receiving unit during the normal mode display process in the display unit and displaying a description image for an icon image selected upon reception of an operation input by the operation receiving unit while the icon selection image is being displayed in the display unit.
US08629928B1
A storage system, a non-transitory computer readable medium and a method for pre-fetching. The method may include presenting, by a storage system and to at least one host computer, a logical address space; determining, by a fetch module, to fetch a certain data portion from a data storage device to a cache memory of the storage system; determining, by a pre-fetch module, whether to pre-fetch at least one additional data portion from at least one data storage device to the cache memory based upon at least one characteristic of a mapping tree that maps one or more contiguous ranges of addresses related to the logical address space and one or more contiguous ranges of addresses related to the physical address space; and pre-fetching the at least one additional data portions if it is determined to pre-fetch the at least one additional data portions.
US08629927B2
The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.
US08629924B2
An image processing apparatus that processes image data output from an image sensing device including a plurality of pixels, comprises: a storage unit that stores defect data at least including first information showing grades of defective pixels that are subject to correction and, with respect to each defective pixel among the plurality of pixels, address information, second information showing a grade of the defective pixel; an acquisition unit that acquires an imaging condition and an imaging environment at a time of image sensing; a determination unit that compares the first information and the second information, and determines whether defect correction of each defective pixel is necessary or not based on a comparison result; and a correction unit that performs the defect correction on image data output from a defective pixel for which the determination unit determines that defect correction is necessary.
US08629921B2
An aspect of the present invention provides an image recording apparatus comprising: an image recording device which records an extended image file storing a plurality of pieces of image data and a basic file storing at least one piece of image data selected from the pieces of image data stored in the extended image file, the extended image file and the basic file being associated with each other; a determination device which determines whether or not the basic file has been deleted or modified; and a basic file recovery device which recovers the basic file from the extended image file if it is determined that the basic file has been deleted or modified.
US08629918B2
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a representative image extraction unit for extracting a predetermined number of representative images from a series of images belonging to each scene, a representative image classification unit for, when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene, classifying the representative images into a main image and a sub-image, a degraded display image generation unit for generating a degraded display image by operating the sub-image in order to degrade and display the sub-image, and a representative image display unit for displaying the representative images of a plurality of scenes side by side in a scene transition sequence, and displaying the main image and the degraded display image when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene and the representative image when one representative image is extracted from each scene.
US08629915B2
A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer readable storage medium, the method including obtaining a first image captured from an optical signal received via a first optical system; obtaining a second image captured from an optical signal received via a second optical system; calculating a first histogram from the first image, where the first histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the first image; calculating a second histogram from the second image, where the second histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the second image; comparing the first histogram and the second histogram with each other; and determining whether an obstacle is present on at least one of the first and second optical systems, based on the result of comparison.
US08629912B2
A camera includes: a first image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs a first imaging signal; a second image sensor that is separately arranged from the first image sensor, captures an image of the subject and outputs a second imaging signal; a driving unit that drives the first image sensor and the second image sensor; an image processing unit that processes the first imaging signal and the second imaging signal by time sharing; and a control unit that controls the driving unit and the image processing unit.
US08629910B2
An image capture apparatus comprises an image capture unit which photo-electrically converts an object image, a shake detection unit which detects a shake of the image capture apparatus, a motion vector detection unit which detects a motion vector, a reference value calculation unit which calculates a reference value serving as an output from the shake detection unit when the image capture apparatus stands still, a correction amount calculation unit which calculates a shake correction amount, and an image blur correction unit which corrects a blur of the object image, wherein the reference value calculation unit calculates the reference value based on an integrated value of the output from the shake detection unit, an integrated value of an output from the motion vector detection unit, and a variation of the output from the correction amount calculation unit in a predetermined period.
US08629909B2
Methods and systems for analyzing camera lenses and presenting information regarding camera lenses performance are described. An interactive user interface is provided over a network for display on a user terminal by a computer system. A user request is received at the computer system from the user terminal for lens data from a first lens. Lens data, including test data obtained via a first digital image captured using the first lens at the first focal length setting and the first aperture setting is accessed from memory and transmitted to interactive user interface. The interactive user interface is configured to display an identification of the first camera body, an identification of the first lens, the first focal length setting used to capture the image, and the first aperture setting used to capture the image. Using the lens test data, the interactive user interface generates and displays sharpness graph data.
US08629903B2
A method to represent graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle includes monitoring informational inputs describing the operational environment for the vehicle, processing the informational inputs to synthesize an operational environment model, monitoring data related to an occupant eye location, converting the model into the graphical images registering the critical information according the model upon the transparent windscreen head up display based upon the monitored data related to the occupant eye location, and displaying the graphical images upon the transparent windscreen head up display.
US08629900B2
A 3D endoscope includes an insertion portion, a left imaging unit which comprises a left imaging optical system and a left imaging device, a right imaging unit which comprises a right imaging optical system and a right imaging device, a receiving portion which receives the left imaging unit and a receiving portion which receives the right imaging unit. The 3D endoscope includes a body provided at a side of a distal end of the insertion portion, the body supporting the receiving portions at an angle to a longitudinal direction so that the inclination of a left optical axis relative to the longitudinal direction, the inclination of a right optical axis relative to the longitudinal direction, the angle of rotation of the left imaging unit around the left optical axis, and the angle of rotation of the right imaging unit around the right optical axis are adjustable.
US08629892B2
A thermal printer has a support substrate with a concave portion in a surface thereof, and an upper substrate bonded to the surface of the support substrate and including a convex portion at a position corresponding to the concave portion. A heating resistor is provided on a surface of the upper substrate at a position straddling the convex portion. A pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of the heating resistor, with each of the electrodes being formed in a region outside of the convex portion. The convex portion extends at a height greater than each of the electrodes. At least one of the pair of electrodes has a thin portion connected to the heating resistor in a region corresponding to the concave portion, and a thick portion connected to the heating resistor and having a thickness greater than that of the thin portion.
US08629891B2
A thermal printer comprises a print unit which prints an image and forms a protection coat layer on a printed image, a designation unit which designates a glossy print mode or a matte print mode, and a control unit which controls the print unit, when the designation unit designates the glossy print mode, the control unit controls the print unit to execute printing of the protection coat layer without performing any preheating process, and when the designation unit designates the matte print mode, the control unit controls the print unit to perform the preheating process, and to then execute printing of the protection coat layer.
US08629887B2
According to an embodiment, a display apparatus includes an information acquisition unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The information acquisition unit is configured to acquire information relating to an energy efficiency of a moving body. The control unit is configured to generate image data to include a display object indicating the energy efficiency based on the information. The display unit is configured to present the image including the display object to a human viewer operating the moving body. The control unit is configured to generate the image data to include a first display object when the energy efficiency is in a first state and generate the image data to include a second display object when the energy efficiency is in a second state lower than the first state.
US08629882B2
A computer-implemented method of color matching a repair paint formula is disclosed. The method includes steps of inputting a color code for a vehicle paint; searching a computer database for formulations associated with the color code; selecting a plurality of the formulations for display; displaying digital images of the selected formulations at a plurality of viewing angles; determining one of the displayed formulations as a best match to the vehicle paint; and identifying the formulation for the best match.
US08629875B2
Methods and apparatus for animating images using bidirectional constraints are described.
US08629874B2
It is possible to provide a mobile display device which can improve usability even when the character size is increased for improving visibility. A method for controlling the mobile display device is also disclosed. A control unit (18) can set a conversion candidate of an input character displayed on a second display region (conversion candidate character display region (162)) of a display unit (16) to a first display mode (normal mode) for displaying the conversion candidate in a first character size and to a second display mode (enlarged mode) for displaying the conversion candidate in a second character size greater than the first character size while differentiating a display priority of a plurality of conversion candidates to be displayed in the second display region in the first display mode and a display priority of a plurality of conversion candidates to be displayed in the second display region in the second display mode.
US08629869B2
A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set.
US08629863B2
A method is provided of driving an electronic device comprising an array of device elements, each device element comprising particles which are moved to control a device element state, and each device element comprising a collector electrode, and an output electrode. The method comprises: in a reset phase, applying a first set of control signals to control the device to move the particles to the a reset electrode; and in an addressing phase, applying a second set of control signals to control the device to move the particles from the reset electrode such that a desired number of particles are at the output electrode. The second set of control signals comprises a pulse waveform oscillating between first and second voltages in which the first voltage is for attracting the particles to the reset electrode and the second voltage is for attracting the particles from the reset electrode to the output electrode, and wherein the duty cycle of the pulse waveform determines the proportion of particles transferred to the output electrode in the addressing phase. This control method provides well-controlled packets of particles which are collected in a vortex at the reset electrode before being passed on, in part, towards the output electrode (for example via the gate electrode).
US08629857B2
Light is prevented from being emitted from a region that overlaps a contract hole in a structure in which light emitting devices are stacked. A stacked organic electro-luminescent display apparatus includes a contact hole that electrically connects a first electrode or a second electrode to a driving circuit. The first or second electrode and a second organic compound layer are provided in the contact hole, and the second organic compound layer existing in the contact hole does not emit light.
US08629855B2
An apparatus operable in touch-input mode and scanning mode uses a light guide and a camera to look through a slanted facet at one corner of the light guide. The light guide has an upper surface for placing a touch object or an item for scanning. An angular sensitive grating is located on lower surface having fringes such that when a light beam directed from a location P on upper surface toward lower surface at a predefined direction, it is diffracted by the grating and guided toward the slanted facet. The diffracted beam exits the slanted facet at an exiting angle indicative of the location P. When an object or item is placed on upper surface, it causes changes in exit beam intensity. From exiting angles and intensity changes, a camera is able to locate touch objects or to acquire an image of the scanned item.
US08629854B2
A controlling method applied to a sensing system includes the following step. Whether a specific function is started is determined according to the size of a total pattern acquired. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining whether the specific function is started according to the size of the total pattern acquired is the step of determining whether the specific function is started according to the size of the total pattern acquired and the length of time to successively acquire the total pattern. Accordingly, it is more convenient for a user to use the sensing system having the said controlling method.
US08629853B2
A touch panel comprising a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes is provided. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed on the substrate in rows and columns. The first electrodes are formed as triangles of a base wherein the corresponding first electrodes aligned in any two neighboring columns are symmetrically arranged in shape based on the base, and the first electrodes aligned in the same row are serially connected by multiple first conductive lines. The second electrodes are formed as triangles of a base, wherein the corresponding second electrodes aligned in any two neighboring columns are symmetrically arranged in shape based on the base, and the second electrodes aligned in the same column are serially connected by multiple second conductive lines. The first conductive lines are arranged crossing over and insulated from the second conductive lines.
US08629834B2
A haptic communication system having a range of sensors embedded with an operator's attire. Data collected by the sensors is processed by a computing device local to the operator and is communicated via a haptic modality in real-time to other team members and robotic assets in the system.
US08629826B2
The present invention discloses a method for driving thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) and the storage medium for storing computer program representative of the method thereof. The method utilizes a timing controller to send polarity control signals to a plurality of source drivers in a TFT-LCD panel for changing the polarity distribution of the liquid crystal molecules in the panel. The method is characterized by dynamically changing the positions of polarity inversion for alleviating the problem of undercharging under high resolution and high frequency conditions; utilizing both polar and reverse polar driving signals for solving the problem of color shift in “checker board” checking signals; and providing a mechanism for mending the problem of undercharging of the first horizontal line.
US08629811B2
An electrically small dual-band planar tunable UHF/L-Band antenna. In one example, the dual-band antenna includes a combination of a semi-spiral antenna for the UHF frequencies and a microstrip patch antenna for the L-band frequencies.
US08629809B2
A tag patch antenna includes: a slit formed in the vicinity of an edge of an antenna pattern along a part of the edge; and a feeding point to which a tag LSI is connected and which is formed by cutting an intermediate portion of the part of the edge separated by the slit from a body of the antenna pattern by a width of the slit.
US08629808B2
A method for synthesizing an array factor for an array antenna based on a target shape of an array factor amplitude, includes: calculating an array factor phase based on the target shape of the array factor amplitude, and calculating array antenna weight coefficients using the least mean square method, where a target function used in the least mean square method is a complex function composed by the target shape of the array factor amplitude and the calculated array factor phase, wherein the calculated weight coefficients determine the array factor.
US08629802B2
A location of a mobile terminal in a given area may be determined by including the mobile terminal in a satellite-based positioning system and in a cellular communications system. The approximate coordinates of the mobile terminal may be determined based on both satellite signals received from the satellite-based system and information related to the cellular communication system, where the coordinates include an altitude coordinate. An estimate of the altitude coordinate may be derived from the information related to the cellular communication system. The approximate coordinates may be determined using the estimate of the altitude coordinate and information provided by the satellite-based system by providing an approximate bi-dimensional positioning of the terminal and exploiting the bi-dimensional positioning and the estimate of the altitude coordinate.
US08629791B2
Embodiments of the present invention enable compression and decompression of data. Applications of the present invention are its use in embodiments of systems for compression and decompression of GPS long-term Ephemeris (LTE) data, although the present invention is not limited to such applications. In embodiments, the LTE data may be grouped into a set of data values associated with a parameter. In embodiments, a data set may be compressed by using a multi-order differencing scheme. In such a scheme, a set of the differences between values may be compressed because the differences have smaller magnitudes than the values. In embodiments, a multi-order differencing scheme determines how many levels (orders) of differencing may be applied to an original data set before it is compressed. In embodiments, the original data may be recovered from a compressed data set based on the type of multi-order differencing scheme used to generate the compressed data.
US08629790B2
A letter input structure of a two-click keyboard adapting a Morse code and an input method of the same, and a recording medium of the method are disclosed. A certain letter is created in selective combination with two keypads among seven keypads consisting of a dot(•) group keypad of a dot(•) keypad, a dot dot(•) keypad and a dot dot dot(•) keypad of a Morse code, a dash(-) group keypad of a dash(-) keypad, a dash dash(- -) keypad, and a dash dash dash (- - -) keypad which are separated and arranged at left and right sides (or upper and lower sides) and one function keypad.
US08629788B1
A system may include a sensor for coupling with a vehicle configured for atmospheric flight. The sensor may be configured for detecting a turbulence event, where the turbulence event is at least one of experienced by the vehicle or occurs proximal to the vehicle during atmospheric flight. The system may also include a transmitter coupled with the sensor. The transmitter may be configured for automatically remotely transmitting data regarding the turbulence event to a ground based entity.
US08629776B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for behavior determination. As an example, a system for behavior determination is disclosed that includes: a first monitoring device, a second monitoring device, and a monitoring system. The monitoring system is operable to: receive information from the first monitoring device; receive information from the second monitoring device; identify at least a first zone around the first monitoring device; identify at least a second zone around the second monitoring device; and characterize an intersection of the first zone and the second zone.
US08629773B2
The present invention relates to a method for measuring a location of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader by using beacons, and an RFID system for measuring a location of a moving RFID reader in an RFID system comprising: a plurality of beacon devices for emitting beacons; an RFID tag for transmitting pre-stored information by using radio frequency identification; and an RFID reader for calculating a current location using a plurality of at least three beacons wherein the RFID reader receives the plurality of beacons from the plurality of beacon devices while moving, and receiving the information from the RFID tag by using the radio frequency identification. According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the location measurement of a moving RFID reader in an RFID system because the location of the RFID reader is measured in consideration of propagation environments.
US08629768B2
A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one imaging sensor having a forward field of view with respect to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The imaging sensor captures image data representative of objects present in the forward field of view. A control is responsive to the imaging sensor and processes image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine an object present in the forward field of view. The control processes image data to determine a distance between the vehicle and the object determined present in the forward field of view. The control may determine the distance between the vehicle and the determined object at least in part in response to at least one of (i) size of the determined object, (ii) position of the determined object, (iii) light intensity of the determined object, and (iv) rate of approach of the determined object.
US08629764B2
A method and device of power management for a networked radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system are disclosed. The described power management methods reduce the power consumption of battery-operated RFID readers and RFID tags. These power conservation methods increase the RFID system's hours of operation and decrease the cost by allowing the RFID readers and tags to function for a longer period of time before requiring charging or replacement of their batteries.
US08629760B2
A signal conversion device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and a method for operating the RFID tag. The RFID tag has an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module for storing RFID tag information and transmitting the RFID tag information; an information comparison module coupled to the electrically erasable programmable for receiving the RFID tag information and demodulation information, comparing the RFID tag information with the demodulation information, and generating a driving signal; and a pulse oscillation module coupled to the information comparison module for receiving the driving signal, and transmitting pulse oscillating signals to the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module, so as to allow the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module to transmit the RFID tag information.
US08629757B2
A portable electronic apparatus has a first storage section configured to store information to be communicated to the processing apparatus and formats for a frame to be transmitted to the processing apparatus, in association with one another. The processing apparatus has a second storage section configured to store information communicated by the portable electronic apparatus and the format of the frame transmitted by the portable electronic apparatus, in association with each other. The portable electronic apparatus select one of the formats stored in the first storage section based on the data to be transmitted to the processing apparatus. The processing apparatus recognize information communicated by the portable electronic apparatus based on the format of the frame received from the portable electronic apparatus.
US08629750B2
Fuse element and bridge assemblies include a length of fuse wire being wrapped around first and second end edges of a nonconductive bridge to define a winding around the nonconductive bridge element extending for at least one complete turn having a first linear segment and a second linear segment each extending entirely between the first end edge and the second end edge of the nonconductive bridge element. The winding of the fuse wire allows for construction of small fractional amp fuses with larger fuse element wires that are less prone to breakage in automated manufacturing processes.
US08629747B2
A coil component includes a core formed by a magnetic material, a coil embedded in the core, a part of a terminal portion of the coil protruded from a side surface of the core, and a tabular terminal, a part thereof protruded from the side surface of the core and partly connected with the protruded part of the terminal portion of the coil. The protruded part of the terminal portion of the coil and the protruded part of the tabular terminal are respectively bent toward the bottom surface side of the core along the side surface of the core, and the protruded and bent part o the terminal portion of the coil is arranged between the protruded and bent part of the tabular terminal and the core.
US08629744B2
An enclosed switch includes a switch assembly having separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a shunt trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, wherein the operating mechanism includes a manual operating mechanism.
US08629742B1
An impedance synthesis method for fundamental and harmonic frequencies using multi section tuners, because of the huge amount of possible tuning permutations, employs a search strategy based on the minimization of an ERROR FUNCTION (EF), in two steps: in a first step a coarse calibration grid is generated and the raw area is found which allows an approximate solution to the tuning task at the fundamental frequency; then a fine impedance grid is generated around the first solution using calibrated and interpolated points at all harmonic frequencies; a second search step, using the same EF, then allows fine tuning. Among the several, numerically found solutions, the most reliable one is selected based on a sensitivity criterion, which calculates the impedance change for a possible small error in repeatability of each tuning element and selects the one with the lowest sensitivity to element setting errors.
US08629739B2
A method of forming a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes forming an electrode on a substrate. The method includes forming a structural layer on the substrate. The structural layer is disposed about a perimeter of the electrode and has a residual film stress gradient. The method includes releasing the structural layer to form a resonator coupled to the substrate. The residual film stress gradient deflects a first portion of the resonator out of a plane defined by a surface of the electrode.
US08629732B2
Apparatus are provided for voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems. An exemplary voltage-controlled oscillator includes a first variable capacitance element, a second variable capacitance element coupled between the first control voltage node and the third node, and an inductive element coupled between the variable capacitance elements to provide an inductance between the variable capacitance elements at an oscillation frequency of an oscillating signal at an output node. The first variable capacitance element is coupled between a first control voltage node and the output node, the second variable capacitance element is coupled to the first control voltage node, and a second inductive element is coupled between the second variable capacitance element and a second control voltage node.
US08629727B2
A power amplifier includes a first transistor and a first inductor disposed between the first transistor and a voltage source. A first node between the first transistor and the first inductor is an output node. The power amplifier further includes a second inductor disposed between the first transistor and ground The power amplifier further includes a third inductor coupled to a gate of the first transistor and configured as a first AC input. The power amplifier further includes a first phase conditioner inductively coupled to the second inductor and the third inductor and configured to set phases of AC signals across the first inductor and the second inductor in phase. The second inductor is configured to release energy into the first inductor to raise a voltage of the AC signal and raise a power output at the output node.
