US08670077B2
A method of performing a service scan for available channels across a bandwidth of an input signal, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a power spectrum of the input signal bandwidth; analyzing the power spectrum to identify a list of candidate channels, each candidate channel being identified by at least a center frequency; processing each of the candidate channels in a receiver unit to extract service information, if present, relating to the candidate channel; and storing the service information for the channel in a memory.
US08670071B1
A method for de-interlacing interlaced video includes receiving a first video field and a second video field, generating a first video frame by inserting the first video field in the first video frame on every second line of the first video frame, and by inserting a first synthesized video field on the lines of the first video frame not populated by the first video field. The video data of the first synthesized video field is based on video data of the first and second video fields. A second video frame is generated by inserting the second video field in the first video frame on every second line of the second video frame and by inserting a second synthesized video field on the lines of the second video frame not populated by the second video field. Two de-interlaced video frames are output for every received interlaced video frame.
US08670065B2
The present disclosure comprises a camera that includes a plurality of technical components including an optical system, an actuator device, and an energy source. The camera also includes a disposable housing for receiving said technical components.
US08670062B2
For noise correction in connection with a flat-panel x-ray detector, noise signals of a dark reference area are checked for deviations exceeding a specified threshold which, if any are present, will be taken into consideration separately for calculating the correction factor derived from the noise signal. Image artifacts due, for example, to high-contrast objects such as, for instance, cardiac pacemakers or metallic implants, in the x-ray image will be avoided through this measure.
US08670056B2
A solid-state imaging apparatus capable of suppressing blooming and color mixing includes a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric converting portion and a transferring portion for transferring signal electrons from the photoelectric converting portion, wherein a plurality of the photoelectric converting portions is formed in a first conductivity type well region formed on the semiconductor substrate; a second conductivity type first impurity region is arranged between the adjacent photoelectric converting portions; a first conductivity type second impurity region having an impurity concentration higher than that of the well region is arranged between the first impurity region and each of the photoelectric converting portions; and a first conductivity type third impurity region having an impurity concentration higher than that of the well region and decreasing from the semiconductor substrate toward the surface direction of the apparatus between the semiconductor substrate and the first impurity region.
US08670051B2
Solid-state image sensor and camera having improved sensitivity and color separation characteristics
A solid-state image sensor includes first-color pixels and second-color pixels, each of the first-color pixels including a first antireflection film and a first color filter, and each of the second-color pixels including a second antireflection film and a second color filter, wherein the solid-state image sensor satisfies T1(λ12)≦0.95·Tmax1, and T2(λ12)≦0.95·Tmax2 where λ1 represents a wavelength at which a transmittance of the first color filter is maximized, λ2 represents a wavelength at which a transmittance of the second color filter is maximized, and λ12 represents a central wavelength between wavelengths λ1 and λ2, T1(λ) and T2(λ) respectively represent transmittances of the first antireflection film and the second antireflection film when a wavelength is represented by λ, and Tmax1 and Tmax2 represent maximum values of the transmittances T1(λ) and T2(λ), respectively.
US08670049B2
A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel unit including a photoelectric converter, an amplifier arranged on the output side of the pixel unit, an output unit arranged on the output side of the amplifier, a first restriction circuit, and a second restriction circuit. The first restriction circuit restricts, between the amplifier and the output unit, a noise level read out from the pixel unit via the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit. The second restriction circuit restricts, between the photoelectric converter and the amplifier, a noise level to be provided to the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit.
US08670041B2
A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a light of changing intensity and changing spectrum as a flash with a camera module having a white-balance routine and an exposure routine, wherein an initial value representative of a color spectrum emitted by the light source is transmitted to the camera module, the light source is turned on, and the camera module is signaled to scan a plurality of images of the scene while the light source is turned on, allowing the white-balance and exposure algorithms to be employed with each image scanned to refine the first initial value to refine the degree of compensation employed in correcting a color and a light level in the last one of the images of the plurality of images scanned.
US08670039B2
The disclosure relates to a test process of an image stabilization system in an image capture apparatus, comprising steps of: submitting the stabilization system to rotation vibratory movements around two distinct rotation axes, measuring characteristics of rotation vibratory movements, and setting the rotation vibratory movements to setpoint position values and, taking into consideration the measured characteristics of the vibratory movements, collecting images from the image capture apparatus submitted to vibration and analyzing the collected images.