US08629725B2
Power amplifier (PA), regardless of the process used for the manufacturing of its devices, suffers from a nonlinear output capacitance that has significant impact on various aspects of the PA performance. This output capacitance is dependent on the large output voltage swing. Accordingly a compensation capacitance is added at the output of the PA that has a behavior that is inverse respective of the output voltage of that of the output capacitance of the PA. Connecting the compensation capacitor in parallel to the PA output capacitance, results in a total capacitance that is the sum of the output capacitance and its compensation capacitance. The total output capacitance is therefore essentially stable throughout the output voltage swing.
US08629722B2
An amplifier having a Doherty-type architecture and a method for operation thereof are provided. The amplifier comprises a main amplifier path comprising a main amplifier, an auxiliary amplifier path comprising an auxiliary amplifier, and an signal preparation unit configured to develop a main amplifier input signal for the main amplifier path and an auxiliary amplifier input signal for the auxiliary amplifier path based on an amplifier input that is to be amplified and a transition threshold associated with the amplifier input. By driving the main and auxiliary amplifiers as a function of the transition threshold, the gain of the Doherty-type amplifier may be increased.
US08629720B2
The disclosure relates to a driving method for obtaining a linear gain variation of a transconductance amplifier that includes a first differential transistor cell, with adjustment of a driving voltage value of a degenerative driving transistor of the transconductance amplifier The method includes generating an output current signal of a second differential cell corresponding to the first differential transistor cell of the transconductance amplifier, the output current signal having a linear relationship with a transconductance value of the second differential cell as the driving voltage varies; generating a reference current signal having a linear relationship with a differential input voltage; comparing the output current signal and the reference current signal for adjusting the driving voltage value; and modifying the transconductance value of the second differential cell up to a balance of the current signals.
US08629719B2
An amplifier circuit (10) comprises a driver stage (11) with a driver output (13). Moreover, the amplifier circuit (10) comprises a sensor (12). The sensor (12) comprises a variable attenuator (15) with a control input (16) for receiving a mode signal (SMODE). A sensor output (14) of the sensor (12) is coupled to the driver output (13) via the variable attenuator (15). A sensor signal (SE_RFOUT) is provided at the sensor output (14).
US08629715B1
An apparatus for propagating local oscillator signals in a circuit, the apparatus comprising two pairs of lines carrying respectively differential in-phase and quadrature signals. The lines are arranged such that in at least one region along their length one of each pair of lines crosses the other of the pair to create a twist. The twist(s) in each respective pair of lines is offset from the twist(s) in the other pair of lines such that the portion of their length over which the in-phase lines magnetically couple to the quadrature lines with a positive coupling coefficient is substantially equal to the portion of their length over which the in-phase lines magnetically couple to the quadrature lines with a negative coupling coefficient.
US08629714B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing the amount of power consumed by a galvanic isolator. A transmitter transmits a wake-up signal to a receiver located across an isolation medium when the transmitter is ready or preparing to transmit data or power signals to a receiver, which is operably connected to a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit receives the wake-up signal through the isolation medium, which may be operably connected to and powered substantially continuously or intermittently by a first power source. In response to the sensing circuit receiving the wake-up signal, the receiver is powered up from a sleep mode to an operating mode. After a period of time tRDY has passed since the wake-up signal was transmitted, a signature pattern is transmitted from the transmitter to the sensing circuit through the isolation medium. Next, the sensing circuit or the receiver verifies the validity of the signature pattern. If the signature pattern is determined at to be valid, the receiver is enabled to receive the data or power signals from the transmitter. The transmitter then transmits the data or power signals from the transmitter through the isolation medium to the receiver.
US08629711B2
A control circuit for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. The control circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current. A variable resistor is coupled to the current source. The variable resistor is configured to receive the reference current and generate a reference voltage at a node between the current source and the variable resistor. The reference voltage controls the operation of a substrate potential regulation circuit coupled to the node.
US08629696B2
A level shifting circuit includes an inverter inverting an input voltage of an input node and driving a first voltage of a first node, a first output driving unit driving an output voltage of an output node to a first level in response to the first voltage of the first node, a first connection unit electrically coupling the first node to a second node or electrically isolating the first node from the second node in response to the first voltage of the first node, an internal driving unit driving a second voltage of the second node to a second level in response to the input voltage of the input node and the output voltage of the output node, and a second output driving unit driving the output voltage of the output node to the second level in response to the second voltage of the second node.
US08629691B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing between hard logic elements and soft logic elements implemented on an integrated device. In particular, a configurable interface is provided that includes interconnects between hard logic and soft logic, which enable signals to be selectively routed between the inputs and outputs of hard logic blocks and soft logic modules. The interconnects allow for certain hard logic blocks to be bypassed in favor of soft logic functionality. Moreover, the interconnects allow soft logic to augment the processing of hard logic blocks, e.g., by providing additional signals to the hard logic block.
US08629689B1
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a circuit, an encoder, and a decoder. The circuit is coupled to circuitry in the IC via a first set of interconnect fabricated using a metal layer. The encoder encodes a plurality of address lines to provide a plurality of encoded address lines. The decoder decodes the plurality of address lines. The plurality of encoded address lines are routed using a second set of interconnect fabricated using the metal layer.
US08629686B2
In particular embodiments, an apparatus includes a charge-measurement capacitor having a first plate coupled to a second plate of a coupling capacitor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium embodying logic that is operable when executed to ground a first plate of the coupling capacitor; inject a pre-determined amount of charge onto the charge-measurement capacitor; and transfer an amount of charge accumulated on the second plate of the coupling capacitor to the first plate of the charge-measurement capacitor. The charge accumulated on the second plate of the coupling capacitor is due at least in part to noise. The logic is also operable when executed to determine, through a measured voltage across the charge-measurement capacitor, the amount of charge.
US08629683B2
A touch-sensitive sensor arrangement includes a planar-shaped element having a surface provided with a conductive layer, and a plurality of connecting points that are each arranged in an edge area of the element and contacting the conductive layer, wherein a respective decoupling device is arranged for decoupling a current, which is applied to at least two connecting points, from an evaluating signal, between each of the respective connecting points and associated connecting lines for the evaluation of a position of a contact of the element with a contacting object, where the element is heatable by the current.
US08629674B2
A current and voltage detection printed board includes a board formed with a penetration hole; a first pattern wire formed at a periphery of the penetration hole; a second pattern wire formed at the periphery of the penetration hole; a plurality of first through holes that penetrate the board between the first and second pattern wires; a third pattern wire formed at the periphery of the penetration hole; a fourth pattern wire formed at the periphery of the penetration hole; and a plurality of second through holes that penetrate the board between the third and fourth pattern wires.
US08629672B2
The current in a generator circuit breaker is measured using the Faraday effect of an optical sensing fiber looped around the breaker's conductor. The sensing fiber is arranged in a sensing strip, which can be mounted to the enclosure of the generator circuit breaker or to the conductor. Exemplary embodiments can have a wide measuring range and can easily be fitted to new or existing generator circuit breakers.
US08629658B1
An apparatus and method for charging a battery. The disclosed apparatus includes a battery to be charged, a power delivery path configured for delivering power to the battery, and an integrated switching battery charger configured for charging a battery by delivering output power to the battery via the power delivery path based on input power from an input power source. In the disclosed apparatus for charging a battery, the integrated switching battery charger includes an output voltage regulation loop and an input voltage regulation loop, both of which are configured to control the output current flowing out of the integrated switching battery charger to the battery. The input or output voltage regulation loops are further enhanced by adding a current source which is proportional to absolute temperature from the regulated voltage to the control voltage for the purpose of either regulating peak power from the source or to maximize energy storage in the battery as a function of temperature.
US08629656B2
A battery pack includes one or more cell blocks in which one or more secondary battery cells are connected in series and/or in parallel, and a control section for measuring a voltage of the one or more cell blocks to detect an abnormality of a cell block on the basis of a measurement result. The control section calculates a time differential of the voltage for the one or more cell blocks on the basis of the measured voltage, extracts a first time differential which is maximum and a second time differential which is minimum from the time differentials of the voltage for the one or more cell blocks, and determines that a cell block corresponding to the second time differential is abnormal in a case where a difference between the first time differential and the second time differential is less than a prescribed value.
US08629652B2
A power source, charging system, and inductive receiver for mobile devices. A pad or similar base unit comprises a primary, which creates a magnetic field by applying an alternating current to a winding, coil, or any type of current carrying wire. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field and transferring it to a mobile or other device. The receiver can also comprise electronic components or logic to set the voltage and current to the appropriate levels required by the mobile device, or to communicate information or data to and from the pad. The system may also incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.
US08629650B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer including a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate and generate a near field coupling mode region thereabout in response to a driving signal from a power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to control activation of resonance of each of the plurality of antenna circuits. The method for wirelessly charging includes driving a signal from a power amplifier and controlling activation of resonance of a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate in response to the driving signal.
US08629645B2
A system and a method for energizing an auxiliary winding of a capacitor-start single-phase induction motor for reducing the voltage level in the bidirectional switches during the blocking of said switches and for providing smooth switching of the electromechanical bidirectional switch. This is achieved by a system for energizing an auxiliary winding of an electric motor, the auxiliary winding being connectable in series with a voltage network, the system including a start capacitor and an electromechanical switch connected in series with the auxiliary winding, the system including an electronic switch connected in parallel with the series association of the electromechanical switch and the start capacitor, the electronic switch and the electromechanical switch being used to turn on the auxiliary winding, the system configured so that the electronic switch can be turned on simultaneously with the electromechanical switch and kept on simultaneously with the electromechanical switch for a stabilization time.
US08629644B2
A fault tolerant DC power system includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), a first contactor in electrical communication with the PMG, an active rectifier in electrical communication with the first contactor, a second contactor in electrical communication with the first contactor, and a motor drive in electrical communication with the second contactor. The first contactor is configured to sever electrical communication between the PMG and the active rectifier and the second contactor is configured to establish electrical communication between the PMG and the motor drive.
US08629643B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a stepping motor arranged in a conveying path for a paper; a driver for driving the stepping motor; a current detecting unit for detecting an actual current value; and a control unit for providing a set current value for every predetermined cycle. The control unit determines an estimated load torque value corresponding to the set current value in a previous cycle and the actual current value in a present cycle, by referring to a relationship between actual current and load torque of the stepping motor with respect to the set current value, determines a target load torque value based on the estimated load torque value, and determines, as the set current value, a current value corresponding to the target load torque value, by referring to a relationship between maximum output torque of the stepping motor and current supplied to the stepping motor.
US08629642B2
A control loop circuit for use in a closed-loop control system that controls a system such as a linear motor is presented. The control loop circuit includes a lead-lag compensator that features a lead compensation network configured to reduce output noise without substantially changing the effect of the lead compensation in the control system's frequency response.
US08629637B2
A three-phase regenerative drive (20) is operated based upon power from a single-phase AC source (12) and power from a DC source (14). The single-phase AC input power and the DC input power are converted to DC voltage on a DC bus (24) by a three-phase converter (22). DC power is provided from the DC bus (24) to a three-phase inverter having outputs connected to a motor (34). A controller (44) controls operation of the three-phase converter (22) based upon contribution factors of the AC and DC sources (12, 14) during motoring and regeneration. The controller (44) also controls an AC component of current from the DC source to reduce ripple current on the DC bus (24).
US08629634B2
A method for is disclosed for using pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals in the control of a plurality of electric motors or of at least one electric motor with multiple windings. The method comprises steps of: measuring the current being drawn by each of said electric motors; transmitting signals corresponding to the current being drawn said plurality of motors to a central controller; transmitting from said central controller signals corresponding to the amount of current to be drawn by each motor, whereby the relative phases and durations of said signals are distributed according to a predetermined protocol; and repeating steps (a) through (c) while said electric motors are in operation. The distribution of PWM signals defines the total current drawn from said source of electricity as a function of time.
US08629619B2
Circuits useful in achieving efficient current control of LEDs based on a dimming control input are described. The circuits use a combination of PWM dimming and analog dimming to achieve a highly efficient LED driver over a wide range of dimming from near 0% to 100% light output.
US08629618B1
A backup lighting apparatus includes a light housing having a conductive base selectively connected to a light socket and a bulb portion extending upwardly therefrom that defines an interior area. A processor, battery, light, and audio sensor are situated in the interior area. The audio sensor is configured to detect a predetermined sound. Another sensor in the interior area is configured to detect a power outage and if a light switch is in an “on configuration.” The processor causes the battery to energize the light if a power outage is detected, the light switch is “on,” and a predetermined sound—such a hand clap—is detected. Accordingly, only a room in which a light was already on when an outage occurred and in which a person is present and signals for a backup is illuminated, such that electricity and battery power is conserved.
US08629602B2
There is provided a motor including a sleeve rotatably supporting a shaft; a sleeve holder having the sleeve inserted thereinto and including fixing parts; and a base member including fixing counterparts corresponding to the fixing parts of the sleeve holder and fixedly coupled to the sleeve holder, wherein the sleeve holder and the base member have guide parts and guide counterparts respectively provided therein, the guide parts and guide counterparts having corresponding shapes and guiding the sleeve holder to a mounting position thereof.
US08629591B2
An electromechanical device having a mechanical interface structure for connecting to an external rotating element, an electrical machine, and one or more gear stages on a mechanical power transmission path between the mechanical interface structure and a rotor of the electrical machine. The rotor of the electrical machine is supported by the frame of the gear stage directly connected to the rotor.
US08629590B2
A rotor of an electric motor has a carrier structure including a disc portion to which is centrally connected a shaft, and the periphery of which is joined to an essentially cylindrical annular skirt portion which in use extends coaxially around the stator. The disc portion has a plurality of slots between which there is defined a corresponding plurality of spokes. At least some of the spokes have, in a circumferential direction, a transverse cross-section shaped in a manner to induce, at least when the rotor rotates in one direction, an at least approximately axial air flow through corresponding slots.
US08629576B2
Tuning and gain control as described for magnetic power systems, including different ways to change the characteristic of transmission and reception.
US08629575B2
A description is given of a method for charge reversal of a circuit part of an integrated circuit from a first electrical potential to a second electrical potential of a first voltage network. In this case, the circuit part is connected to the first voltage network for charge reversal. Furthermore, the circuit part is connected to a second voltage network for charge reversal, said second voltage network providing a third electrical potential between the first and the second electrical potential. The circuit part is automatically isolated from the second voltage network before its electrical potential reaches the second electrical potential.
US08629573B2
To operate a safety load in a vehicle electric system and compensate for power surges, a vehicle electric system has a vehicle battery, an electric load, an energy storage device in form of double-layer capacitor, and a switching assembly. In a first switching state, the system can compensate for a power surge by connecting the double-layer capacitor in series with the vehicle battery with opposite polarity. The vehicle electric system also has an additional load, for example for providing functionality that is relevant for the safety of the vehicle occupants. The additional load can be supplied with a voltage present at the vehicle battery and/or with a voltage present at the electric load. A DC-to-DC converter taps an electric voltage present at the energy store and converts the tapped voltage into a supply voltage, with which the additional load can be redundantly supplied.
US08629570B1
A rotor assembly for a horizontal-axis wind turbine with blades support attachments. Each end of the supporting elements is fixedly or rotatably attached to one blade. In a new and improved embodiment, the blades start from the support element, skipping the swept area inside these elements but at the same time increasing many times the total swept area with substantially reduced cost. The support elements might be additionally attached to already existing wind turbine rotors. The reinforcing elements support and protect the blades from bending, breaking or falling apart in strong and gusty winds. The rotor of a wind turbine occasionally will rotate with speeds higher then normal and if the blades are not reinforced and properly balanced the whole assembly may start wobbling and then break apart from the tower or the blades may be damaged or may bend or break.
US08629568B2
A system and method for determining underfill expansion is provided. An embodiment comprises forming cover marks along a top surface of a substrate, attaching a semiconductor substrate to the top surface of the substrate, placing an underfill material between the semiconductor substrate and the substrate, and then using the cover marks to determine the expansion of the underfill over the top surface of the substrate. Additionally, cover marks may also be formed along a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the cover marks on both the substrate and the semiconductor substrate may be used together as alignment marks during the alignment of the substrate and the semiconductor substrate.
US08629562B2
Techniques for modular chip fabrication are provided. In one aspect, a modular chip structure is provided. The modular chip structure comprises a substrate; a carrier platform attached to the substrate, the carrier platform comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending through the carrier platform; and a wiring layer on the carrier platform in contact with one or more of the conductive vias, wherein the wiring layer comprises one or more wiring levels and is configured to divide the carrier platform into a plurality of voltage islands; and chips, chip macros or at least one chip in combination with at least one chip macro assembled on the carrier platform.
US08629559B2
A stress reduction apparatus comprises a metal structure formed over a substrate, an inter metal dielectric layer formed over the substrate, wherein a lower portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inter metal dielectric layer and an inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer formed over the metal structure, wherein an upper portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer.
US08629558B2
Techniques for fabricating multiple device components. Specifically, techniques for fabricating a stacked package comprising at least one I/C module and a multi-chip package. The multi-chip package includes a plurality of integrated circuit dice coupled to a carrier. The dice are encapsulated such that conductive elements are exposed through the encapsulant. The conductive elements are electrically coupled to the chips. The I/C module comprises an interposer having a plurality of integrated circuit dice disposed thereon. The dice of the I/C module are electrically coupled to the interposer via bondwires. The interposer is configured such that vias are aligned with the conductive elements on the multi-chip package. The multi-chip package and I/C module may be fabricated separately and subsequently coupled together to form a stacked package.
US08629557B2
Structures and methods for detecting solder wetting of pedestal sidewalls. The structure includes a semiconductor wafer having an array of integrated circuit chips, each of the integrated circuit chips having an array of chip pedestals having respective chip solder columns on top of the chip pedestals, the pedestals spaced apart a first distance in a first direction and a spaced apart second distance in second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and at least one monitor structure disposed in different regions of the wafer from the integrated circuit chips, the monitor structure comprising at least a first pedestal and a first solder column on a top surface of the first pedestal and a second pedestal and a second solder column on a top surface of the second pedestal, the first and the second pedestals spaced apart a third distance, the third distance less than the first and the second distances.
US08629552B1
The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board.
US08629547B2
A structure of a semiconductor chip package is provided. The semiconductor chip package includes: a substrate; a semiconductor chip mounted on a first surface of the substrate; a plurality of electrode pads on a second surface, different from the first surface, of the substrate; and an electrostatic discharge protection pad overlapping a portion of a first electrode pad and a portion of a second electrode pad among the plurality of electrode pads.
US08629546B1
A stacked redistribution layer (RDL) die assembly package includes a substrate, a first level RDL die assembly mounted to the substrate and a second level RDL die assembly mounted to the first level RDL die assembly. The first level RDL die assembly includes a first die comprising bond pads, a first fan out support extending outwardly from sides of the first die, and first traces electrically connected to the bond pads, the first traces being supported by the first fan out support. Similarly, the second level RDL die assembly includes a second die comprising bond pads, a second fan out support extending outwardly from sides of the second die, and second traces electrically connected to the bond pads of the second die, the second traces being supported by the second fan out support.
US08629540B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.
US08629539B2
Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit package having a conductive leadframe, a non-conductive die paddle mechanically coupled to the leadframe, and a die disposed on the die paddle and electrically connected to the leadframe. With this arrangement, eddy currents are reduced near the magnetic field transducer to reduce interference with magnetic fields.
US08629531B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric material layer on a silicon substrate, the dielectric material layer being patterned to define a plurality of regions separated by the dielectric material layer; a first buffer layer disposed on the silicon substrate; a heterogeneous buffer layer disposed on the first buffer layer; and a gallium nitride layer grown on the heterogeneous buffer layer only within the plurality of regions.
US08629530B2
A process of forming an electronic device can include forming a capacitor dielectric layer over a base region, wherein the base region includes a base semiconductor material, forming a gate dielectric layer over a substrate, forming a capacitor electrode over the capacitor dielectric layer, forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer, and forming an input terminal and an output terminal to the capacitor electrode. The input terminal and the output terminal can be spaced apart from each other and are connected to different components within the electronic device. A filter can include the base region, the capacitor dielectric layer, and the capacitor electrode. A transistor structure can include the gate dielectric layer and the gate electrode. An electronic device can include a low-pass filter and a transistor structure, such as an n-channel transistor or a p-channel transistor.
US08629528B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of word lines formed on a semiconductor substrate at predetermined intervals, selecting transistors arranged on at least one side of the plurality of word lines, an interlayer insulating film formed to cover upper surfaces of the word lines and the selecting transistors, a first air gap located between each pair of adjacent ones of the word lines and covered by the interlayer insulating film, a second air gap located at a first side wall portion of a word line adjacent to the selecting transistors covered by the interlayer insulating film, the first side wall portion facing the selecting transistors, and a third air gap located at a second side wall portion of each of the selecting transistors and covered by the interlayer insulating film. The first, second, and third air gaps are filled with air.
US08629523B2
The structures of reflective shields and methods of making such structures described enable reflection of light that has not be absorbed by photodiodes in image sensor devices and increase quantum efficiency of the photodiodes. Such structures can be applied (or used) for any image sensors to improve image quality. Such structures are particular useful for image sensors with smaller pixel sizes and for long-wavelength light (or rays), whose absorption length (or depth) could be insufficient, especially for backside illumination (BSI) devices. The reflective shields could double, or more than double, the absorption depth for light passing through the image sensors and getting reflected back to the photodiodes. Concave-shaped reflective shields have the additional advantage of directing reflected light toward the image sensors.
US08629495B2
The invention relates to a field-effect transistor having a higher efficiency than the known field-effect transistors, in particular at higher operating frequencies. This is achieved by electrically connecting sources of a plurality of main current paths by means of a strap line (SL) being inductively coupled to a gate line (Gtl) and/or a drain line (Drnl) for forming an additional RF-return current path parallel to the RF-return current path in a semiconductor body (SB). The invention further relates to a field-effect transistor package, a power amplifier, a multi-stage power amplifier and a base station comprising such a field-effect transistor.
US08629494B2
A data storing device may include a substrate, transistors on the substrate that include gate line structures, and conductive isolation patterns defining active regions of the transistors. Each conductive isolation pattern includes at least one portion buried in the substrate and the conductive isolation patterns are electrically connected with each other.
US08629492B2
In one embodiment, a shift register memory includes a substrate, and a channel layer provided on the substrate, and having a helical shape rotating around an axis which is perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. The memory further includes at least three control electrodes provided on the substrate, extending in a direction parallel to the axis, and to be used to transfer charges in the channel layer.
US08629490B2
It is an object to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device that prevents increase in a contact resistance value due to etching of a semiconductor layer when etching an interlayer insulating film and that has superiority in a writing characteristic and an electric charge-holding characteristic, and a manufacturing method thereof. A conductive layer is provided between a source or drain region and a source or drain wiring. The conductive layer is made of the same conductive layer that forms a control gate electrode. An insulating film is provided so as to cover the conductive layer, and the insulating film has a contact hole for exposing part of the conductive layer. The source or drain wiring is formed so that the contact hole is filled.
US08629487B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a ferroelectric capacitor including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode. The upper electrode includes a first layer formed of an oxide whose stoichiometric composition is expressed as AOx1 and whose actual composition is expressed as AOx2; a second layer formed on the first layer and formed of an oxide whose stoichiometric composition is expressed as BOy1 and whose actual composition is expressed as BOy2; and a metal layer formed on the second layer. The second layer is higher in ratio of oxidation than the first layer. The composition parameters x1, x2, y1, and y2 satisfy y2/y1>x2/x1, and the second layer includes an interface layer of the stoichiometric composition formed at an interface with the metal layer. The interface layer is higher in ratio of oxidation than the rest of the second layer.
US08629483B2
A method for forming a DRAM memory with a two-sided transistor includes: providing a silicon finFET structure having at least two fins, and a trench between the fins; forming high ohmic gates on either side of the fins; forming a hole between each pair of high ohmic gates to enable connection between the pair of high ohmic gates; forming a gate on one side of the trench and underneath one of the pair of high ohmic gate; forming a layer of oxide over the gate; and depositing tungsten in the trench to form a thick layer of metal at the bottom to form a word line.
US08629466B2
This invention discloses a lighting device for providing an illumination with enhanced color uniformity. The lighting device includes a light generating element adjacent a substrate and configured to produce light having wavelengths substantially within a first wavelength range; a transparent frame attached to the substrate, surrounding the transparent frame; a wavelength converting layer for converting a portion of the light produced by the light generating element into light having wavelengths within a second wavelength range, substantially covering the light emitting surface and at least part of the transparent frame; and a scattering frame configured to substantially scatter light that travels therein, covering a portion of the light emitting surface around periphery thereof to thereby receive a portion of the light leaving the wavelength converting layer around the periphery of the light emitting area. Light components in said portion of the light are substantially mixed in the scattering frame.
US08629465B2
A semiconductor device having light-emitting diodes (LEDs) formed on a concave textured substrate is provided. A substrate is patterned and etched to form recesses. A separation layer is formed along the bottom of the recesses. An LED structure is formed along the sidewalls and, optionally, along the surface of the substrate between adjacent recesses. In these embodiments, the surface area of the LED structure is increased as compared to a planar surface. In another embodiment, the LED structure is formed within the recesses such that the bottom contact layer is non-conformal to the topology of the recesses. In these embodiments, the recesses in a silicon substrate result in a cubic structure in the bottom contact layer, such as an n-GaN layer, which has a non-polar characteristic and exhibits higher external quantum efficiency.
US08629455B2
A power semiconductor device is provided. The power semiconductor device includes a source electrode disposed on a device activation region and widened in a direction toward a first side, a drain electrode arranged alternately with the source electrode on the device activation region and widened in a direction toward a second side facing the first side, an insulating layer disposed on the source electrode and the drain electrode and configured to include a plurality of via contacts contacting the source electrode and the drain electrode, a source electrode pad disposed in a first region on the insulating layer to be brought into contact with the source electrode, and a drain electrode pad disposed in a second region separated from the first region on the insulating layer and brought into contact with the plurality of via contacts contacting the drain electrode.
US08629453B2
A die comprising two or more active electronic components is provided. The active electronic components are capable of being interconnected using interconnections external to the die. The die may be encased within a package, and the active electronic components may be interconnected using interconnections external to the package. By interconnecting the active electronic components, either directly or through one or more additional components, a desired circuit may be formed. In some examples, the desired circuit may be a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). Methods of forming the circuit are also disclosed.
US08629445B2
Provided are a semiconductor device with less leakage current is reduced, a semiconductor device with both of high field effect mobility and low leakage current, an electronic appliance with low power consumption, and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device in which leakage current can be reduced without an increase in the number of masks. The side surface of a semiconductor layer formed of a semiconductor film having high carrier mobility is not in contact with any of a source electrode and a drain electrode. Further, such a transistor structure is formed without an increase in the number of photomasks and can be applied to an electronic appliance.
US08629438B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film. A first oxide semiconductor film with a thickness of greater than or equal to 2 nm and less than or equal to 15 nm is formed over a gate insulating layer. First heat treatment is performed so that crystal growth from a surface of the first oxide semiconductor film to the inside thereof is caused, whereby a first crystal layer is formed. A second oxide semiconductor film with a thickness greater than that of the first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the first crystal layer. Second heat treatment is performed so that crystal growth from the first crystal layer to a surface of the second oxide semiconductor film is caused, whereby a second crystal layer is formed. Further, oxygen doping treatment is performed on the second crystal layer.
US08629432B2
A semiconductor device including a thin film transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor layer and has high electric characteristics and reliability. Film deposition is performed using an oxide semiconductor target containing an insulator (an insulating oxide, an insulating nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxynitride, or the like), typically SiO2, so that the semiconductor device in which the Si-element concentration in the thickness direction of the oxide semiconductor layer has a gradient which increases in accordance with an increase in a distance from a gate electrode is realized.
US08629431B2
The present invention provides a photoelectric conversion device that is durable, lightweight, and inexpensive, and has a network structure of organic semiconductor nanowires that has high durability and is suitable for charge transport. In addition, to provide the photoelectric conversion device, the present invention provides, as an electron-donating material, a material for a photoelectric conversion device, the material including phthalocyanine nanowires having a breadth of 50 nm or less and a ratio (length/breadth) of a length to the breadth, the ratio being 10 or more. According to the present invention, a photoelectric conversion device having a long life due to high light resistance of phthalocyanine can be provided at a low cost. Use of such photoelectric conversion devices can constitute a solar-cell module having a long life due to the feature of the photoelectric conversion devices and being manufactured at a low cost.
US08629428B2
A tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) and method of making the same is provided. The TFET comprises a source-channel-drain structure and a gate electrode. The source region comprises a first source sub-region which is doped with a first doping profile with a dopant element of a first doping type having a first peak concentration and a second source sub-region close to a source-channel interface which is doped with a second doping profile with a second dopant element with the same doping type as the first dopant element and having a second peak concentration. The second peak concentration of the second doping profile is substantially higher than the maximum doping level of the first doping profile close to an interface between the first and the second source sub-regions.
US08629421B1
Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
US08629416B2
An improved method for substrate micromachining. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for the utilization of charged particle beam masking and laser ablation. A combination of the advantages of charged particle beam mask fabrication and ultra short pulse laser ablation are used to significantly reduce substrate processing time and improve lateral resolution and aspect ratio of features machined by laser ablation to preferably smaller than the diffraction limit of the machining laser.
US08629413B2
A method of manipulating a focused light beam includes focusing a beam of excitation light with a lens to a focal spot within a sample, where a cross-section of the beam includes individual beamlets. Directions and/or relative phases of the individual beamlets of the excitation beam at a rear pupil of the lens are individually varied with a wavefront modulating element, and emission light emitted from the focal spot is detected while the directions or relative phases of individual beamlets are varied. The directions of individual beamlets are controlled to either maximize or minimize the emission light from the focal spot, and the relative phases of individual beamlets are controlled to increase the emission light from the focal spot.
US08629403B2
A new inorganic scintillating material is provided represented by the formula Ln(1-m-n)HfnCemA(3+n), where A is Br or Cl, or I, or a mixture of at least two halogens of the group, Ln is an element from the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu, Y. A new crystal scintillator is also provided represented by the formula Ln(1-m)CemA3:n.Hf4+, where Ln(1-m)CemA3 represents the chemical composition of the matrix material, A is Br, or Cl, or I, or a mixture of at least two halogens from the group, Ln is an element from the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu, Y; Hf4+ is a dopant. A radiation detector comprising a scintillating element based on the novel inorganic scintillating material is also provided.
US08629390B2
Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide a color digital camera with direct luminance detection. The luminance signals are obtained directly from a broadband image sensor channel without interpolation of RGB data. The chrominance signals are obtained from one or more additional image sensor channels comprising red and/or blue color band detection capability. The red and blue signals are directly combined with the luminance image sensor channel signals. The digital camera generates and outputs an image in YCrCb color space by directly combining outputs of the broadband, red and blue sensors.
US08629388B2
A 3D image capturing device includes a first lens module, a second lens module, a single sensor, an image sensor; a cross dichroic prism; a first mirror; and a second mirror. The first and second lens module have a first optical axis and a second optical axis, respectively. The second lens module is located juxtaposed with the first lens module. The second optical axis is parallel with the first optical axis. The first and second mirrors are arranged at opposite sides of the cross dichroic prism. The first and second mirrors are configured for reflecting and directing light beams from the first and second lens modules to the cross dichroic prism. The cross dichroic prism is configured to redirect the reflected light beams from the first and second mirrors to the image sensor.
US08629387B2
An integrated circuit for generating image data comprises a focal-plane array of unit cells, a controller, and a memory structure having a plurality of storage locations. Each unit cell may store charge based on detected photons. The controller may read a value based on the stored charge from at least some of the unit cells, and either add the read value to an existing value in the corresponding storage location when operating in frame-sum mode, or add the read value to an existing value in a shifted storage location when operating in time-delay integration (TDI) mode. This may allow faint objects as well as objects moving in the field-of-view of the focal-plane array to be observed. The integrated circuit may be fabricated from radiation-hardened CMOS technology and may be a layer of a sensor chip assembly.
US08629382B2
An reference light emitted from an LED for auto focus enters a glass cover, on which a sample is adhered to, via a half mirror to an objective lens. The reference light that entered the glass cover is reflected by the boundary surface to be reflected light, and this reflected light enters a dichroic mirror via an objective lens. A part transmits the reflected light and allows the light to enter the camera via the dichroic mirror to the lens. A user rotates a motor-operated mirror while viewing the image of the reference light captured by a camera, so as to shift the reference light image position on the boundary surface.
US08629373B2
A welding system, in certain embodiments, includes a synchronization controller configured to override a first nominal calibration of a first wire drive, or a second nominal calibration of a second wire drive, or both, in response to a tension condition or a compression condition of a welding wire feeding between the first and second wire drives. A welding system, in other embodiments, includes a welding wire drive having a motor, a controller, a nominal calibration, and a multi-drive synchronization parameter. The multi-drive synchronization parameter may be configured to control speed, or torque, or both, of multiple drives including the welding wire drive to facilitate synchronization of the multiple drives.
US08629369B2
A weld cylinder having a single piston arrangement is provided. The cylinder has a movable retract piston assembly with the piston arranged within the retract piston assembly. The piston supports a rod that is movable between home, intermediate, work, and advanced work positions. The rod moves rapidly from the home position to the intermediate position however, the rod moves more slowly from the intermediate position to the work position to reduce the impact force. A cushion chamber slowly exhausts through a pre-orifice and a hole in the cushion valve while an isolator is in an open position. Once the cushion valve opens in response to a retract-forward pressure on the cushion valve, the cushion chamber exhausts rapidly so that weld force increases rapidly to minimize increases in cycle time. Advance of a retract piston assembly is also cushioned. A weld-forward port is no longer provided on a cylinder barrel.
US08629368B2
A direct-metal deposition (DMD) processing stage and a 5DOF (degree of freedom) dry micro-EDM (mEDM) stage are integrated to provide the submicron scale resolution necessary for the ultra-precision processing of work pieces. The DMD processing stage includes optical feedback for dimensional control utilizing a high-power, fiber-coupled diode laser with fast response time and small beam parameter product. The electrical discharge machining (EDM) stage is a dry EDM stage using an inert gas with appropriate dielectric properties to perform the surface finishing operations. The system further includes one or more surface treatment operations to obtain a desired level of surface hardness or wear resistance and/or to minimize the distortion induced in treating the surface.
US08629366B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a medium voltage circuit breaker arrangement that includes at least one pole part housing for accommodating a pair of coaxially arranged electrical contacts, wherein one electrical contact of the pair of electrical contacts is axially movable via a jackshaft arrangement which is accommodated in a recasted sheet metal housing, and driven by an actuator unit. The sheet metal housing forms a suspension construction for the at least one pole part housing and the jackshaft arrangement and the corresponding actuator unit forming a module. An additional housing part is provided for covering at least the actuator unit of the module in order to define the outer geometrical dimensions of the circuit breaker arrangement.
US08629362B1
A key for user input having superior tactile qualities. The key is suspended by a magnetic field force to improve the smoothness of motion. Two compact interleaved members link a keycap to a key base to provide highly precise parallel travel with reduced tilt and flexion, and improved durability.
US08629359B2
A circuit breaker lockout device is disclosed. The circuit breaker lockout device includes a body having a top, a bottom, a front, a back and sides. The top of the body includes a padlock hole defined by a channel that is parallel to the body. The body also includes a toggle screw that extends through the body to secure the lockout device to a circuit breaker.
US08629358B2
A method for dynamically updating at least one pre-defined value of a parameter used to identify at least one operational mode of an object for user interaction with a digitizer sensor during interaction with the digitizer sensor comprises detecting signal outputs from a plurality of sensing elements of a digitizer sensor during user interaction with the digitizer sensor; characterizing a pattern formed by the signal outputs from the plurality of sensing elements; identifying a pre-defined event associated with an operational mode of the object based on the pattern; determining a value of the parameter from the signal outputs in response to identification of the pre-defined event; and updating the pre-defined value used to identify the operational mode based on the value of the parameter determined from the identified event.
US08629350B2
A process turning disc includes a first flange configured to support a cable package in a first direction and a second flange configured to support a cable package in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A connecting member connected to the first and the second flanges is configured to support a cable package in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. A cable guide is fastened to the process turning disc in a detachable manner and includes a cable clamp configured to support a cable package in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. The cable guide further includes two sliding surfaces configured to support a cable package in the first and the second directions outside of the cable clamp. A bending movement of the cable package is thereby allowed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the process turning disc.
US08629348B2
A fire resistant assembly which may be used to ensure the fire resistance of a fire barrier such as a wall, comprising a first layer having a lumen therein, a second layer adjacent the first layer, and a box having a cavity defined by a wall, an opening in the wall, and a flange proximate the opening, wherein the box is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and wherein the opening is disposed on the lumen of the first layer.
US08629345B1
A solar receiver including a housing defining an internal volume divided into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the second chamber is in fluid communication with the first chamber, the housing further defining a first opening into the first chamber, a second opening into the first chamber and a third opening into the second chamber, a generally transparent cover connected to the housing to generally seal the first opening, and a thermal energy storage material received in the first chamber, the thermal energy storage material including a thermally conductive material defining an internal chamber and a salt received in the internal chamber.
US08629337B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV240952. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV240952, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV240952 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 CV240952 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 CV240952.
US08629327B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated EX 08260893. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line EX 08260893, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line EX 08260893 with itself or with another pea plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pea line EX 08260893, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US08629324B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having expansin activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08629321B2
The present invention relates to the genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for sesquiterpenes of SB type (alpha-santalene, epi-beta-santalene, cis-alpha-bergamotene, trans-alpha-bergamotene and endo-beta-bergamotene,) and for the precursor thereof, Z,Z-farnesyl diphosphate (Z,Z-FPP), involving a Z,Z-FPP synthase and a sesquiterpene SB synthase, and to the uses thereof for producing sesquiterpeniques compounds of SB type.
US08629314B2
An adhesion inhibiting surgical barrier. The surgical barrier includes a wound-facing polymeric coating comprising an enteric polymer; and at least one flexible substrate, the at least one flexible substrate having at least one exterior surface, wherein the polymeric coating is applied to the at least one flexible substrate to substantially cover the at least one exterior surface thereof. A method of inhibiting the formation of adhesions in a patient who has undergone a surgical procedure and a method of repairing a gastric or duodenal perforation are also described herein.
US08629300B2
The invention relates to arylamine-substituted divinyl fluorenes. The invention is based on the object of providing photoconductors having good durability, high sensitivity, and low residual potential. The task is to detect new perforated conductors, which can be used in electrophotography, for copying, and in the OLED field. The task is solved by the production of the title compounds, particularly of the formula (11).
US08629290B2
Process for the production of saturated monocarboxylic acids and triglycerides of saturated carboxylic acids having more than one acid function starting from non-modified vegetable oils containing triglycerides of unsaturated fatty acids, comprising the oxidative cleavage of the unsaturated fatty acids.
US08629288B2
The present invention relates to a process for the regioselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-3-halo-alkylpyrazole-4-carboxylic acid derivatives by cyclization of 2,3-disubstituted acrylic acid derivatives, and to the hydrazones formed as intermediates in the process.
US08629282B2
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or stereoisomers, salts, or prodrugs thereof, wherein: W is CH2 or O; Q is Formula (II), Formula (III) or Formula (IV); and R1, R2, R3, R4, n, and G are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease.
US08629281B2
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.
US08629278B2
Described herein are compounds useful in the modulation of blood uric acid levels, formulations containing them and methods of using them. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein are used in the treatment or prevention of disorders related to aberrant levels of uric acid.
US08629277B2
The present invention relates to oxadiazole compounds in all their stereoisomeric and tautomeric forms and mixtures thereof in all ratios; and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable polymorphs. The invention also relates to processes for the manufacture of the oxadiazole compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The said compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions are useful in the treatment of cancer, particularly chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The present invention further provides a method of treatment of cancer by administering a therapeutically effective amount of said compounds or their pharmaceutical compositions, to a mammal in need thereof.
US08629272B2
The present invention relates to compounds having the general formula (I) with the definitions of X1-X3, Y1, Y2, L1, R1 and R2 given below and/or solvates, hydrates, esters and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of said compounds for modulating of the Wnt signalling pathway activity and their use as a medicament, preferably for the treatment of cancer.
US08629271B2
The present invention relates to spirocyclic amide derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy.
US08629264B2
A system, method, and kit for extracting nucleic acid from a sample containing nucleic acid uses an extraction device with an elongate channel. Fluids are provided to the channel via gravity feed to the inlet port. The flow rate and other flow behavior may be controlled with a siphon provided at the outlet port.