US08670035B2
An apparatus that provides an electronic image of areas around sides and rear of a large tractor trailer rig produced on a weatherproof screen that is located on the lower portion of the driver's side mirror. One (1) camera would be located on the rear of the trailer in a center mounted position, while another camera would be located on a passenger side near the front of the vehicle so that it can see the entire side of the vehicle. The cameras would be equipped with fixed wide-angle lenses. The video signal from each camera would be routed to an automatic switcher that displays each signal for a pre-determined time or allows for the manual selection of either camera on a permanent basis. The video signal is then displayed on the weatherproof monitor portion of the side view mirror. In such a manner the truck driver can look at the mirror and the monitor in order to see all three (3) sides of the vehicle at once. This feature eliminates looking in various directions to check for obstructions while backing up or changing lanes.
US08670032B2
A container inspection device includes at least two cameras displaced from each other in a container's direction of travel and camera axes perpendicular to that direction. Each camera records an image of the same container region when the container is directly in front it. A difference between the images indicates a defect in form of the container. A device moves the container and records these images by some combination of rotating and/or pivoting. An electronic evaluation system compares the images and ascertains a defect in the form of the inspected container if they are different.
US08670028B2
An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a spacer surrounding a light receiving surface of the image pickup element; a cover glass attached to the spacer, the cover glass being disposed opposing to the light receiving surface; and an insulative resin configured to thermally couple the image pickup element with the cover glass, and to have a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK. An endoscope includes: the image pickup device; an image pickup optical system; a drive circuit; a light guide configured to radiate light from a illumination light source; a tubular body configured to accommodate the image pickup device, the image pickup optical system, the drive circuit, the light guide, and a forceps opening; and a first insulative resin having a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK, and adapted to thermally couple the image pickup device with the drive circuit.
US08670018B2
Reaction information of participants to an interaction may be sensed and analyzed to determine one or more reactions or dispositions of the participants. Feedback may be provided based on the determined reactions. The participants may be given an opportunity to opt in to having their reaction information collected, and may be provided complete control over how their reaction information is shared or used.
US08670015B2
A novel semiconductor article manufacturing method and the like are provided. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor article having a compound semiconductor multilayer film formed on a semiconductor substrate includes: preparing a member including an etching sacrificial layer (1010), a compound semiconductor multilayer film (1020), an insulating film (2010), and a semiconductor substrate (2000) on a compound semiconductor substrate (1000), and having a first groove (2005) which passes through the semiconductor substrate and the insulating film, and a semiconductor substrate groove (1025) which is a second groove provided in the compound semiconductor multilayer film so as to be connected to the first groove, and bringing an etchant into contact with the etching sacrificial layer through the first groove and then the second groove and etching the etching sacrificial layer to separate the compound semiconductor substrate from the member.
US08670008B2
An organic light emitting display device includes: pixels connected to corresponding scanning lines and corresponding data lines; a scanning driver for supplying scanning signals to the scanning lines; a data driver for supplying data signals to the data lines; and a data processor for generating a luminance look-up table corresponding to a likelihood of burn-in for the pixels, for generating output data from input data corresponding to the look-up table, and for supplying the output data to the data driver.
US08669999B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for converting alpha values into pixel coverage masks. Geometric coverage is sampled at a number of “real” sample positions within each pixel. Color and depth values are computed for each of these real samples. Fragment alpha values are used to determine an alpha coverage mask for the real samples and additional “virtual” samples, in which the number of bits set in the mask bits is proportional to the alpha value. An alpha-to-coverage mode uses the virtual samples to increase the number of transparency levels for each pixel compared with using only real samples. The alpha-to-coverage mode may be used in conjunction with virtual coverage anti-aliasing to provide higher-quality transparency for rendering anti-aliased images.
US08669993B2
A user interface unit in a graphics processing display pipe may include registers programmable with information that defines active regions of an image frame. Pixels within the active regions of the image frame are meant to be displayed, while pixels outside of the active regions of the image frame are not to be displayed. Fetch circuitry within the user interface unit may fetch frames from memory, fetching only the pixels within the active regions of the image frames as defined by the programmed contents of the registers. The user interface unit may then provide the fetched pixels to a blend unit to blend the fetched pixels with pixels from other frames or pixels of a video stream to produce output frames. When blended with pixels of a video stream, the fetched pixels may be displayed as a graphics overlay on top of the video stream.