US08629248B2
The present invention relates to the field glycosylation engineering of proteins. More particular, the present invention is directed to the glycosylation engineering of proteins to provide proteins with improved therapeutic properties, e.g., antibodies, antibody fragments, or a fusion protein that includes a region equivalent to the Fc region of an immunoglobulin, with enhanced Fc-mediated cellular cytotoxicity.
US08629246B2
The present invention provides dual specificity antibody fusion proteins comprising an antibody Fab or Fab′ fragment with specificity for an antigen of interest, the fragment being fused to at least one single domain antibody which has specificity for a second antigen of interest.
US08629243B2
Variant sucrose transporter polypeptides that enable faster sucrose utilization in bacteria are described. Additionally, variant or recombinant bacteria comprising these variant sucrose transporter polypeptides, and methods of utilizing the bacteria to produce products such as glycerol and glycerol-derived products are provided.
US08629242B2
The present invention provides a method of modulating calcineurin activity in a cell by contacting the cell with at least one ApoE analog. Methods of treating various disorders associated with calcineurin activity using one or more ApoE analogs are also disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides a method of reducing demyelination and promoting remyelination in a subject. Methods of treating spinal cord or nerve injury in a subject are also described.
US08629241B2
Disclosed are short chain peptides that are constrained to adopt an alpha helicial conformation and their use as alpha helical scaffolds for directing amino acid side chains into positions analogous to those found in longer chain alpha helical peptides. Also disclosed is the use of these peptides for attaching peptidic or non-peptidic appendages in order to mimic side chains of longer alpha helical peptides. The peptides find use in mimicking naturally occurring peptides or proteins or in preparing new materials.
US08629235B2
A method for producing a polycarbonate, comprises: continuously feeding a dihydroxy compound having a portion represented by —(—CH2—O—)— in a part of a structure thereof and a carbonic acid diester; and continuously performing polycondensation to produce a polycarbonate, wherein the method satisfies all of the conditions: (A) at least two reactor vessels connected in series are used; (B) a reaction solution reacted in a first reactor of the first vessel is continuously fed to a reactor of the second vessel; (C) the first reactor is equipped with a reflux condenser; and (D) a reflux ratio in the first reactor is from 0.01 to 10 based on a distillate volume.
US08629230B2
In manufacturing of a carboxyl group-containing water-soluble polymer by a precipitation polymerization method, a method which can improve production efficiency with increasing practicality continuously adds a monomer solution wherein a monomer component containing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid is dissolved in an inert solvent in a concentration of 20 to 50% by volume to an inert solvent charged in a reaction vessel. In this case, the amount of the inert solvent charged in the reaction vessel is set so that the concentration of the monomer component in the total amount summed up with the monomer solution is 10 to 24% by volume, and the time period until completion of continuous addition of the total amount of the monomer solution is set so that the conversion of the monomer component at the time of completion of addition of the total amount of the monomer solution is 60% or more. The monomer component may contain a polymerizable compound having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups.
US08629229B2
The present invention relates to a polymerizable polymer formed from an N-vinyl amide monomer and containing a polymerizable functionality. In one approach, a dual functional monomer may be employed. In the case where the dual functional monomer incorporates glycidyl methacrylate, a third polymerizable monomer is also included. In a second approach, a monomer with polymerizable functionality can be grafted onto a pre-existing, suitable N-vinyl amide co-polymeric material, yielding a co-polymer comprising a polymerizable functionality. where x+y+z+a=100.
US08629223B2
The present invention relates to a method for initiating an ethylene polymerization reaction in an ethylene polymerization loop reactor. More particularly, the invention relates to the timing upon which hydrogen is introduced into the ethylene polymerization loop reactor. The catalysts used in the ethylene polymerization reaction according to present invention are preferably metallocene catalysts.
US08629215B2
Thermoplastic polyolefin polymer composition, polymer chip, fiber, woven or nonwoven fabric, film, closures, laminates can comprise a polymer, a polymer and a nonvolatile polymer-compatible carboxylic acid. Thermoplastic polyolefin polymer composition can also comprise a polymer, a cyclodextrin-modified polymer and a nonvolatile polymer-compatible carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid moiety of the polymer composition can react with basic materials in the polymer environment and reduce release of the basic material. The cyclodextrin can act to absorb or trap other contaminants or odors in the environment.
US08629204B2
Method for preparing stretched polypropylene films from a polypropylene resin that includes a low molecular weight hindered amine light stabilizer, and a high molecular weight hindered amine light stabilizer, and optionally a first antioxidant, and a second antioxidant. Also provided are methods for the preparation of woven jumbo polypropylene bags from the stretched polypropylene film.
US08629203B2
Coated reinforcing biofiber for thermoplastic articles is disclosed. The coating on the biofiber comprises a plastisol. The coated reinforcing biofiber can be used in thermoplastic compounds to simulate the appearance of natural wood while adding significantly increased flexural modulus for the wood plastic composite (WPC).
US08629194B2
This invention is made to provide a formed article which ensures, for example, that an active substance included therein and a substance outside capsules can effectively come in contact with each other without suffering influences such as a pressure loss. This invention is a formed article having a plurality of cells formed in a polymer (A), (1) each cell including an active substance, (2) the polymer (A) having pores, each pore communicating with other pores and having a diameter in the range of 1 nm to 1 μm, and (3) the internal wall of each cell and the active substance being substantially not in contact with each other.
US08629191B2
For producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides the synthesis gas is passed through a first, water-cooled reactor in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol. The resulting mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, gas-cooled reactor in which a further part of the carbon oxides is converted to methanol. Subsequently, methanol is separated from the synthesis gas, and synthesis gas is recirculated to the first reactor. The cooling gas flows through the second reactor cocurrent to the mixture withdrawn from the first reactor.
US08629190B2
For producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides the synthesis gas is passed through a first, preferably water-cooled reactor in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol, and the resulting mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, preferably gas-cooled reactor in which a further part of the carbon oxides is converted to methanol. The mixture withdrawn from the first reactor is guided through a gas/gas heat exchanger in which the mixture is cooled to a temperature below its dew point. Subsequently, methanol is separated from the gas stream in a methanol separator and withdrawn, while the remaining gas stream is supplied to the second reactor.
US08629188B2
Configurations, systems, and methods for a gas-to-liquids plant are presented in which the energy demand for natural gas reformation is provided at least in part by biomass gasification to reduce or eliminate net carbon emissions. Preferred plants, systems, and methods may recycle various process streams to further reduce water demand, improve the hydrogen/carbon ratio of a feed stream to a Fischer-Tropsch process, and recover and/or recycle carbon dioxide.
US08629182B2
A method for modulating enzymatic degradation of articular cartilage in a dog comprises administering to the dog an enzymatic degradation modulating effective amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for example as a component of a food composition. By practice of the method in a dog having arthritis, mobility of the dog can be increased, weight bearing in an arthritic limb can be increased, and/or pain associated with arthritis can be reduced.
US08629179B2
Methods and devices for maintaining a desired therapeutic drug effect over a prolonged therapy period are provided. In particular, oral dosage forms that release drug within the gastrointestinal tract at an ascending release rate over an extended time period are provided. The dosage forms may additionally comprise an immediate-release dose of drug.
US08629171B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a crystalline form of methyl ((1S)-1-(((2S)-2-(5-(4′-(2-((2S)-1-((2S)-2-((methoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-methylbutanoyl)-2-pyrrolidinyl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-4-biphenylyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamate dihydrochloride salt. The present disclosure also generally relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a crystalline form, as well of methods of using a crystalline form in the treatment of Hepatitis C and methods for obtaining such crystalline form.
US08629158B2
Novel MCH-1 receptor antagonists are disclosed. These compounds are used in the treatment of various disorders, including obesity, anxiety, depression, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and psychiatric disorders. Methods of making these compounds are also described in the present invention.
US08629155B2
Disclosed are compounds of formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, U, W, X, R1, R2, R6, R7, R30 and R31 are as described above in the specification. Also disclosed is the method of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08629144B2
The invention relates to novel polymorphic and hydrate forms and salts of 6-{difluoro[6-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazin-3-yl]methyl}quinoline, to methods for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one of said polymorphic or hydrate forms or salts, and to the therapeutic and/or prophylactic use of such compositions. The invention also provides new manners for preparing said compound.
US08629143B2
Disclosed herein are KCNQ potassium channels modulators of formula (I) wherein ring Z1, R1, p, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds; and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also described.
US08629140B2
New compositions for and methods of treating ocular hypertension provide for effective treatment of ocular hypertension often using reduced concentrations of active components. Such compositions include a timolol component and a hypotensive lipid component. The present compositions and methods are relatively straightforward, can be easily produced, for example, using conventional manufacturing techniques, and can be easily and conveniently practiced, for example, using application or administration techniques or methodologies which are substantially similar to those employed with prior compositions used to treat ocular hypertension.
US08629139B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of pulmonary inflammation. In particular, methods and compositions using aerosol levofloxacin or ofloxacin to reduce pulmonary inflammation are provided.
US08629132B2
The present invention provides a new group of protein kinase inhibitors, pyrropyrimidine and pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof that are useful for treating cell proliferative disease and disorder such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, infection, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease and disorder. The present invention provides methods for synthesizing and administering the protein kinase inhibitor compounds. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising at least one of the protein kinase inhibitor compounds together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient therefor. The invention also provides useful intermediates generated during the syntheses of the pyrropyrimidine and pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives.
US08629131B2
The present invention relates to methods for increasing iron absorption in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound that inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase activity.
US08629128B2
A pharmaceutical aerosol foam composition, comprising: an effective amount of a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein said pharmaceutically active ingredient is a vitamin or analogue thereof; an occlusive agent; an aqueous solvent; an organic cosolvent; wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is insoluble in both water and the occlusive agent; and the occlusive agent being present in an amount sufficient to form an occlusive layer on the skin, in use. In a second embodiment, an oil-in water emulsion having a vitamin, an occlusive agent; an aqueous solvent; and an organic cosolvent, wherein the occlusive agent is present in an amount sufficient to form an occlusive layer on the skin.
US08629123B2
The present invention refers to use of dextran sulfate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivate thereof, for manufacturing of a medicament for treatment of Instant Blood-Mediated Inflammatory Reaction (IBMIR). In addition, the invention refers to the use of dextran sulfate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivate thereof, for manufacturing of a medicament for treatment of morphological disruption of cell transplants and graft-rejection of cell transplants caused by IBMIR. The invention may be applied to patients suffering from type I diabetes, in which porcine islets of Langerhans are transplanted in their portal vein. Administration of dextran sulfate according to the invention inhibits and prevents rejection and destruction of the transplanted islets and makes normoglycemia in the patients possible.
US08629121B2
This invention provides a high molecular weight polysaccharide capable of binding to and inhibiting virus and related pharmaceutical formulations and methods of inhibiting viral infectivity and/or pathogenicity, as well as immunogenic compositions. The invention further includes methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and of ameliorating a symptom of aging. Additionally, the invention provides methods of detecting and/or quantifying and/or isolating viruses.
US08629117B2
Medicament comprising a combination of at least one inhibitor of the effect of a substance negatively effecting an immune response, the substance selected from the group consisting of TGF-β and its receptors, VEGF and its receptors, interleukin 10 (IL-10) and its receptors, PGE2 and its receptors, wherein the inhibitor has a molecular weight of less than 100 kDa and at least one stimulator positively effecting an immune response.
US08629115B2
This invention relates to compositions and methods for treatment of vascular conditions. The invention provides arginine polymers and arginine homopolymers for the treatment and/or prevention of glaucoma, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction, Raynaud's syndrome, heparin overdose, vulvodynia, and wound healing. The invention also provides arginine polymers and arginine homopolymers for use in organ perfusate and preservation solutions.
US08629109B2
In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting bone growth and increasing bone density.
US08629108B2
Described herein is an activated synovial autoreactive T cell and compositions thereof. Methods or preparing T cell compositions that may be used for treating rheumatoid arthritis are also described.
US08629103B2
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast in BRCA1 mutant carriers. Accordingly, the invention relates to the use and application of compounds or agents, including somatostatin analogs, that inhibit insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or insulin-like growth factor I receptor signaling for the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast. The invention further relates to the use and application of these compounds or agents for the treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast in BRCA1 patients. The invention also relates to use of somatostatin analog SOM230 in treatment of non-proliferative cystic disease of the breast and more particularly, to use of somatostatin analog SOM230 in treatment of BRCA1 associated non-proliferative cystic disease.
US08629100B2
Glycopeptide antibiotics, such as oritavancin, demonstrate significant activity against both a vegetative form of C. difficile and C. difficile spores. Methods for the treatment, prophylaxis and prevention of C. difficile infection and disease in animals, including humans, are described.
US08629097B2
The present invention discloses novel macromolecule transduction domain (MTD) peptides which facilitate the traverse of a biologically active molecule across the cell membrane. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the MTD peptides, methods of identifying the MTD peptides; methods of genetically engineering a biologically active molecule to have cell permeability by using the MTD peptides, methods of importing a biologically active molecule into a cell by using the MTD peptides, and uses thereof.
US08629096B2
This invention relates to a method for stimulation or an activation of immunological function directed to activate natural killer cells and macrophages or increase production of serum antibody in a patient in need of such stimulation or activation, comprising administering an isolated and/or purified polypeptide of a fungal immunomodulatory protein. This invention also relates to a method for suppressing proliferation of a cancer cell and a method for suppressing a tumor cell mobility, comprising providing to the tumor cell a purified polypeptide of a fungal immunomodulatory protein.
US08629077B2
A rare earth alumina particulate composition manufacturing method and application are disclosed. The rare earth alumina of the invention is a particulate of porous structure with a molecular formula (REx,Al1-x)2O3, phase γ or γ+δ characterized by a particle size distribution ranging from 1 to 80 μm with a D50 of 5 to 15 μm, a pore size distribution ranging from 0.4-200 nm with an average pore diameter of 8 to 30 nm, a pore volume (PV) raging from 0.5 to 1.2 cc/g and a fresh specific surface area (SA) ranging from 130 to 250 m2/g after calcination at 500-900° C. for 5 to 10 hours. The rare earth alumina retains a SA of greater than 60 m2/g after calcination at 1200° C. for 4 hours and greater than 40 m2/g after calcination at 1200° C. for 50 hours. There is no presence of the α phase or other impurity phases in the long-term aged samples. The rare earth alumina of the invention has a high thermal stability and is a fine three-way catalyst support material. The rare earth alumina is made using wet continuous coprecipitation with a static mixer and a tank reactor featuring simple operation, low cost and high feasibility in industrial production.
US08629076B2
A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. Carbon aerogels can be coated with sol-gel silica and the silica can be converted to silicon carbide, improving the thermal stability of the carbon aerogel.
US08629070B2
Textile fabrics having a self cleaning and water repellent surface, constructed from A) at least one synthetic and/or natural textile base material and B) an artificial, at least partly hydrophobic surface having elevations and depressions comprising particles securely bonded to said base material A without adhesives, resins or coatings, obtained by treating said base material A with at least one solvent containing said particles in undissolved form and removing said solvent to leave at least a portion of said particles securely bonded to the surface of said base material A.
US08629069B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region.
US08629062B2
A method for forming a tungsten film includes forming a tungsten nucleation layer having an amorphous-phase or a β-phase over a semiconductor substrate. A first tungsten layer having a crystalline α-phase is then formed over the tungsten nucleation layer to form a low resistivity tungsten film. A second tungsten layer is formed over the first tungsten layer by a physical vapor deposition process, and the second tungsten layer has a large grain size similar to that of the low resistivity tungsten film. The tungsten film has both good surface roughness and low resistivity, thus enhancing the production yield and reliability of a semiconductor device.
US08629056B2
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit comprises forming a low-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the low-k dielectric layer to form an opening, and treating the low-k dielectric layer with a gaseous organic chemical to cause a reaction between the low-k dielectric layer and the gaseous organic chemical. The gaseous organic chemical is free from silicon.
US08629045B2
A device includes a crystalline material within an area confined by an insulator. In one embodiment, the area confined by the insulator is an opening in the insulator having an aspect ratio sufficient to trap defects using an ART technique. Method and apparatus embodiments of the invention can reduce edge effects in semiconductor devices. Embodiments of the invention can provide a planar surface over a buffer layer between a plurality of uncoalesced ART structures.
US08629043B2
A method includes performing a dicing on a composite wafer including a plurality of dies, wherein the composite wafer is bonded on a carrier when the step of dicing is performed. After the step of dicing, the composite wafer is mounted onto a tape. The carrier is then de-bonded from the composite wafer and the first tape.
US08629037B2
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a first surface and a second surface of a silicon substrate. the first and second surfaces being opposite surfaces. A first portion of the first dielectric layer covers the first surface of the substrate, and a second portion of the first dielectric layer covers the second surface of the substrate. The method includes forming openings that extend into the substrate from the first surface. The method includes filling the openings with a second dielectric layer. The method includes removing the first portion of the first dielectric layer without removing the second portion of the first dielectric layer.
US08629033B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device prevents a lower electrode from leaning, in a dip-out process of an interlayer insulation film forming a lower electrode. A conductive material of a lower electrode is used as a support layer instead of a conventional nitride film support layer. This prevents a crack from being generated in a nitride film support layer. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US08629026B2
The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a high-voltage semiconductor device. The method includes designating first, second, and third regions in a substrate. The first and second regions are regions where a source and a drain of the semiconductor device will be formed, respectively. The third region separates the first and second regions. The method further includes forming a slotted implant mask layer at least partially over the third region. The method also includes implanting dopants into the first, second, and third regions. The slotted implant mask layer protects portions of the third region therebelow during the implanting. The method further includes annealing the substrate in a manner to cause diffusion of the dopants in the third region.
US08629015B2
According to an aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing electronic components. A conducting element comprising a first portion, a second portion and a third portion between the first portion and the second portion is provided. Thermally responsive dielectric material is added at least onto the third portion of the conducting element. Electric current is supplied between the first portion and the second portion of the conducting element causing ohmic heating to affix dielectric material located on the third portion to the third portion. Non-thermally-affixed dielectric material is removed.
US08628998B2
A method includes performing a grinding on a backside of a semiconductor substrate. An image sensor is disposed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate. An impurity is doped into a surface layer of the backside of the semiconductor substrate to form a doped layer. A multi-cycle laser anneal is performed on the doped layer.
US08628991B2
A solar cell includes a semiconductor layer which includes a p-type impurity containing layer and an n-type impurity-containing layer; a dielectric layer disposed on one side of the semiconductor layer, wherein the dielectric layer has an isotropically etched portion on the surface thereof; a first electrode electrically connected with the p-type impurity-containing layer in the semiconductor layer; and a second electrode electrically connected with the n-type impurity-containing layer in the semiconductor layer.
US08628987B2
A liquid crystal display device is provided with high productivity at low cost by reducing manufacturing steps of the liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal display device with less power consumption and high reliability is provided. Etching of a semiconductor layer and formation of a contact hole that connects a pixel electrode and a drain electrode are performed by one photolithography process and one etching step, whereby the number of photolithography processes is reduced. A liquid crystal display device can be provided with high productivity at low cost by reducing the number of photolithography processes. Further, an oxide semiconductor is used for the semiconductor layer, whereby a liquid crystal display device with less power consumption and high reliability can be provided.
US08628986B2
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence (EL) element that suppresses leakage current flowing between an upper electrode and an under electrode through an organic layer. The organic EL element (51) is provided at a pixel region (R11) surrounded by a bank (3) on the substrate, and comprises: an organic layer (9) including at least one layer of the light-emitting layer (6); an upper electrode (7) and an under electrode (2) which hold the organic layer (9) therebetween; and a leakage current block layer (5) formed between the upper electrode (7) and the under electrode (2) at the boundary region (R12) between the pixel region (R11) and the bank region (R13), and formed between the upper electrode (7) and the under electrode (2) at the boundary region (R12) between the pixel region (R11) and the bank region (R13). The electric resistance of the leakage current block layer (5) in a thickness direction of the substrate is higher than the electric resistance of the organic layer (9) provided between the leakage current block layer (5) and the first electrode (2) in the thickness direction of the substrate.
US08628983B2
Disclosed herein is a light emitting diode. The light emitting diode includes a support substrate, semiconductor layers formed on the support substrate, and a metal pattern located between the support substrate and the lower semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layers include an upper semiconductor layer of a first conductive type, an active layer, and a lower semiconductor layer of a second conductive type. The semiconductor layers are grown on a sacrificial substrate and the support substrate is homogeneous with the sacrificial substrate.
US08628976B2
Methods for detecting particles in a fluid, including determining particle size and intrinsic fluorescence of a particle, and time correlating the particle detection data with image data in the vicinity of the detector or detector inlet to identify contamination sources in clean environments are described.
US08628974B2
A fast and sensitive method and device for protein sequencing are disclosed. The method uses a combination of Edman degradation chemistry and mass spectrometry to sequence proteins and polypeptides. A peptide degradation reaction is performed on a polypeptide or protein ion reactant in the gas phase. The reaction yields a first ion product corresponding to a first amino acid residue of the polypeptide or protein reactant and a polypeptide or protein fragment ion. The mass-to-charge ratio for the first ion product, or the polypeptide or protein fragment ion, or both, is then determined. The first amino acid residue of the polypeptide or protein reactant is then identified from the mass-to-charge ratio so determined.
US08628968B2
An indicator composition for indicating that an article has undergone an ethylene oxide sterilization process is provided. The indicator composition includes at least one pyridine derivative that reacts with moist ethylene oxide to provide an irreversible color change of the composition.
US08628964B2
Isolated mixed populations of fetal pulmonary cells, engineered three-dimensional tissue constructs of these cells, and uses thereof in identifying therapeutic agents which augment, repair, and/or replace dysfunctional native lung and to perform in vitro studies such as pharmaceutical screening, models for lung development and disease and characterization of chemical or mechanical injury are provided.
US08628962B2
Methods for differentiating stem cells are disclosed herein. These methods can be used to generate neurons, including, but not limited to, dopaminergic neurons. The disclosed methods include culturing stem cells in the absence of fibroblast growth factor-2 to generate embryoid bodies and culturing the embryoid bodies in the presence of an effective amount of at least one of stromal cell-derived factor 1, pleiotrophin, insulin-like growth factor 2, and ephrin B1 on an extracellular matrix for a period of time sufficient to produce dopaminergic neuronal cells. The differentiated cells can be used to study pharmaceutical agents that affect dopaminergic neurons and can be used in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
US08628960B2
The present invention provides compositions comprising desiccated biologics comprising a cell, protein, virus, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, or lipid, or any combination thereof, along with at least one membrane penetrable sugar, and at least one membrane impenetrable sugar, wherein the moisture content is from 5% to 95%, and to methods of preparing the same, and to methods of treating animals using the same.
US08628942B2
A tetrapyrrole compound is prepared by cultivating bacterial cells of Escherichia coli, which cannot express the gene ypjD (b2611) due to the variation thereof, in a culture medium and obtaining the resulting tetrapyrrole compound having a porphyrin ring structure from the culture medium.
US08628940B2
Methods, devices, and systems for performing intermittent detection during analytical reactions are provided. Such methods facilitate collection of reaction data from disparate reaction times. Further, such methods are useful for reducing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction at a given reaction time. In preferred embodiments, the reaction mixture is subjected to at least one illuminated and non-illuminated period and allowed to proceed such that the time in which the reaction mixture is illuminated is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period.
US08628931B2
This invention relates, e.g., to a method for predicting a subject's response to a chemotherapeutic agent and/or the subject's prognosis, comprising measuring the phosphorylation state of at least one member of the mTOR pathway, and/or of at least one member of an interconnected polypeptide pathway (e.g. a member of the Akt pathway or a member of the IRS pathway), compared to a baseline value, in a cancer tissue or cancer cell sample from the subject, wherein an elevated level of the phosphorylation state compared to the baseline value indicates that the subject is a non-responder to the chemotherapeutic agent and/or has a poor prognosis. Also described is a method for treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof, wherein the subject exhibits an elevated level of the phosphorylation state, comprising administering one or more inhibitors of the mTOR and/or an interconnected pathway.
US08628924B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for making differentiable amplicon species at unequal ratios using a single amplification system in a single vessel. The number of differentiable amplicons and their ratios to one another are chosen to span the required linear dynamic range for the amplification reaction and to accommodate limitations of the measuring system used to determine the amount of amplicon generated. Unequal amounts of distinguishable amplicon species are generated by providing unequal amounts of one or more amplification reaction components (e.g., distinguishable amplification oligomers, natural and unnatural NTP in an NTP mix, or the like). The amount of target nucleic acid present in a test sample is determined using the linear detection range generated from detection of one or more amplicon species having an amount within the dynamic range of detection.
US08628918B2
Methods of capturing two or more nucleic acids simultaneously from a single sample are provided. Different nucleic acids are captured through cooperative hybridization events on different subsets of particles or at different selected positions on a spatially addressable solid support. Compositions, kits, and systems related to the methods are also described.
US08628917B2
The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.
US08628916B2
A method for isolating Hepatitis A virus or Spring viremia of Carp virus. A virus probe is prepared by linking a magnetic bead-conjugated Protein G with an anti-HAV (Hepatitis A Virus) antibody or an anti-rhabdovirus antibody. The virus probe is contacted with a sample to be analyzed to form a virus probe-virus complex. The virus probe-virus complex is then isolated. It may specifically isolate Hepatitis A virus or Spring viremia of Carp virus from a sample mixed viruses.
US08628914B2
Disclosed herein are methods and kits relating to detection and quantitation of helicase activity.
US08628909B2
The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
US08628908B2
A chemically amplified resist composition is provided comprising (A) a specific tertiary amine compound, (B) a specific acid generator, (C) a base resin having an acidic functional group protected with an acid labile group, which is substantially insoluble in alkaline developer and turns soluble in alkaline developer upon deprotection of the acid labile group, and (D) an organic solvent. The resist composition has a high resolution, improved defect control in the immersion lithography, and good shelf stability.
US08628892B2
A solid oxide fuel cell supplied with a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, including a single cell 4 having a plate-like electrolyte 41, an cathode 42 formed on an upper surface of the electrolyte 41, and a anode 43 formed on a lower surface of the electrolyte 41; a conductive support substrate 2 supporting the single cell 4, and having through-holes 21 that form a supply path for the fuel gas or oxidant gas; and a gas-permeable welding layer 3 sandwiched between the single cell 4 and the support substrate 2, and welded to the single cell 4 and the support substrate 2.
US08628877B2
The invention relates to a method for making an electric energy storage assembly (1) including a cylindrical coil member (10) having a current collecting section at each end thereof, wherein the method comprises the step of radially coating at least one current collecting section at the end thereof from the center to the periphery of the end of the collecting section. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method and to a storage assembly obtained by said method.
US08628873B2
A separator for a lithium ion secondary battery with an alloy based negative electrode, wherein a dynamic friction coefficient of at least one surface is 0.1 or more and 0.4 or less, and a method for manufacturing the same.
US08628868B2
A surface agent includes two end portions and a middle portion disposed between the end portions. The end portions include a terminal section and a midsection. The terminal section includes at least one surface active functional group. The midsection includes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit. The middle portion includes at least one perfluorobutyl ether unit.
US08628867B2
A perpendicular magnetic media includes a substrate, a patterned template, a seed layer and a magnetic layer. The patterned template is formed on the substrate and includes a plurality of growth sites that are evenly spaced apart from each other. The seed layer is formed over the patterned template and the exposed areas of the substrate. Magnetic material is sputter deposited onto the seed layer with one grain of the magnetic material nucleated over each of the growth sites. The grain size distribution of the magnetic material is reduced by controlling the locations of the growth sites which optimizes the performance of the perpendicular magnetic media.
US08628864B2
There is provided an indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole compound having an excellent membrane property, a high T1 energy, and a deep HOMO level. There is also provided an organic light-emitting device that contains the indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole compound.There is provided an indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole compound having a high T1 energy and a deep HOMO level.
US08628852B2
Disclosed are core-shell resin particles (C2) each comprising one or more film-like shell layers (P) comprising a resin (a) which is a polyurethane resin and a core layer (Q) comprising a resin (b). A core-shell resin particle (C2) is characterized in that the weight ratio between (P) and (Q) is from 0.1:99.9 to 70:30, the volatile content in the resin particle (C2) is not more than 2 weight %, and the content of vinyl resins in the resin (b) is not more than 30 weight %. Such resin particles have a uniform particle diameter and are excellent in electrostatic properties, thermal and storage stability and thermal characteristics.
US08628848B2
A filmic label including a face material having a front side, a reverse side and an adhesive layer including pressure sensitive adhesive on the reverse side of the face material. The face material includes at least one surface layer on at least one side of at least one central layer. The at least one central layer includes cavities that have been initiated at initiation sites by stretching the face material in a longitudinal direction and in a cross direction. The cavities have been expanded in a thickness direction of the face material by allowing a gaseous substance to have an effect on the at least one central layer. Also a method for forming a plastic film for a filmic label.
US08628847B2
An adhesive binder, an adhesive composition including the same, an optical member, and associated methods, the adhesive binder including a (meth)acrylic copolymer having urethane, hydroxyl, aromatic, and vinyl groups in side chains thereof.
US08628846B2
Provided is a developer carrying member that can stably provide a negatively chargeable developer with triboelectric charge and whose surface hardly wears even after its long-term use. The developer carrying member is a developer carrying member, comprising: a substrate; and a surface layer, wherein: the surface layer contains a matrix resin and electro-conductive particles; and the matrix resin contains a crosslinked product of a polymer chain having units represented by the following structural formula (1) and the following structural formula (2), and a polymer chain represented by the following structural formula (3).
US08628842B2
An object is to provide a fiber-reinforced molded product that is superior in terms of lightness, thinness and high rigidity. A fiber-reinforced molded product has a core material 11 and a fiber-reinforced material 21 provided on both surfaces of the core material 11. The core material 11 is formed by impregnating a thermosetting resin foam having open cells with a first thermosetting resin and curing the thermosetting resin while compressing the impregnated thermosetting resin foam with a compression rate of 200 to 5000. The fiber-reinforced material 21 is formed by impregnating a carbon fiber fabric with a second thermosetting resin and curing the second thermosetting resin. A resin ratio of the first and second thermosetting resins after the impregnation is 50 to 80. The core material 11 and the fiber-reinforced material 21 are formed as a unitary body by curing the first and second thermosetting resins.
US08628837B2
Disclosed herein are composites as well as methods of making these composites. The composite may, for example, be used as light-weight, high-strength structural members and wall panels. In some embodiments, the composites can be prepared from a light-weight assembly using simple procedures. Also disclosed herein are assemblies for preparing the composites.
US08628836B2
Apparatus, systems and methods for forming a structure that includes a metal and a composite material are disclosed. According to one aspect, a layer stack includes a metal layer with a first surface, the first surface including at least one protruding feature. The layer stack also includes a non-metal layer molded to the first surface of the metal layer, wherein the non-metal layer is molded over and/or around the at least one protruding feature.
US08628833B2
A print medium for ink-jet printing comprises a base substrate, a micro-porous ink-receiving layer, and a backing layer. The base substrate can include raw base paper and a moisture barrier layer between the raw base paper and ink receiving layer. The ink-receiving layer can be a micro-porous type, and can be applied onto the moisture barrier at the first side of the base substrate and the backing layer can be applied to a second side of the base substrate. The backing layer can include an extruded coated polymer layer and can be configured to transport solvent vapor to the base substrate at the rate of at least 15 g/m2/24 hr.
US08628826B2
A method of producing an organic friction lining includes the steps of producing a liquid friction material pulp placing a fabric into the friction material pulp drying and saturating the friction material pulp together with the fabric placed therein and removing the fabric from the dried friction material.
US08628824B2
A manufacture method for forming an antique color on a metal surface includes a metal surface treatment step, a first spraying step, a rubbing step, a second spraying step and a surface drying step. A paint used in the second spraying step is a color and light-permeable powder paint. Thus, a metal color, obtained after the rubbing step, and a color of the powder paint appear the antique color, such as an antique copper color or an antique silver color. Furthermore, the surface drying step homogenizes the powder paint and enhances protection and uniformity of the metal surface.
US08628817B2
The invention is directed to a process for the production of wet solutions of peptides concentrated to 50% or dry peptides, for human and animal consumption, using as raw material secondary products generated in the production of protein food for human consumption. The process is started with a low temperature fat extraction previous to enzymatic action, and the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the low fat raw material is combined with acid hydrolysis, increasing the protein yield to nearly 100%, eliminating organic liquid industrial waste originating from products and residues of animal protein origin, fish and aquaculture.
US08628811B2
A process for preparing aerated ice confection particles by manufacturing an aerated ice confection in a mass; further freezing the mass cryogenically to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the aerated ice confection to form a aerated frozen mass, and comminuting the frozen mass to aerated ice confection particles with a high surface area to volume ratio. These particles can be used for a variety of purposes but preferably are used for forming frozen ice drinks in a simple, rapid and convenient manner. This is particularly useful when a single serving of such drinks is desired as no special equipment to make the drink is required. The invention also relates to packaging for the aerated ice confection particles and methods of making frozen ice drinks from the aerated ice confection particles.
US08628799B2
A coated tablet formulation is provided which includes a medicament such as the DPP4-inhibitor, saxaglipitin which is subject to intra-molecular cyclization, which formulation includes a tablet core containing one or more fillers, and other conventional excipients, which tablet core includes a coating thereon which may include two or more layers, at least one layer of which is an inner seal coat layer which is formed of one or more coating polymers, a second layer of which is formed of medicament which is the DPP4-inhibitor and one or more coating polymers, and an optional, but preferable third outer protective layer which is formed of one or more coating polymers. A method for forming the coated tablet is also provided.
US08628797B2
The invention is directed to controlled release formulations containing drugs which are preferably considered sparingly soluble to insoluble and which are suitable for administration to a patient in need of treatment related thereto, and methods of manufacturing the same.
US08628796B2
A room temperature stable cannabinoid formulation is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the cannabinoid formulation is dronabinol in an oil-based carrier contained within a hard gelatin capsule.
US08628791B2
Silk is purified to eliminate immunogenic components (particularly sericin) and is used to form fabric that is used to form tissue-supporting prosthetic devices for implantation. The fabrics can carry functional groups, drugs, and other biological reagents. Applications include hernia repair, tissue wall reconstruction, and organ support, such as bladder slings. The silk fibers are arranged in parallel and, optionally, intertwined (e.g., twisted) to form a construct; sericin may be extracted at any point during the formation of the fabric, leaving a construct of silk fibroin fibers having excellent tensile strength and other mechanical properties.
US08628788B2
Novel formulations containing a non-oxidative biocide, such as DBNPA, and a source of an in situ produced active biocide, such as a concentrated aqueous solution of an inorganic halide salt, are disclosed. These novel formulations are particularly effective in the treatment of water, and are characterized by high stability, desirable rheological properties and an excellent biocidal activity.
US08628786B2
When using squalene in a vaccine adjuvant, there is a possibility of contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Environmental exposure to PCBs may adversely affect children's immune responses to routine vaccinations. Thus the invention uses squalene with low or no PCB contamination, particularly when derived from shark liver.
US08628774B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing and treating cancer. In particular, the present invention identifies LGR5 as a protein over-expressed in solid tumor stem cell. The present invention further identifies an interaction between RSPO1 and LGR5 as an alternative pathway for the activation of beta-catenin signaling. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides biomolecules that disrupt functional signaling via a LGR protein, including, in certain embodiments, molecules that inhibit the interaction between one or more RSPO proteins and one or more LGR proteins, such as LGR5. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating cancer comprising disrupting functional LGR signaling and inhibiting growth of a solid tumor comprising solid tumor stem cells.
US08628761B2
The present invention relates to biocompatible, biodegradable polyurethane/urea polymeric compositions that are capable of in-vivo curing with low heat generation to form materials suitable for use in scaffolds in tissue engineering applications such as bone and cartilage repair. The polymers are desirably flowable and injectable and can support living biological components to aid in the healing process. They may be cured ex-vivo for invasive surgical repair methods, or alternatively utilized for relatively non-invasive surgical repair methods such as by arthroscope. The invention also relates to prepolymers useful in the preparation of the polymeric compositions, and to methods of treatment of damaged tissue using the polymers of the invention.
US08628754B2
A method for delivering an agent to the pulmonary system, in a single, breath-activated step or a single breath, comprises administering from a receptacle enclosing a mass of particles, to a subject's respiratory tract, particles which have a tap density of less than 0.4 g/cm3 and deliver at least about 50% of the mass of particles. The particles are capable of carrying agents. The agent is (1) part of the spray-drying pre-mixture and thereby incorporated into the particles, (2) added to separately-prepared particles so that the agent is in chemical association with the particles or (3) blended so that the agent is mixed with, and co-delivered with the particles.Respirable compositions comprising carrier particles having a tap density of less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a composition comprising an agent are also disclosed. Methods of delivering these respirable compositions are also included.
US08628751B2
The invention provides compounds, including compositions, preparations and formulations, and methods of using and making such compounds. Compounds of the present invention include pyrazine derivatives having a pyrazine core and a plurality of substituents. In some embodiments, pyrazine derivatives of the invention are pyrazine core compounds having one or more electron donating groups and one or more electron withdrawing groups optionally functionalized to provide useful optical, biological, pharmacokinetic and/or physical properties.
US08628748B2
A purification method for a carbon material containing carbon nanotubes is provided, which satisfies the following requirements: The method should prevent carbon nanotubes from being damaged, broken or flocculated; the method should be capable of removing the catalyst metal and carbon components other than the carbon nanotubes; and the method should be applicable to not only multi-walled carbon nanotubes but also single-walled carbon nanotubes which will undergo significant structural changes when heated to 1400° C. or higher temperatures. The method is characterized by including a carbon material preparation process for preparing a carbon material containing carbon nanotubes by an arc discharge method, using an anode made of a material containing at least carbon and a catalyst metal; and a halogen treatment process for bringing the carbon material into contact with a gas containing a halogen and/or halogen compound.
US08628745B2
A process for producing ammonium nitrate is disclosed and in which: a) a gaseous oxidizer feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidizing gas is exposed to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidized to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapor, b) the reaction mixture is cooled in a heat exchanger whereby the nitrogen monoxide is oxidized, the water vapor is condensed and the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water to form a nitric acid stream, with substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture being converted to nitric acid, and c) the nitric acid stream is reacted with a stream of ammonia in an ammonium nitrate producing stage to form the ammonium nitrate. Substantially all of the steam within the oxidizer feed is derived from the ammonium nitrate producing stage, and at least 10% of the ammonia within the oxidizer feed is derived and carried by the steam from the ammonium nitrate producing stage.Also disclosed is ammonium nitrate, in any of its various possible forms, when produced by the disclosed process.
US08628743B2
Gas sweetening solutions are described that are capable of removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams. These gas sweetening solutions increase the size of produced sulfur particles and thereby improve efficiency of their separation, while simultaneously reducing corrosive effects of the sweetening solutions.The gas sweetening solutions comprise at least one chelating agent, cationic iron and a mixture of nitrite salt and phosphate species.
US08628740B2
A method of processing waste iron chloride solution including ferrous chloride, ferric chloride or mixtures thereof and optionally free hydrochloric acid, includes concentrating waste iron chloride solution into concentrated liquid having iron chloride concentration of at least 30%-40% by weight; optionally oxidizing ferrous chloride in the concentrated liquid from the concentration step to ferric chloride providing liquid containing ferric chloride; hydrolyzing the liquid containing ferric chloride from the oxidation step at 155-350° C., maintaining the ferric chloride concentration at least at 65% by weight, generating steam containing hydrogen chloride and liquid containing ferric oxide; separating ferric oxide from the liquid containing ferric oxide in the hydrolysis step; condensing steam containing hydrogen chloride in the hydrolysis step, recovering hydrochloric acid at a concentration of at least 10%-15% by weight; and using condensation energy of the hydrogen chloride containing steam in the recovery step to heat the concentration step performed under reduced pressure.
US08628739B2
The present invention refers to a direct purification process of a nickel laterite leaching effluent including adjusting a pH of a leaching solution, employing an ion exchange resin to adsorb nickel and copper selectively over ferric or ferrous iron, and recovering nickel.