US08669992B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a device that has a device processor and a device memory. The device can couple to a host with a host processor and host memory. Both of the memories can have page tables to map virtual addresses to physical addresses of the corresponding memory, and the two memories may appear to a user-level application as a single virtual memory space. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08669991B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method macro expander (MME) coupled to a driver and the processing pipeline of a graphics processing unit. In operation, the MME receives, from the driver, a first packet of work indicating a macro stored in an instruction memory that is to be executed. The MME then executes the commands of the macro in the instruction memory to generate a second packet of work, and the second packet of work is then transmitted to the processing pipeline for further execution.
US08669986B2
A method for visualizing data in a population of data includes steps of extracting a subject value from a population of data and defining points of interest in the population of data for comparison to the subject value, where the points of interest representing a scale having a minimum value and a maximum value. A target point of interest is selected. The scale is mapped to a graphic gauge display, wherein, points of interest are visually indicated on the graphic display, end points of the graphic gauge display correspond to the minimum value and the maximum value, and the target point of interest is visually indicated at a center of the graphic gauge display. Finally, the subject value is indicated on the graphic gauge display.
US08669982B2
A method and system for generating a graph view on a user interface in a computing environment, is provided. One implementation involves, at a server, generating coordinate data for a graph representing multiply connected objects; transmitting the coordinate data to a client as lightweight object data; and at the client, based on the lightweight object data rendering an interactive dynamic graph view on a user interface; wherein the rendered graph view includes representations of a plurality of the multiply connected objects selected by depth culling the graph according to graph depth display control information.
US08669981B1
A method for generating a self-occlusion surface for an image. The method includes receiving the image, receiving a selection of a material with which to construct the self-occlusion surface, and receiving calibration data associated with the material. A plurality of pits is determined, based on the image and calibration data, to define within the self-occlusion surface. A preview of the self-occlusion surface is rendered based on the plurality of pits and the material.
US08669967B2
A method for operating a digitizer with an autonomous asynchronous stylus includes sampling outputs from a digitizer, detecting from the outputs at least one pulsed signal transmitted from an autonomous asynchronous stylus at a defined rate, determining a location of the stylus interaction with respect to the digitizer, and tracking stylus interaction with the digitizer over subsequent pulsed signals transmitted from the stylus.
US08669965B2
A driving device includes a base and a conductive pattern portion provided on a surface of the base. The conductive pattern portion has an electric charge accumulating portion, touching portions and conductive connecting portions connecting the accumulating portion and each of the touching portions. When a surface of the base is contacted with a multi-touch display of an information processor, each of the touching portions activates a corresponding touching area of the multi-touch display. Thus, a predetermined action is executed by the information processor.
US08669956B2
A flexible display device and a method for accurately recognizing a user's flex input bending of the flexible display device is described. The present invention is able to discard unintentional flexing of the flexible display device while being able to accurately recognize a user's intended flex input command based on a number of bending degree thresholds. A first bending threshold must be overcome in order to initially recognize a user's flex input as a valid flex input command. Then the user's flex input must fall below a second bending threshold in order to cease the recognition of the user's flex input as a valid flex input.
US08669955B2
Provided is a portable display device sufficiently small to be held with one hand that enters a state for accepting a gesture when a fixed coordinate position near a central portion between a left display unit (14a) and a right display unit (14b) is pressed with a thumb Ftl of one hand holding the device, and accepts a command for performing such as page flipping processing based on a gesture inputted with an index finger Ffr of the other hand. Thus, it is possible to achieve an interface for input operations suitable for a two-screen display screen, where holding a two-screen portable display device naturally causes the device to enter a command accepting state to allow gesture recognition, and to enter a command non-accepting state when the portable display device is not held, in order to prevent a command from being falsely executed due to an unintended contact and such to the display screen.
US08669949B2
An apparatus having a touch sensor able to detect the touch of a tip of a digit of a user, having a conductive ring able to detect the approach of the tip towards the touch sensor, having a motion sensor to sense movement of a casing the apparatus, and having components of a controller to place the apparatus in one of a lower power mode after a predetermined period of inactivity has elapsed, a partial power mode in response to an indication of the approach of a tip of a digit, and a higher power state to detect touching of the touch sensor by a tip of a digit. Other forms of proximity detectors may be employed in place of the conductive ring, or the conductive ring may be replaced by one or more elongate conductors positioned about one or more sides of the periphery of a touch-sensitive surface of the touch sensor.
US08669946B2
A method includes detecting a first touch at a first location and a second touch at a second location on a touch-sensitive display, determining a first force value by a first sensor and a second force value by a second sensor, wherein the first force value and the second force value are determined at a time when the first touch and the second touch are both detected, and determining a first applied force value for the first touch and a second applied force value for the second touch based on the first force value and the second force value and based on the first location and the second location.
US08669944B2
An electronic touch panel includes a plurality of spaced apart first sensor plates that are arranged in a first direction on a first planar layer. A proximity sensor plate is spaced apart from and attached to the first planar layer. The proximity sensor plate has a greater surface area than a plurality of the first sensor plates. A position detection circuit is configured to electrically charge the first sensor plates to generate capacitive coupling to an adjacent user object and to detect therefrom a location of the user object relative to the first direction across the first planar layer. The position detection circuit is further configured to electrically charge the proximity sensor plate to generate a higher level of capacitive coupling to the user object than a plurality of the first sensor plates and to detect therefrom a proximity of the user object relative to a direction away from the first planar layer.
US08669941B2
A method and apparatus for text input is provided. The method includes the steps of dividing the letters of a keyboard into a plurality of zones, each zone including one or more letters and designating a jumper key associated with each of the plurality of zones from the letters in each zone. A user indication of a selected jumper key is received, and all of the keys in the zone associated with the selected jumper key are then selected.
US08669936B2
A computer-implemented method for presenting information includes a plurality of graphics that can be presented in an order determined by a presenter during the presentation. The method includes creating a presentation including a plurality of graphics, each graphic including at least one of static images, animations and video, wherein the graphics can be displayed in an order determined by the presenter during the presentation through selection of a launch area, tracking a presenter during presentation of the presentation to determine a location of the presenter's hand, and receiving a selection from the presenter during the presentation of the presentation indicating a selection of one of the multiple launch area graphics to be displayed, allowing the presenter to present the plurality of graphics in any order.
US08669929B2
Disclosed is a gate printed circuit board, a connector-free liquid crystal display (LCD) panel assembly, a driving-signal timing module included in the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel assembly, and a method of driving the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel assembly. According to the present invention, since a separate connector and a gate printed circuit board of a conventional LCD panel is not required for applying a gate-driving signal generated from an external information processing device, a thickness and the number of parts of the LCD device is reduced. Further, when the gate-driving signal is transmitted through the TFT substrate, the voltage Voff for maintaining a thin-film transistor (TFT) in a turned-off state is modified so that users may not recognize the imbalance in brightness.
US08669926B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for writing a display image to a display having an array of pixels according to a selected driving sequence. In one aspect, display elements in a row are driven using a tall and narrow voltage pulse. This allows display elements of a row to be driven in a shorter line time.
US08669923B2
A pixel includes: an OLED; a first transistor having a first electrode coupled to a power source and a second electrode coupled to the OLED and configured to control a magnitude of current supplied to the OLED; a third transistor having a first electrode coupled a first node and a second electrode coupled to a gate electrode of the first transistor; a capacitor coupled between the first node and a second electrode of the first transistor; a second transistor having a first electrode coupled to the first node and a second electrode coupled to a data line and configured to be turned on when the third transistor is turned off; and a fourth transistor having a first electrode coupled to a gate electrode of the first transistor and a second electrode coupled to a reference power source and configured to be turned on and off concurrently with the second transistor.
US08669907B2
A class of ultra-wideband miniaturized traveling-wave (TW) antennas comprising a conducting ground surface at the base, a plurality of TW structures having at least one ultra-wideband low-profile two-dimensional (2-D) surface-mode TW structure, a frequency-selective coupler placed between adjacent TW structures, and a feed network. In one embodiment, a 2-D surface-mode TW structure is positioned above the conducting ground surface, a normal-mode TW structure placed on top with an external frequency-selective coupler placed in between; continuous octaval bandwidth of 14:1 and size reduction by a factor of 3 to 5 are achievable. In other embodiments using at least two 2-D TW structures and a dual-band feed network, a continuous bandwidth over 100:1, and up to 140:1 or more, is reachable. In yet another embodiment, ultra-wideband multi-band performance over an octaval operating bandwidth up to 2000:1 or more is feasible.