US08628738B2
Process for manufacturing alumina trihydrate by alkaline attack of bauxite, following the general steps of the Bayer process, and during which, after settling and before decomposition, the aluminate liquor undergoes a filtration, known as security filtration, so that at the end of the filtration it contains less than 10 mg/l of insoluble particles, characterized in that, during said security filtration, a filtration device is used that comprises a zone in which the liquor is subjected, after passing through said filtration media, to a pressure greater than 2 bar, preferably greater than 3 bar. Preferably, this device also comprises a zone in which the liquor is subjected, before passing through the filtration media, to a pressure greater than 5 bar, preferably greater than 6, typically in the vicinity of 7 bar. In this way, the aluminate liquor can be kept at a high temperature during the security filtration, typically greater than 130° C., preferably greater than 140° C., and be brought to a high degree of supersaturation Rp, typically greater than 1.25, without risk of reversion.
US08628735B2
In one embodiment, this invention is directed to a method of recovering metals from a metals bearing material comprising: reducing the particle size of at least a portion of the metals bearing material; mixing the metals bearing material in an acid solution to form a first slurry containing at least alkaline earth metal compounds; separating the at least alkaline earth metal compounds from the first slurry to form a first filtrate and a metals bearing material; leaching metals from the metals bearing material to form a pressure leach solution containing transition metals; precipitating and recovering transition metals from the pressure leach solution. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for recovering metals from a deoiled and dried coal liquefaction residue that contains spent catalyst originating from a Group VIB metal sulfide catalyst.
US08628733B2
Method for producing a uranium concentrate in the form of solid particles, by precipitation from a uranium-containing solution using a precipitating agent, in a vertical reactor comprising a base, a top, a central part, an upper part, and a lower part, the solid particles of the uranium concentrate forming a fluidized bed under the action of a rising liquid current which circulates from the base towards the top of the reactor successively passing through the lower part, the central part and the upper part of the reactor, and which is created by introducing a liquid recycling current (flow) at the base of the reactor, said liquid recycling current being tapped at a first determined level (A) in the upper part of the reactor and sent back without settling to the base of the reactor, excess liquid being also evacuated via an overflow located at a second determined level (B) in the upper part of the reactor; a method in which the upper limit (C) of the fluidized bed of solid particles is controlled so that it is positioned at a level below the first and second determined levels.
US08628724B2
Methods and systems to collect a sample of bodily fluid from a patient using an integrated needle and test strip assembly are provided. In this novel assembly, the test strip and needle form one unit that captures the sample of blood or interstitial fluid from the patient once the apparatus is pressed to the skin. The hollow aspiration needle includes more than one opening at a distal end, each opening coming into contact with the bodily fluid when disposed within a cutaneous or subcutaneous layer of the patient's skin. The disclosed test strip includes at least one reaction site for testing analyte concentrations and a means for linking to many commercially available test strip meters to provide readout of the analyte concentration. The sample may be captured by capillary flow, by an integrated aspirator, or by a differential vacuum device resident on the test strip meter.
US08628721B2
A system is provided for measuring an analyte concentration in a body fluid sample, comprising at least one cartridge that contains consumables for multiple measurements, a data carrier affixed to the cartridge that contains calibration information for the consumables, a hand-held device including a reading facility for receiving a cartridge of this type and for reading its data carrier, a measuring facility for measuring the result of a detection reaction, and a processor for controlling the measuring facility and for analysis of a measuring signal. At least one replaceable data storage unit is further provided in which supplementary data is stored. The data storage unit functions in combination with calibration information from the data carrier and is used by the processor to determine whether the consumables of the inserted cartridge renders a reliable measurement of analyte concentration.
US08628708B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a packing structure, characterized in that it includes the following main steps: a) a step comprising the hydrothermal synthesis of the packing mass, performed using a mixture of quicklime and silica; and b) a step comprising the drying of the packing mass produced in step (a) at a temperature T2 of between 110° C. and 500° C., possibly with at least one intermediate stage performed at a temperature of between 111° C. and 350° C. over a period t2 selected such that the physisorbed water content of the packing mass is less than 0.5%.
US08628697B2
A dielectric fluid composition containing of 60% to 63% in weight of mono-unsaturated fatty acid, of 20% to 23% in weight of di-unsaturated fatty acid, of 5% to 7% in weight of tri-unsaturated fatty acid, and of 6% to 8% in weight of saturated fatty acid, such that the dielectric fluid is free of antioxidants and/or external additives and has the following properties: a dielectric strength of 40 kV to 70 kV at a separation of 2 mm, a dielectric constant of 2.5 to 3.1 at 25° C., and a dissipation factor of 0.05% to 0.15% at 25° C. The dielectric fluid composition can be obtained by a combination of 95.5% to 99.25% in weight of at least one high oleic vegetable oil, of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of grape seed oil, of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of sesame seed oil, and of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of rice bran oil.
US08628689B2
The invention relates to a low temperature-curable coating composition comprising a film-forming resin, a curing agent for the film-forming resin, and a lithium salt.
US08628686B2
The embodiment provides a process for production of an oxynitride fluorescent substance. In the process, a compound represented by the formula: (Sr,Eu)2Si5N8, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride are mixed and then fired in a nitrogen atmosphere under high pressure.
US08628681B2
A heat transfer composition comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234ze(E)), carbon dioxide (R-744) and a third component selected from difluoromethane (R-32), 1,1-difluoroethane (R-152a), fluoroethane (R-161), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), propylene, propane and mixtures thereof.
US08628675B2
Provided is a substrate dechucking system of a plasma processing chamber adapted to remove a substrate from an ESC with reduction in voltage potential spike during dechucking of the substrate.
US08628671B2
A reservoir for use with a blood collection system includes a housing, a pre-filter, and a spring mechanism. The housing defines a cavity and has an inlet for receiving fluid from a source. The pre-filter is located within the cavity, removes particulates contained within the fluid, and allows the fluid to pass through the pre-filter. The spring mechanism is connected to the pre-filter and allows the pre-filter to travel within the cavity as the pre-filter collects particulates.
US08628666B2
Treatment systems are described which uncouple the solids retention time (SRT) of the recycling bacteria from the wasting bacteria. Elevated recycling bacteria SRTs increase concentrations of nitrifying bacteria in the aeration basin and Anammox bacteria in the anoxic basin, improving nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation. Fluorescence in situ hybridizations were used to identify and determine the abundance of nitrifying bacteria and Anammox bacteria (recycling bacteria) in freshly settled sludge of biological nutrient removal (BNR) secondary clarifiers. An uneven distribution was observed for recycling bacteria in two BNR systems. Settling patterns suggest microcolony formation processes are sensitive to the internal recycle rate, which allow for rapid recycling bacteria microcolony growth by increasing circulation of flocs through the aeration and anoxic basins. Uncoupling the SRT enhances aeration and/or anoxic basin utilization and reduces the overall hydraulic residence time.
US08628664B2
Provided is an purification system having vertical multi-compartment reactor for organic waste water, which generates swirling flow in respective sections while circulating wastewater vertically in respective wastewater treatment blocks in the system, so as to considerably increase contact time between air and the wastewater, thus greatly improving wastewater treatment efficiency. According to the system, a size of an aeration tank built in the wastewater purification system may be greatly decreased.
US08628658B2
Removing contaminated water and pollutants from a body of water. Apparatus includes marine particle skimmers that can pull contaminated water through filter units or otherwise direct contaminated water or pollutants to a collection point. Emergency extraction lines can remove contaminated water and pollutants by conducting water to an extraction point. Emergency extraction lines include multiple emergency extraction line components connected to each other. The marine particle skimmers and emergency extraction lines typically float on the surface of the water but can be configured to extract contaminants below the water surface.
US08628645B2
A thin film battery manufacturing method is provided for deposition of lithium metal oxide films onto a battery substrate. The films are deposited in a sputtering chamber having a plurality of sputtering targets and magnetrons. The sputtering gas is energized by applying a voltage bias between a pair of the sputtering targets at a frequency of between about 10 and about 100 kHz. The method can provide a deposition rate of lithium cobalt oxide of between about 0.2 and about 4 microns/hr with improved film quality.
US08628644B2
The present invention relates to a process for separating close-boiling and azeotropic components of mixtures, wherein said mixtures contain at least one hydrofluorocarbon compound, using at least one ionic liquid.
US08628634B2
A method of bonding a film (2) to a curved substrate (1) comprises preforming the film by applying a pneumatic pressure difference between two sides of the film and by heating said film. An intermediate shape is then conferred on the film, which is suitable for applying the film against a curved face of the substrate. This application is carried out, on the one hand, by keeping the film m the intermediate shape by means of an adjusted pressure difference applied between the two sides of the film and, on the other hand, by pressing the substrate against the film by means of a movable support (12-14). Such a method is used to obtain a defect-free ophthalmic lens with a film bonded to it.
US08628629B2
Methods, apparatus and other embodiments associated with cleaning elongated tubes are presented. An apparatus includes a rail, a lance a cart and a door. The rail has a left side and a right side. The lance sprays material into elongated tubes. The first cart supports the lance the cart can move in the rail in a forward direction and in a reverse direction. The first door is movably attached to the rail and moves to an open position when the cart moves in the forward direction and moves to a closed position when the cart moves in the reverse direction.
US08628617B2
A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a vaporizable material from a source positioned above a substrate. The vaporizable material is vaporized and directed as an vapor feed stream from the source, away from the substrate. The vapor feed stream is redirected as a plume from a redirector, towards the substrate and deposited as a film on the substrate.
US08628612B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing, starting from a slag material, a filler for construction materials which contain bitumen or a hydraulic binding agent. The slag used to prepare the filler contains γ-dicalcium silicate. The process comprises the step of removing from the slag material a finer fraction formed by particles of a size between 0 and at least 0.75 mm so as to reduce the γ-dicalcium silicate content of the slag material; and the step of finely milling at least a portion of the remaining coarser fraction of the slag to obtain the filler. The invention also relates to the obtained filler, to the use thereof for preparing construction materials and to concrete or mortar compositions and asphalt compositions containing the filler. By removing the finer fraction from the slag material, a filler is obtained which has a considerably lower water content so that it becomes suitable for use in asphalt or concrete or mortar compositions, in particular in self-compacting concrete compositions.
US08628611B2
The present invention relates to a rheology modifier for ceramic glazes comprising a water-swellable granulated clay, a carboxymethyl cellulose and possibly another natural gum. In another aspect the invention relates to the ceramic glaze and the glaze slip obtained using the above rheology modifier, which can be used for glazing green or fired ceramic bodies such as artware, tableware, tile, heavy clays products and sanitaryware.
US08628610B2
A carbon filler dispersant for dispersing a carbon filler in a liquid medium comprised of an aqueous solvent or nonaqueous solvent contains, as a principal component, a hydroxylalkyl chitosan, specifically at least one hydroxyalkyl chitosan selected from the group consisting of glycerylated chitosan, hydroxyethyl chitosan, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxybutyl chitosan, and hydroxybutyl hydroxypropyl chitosan.
US08628607B2
The invention relates to a system wherein the fluid stream from an object to be evacuated is filtered before it enters into the vacuum pump with the maximum purity to the level of 99% and up to the particle size of 0.3 microns with minimum pressure difference thereby improving the life cycle of pump and performance of system.
US08628605B2
A filter assembly system including, a filter bag having an opening, a seal coupled to the filter bag adjacent the opening, wherein the seal comprises a gasket band and a perforated metal band, and the perforated metal band is configured to bias the gasket band in a radial direction into a sealed position upon expansion or contraction of the perforated metal band.
US08628598B1
An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous in situ manufacture of one or more fertilizers within the irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. Co-reactant raw materials, namely sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, potassium hydroxide, urea, ammonium hydroxide, ammonia, calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, are intermixed with each other and with the stream of the flowing irrigation water. The stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.
US08628586B2
The present invention relates to a dye composition comprising at least one oxidation dye precursor, at least one poly-condensate of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide having the following structure: H—(O—CH2—CH2)a—(O—CH(CH3)—CH2)b—(O—CH2—CH2)a—OH, in which a and a′ range from 2 to 150 and b ranges from 1 to 100; and at least one cationic polymer with a charge density of greater than or equal to 4 meq./g. The invention also relates to a dyeing process using this composition after mixing with a composition comprising an oxidizing agent. Another subject of the invention is devices comprising at least two compartments, the first compartment comprising the above composition and the second compartment comprising a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent.
US08628580B2
A tibial prosthesis, and, particularly, a fixed bearing tibial prosthesis has a two-pronged securement mechanism. The securement mechanism may or may not be angled. Advantageously, the securement mechanism, working alone or in cooperation with other securement features, minimizes micromotion between the tibial tray and tibial bearing component.
US08628579B2
A knee prosthesis including femoral and tibial implants, a tibial insert and a cam post assembly. The femoral implant is secured to a femur and has a cam feature and condyles. The tibial implant is secured to a tibia. The tibial insert has articulating surfaces that match the contours of the condyles of the femoral implant, and may have a medial boss that aligns with the tibial implant to provide rotation about a medially displaced rotation axis. A cam post is secured to the tibial implant and passes through a channel of the tibial insert. A motion limiting structure provides limits to motion between the tibial insert and the tibial baseplate. The cam post assembly interacts with the femoral implant cam feature and allows more anatomically correct rollback and femoral external rotation during knee flexion, and varus/valgus support to the femur.
US08628578B2
An intervertebral implant comprises a first component and a second component. The second component includes an actuator and a third component comprises a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The third component comprises rails including at least a portion of the ramps. At least one of the ramp portions disposed with the first rail has a first height and at least one of the ramp portions disposed with the second rail has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation such that the ramps engage at least one of the components between a first configuration and a second configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08628577B1
Improved methods and apparatuses for vertebral body distraction and fusion in accordance with various embodiments employ mechanisms for stabilizing a device so that the device can stay in the body and stably support the disc space during vertebral fusion following distraction of the adjacent vertebra by operation of the device. The device is inserted into the disc space and distracted from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration to distract the disc space. Mechanisms for stabilizing the device in the expanded configuration constrain the device to zero degrees of freedom of movement to allow the device to stably support the disc space. A bone growth stimulant for promoting vertebral fusion can be inserted into an open space defined by the device, which continues to stably support the disc space during vertebral fusion.
US08628574B2
Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. The spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation device for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.
US08628570B2
A prosthetic valve assembly can include a radially expandable stent. The stent can include a first expandable annular portion that is configured, in an expanded state, to bear against a wall of a native body lumen, a second expandable annular portion that is configured, in an expanded state, to bear against a wall of a native body lumen. The stent can also include a plurality of rods extending between the first annular portion and the second annular portion. The prosthetic valve assembly can further include an implantable prosthetic valve mounted to the stent such that the valve is between the first annular portion and the second annular portion. The prosthetic valve assembly is configured to be delivered by catheterization.
US08628568B2
A stent is provided with a coating having a variable drug release rate. The release rate can be greater over a curved or bent segment of a strut network as compared to generally linear segments of the strut network. The coating can have a barrier region that is thicker over the generally linear segments. The coating can have a drug mixed with polymers. The curved or bent segment can have a greater amount of a polymer having relatively high drug permeability as compared to the generally linear segments.
US08628556B2
A method of treating a patient includes providing an implantable vessel filter including a plurality of legs and a center-post, inserting the filter into a delivery assembly, and deploying the filter at a desired location in a patient's body. One or more of the legs may have a hook at a distal end thereof and the center-post includes a grooved distal section to receive the hooks. The filter legs transition from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration during deployment.
US08628533B2
Aspects of the present disclosure include a bone plate and/or a bone plate system. The bone plate includes an elongate body, which body includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion includes at least one projection extending there from, which projection is configured for contacting a bone portion, e.g., a fractured bone portion, so as to aid in the reduction thereof. In some variations, the proximal portion includes a plurality of projections, e.g., reduction aids. Methods of using such a bone plate having reduction aids by itself, or in conjunction with a second bone plate, for the reduction, restoration and treatment of a bone fracture are also provided.
US08628529B2
A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, the end effector comprising first and second opposing jaw members, wherein at least one of the first and second jaw members are moveable such that the first and second jaw members are transitionable between open and closed positions. The first jaw member may comprise a permanent magnet. The second jaw member may also comprise a magnet (e.g., permanent or soft). The magnetic motive force between the magnets of the first and second jaw members may attract each other to thereby reduce the external force required to transition the first and second jaw members to the closed position. In addition, the magnets may be configured to repeal each other to thereby aid in opening the jaw members.
US08628523B2
A conduit assembly for transmitting energy between an electrosurgical energy generator and an energy delivering device comprises a first cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; a second cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; wherein the flexibility of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the flexibility of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly; and wherein the energy attenuation of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the energy attenuation of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly.
US08628520B2
A catheter is adapted to ablate tissue and provide lesion qualitative information on a real time basis, having an ablation tip section with a generally omni-directional light diffusion chamber with one openings to allow light energy in the chamber to radiate the tissue and return to the chamber. The chamber is irrigated at a positive pressure differential to continuously flush the opening with fluid. The light energy returning to the chamber from the tissue conveys a tissue parameter, including without limitation, lesion formation, depth of penetration of lesion, cross-sectional area of lesion, formation of char during ablation, recognition of char during ablation, recognition of char from non-charred tissue, formation of coagulum around the ablation site, differentiation of coagulated from non-coagulated blood, differentiation of ablated from healthy tissue, tissue proximity, and recognition of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop.
US08628517B2
A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual.
US08628512B2
Provided are methods for inducing preservation in a patient and resuscitating that patient. At least three hours of preservation, with successful resuscitation, are realized using the methods described herein. The methods involve flushing a patient with an oxygenated, cold-flush solution, such as normal saline, having an energy source. The patient may be cooled to deep or profound hypothermia to induce preservation. The patient may be resuscitated by warming to from about 33° C. to about 36° C., and then may be slowly warmed over a 24 to 72 hour period to normothermia. Kits for inducing preservation also are provided.
US08628506B2
Monitoring the status of an absorbent article can be desirable to various users in various situations. A monitoring device for use with an absorbent article is provided. The monitoring device includes a sensing device and a signaling device. The sensing device is configured to sense a physiological indication related to the absorbent article wearer. The functionality of the monitoring device may be updateable, for instance, by utilizing firmware updates, hardware or user interface changes, software installations, etc. Thus, the monitoring device of the present invention may be utilized over an entire lifespan from infants to elderly without the need for costly replacement or installation of an entirely new monitoring system.
US08628493B2
A flexible spirally-rolled polymer microtube for in vivo monitoring and treatment of brain injuries; the tube integrally comprising one or more microsensors and one or more microchannels, wherein the microsensors monitor one or more parameters and the microchannels are capable of delivering substances to the brain, removing substances from the brain, or both.
US08628490B2
A device, system and method for perfusing an oxygenated medium in the cerebral vasculature. In the case of bihemispheric brain perfusion, it includes positioning pressure cuffs on upper extremities; providing a catheter having a multi-region configuration with a balloon; inserting the catheter into a subclavian or femoral vein; advancing the catheter such that the balloon is positioned substantially in the superior vena cava junction substantially proximal to the take-off of the left innominate vein. During a perfusion mode, the cuffs and balloon are inflated causing an increase in cerebral blood flow, retrogradely; and oxygenated blood which may be cooled is pumped from a femoral artery into the catheter for a suitable period. During a non-perfusion mode the cuffs and balloon are deflated. The catheter has at least two regions, namely, guide wire and fluid delivery regions. Optionally, a separate balloon inflation region may be provided. In the case of unilateral (single hemisphere) brain perfusion, it includes providing a catheter having a multi-region configuration with a balloon, inserting the catheter into a subclavian, jugular or femoral vein, advancing the catheter such that the balloon is positioned in the internal jugular vein on the side ipsilateral to the side of the brain requiring perfusion. In this unilateral scenario where the balloon is inflated in the ipsilateral internal jugular vein, no pressure cuffs are needed and only the balloon is inflated and deflated during the perfusion and non-perfusion modes respectively.
US08628483B2
An oral care implement includes a collection system for oral fluids. Some embodiments of the implement may include an oral care region having a wearable oral member having a thickness that is reduced during use, a reservoir for retaining an oral fluid, a receiver coupled to the oral member for receiving an oral fluid, and a fluid pathway in communication with the receiver to provide the oral fluid to the reservoir.
US08628478B2
A health sensing device is described for placement on a user. The device may include a sensor, a filter, and a transmitter. The sensor is configured to sense one or more factors relating to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence. The filter is configured to evaluate a signal from the sensor and determine if the indicator has been detected. The transmitter is arranged for initiating a transmission based on a signal from the filter. The sensor can include one or more microphone devices, accelerometers, and/or MEMs devices. A method of monitoring a user for a health related condition is also described.