US08669904B2
The present invention relates to a near-field antenna. In an aspect, the near-field antenna may include a dielectric layer, a ground plane formed on one side of the dielectric layer, a plurality of U-shaped slots periodically disposed in the ground plane for radiation, and a microstrip line provided on the other side of the dielectric layer for power feeding. In another aspect, the near-field antenna may include a dielectric layer, a ground plane formed on one side of the dielectric layer, a plurality of U-shaped slots periodically disposed in the ground plane for radiation, and a microstrip line configured to have a plurality of U-shaped slots diverged on the other side of the dielectric layer in parallel for power feeding, have the plurality of U-shaped slots periodically disposed in series in respective diverged lines, and have an end shorted to form standing waves.
US08669894B2
An analog-to-digital converting method for converting an analog signal to a digital signal is disclosed. The analog-to-digital converting method includes decomposing the analog signal into a major analog signal and a minor analog signal, converting the major analog signal to a major digital signal, determining to which of a plurality of default sections the minor analog signal belongs to generate a minor digital signal correspondingly, and combining the major digital signal and the minor digital signal to form the digital signal.
US08669887B2
A keypad for controlling software, such as disk jockey (DJ) software, includes a plurality of keys, each key being programmable for issuing any desired, predefined sequence of keystrokes and/or mouse commands in response to the key being pressed. At least some of the keys are laid out in a piano-style format, with those keys being programmed to direct the software to produce musical notes. The keypad is constructed to be attached to a phonograph turntable by engaging with physical features on the turntable. The keypad has a top surface that has a rounded edge that runs concentrically with the turntable's platter. It also has a straight edge, overhanging the side of the turntable, where the piano style keys are positioned. When used by a DJ, the keypad greatly simplifies the task of simultaneously operating the turntable and the DJ software.
US08669883B2
A visual aid for the pilot of an aircraft approaching to land on an aircraft carrier comprises a series of lights (9) embedded along the landing deck and controlled in response to pitch and heave of the vessel so that the light(s) illuminated at any time indicate a visual aim point which is stabilised with respect to a specified glideslope (5) onto the vessel irrespective of such vertical excursions of the vessel. It is used in conjunction with a marker on a head up display or helmet mounted display for example so that registry of the marker with the illuminated light at any time indicates that the aircraft is on the correct glideslope.
US08669882B2
An alert device for a vehicle including a communications receiver for receiving file fragments for the device, a positioning data receiver for providing vehicle location data, a microcontroller system including a microcontroller and a programmable non-volatile memory system, for building and storing application and data files from the fragments, and executing an alert application of the device by processing at least one application file and associated data identified by configuration instructions included in at least one of the fragments to provide alert data for the vehicle corresponding to the location of the vehicle determined by the application on the basis of the vehicle location data.
US08669879B2
Techniques are provided for alerting a person to check a medical device while conserving battery power. The medical device initiates a status alert if a readiness condition of the medical device is no longer being met. The status alert includes notification periods during which an audible sound is emitted alternating with off periods during which substantially no audible sound is emitted. The audible sounds may include certain tones or at least one spoken word. At least one of the duration of successive notification periods or the duration of successive off periods may be varied. In this manner, the medical device may provide audible sound at different times during the day in an attempt to get the attention of a person. In addition, the medical device may sense an activity to determine when to provide the audible sound.
US08669866B2
A process transmitter for measuring a process variable comprises a process sensor, transmitter circuitry, a transmitter housing, a mounting component, and a non-contact proximity sensor. The process sensor senses a process variable of a process fluid. The transmitter circuitry processes a signal from the process sensor. The transmitter housing receives the process sensor and transmitter circuitry. The transmitter mounting component is connected to the housing to isolate the sensor, the transmitter circuitry or the transmitter housing from the process fluid or an external environment. The non-contact proximity sensor system detects a spatial relationship between the transmitter housing and the transmitter mounting component.
US08669858B2
A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to an outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition. The notification sound control device setting the movement notification sound of the sound emitting device to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.
US08669848B2
Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents.
US08669844B2
A meeting room reservation system may include at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor to be positioned adjacent a meeting room, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices, each configured for RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor. The system may further include a reservation server configured to schedule reserved starting and ending times for the meeting room, track checked-in mobile wireless communications devices based upon RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor, and send at least one reservation expiration notification based upon a reserved ending time and a subsequent check-in of another mobile wireless communications device.
US08669842B2
Provided is a technology for controlling a contents player based on a grasping power information of a hand by measuring a change of the bundle shape of a tendons in an inside muscle of wrist, in which the device and method for controlling the contents player comprises a sensing unit that generates a grasping power information; a control state managing unit that manages a control state of the contents player; and a control order generating unit that generates a control order controlling the contents player based on the control state and the grasping power information, and transmits the control order, in which the control state can be changed or can be generates in response to the grasping power information, and the sensing unit can be existed in both hands, respectively.
US08669840B2
A circuit protection assembly employs a post arrangement that is easier to manufacture and has a built-in insulating fuse configuration. The circuit protection assembly is disposed between a source of power and a circuit to be protected. The circuit protection assembly includes comprises a mounting block having a bore extending therethrough and a recess cavity on a first surface of the mounting block. A post having a first end is disposed within the recess cavity and a body portion extends through the bore. A fuse having a centrally disposed aperture is configured to receive the body portion of the post. The post has a second end configured to receive a terminal for connection to a circuit to be protected.
US08669826B2
A radio transmitter includes a signal processing circuit splitting a basic modulating signal into first and second modulating signals and outputting the first and second modulating signals. A PLL decides a fundamental wave. A VCO forms a portion of the PLL and modulates the fundamental wave decided by the PLL in accordance with a voltage of the first modulating signal outputted from the signal processing circuit. A PLL circuit forms a portion of the PLL and varies a frequency division ratio to modulate the fundamental wave decided by the PLL in accordance with the second modulating signal outputted from the signal processing circuit.
US08669824B2
An oscillation circuit includes a plurality of MEMS vibrators each having a first terminal and a second terminal, and having respective resonant frequencies different from each other, an amplifier circuit (an inverting amplifier circuit) having an input terminal and an output terminal, and a connection circuit adapted to connect the first terminal of one of the MEMS vibrators and the input terminal to each other, and the second terminal of the MEMS vibrator and the output terminal to each other to thereby connect the one of the MEMS vibrators and the amplifier circuit (the inverting amplifier circuit) to each other.
US08669812B2
A high power amplifier architecture is disclosure. One example configuration includes a first plurality of distributed amplification stages operatively coupled in a first string. A conductive trace associated with the first string provides a stepped structure, such that the associated inductance successively decreases from input to output of the first string. A second plurality of distributed amplification stages is operatively coupled in a second string, and a conductive trace associated therewith provides a stepped structure, such that the associated inductance successively decreases from input to output of the second string. In one example case, each of the first and second strings comprises gallium nitride transistor amplification stages formed on silicon carbide. The module may further include a heat spreader material that thermally and electrically couples to the amplification stages. The conductive trace associated with one string can be shared with another string.
US08669810B2
When a time difference is amplified by a time difference amplifier, slew rates of internal output voltages are changed according to a phase combination of digital input signals so that a time gain is determined by a ratio between the slew rates and the slew rates can be controlled from an outside. After a voltage is charged to the level of a power supply voltage in first and second charging capacitors, the charged voltage of the first charging capacitor is decreased with a first slew rate when a first digital input signal transitions, and both charged voltages of the first and second charging capacitors are decreased with a second slew rate when a second digital input signal transitions so that both first and second digital input signals are changed from initial phases, while being compared with a reference voltage to generate first and second digital output signals.
US08669807B1
An amplifier biasing circuit that reduces gain variation in short channel amplifiers, an amplifier biasing circuit that produces a constant Gm biasing signal for short channel amplifiers, and a multistage amplifier that advantageously incorporates embodiment of both types of amplifier biasing circuits are described. Both amplifier biasing circuit approaches use an operational amplifier to equalize internal bias circuit voltages. The constant Gm biasing circuit produces a Gm of 1/R, where R is the value of a variable resistor value. The biasing circuit that reduces gain variation produces a Gm of approximately 1/R, where R is the value of a variable resistor value, however, the biasing circuit is configurable to adjust the bias circuit Gm to mitigate the impact of a wide range of circuit specific characteristics and a wide range of changes in the operational environment in which the circuit can be used, such as changes in temperature.