US08628469B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08628468B2
A device for anchoring a trocar is disclosed. The device may include a spacer and a device having a main body and a device sleeve. A device tip may be hingedly connected to a distal end of the device sleeve. The spacer and the device may be configured to be assembled together with a trocar and an obturator. The spacer may provide distance between the device tip and an open distal end of the trocar sleeve when the obturator, trocar, spacer, and device are assembled together. Once the assembled parts are inserted into a body cavity the obturator, trocar, and spacer may be removed. Inside the body cavity, the device sleeve may receive the trocar sleeve. As the trocar sleeve progresses through the device sleeve, the open distal end of the trocar sleeve may push the device tip from a first position to a second position, anchoring the device.
US08628467B2
A flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. Another flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one flexible drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a coupling connected to a distal end of the outer sheath configured to couple to a surgical attachment. A sleeve includes an elongated shaft configured to receive a flexible shaft therein and a securing arrangement configured to selectively and variably retain the elongated shaft in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible shaft. A surgical system includes an electro-mechanical driver, an elongated, flexible sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the flexible sheath, a surgical attachment coupled to the at least one drive shaft, the electro-mechanical driver configured to drive the surgical attachment, a shape-retaining sleeve, at least a portion of the flexible sleeve being disposed in the shape-retaining sleeve, the shape-retaining sleeve configured to maintain the at least portion of the flexible sheath in a predetermined shape, and an arrangement variably securing the shape-retaining member to the flexible sheath in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible sheath.
US08628464B2
The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material.
US08628454B2
A sports training machine includes a frame having a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis, both ends of which are provided with a first linkage and a second linkage. The other end of the first linkage pivotally connects to a pedal bar. The other end of the second linkage pivotally connects to a pedal installed on the pedal bar in a sliding way. The first and second linkages rotate with respect to the first and second rotational axes, respectively. The user operates the pedals to perform independent reciprocal displacements upward and downward as well as forward and backward.
US08628450B2
When it is determined that a driver requests a deceleration of a vehicle (t1), a motor torque is kept to be zero. A value in the deceleration direction (deceleration torque stabilized value A) at which an engine torque is stabilized after it changes from a value in the acceleration direction to the value in the deceleration direction is predicted. Before the engine torque reaches the deceleration torque stabilized value A, the clutch torque is adjusted to be the deceleration torque stabilized value A. When the engine torque reaches the deceleration torque stabilized value A (t3), the clutch torque is gradually decreased from the deceleration torque stabilized value A, and a regeneration torque is gradually increased from zero. A decreasing slope of a vehicle torque is kept constant over a period (t1 to t3) when the vehicle torque decreases. Therefore, the vehicle can smoothly be decelerated during the deceleration of the vehicle. Thus, during the deceleration of a hybrid vehicle with clutch, the clutch torque and the regeneration torque are appropriately adjusted, whereby the vehicle can smoothly be decelerated.
US08628429B2
A stand assembly for a golf club having a club head and club shaft may include a plunger rod movably secured within the club shaft and club head and displaceable between a retracted position entirely within the club head and an extended position. In the extended position, at least a portion of the plunger rod is extended through a channel in the club head to an exterior of the golf club. The stand assembly may further include an actuation sleeve configured to be disposed about the club shaft and a connecting member extending through a wall of the club shaft and coupling the actuation sleeve with the plunger rod. The actuation sleeve may be selectively actuable to secure the plunger rod in both the retracted position and the extended position.
US08628420B2
A method of mobile gaming is disclosed. The method includes configuring a mobile device to communicate in a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol, determining location information for the mobile device, communicating the location information and a gaming request via the first communication protocol to a game server, receiving a gaming request response from the game server via the first communication protocol, initiating a gaming session in response to the gaming request response, wherein the gaming session is conducted via the second communication protocol.
US08628417B2
A game device includes a first transceiver that receives gaming position data from at least one gaming object. A wireless measurement module generates device position data corresponding to the game device. A processor executes a game application that generates display signals for display on a display device, wherein the game application is based on the gaming position data and the device position data.
US08628416B2
Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a gaming device with a player interaction mechanism included in a gaming machine handle. In one embodiment, a gaming device operable by a player includes a gaming cabinet housing a processor to operate gaming sessions on the gaming device and having a display to visually represent the outcome of the gaming session. The gaming device also includes a first player interaction mechanism arranged on the gaming cabinet, a gaming handle attached to the gaming cabinet, and a second player interaction mechanism located on the gaming handle.
US08628414B2
A method and system are directed towards providing interactive commentaries within a video game. The interactive commentaries are configured to increase a value of the video game by enhancing the video game with interactive rich commentaries regarding features and concepts of the video game and/or its construction. The interactive commentaries offer a variety of features that may, in one embodiment, take control of a player's view of the video game, and thereby more effectively communicate various aspects during the commentary. In one embodiment, a player may receive a video game reward for playing the interactive commentary.
US08628405B2
A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
US08628399B2
A gaming system and method allowing use of three dimensional objects in a wagering game. The three dimensional object includes multiple sides which are viewable by a player. Each of the multiple sides includes a symbol. An active payline contains one of the symbols. The symbols contained by the active payline are used to represent a randomly-determined result from the wagering game.
US08628379B1
A dust collection assembly for a manual sander, having a bag with an open upper end and a lower end terminating in an aperture, and a rigid frame supporting the open upper end of the bag. The rigid frame includes a periphery to which the open upper end of the bag is attached, and a pair of opposing engagement portions extending from the periphery towards a center of the open upper end of the bag. The manual sander includes a sanding element and a pole rotatably mounted thereto. The pole extends through the bag's aperture, and each of the engagement portions is removably connected to mounting bolts on the sanding element such that the sanding element is rigidly held at the open upper end of the bag so that the bag collects dust and debris created by the sanding element during use.
US08628375B2
The present invention relates to a mobile for an infant, and more particular, to a mobile available of both sides, comprising a mobile body including a lower face formed as a black and white face (11) and an upper face formed as a color face (12); rings (20, 20′) formed, respectively, on the centers of the black and white face (11) and the color face (12); and a rim (30) formed suturingly on an outer peripheral surface of the mobile body (10).
US08628371B2
The present invention relates to a toy bank that includes a toy or toy housing, a money bank, and a computer interface in communication with the money bank. The money bank has a storage compartment; one or more unidirectional slots for receiving coins, dollar bills, or both; a compartment door at the storage compartment; and a processor to calculate an amount of coins, dollar bills, or both. The present invention also pertains to a toy bank that includes a pet carrier and a money bank, wherein the money bank is removably attached to the pet carrier. The present invention further relates to a toy bank that includes a toy and a money bank integrated with the toy. The present invention also includes systems and methods that incorporate the toy bank.
US08628359B2
A connector includes a contact and a shell. The shell includes a tubular shell body portion having a slit portion formed to extend over its entire region in a connector insertion direction, an insertion opening formed at one end of the shell body portion, a locking portion provided on the inner periphery side of the shell body portion, and a shell joining portion formed at a position more on the forward side of the connector insertion direction than a position of the locking portion and joining together opposed portions of the shell body portion divided by the slit portion.
US08628358B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a mating cavity recessed from a front face towards a supporting face of a tongue portion arranged within the housing and a central contact arranged within the housing. The central contact includes a contacting part movably arranged in the tongue portion and having a mating portion extending beyond the supporting face, and a connecting part disposed within the housing and capable of intersecting with the contacting part at rear portion of the housing.
US08628350B2
An electrical connector is configured to mate with at least one mating connector to electrically connect a first electrical component to a second electrical component. The electrical connector includes a first connector and a second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first contacts. The first connector housing is associated with a first communication protocol. The second connector housing includes a plurality of second contacts, and is associated with a second communication protocol that is separate and distinct from the first communication protocol. The first and second connector housings are integrally connected to one another.
US08628347B2
A connector assembly includes a housing having a mating end being configured for mating with a mating connector assembly. The housing holds a plurality of contacts configured for mating with corresponding contacts of the mating connector assembly. The housing has horizontal alignment features at the mating end for horizontally aligning the housing with the mating connector assembly. The housing has vertical alignment features at the mating end for vertically aligning the housing with the mating connector assembly. The vertical alignment features are separate from the horizontal alignment features.
US08628345B2
A high definition multimedia interface connector comprising a connector body having an extension configured to be inserted into a high definition multimedia interface receptacle, and at least one projection on an outer surface of the extension to facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. A corresponding method of releasably securing a high definition multimedia interface plug to a standard high definition multimedia interface receptacle is also provided.
US08628329B2
A function of storing character string information added with vowel or nasal sound information; a function of displaying the character string information from a dictionary function or the character string information to be input; a function of displaying read number information of the displayed character string information; a function of designating and inputting desired positional information to the displayed read number information; a function of changeably setting the positional information regarding the designated and input positional information; a function of retrieving and extracting the character string information from the dictionary function at a position corresponding to the positional information obtained by referring to the changeable positional information, wherein the character string information is coincident with the vowel or the nasal sound information regarding a read of a character corresponding to the designated and input positional information; and a function of outputting and displaying the extracted character string information.
US08628327B1
Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. Each respective anatomical healing cuff body negative shape includes an asymmetrical cross-section and an irregular surface so that an anatomical healing cuff body having said shape is configured to provide substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged or should have emerged from the void (e.g., in the case of a congenitally missing tooth). The casting jig may further include a socket at a distal end of each well that is configured to releasably receive therein a dental implant or dental implant analog.
US08628326B2
Dental prosthesis to be fixed on implants (103) is arranged in a dental arch (100), completely or partially edentulous. The prosthesis (1) includes a primary structure (200) which is configured to be screwed on the implants (103) of the dental arch (100) and which has primary inserts (410, 420, 430, 440); and a secondary structure (300) which is configured to support a reproduction (104) of the teeth and of the gum of the dental arch (100) and which has secondary inserts (510, 520, 530, 540). The primary inserts (410, 420, 430, 440) and the secondary inserts (510, 520, 530, 540) are configured to work in collaboration and allow the coupling of the secondary structure (300) on the primary structure (200) through a vestibular insertion.
US08628318B1
The present invention is directed to construction tools. The present invention includes tools used for applying mastic or mud to a work surface, for example, a corner finishing tool that may have a quick engage/disengage ball and socket feature that automatically stays open and automatically closes and locks. Various embodiments may include a universal and interchangeable working/running blade and cooperating frame design. The frame design may be partially held in place with a face or top plate. Various embodiments may include a multiple tension spring design with one or more adjustment arm(s) for varying the tension on the frame(s) and blade(s). Various embodiments may include flat internal walls to accommodate the one or more adjustment arm(s). Various embodiments may also include a input port cone with ball for attachment to, for example, an applicator box, that may be formed from multiple parts that may be made from different materials.
US08628316B2
A compressor includes a housing, a first scroll member, a second scroll member and a modulation assembly. The first scroll member includes a first end plate having a discharge passage, a first spiral wrap, and a first aperture extending through the first end plate. The second scroll member includes a second end plate having a second spiral wrap extending therefrom and meshingly engaged with the first spiral wrap to form a series of pockets. The first aperture is in communication with a first of the pockets. The modulation assembly is in communication with the first aperture and is operable in a full capacity mode where the first aperture is isolated from a suction pressure region providing full capacity operation and in a reduced capacity mode where the first aperture is in communication with the suction pressure region providing approximately zero capacity operation.
US08628310B2
A fan system includes: two circuit breakers, a control module for controlling two circuit breakers, two electric motors to which their operating voltage UB is supplied via the circuit breakers, and at least one temperature sensor on a board on which the circuit breakers are located. The control module evaluates a signal TNTC from the temperature sensor, and sets the pulse duty factors TV1, TV2 of pulsed control voltages at the circuit breakers, while taking into account this signal as well as a requested fan power, in such a way that no power loss PV exceeding a specified value occurs at any circuit breaker.
US08628307B2
One describes a support for a proximity sensor to sense the proximity of a piston of a compressor, a compressor proper, a valve plate of a compressor and a cooler provided with these pieces of equipment. One of the objectives of the present invention is achieved by means of a support for a proximity sensor for sensing the proximity of a piston of a compressor comprising a cylinder for the piston, the cylinder being associated to a valve plate, configuring a high-pressure region inside the cylinder and a low-pressure region outside the cylinder, the support comprising a base structure, a first connection end portion and a second connection end portion, the proximity sensor being associated to the high-pressure and the base structure extending as far as the low-pressure region.
US08628293B2
An engine component includes a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a cooling hole formed in the body and extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface; and a concave trench extending from the cooling hole at the exterior surface of the body in a downstream direction.
US08628291B2
A gas turbine compressor is disclosed. The compressor includes a compressor housing, guide vanes, rotor blades, and valve-controlled blow-in openings for stabilizing the compressor flow by air that is blown in. The air flow is detected by pressure sensors and the valves are controlled as a function thereof.
US08628286B2
A finishing element 1 comprises a relatively form-retaining core body 2 connected liquid-tightly to a relatively flexible rim body 4, which here extends laterally around the core body in at least substantially liquid-tight manner. The core body 2 comprises a cavity for the purpose of receiving liquid-tightly therein an at least substantially shank-like free outer end 10 of a construction element. A finishing element 1 is thus provided with which the outer end of a construction element can be finished in reliably liquid-tight manner.
US08628284B2
The present invention refers to a locking plate (1) to be used in a locking arrangement for securing a shaft nut (8) on a threaded shaft (13) having an axial groove (15) in its envelope surface, said locking plate (1) having a first end (1a) and a second end (1b) and means (11) for its attachment to the shaft nut (8), a portion (7) of said locking plate projecting inwardly and being intended to enter in said axial groove (15) in the threaded shaft (13), the locking plate having a first (4) and a second (5) spaced apart and aligned, elongated arch-formed through-hole, with an intermediate non-slotted material portion (6), the inwardly projecting portion (7) of the locking plate being positioned non-symmetrically in relation to said intermediate non-slotted material portion (6) between the said first (4) and second (5) spaced apart elongated arch-formed through-holes, and also to a locking arrangement incorporating such a locking plate.
US08628278B2
A drill having end-face major surfaces, contiguous faces descending from the major cutting edges and flanks contiguous to the major cutting edges. Center cutting edges are formed by end-face taperings. A chisel cutting edge is between the center cutting edges. Shapes of the cutting edges are disclosed. First ones of the flanks are angled to create an outward apex angle so that the major cutting edges and the center cutting edges run at a constant taper angle.
US08628275B1
A method and apparatus for repairing a tubular member in an offshore marine environment provides a specially configured shell having shell halves, longitudinal seals, and optionally upper and lower seals. Additionally, the shell halves are each provided with a plurality of threaded fasteners that will help with shell alignment, holding the shell rigidly to the tubular member prior to grouting operations.
US08628270B2
A floor (1) in synthetic grass comprises a substrate (2) in clay, a covering (8) in synthetic grass and an intermediate flexible support structure (12), positioned between the substrate and the covering. The support structure extends in an undulated manner, forming overhanging portions (18) which give the desired yield. Through slots are provided in the support structure for drainage.
US08628257B2
An image-pickup system includes an image-pickup apparatus having a first connection member and a camera grip having a second connection member capable of being attached to and removed from the first connection member. The first connection member includes a first screw member having a male screw and a first engagement member disposed inside the first screw member having a first concavo-convex shape. The second connection member includes a second screw member having a female screw part capable of engaging with the male screw part of the image-pickup apparatus and a second engagement member disposed inside the second screw member and having a second concavo-concave shape capable of engaging with the first concavo-concave shape of the image-pickup apparatus. The male screw part screws into the female screw part in a state where the first engagement member and the second engagement member engage with each other.
US08628256B2
An optical transceiver with an enhanced productivity is disclosed. The optical transceiver of the invention includes a plurality of OSAs, an optical component of an optical multiplexer or an optical de-multiplexer, and inner fibers connecting the OSAs with the optical component. The optical transceiver further includes a gasket to shield the inside of the housing and put the inner fibers therein to guide them.
US08628253B2
An optical connector is provided having a housing with a cavity formed therein through which an optical fiber passes. Within the cavity, a slightly bent, unjacketed portion of the core of the optical fiber is disposed. If conditions are such that pistoning of the core begins to occur, the slightly bent, unjacketed portion of the core straightens, thereby causing the end of the core to remain substantially flush with the end of the ferrule of the connector housing. In this way, the pistoning effect at the end of the fiber is prevented and optical losses associated with the occurrence of the pistoning effect are avoided.
US08628251B2
A needle bearing including a cage that is shrinkable or extensible in a circumferential direction, which can prevent plastic deformation and ensure both of a sufficient strength for axial torsion and a sufficient deformation amount. In a drawn cup needle bearing, a cage includes a plurality of elastic deformation portions along a circumferential direction thereof, which are shrunk in the circumferential direction. The elastic deformation portions are formed symmetrically with respect to an intermediate portion C in an axial direction of the cage.
US08628244B2
An anti-interference structure of relative slide assembly includes a relative slide member and a slide member. At least one guide member is disposed on the relative slide member. The guide member has a support section rising from a surface of the relative slide member. At least one guide slope is formed on one side of the support section. The slide member is relatively slidably connected with the relative slide member. At least one raised abutment section is disposed on the slide member and slidable with the slide member. The support section is positioned in the sliding path of the raised abutment section. During the sliding movement of the slide member along the relative slide member, the raised abutment section abuts against the support section to enlarge the gap between the slide member and the relative slide member so as to avoid interference therebetween due to deformation of the components.
US08628236B2
Techniques for determining one or more heat transfer characteristic values of a structure, such as an electronic device, are disclosed. A heat flux vector magnitude and a temperature gradient vector magnitude for a portion of the structure are determined, and a product of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude is obtained. More particularly, the dot product of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude may be obtained to provide a bottleneck heat transfer characteristic value. Alternately or additionally, a cross product (or related operation) of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude is obtained to produce a shortcut heat transfer characteristic value.
US08628229B1
An improved modular illuminated frame member for framing translucent or transparent display articles. A transparent or translucent display article is framed using one or more modular illuminated frame members. The illuminated frame member contains two or more light emitting diode (LED) lighting modules, which direct light into the edge of alight guide assembly which illuminates the display article. The number of LED lighting modules in the frame member determines the frame member length; frame members with different numbers of LED lighting modules have different lengths. The frame member may be used as a heatsink for the LEDs. Dummy non-illuminated frame members are provided in matching lengths. The frame members may be encased in a further decorative frame. Using a set of modular illuminated frame members and dummy frame members of various lengths, frames for a wide range of display article sizes may be easily assembled.
US08628227B2
The invention relates to a device for adjusting a beam profile of a laser beam, which is guided in a light guide of a fiber optic cable provided with a protective sleeve, wherein the device comprises a deformation device for deforming the light guide in a section of the fiber optic cable not enclosed by the protective sleeve, a housing, which is designed to surround the light guide at least in the section not enclosed by the protective sleeve, and also two holders provided at opposite ends of the housing for fixing in each case one end of a section of the protective sleeve, wherein the holders each comprise an opening for feeding the light guide to the deformation device. The invention also relates to a laser processing machine having such a device and to an associated production method.
US08628222B2
A light directing apparatus includes an optical substrate having a first side and a second side, a compound lens outer surface on a first portion of the first side of the optical substrate, the compound lens outer surface disposed in optical communication with the second side of the optical substrate, a first protrusion on a second portion of the first side of the optical substrate, the first protrusion disposed proximate the compound lens outer surface, and disposed in optical communication with the second side of the optical substrate, and a second protrusion on the second portion of the first side of the optical substrate, the second protrusion disposed proximate the first protrusion, and disposed in optical communication with the second side of the optical substrate.
US08628220B2
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode, LED, light source that may be arranged for retrofitting into a luminaire employing an incandescent light source. The light source comprises a light guide into which light from one or more LEDs in a light unit arranged at one end of the light guide is injected, and a reflector having a reflecting surface arranged at the other end of the light guide and facing towards the light guide capable of reflecting light incident on the reflecting surface. According to the present invention, the reflecting surface can be arranged in a number of exemplary ways such as to enable the light emitted from the light source to have a spatial intensity distribution that is similar to the light intensity distribution of an incandescent light source.
US08628215B2
A design of light string comprises a bulb socket, a pair of conductive wires, and LED electrically disposed onto the bulb socket. The LED is incorporated with a pair of legs which are alternatively in contact with the pair of conductive wires, and then are sandwiched between a pair of first and second casings which jointly configures the light bulb. This configuration simplifies the assembling of the conductive wires and LED such that no need of solder or glue or contacts.
US08628214B2
There is provided a lighting device which emits light with an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt. The lighting device comprises at least one solid state light emitter, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes, and optionally further includes one or more lumiphor. In some embodiments, the output light is of a brightness of at least 300 lumens. In some embodiments, the output light has a CRI Ra of at least 90. Also, a method of lighting, comprising supplying electricity to a lighting device which emits light with an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt.
US08628211B2
A lighting assembly is provided including a support member configured to engage an object that is to be illuminated. A solar cell is rotatably joined to the support member. A lighting member is powered by the solar cell. The lighting member is rotatably joined to the support member to position a light provided in the lighting member.
US08628207B2
A police baton or nightstick includes a flashlight, firing mechanism and storage compartment for bullets and plastic restraints that can be used to restrain an individual. The baton which includes an elongated hollow body with first and second ends and a handgrip at a first of the ends and a hard weighted portion at the second end for striking an individual in self-defense or to subdue an unruly individual. The firing mechanism is included at the first end of the baton while compartments for storing one or more plastic restraints as well as bullets are stored underneath a barrel of the firing mechanism.
US08628201B2
A flash device structure comprises a front window mechanism and a fixing seat. The front window mechanism has a base, a luminous module and a placement element, wherein the luminous module is set up on the placement element to be located inside the base and maintain the luminous module electrically connected. The fixing seat includes a trigger, wherein the trigger electrically connects with the luminous module when the fixing seat is connected into the front window mechanism.
US08628199B2
A light source device 10 includes an excitation light generation section 20 having a solid-state light source array 22 having a solid-state light source 25 adapted to generate an excitation light, an excitation light generation section 30 having a solid-state light source array 32 having a solid-state light source 35 adapted to generate an excitation light, an excitation light combining section 50 adapted to combine the excitation light from the excitation light generation section 20 and the excitation light from “30” with each other, a light collection optical system 60 adapted to collect the excitation light at a predetermined light collection position, and a fluorescence generation section 70 having a fluorescent layer adapted to generate a fluorescence from at least a part of the excitation light collected by the light collection optical system 60.
US08628198B2
Lighting systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed, which employ optical transmission of two-dimensional control signals to manipulate lighting elements. The lighting apparatus can include a projector with an IR LED array to wirelessly transmit pixel information onto a target space. The pixel information controls lighting elements within the target space. The two-dimensional control signals can includes subareas corresponding to lighting elements in a control array. The lighting elements can be lights producing light of desired wavelengths including infrared and/or visible wavelengths. LEDs can be used as light sources in exemplary embodiments.
US08628185B1
A reactive ink for printing. A reagent in the ink reacts with a second reagent. A resultant product of the reaction of said first reagent with said second reagent is a polymeric material that is present on the substrate. A heat activated colorant or colorants, such as a sublimation dyes, are applied to the substrate. The heat activated dye has an affinity for the polymeric material, and the heat activated dye binds to the polymeric material upon heat activation of said heat activated dye.
US08628183B2
An ink coating composition is disclosed herein. The ink coating composition includes a polymer latex and an adhesion promoting agent. A non-ionic surfactant is also included in the ink coating composition. The non-ionic surfactant has an HLB value ranging from about 6 to about 15. The ink coating composition also includes a balance of water.
US08628179B2
A liquid container detachably mountable to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus, the liquid container including a casing defining a liquid containing chamber, an electrical contact, a light emitter, a display portion for directing emitted light to an outside of the liquid container, and an information storing portion for storing information relating to the liquid container. First and second engaging portions are engageable with respective first and second locking portions of the mounting portion, and are disposed at opposite first and second sides of the casing. A latch lever displaceably supports the second engaging portion away from the second side. A supply port is provided on a third side of the casing between the first and second sides, the electrical contact is disposed at a corner between the second and third sides, and the display portion is disposed adjacent an upper portion of the second side.
US08628162B2
In a printer, a continuous paper is conveyed using a suction force of a fan brought to a first suction force, the continuous paper supplied to a platen is stopped on a support surface, a recording process is conducted on the continuous paper stopped on the support surface with the suction force of the fan changed to a second suction force greater than the first suction force, and the continuous paper is conveyed after the suction force of the fan has been reduced below the second suction force back to the first suction force during the recording process.
US08628160B2
A control method is provided for an ink jet recording apparatus 30 including a recording head 32 for ejecting ink to a medium 31, a heating means 46 for heating the recording head 32, an ink storage part 12 which reserves ink supplied to the recording head 32, and a negative pressure adjusting part 40 which adjusts a pressure in an inside of the ink storage part 12 to be a negative pressure. In the control method, when the ink jet recording apparatus 30 is to be turned off, heating of the recording head 32 by the heating part 46 is turned off but the negative pressure adjusting part 40 is left to be in an “ON” state so that the negative pressure in the inside of the ink storage part 12 is maintained and, after that, the negative pressure adjusting part 40 is turned off.
US08628157B2
A cable management cabinet is improved by separately managing the routing of data copper cables and optical fiber cables within the cabinet. This is accomplished by providing separate cable retaining boxes (CRBs) for data copper cables and optical fiber cables respectively. The CRBs are provided with front openings to facilitate installation and routing of optical fiber cables and data copper cables. The openings may be provided with edge guards to ease ingress/egress of cables through the openings.
US08628153B2
The aisle containment system is mounted to two rows of equal width cabinets or cabinets varying in width between 600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm. The aisle containment system includes door assemblies on both ends of the cabinet rows, vertical panels that mount to the cabinets and door frames to support the ceiling, cross tees that span the aisle, and ceiling panels. Additional cabinets of equal or varying width may be added to an aisle containment installation.
US08628150B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method that facilitates the more fully informed and efficient trading of items of value, including securities. According to the present invention, certain embodiments permit a customer to determine the merits of and to execute a trade from a single screen. One embodiment of the present invention provides a single option chain trading screen enabling a customer to view a matrix of all available options for a given security, including the various strike prices, expiration dates, and whether they are calls or puts. Another embodiment provides a customer with a single option chain trading screen allowing a customer to “hover” at or near various icons to obtain supplemental information without leaving the trading screen, and use a triple-action selection component to ultimately execute a trade.
US08628145B2
A seat buckle apparatus for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a seat back, a seat base, and a base portion, the seat buckle apparatus comprising a bracket member having a first end and a second end, the bracket member for coupling to the vehicle seat; a first belt buckle portion for being movably supported to the vehicle seat and having an upper end, a lower end, and an engagement member for engaging the bracket member; and wherein the bracket member will prevent the upper end of the belt buckle from contacting the seat back when the seat back is folded down on the seat base.
US08628144B2
A reinforcement assembly for reinforcing a seat belt apparatus for use with a seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of downwardly directed side frame members affixed to the vehicle floor. A top frame member traverses the pair of side frame members. A seat cushion frame is pivotally supported on the seat back frame. The reinforcement assembly includes a floor bracket and an elongated vertically aligned reinforcement member. The floor bracket includes a first side which faces the vehicle floor and an opposite second side. The reinforcement member is positioned between the pair of side frame members and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is affixed to the top frame member of the seat back frame. The second end includes a mounting surface which contacts the second side of the floor bracket and in which the mounting surface is affixed to both the floor bracket and the vehicle floor.
US08628140B2
The invention relates to a front end of a motor vehicle, consisting of at least one main body and at least a first thermoplastic part and a second thermoplastic part, which are securely connected by injection molding firstly to the main body and simultaneously the various plastics parts are securely connected to one another, wherein the two plastics parts consist of different plastics materials and these are injection molded according to the bi-injection process and fuse with one another when they encounter one another.
US08628137B2
A profile element for connecting a vehicle pane to a water draining chamber includes a first segment affixable to the vehicle pane. A second segment has, at an upper portion, a bearing rib having at least one seal configured to be disposed at a lower edge of the vehicle pane and, at a lower portion, a snap-in recess configured to receive rib of the water draining chamber through an engagement aperture which is delimited in the insertion direction by a lower-most surface of the bearing rib and an upper-most surface of the resilient leg. A detent element is disposed in the snap-in recess so as to facilitate inserting the rib of the water draining chamber in an insertion direction into the snap-in recess and present a larger resistance to extracting the rib from the snap-in recess in an extraction direction opposite the insertion direction.
US08628135B2
A portion of a riser of a removable vehicle seat has a layered structure. The layered structure provides abrasion resistance and noise isolation.
US08628129B2
Provided is a connection module, which is designed as an extension of a fastening rail and is configured for connection to a vehicle bumper covering. The connection module includes a fastening arm which is configured for locking engagement to a flange of the bumper covering.
US08628117B1
The instant disclosure relates to a push-fit ring-seal joint structure for plastic pipes. For the joint structure, a lip portion tapers away from the pipe outlet, while a throat portion tapers toward the pipe outlet. The joint structure allows the angular deflection to be increased by three or four times versus the conventional push-fit joint, while maintaining excellent sealing and pressure rating. By the unique design of the joint structure, the structural flexibility of pipe connection can be increased. When there is ground movement due to land subsidence or earthquake or adjustment in pipe route, the coupled pipe can maintain excellent sealing and pressure rating. Therefore, the joint structure of the instant disclosure indeed has novelty and industrial applicability.
US08628114B1
A releasable tether retention system includes a housing having a slot extending therealong and a projection extending into the slot. The projection is coupled to the housing so as to be movable along the housing between a first position along the slot and a second position along the slot. Rotation of the projection is prevented when the projection is in the first position, and rotation of the projection is enabled when the projection is in the second position.
US08628111B2
Provided is a side airbag device such that locally high stress is prevented from being generated at the sewn portion between panels by high temperature and pressure gas. An inner panel is folded in half, and the upper edges thereof are sewn together by a seam so as to form an inner bag. This inner bag is placed on an outer panel, the outer panel is folded in half, and the periphery thereof is sewn by a seam. An inflator equipped with a distributor is inserted into the inner bag through openings and, and a gas jetting portion is disposed in the immediate vicinity of a communication opening.
US08628110B2
The present invention is directed to differing embodiments of safety trailers, which have first and second platforms and a safety wall positioned therebetween. The platforms and safety wall define an area protected from vehicular incursions.
US08628106B2
A boat coupling including a jaw for receiving an eye which is attached to the hull of a boat. A pin is movable to bridge across the jaw to capture the eye between extended and retracted positions. A retaining arrangement for retaining the pin in the retracted position will release the pin upon the pin being shifted to a release position, where after the pin is moveable under a biasing influence to shift to the extended position
US08628105B2
A pair of bunk board guide-on post assemblies 30, 31 are mounted on opposite sides of the frame 20 of a boat trailer 4 just at the aft ends of the bunk boards 25, 26 of the trailer. The guide-on post assemblies each include a rectilinear upwardly extending support bar 38 that defines a longitudinal slot 50, and a buoyant guide-on post 44 is telescopically mounted downwardly about the support bar 38 and defines a laterally extending connector opening 52 that registers with the longitudinal slot. A connector pin 54 extends through the laterally extending connector opening of the guide-on post and through the longitudinal slot of the upwardly extending support bar so that the buoyancy of the guide-on posts telescopes upwardly in response to partial immersion of the bunk boards of the boat trailer, providing a visual indication of the location of the submerged ends of the bunk boards.
US08628104B1
A tether system for the removable leg supports of a wheelchair to prevent the misplacement of the leg supports when they are removed to facilitate the loading or unloading of a patient from the wheelchair. The leg supports are tethered with a pair of cord rewind assemblies fixed to the inside frame of the wheelchair to conserve space. These rewind mechanisms permit the nurse to remove the leg supports from the wheelchair, extend the respective cords from the rewind assemblies to a desired temporary storage location, and automatically lock the cord and the leg supports in that extended position until the cord is pulled slightly releasing the lock and permitting the cords to be rewound or retracted when the nurse remounts the leg supports on the wheelchair frame assembly.
US08628103B2
A handlebar support structure for sandwiching a steering handlebar (12) between a lower holder (25) and an upper holder (28) includes an instrument mounting area (30) for supporting an instrument panel unit (14) fitted removably thereto and a shield mounting area (32) for supporting a windshield (16) fitted removably thereto. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) are formed integrally with each other. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) altogether represent a forwardly pursed shape along a direction conforming to a forwardly tilted direction (D).
US08628101B2
A bush is adapted to connect a suspension link with a link support member which is one of a wheel support member and a vehicle body member. The bush includes an inner cylinder which extends in a front and rear direction and which is connected with one of the suspension link and the link support member, an outer cylinder which includes an inside circumferential surface confronting an outside circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and which is connected with the other of the suspension link and the link support member, and an elastic member interposed radially between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is formed with a bulge portion which projects radially outwards from the outside circumferential surface of the inner cylinder at a middle portion of the inner cylinder in an axial direction of the inner cylinder of the link bush.
US08628097B1
A transport system for transporting an item is provided. The transport system comprises a first plate and a second plate with each having a first side and a second side. A first side wall and a second side wall mounted between the first plate and the second plate with a sleeve opening created by the first plate, the second plate, the first side wall, and the second side wall. A plurality of wheels is mounted to the second plate. A strap is positionable around the item and within the sleeve opening with a tensioning device movable within the sleeve opening for releasably securing the strap. Upon positioning the item on the first side of the first plate, the strap releasably secures the item to the transport system.
US08628096B2
An annular seal for sealing between a cylindrical probe and a bore includes a radially inward-facing sealing portion having a first contact height, a radially outward-facing sealing portion having a second contact height, where the first contact height is greater than the second contact height. The seal further includes a vertical-loading portion, and a sloped deformation portion that extends between the vertical-loading portion and the radially outward-facing sealing portion.
US08628081B2
The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising a first transport path (12), a second transport path (14) and at least one third transport path (16), wherein the notes of value can be transported along each transport path (12, 14, 16). Further, the device (10) has a switch (18) via which the three transport paths (12 to 16) can be connected to each other and with the aid of which the notes of value can be derouted from one of the transport paths (12 to 16) in another one. At least one transport element (26 to 30) is assigned to each of the transport paths (12 to 16) with the aid of which the notes of value can be supplied from the switch (18) to the respective transport path (12 to 16) or vice versa from the respective transport path (12 to 16) to the switch (18). The three transport elements (26 to 30) are driven by the same drive unit, wherein the direction of rotation of at least one of the transport elements (30) can be reversed independently from the direction of rotation of the other two transport elements (26, 28) relative to the direction of rotation of the other two transport elements (26, 28).
US08628078B2
A bill storage comprises: a plurality of bill receipt portions provided therein; a bill inlet-outlet, which is provided on an upper surface of the bill storage and through which bills are taken out or received from outside; and a taking-out and accumulating mechanism part provided on each of the receipt portions to perform actions, in which bills are taken out and in which bills are accumulated, wherein at least a first bill receipt portion and a second bill receipt portion are arranged in a state of being stacked in this order from a side of the bill inlet-outlet, the bill inlet-outlet is provided on a predetermined side, and the taking-out and accumulating mechanism part provided on the first bill receipt portion is arranged on another side opposed to the predetermined side.
US08628077B2
ADF includes a pickup roller, an arm, a regulatory member, a drive motor and a control section. The pickup roller is supported at shaft thereof by the arm swung between a lowered position and a raised position. The drive motor supplies a driving force for the swing to the arm. The regulatory member constrains the arm from moving upward across the raised position. The control section sets a setting-speed of the drive motor to a first speed by which much importance is attached to the reduction of driving noise of the drive motor when a first driving factor causing the arm to move from the neighborhood of the raised position occurs, and sets the setting-speed to a second speed by which much importance is attached to the reduction of contact noise with the regulatory member when a second driving factor causing the arm to move from the lowered position occurs.
US08628073B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a punch portion punching a hole at an end part of a sheet, and a push-out member discharging the sheet by pushing the end part of the sheet where the punch process is performed by the punch portion. The push-out member discharges the sheet at a sheet discharging speed lower than a predetermined speed from the intermediate process tray in accordance with punch process information (i.e., combination of a size and a type of the sheet and number, a shape and a size of holes) that strength of a sheet end part is decreased by the punch process, and is lower than predetermined sheet strength capable of being discharged at the predetermined speed.
US08628072B2
An interface component is provided for use in combination with a clamp or compressive tool imparting a compressive force against respective planar contact surfaces of two components being joined at a miter joint. The interface features an elongated member having a projection projecting away from a top surface in a substantially circular path. The curved surface provides a means to redirect the compressive force communicated against said curved surface to the miter joint at a substantially normal angle.
US08628062B2
The present invention is a jack assembly having a first and second upper bracket pivotally connected to a support member and each having at least one strengthening bead and at least one rolled edge. A first lower bracket is pivotally connected to the first upper bracket using a non-threaded trunnion and a bearing through which a threaded rod extends. A second lower bracket is pivotally connected to the second upper bracket using a threaded trunnion through which the threaded rod also extends. The brackets are tapered for strength. The first and second lower brackets are pivotally connected to a base having an enclosed keyhole orifice for storage of the jack assembly. At least one strengthening flange is formed in both the first and second lower bracket.
US08628058B2
A shut-off valve for plumbing applications for shutting off a duct through which a fluid can flow, includes at least two connection fittings forming a housing, which define a flow path when assembled; and a shut-off body rotatably disposed in the housing, which includes at least two shut-off sections. The shut-off body is movable between a closed position, in which at least one of the shut-off sections of the shut-off body blocks the flow path, and an open position, in which both shut-off sections open the flow path. In order to reduce manufacturing complexity, the shut-off body is formed from a formed sheet metal component.
US08628042B2
The present invention relates to an electrical power supply and control device (10) for equipment (9) of a rotor (5), the device having a three-phase AC generator (20) in a stationary frame of reference. The device (10) comprises a rotary field transformer (30) having a stationary portion (31) connected to said generator (20) and a rotary portion (32) connected to a sequencer (50) that is arranged in a rotary frame of reference, said device (10) including control means (51) for controlling the sequencer (50) and located in said stationary frame of reference, the control means being connected to the sequencer (50) via contactless connection means (200), said sequencer (50) being suitable for electrically powering said equipment (9) on order of said control means (51).
US08628037B2
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support that maintains a cam surface and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. A braking mechanism includes a brake drum rotatable with the spindle assembly, a brake shoe adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm that engages the cam surface. When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller engages the cam surface and causes the brake shoe to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force.
US08628031B2
Method and apparatus for controlling needle seat load in very high pressure diesel injectors. In accordance with the method, a needle control piston responsive to hydraulic forces for controllably forcing the injector needle against the needle seat is provided, as is a stop for the needle control piston to limit the needle control piston movement toward the needle seat. This provides a stop for the needle control piston, so that the compressive deflection between the needle control piston and the needle seat limits the force of the injector needle on the needle seat against increasing hydraulic forces on the needle control piston once the needle control piston reaches the needle control piston seat.
US08628024B2
A removable component for dispensing a physical resource from a dispensing system may include a body defining a reservoir in which a physical resource may be stored, a graphic provided on the removable component having information.
US08628023B2
An augmented binary code symbol (100) includes a perimeter, first and second data regions (20) along adjacent sides of the perimeter, first and second utility regions (30) along adjacent sides of the perimeter opposite the first and second data regions (20), first and second finder cells (40) at opposite comers of the rectangle, and inner and outer quiet regions distinguishing the first and second data regions, the first and second utility regions (30), and the first and second finder cells (40) from their background. Each data region and each utility region has at least one row (22) of a plurality of data cells (24) and utility cells, respectively, which encode data and have well-defined edges, enabling the number of data and utility cells to be increased, so as to increase the density of the encoded data. The data and utility cells are marked using a short wave length laser in order to create the well-defined edges.
US08628018B2
Radio frequency communications are effected. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a radio frequency communication circuit includes an antenna having a conductor and a semiconductor chip having a lower substrate surface coupled with the conductor to pass data carried by radio frequency signals to a radio frequency communication circuit in an active layer on an upper surface of the substrate. Accordingly, communications are facilitated via the substrate and can alleviate the need to use through-substrate connectors and further facilitate placement of the chip on the antenna.
US08628011B2
A card personalization device for producing a portable USB object having a device that is capable of recognizing cards that are operating according to the ISO standard and cards operating according to the USB standard. The recognition device being coupled to a device for switching the power supply terminals on the contact pads corresponding to the USB or ISO power supply contacts of the card in accordance with the type of the detected card.
US08628000B2
A package comprises a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton.