US08669805B2
A coupling circuit has a first and a second transistor (P1, P2) of a p-channel field-effect transistor type. A drain terminal of the first transistor (P1) is connected to a signal input (1), source terminals of the first and the second transistor (P1, P2) are commonly connected to a signal output (2), bulk terminals of the first and the second transistor (P1, P2) are commonly connected to a drain terminal of the second transistor (P2), and a gate terminal of the first transistor (P1) is connected to a gate terminal of the second transistor (P2). The coupling circuit further comprises a gate control circuit (10) with a charge pump circuit (110) which is configured to generate a negative potential. The gate control circuit (10) is configured to control a gate voltage at the gate terminals of the first and the second transistor (P1, P2) based on a negative potential.
US08669804B2
Devices and methods for improving voltage handling and/or bi-directionality of stacks of elements when connected between terminals are described. Such devices and method include use of symmetrical compensation capacitances, symmetrical series capacitors, or symmetrical sizing of the elements of the stack.
US08669803B2
A high speed level shifter is provided for converting a low input voltage into a wide-range high output voltage. By utilizing two switching units to improve the latching speed of the latching unit of the level shifter, the duty cycle of the input signal is nearly equal to the duty cycle of the output signal.
US08669795B2
The present invention discloses a noise filtering fractional-n frequency synthesizer and an operating method thereof. The noise filtering fractional-n frequency synthesizer comprises a filter, a frequency calibration loop, a phase calibration loop and a digitally controlled delay line. The filter receives a first frequency division signal and generates a filtered signal. The frequency calibration loop is coupled to the filter and generates a first control signal. The phase calibration loop is coupled to the filter and the frequency calibration loop, and generates a second control signal. The digitally controlled delay line is coupled to the phase calibration loop and receives the second control signal. Thus, quantization noise of the fractional-n frequency synthesizer can be reduced, and phase noise of the fractional-n frequency synthesizer can be improved. In addition, the system remains locked after the filter outputs the signal.
US08669783B2
An interface device for connection between two electronic components of an electronic circuit, includes: an input terminal, an output terminal and a reference terminal, an input voltage between the reference and input terminals, an output voltage between the reference and output terminals, an input impedance, and an output voltage gain, at least one resistance connected to at least one terminal among the input and output terminals, at least one analog switch positioned between the output and reference terminals, the switch having a closed or an open state, and control elements for each switch, at least one parameter among the input impedance and the output voltage gain of the device having distinct values as a function of whether the analog switch is closed or open, each analog switch including at least one N-type field effect controllable transistor and one P-type field effect controllable transistor connected in series.
US08669782B1
Apparatus and methods advantageously maintain transistors of open-drain differential pairs biased in the saturation region when “active,” rather in than the triode or linear region. The biasing techniques are effective over a broad range of process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. By controlling a high voltage level used to drive the gate of a transistor of the differential pair, the biasing of the transistor in the saturation region is maintained. In one embodiment, the low voltage level used to cut off the transistor of the differential pair is also controlled. These techniques advantageously permit differential drivers to exhibit relatively large output swings, relatively high edge rates, relatively high return loss, and relatively good efficiency.
US08669780B2
The embodiments described provide connection structures for dies in an integrated circuit die stack. Each die in the die stack includes a functional circuitry, a programmable array and a programmable array control unit. By triggering the programmable array control unit to program corresponding programmable array in each die of the die stack, signal routes are orchestrated to connect to corresponding functional circuitry in each die of the die stack to enable the entire die stack to meet functional goals. In addition, specific die(s) in the die stack may be bypassed by issuing control command to the programmable array control unit. Die(s) may be bypassed to meet functional goals and to improve yield, and reliability.
US08669778B1
A method for the design and manufacturing of a 3D semiconductor device including a first circuit stratum and a second circuit stratum, the method including: applying a synthesis tool with at least first and second technology libraries; and performing a synthesis that utilizes the at least first and second technology libraries, where the first and second technology libraries correspond to two different processes, where the first technology library targets the first circuit stratum and the second technology library targets the second circuit stratum, and where the performing a synthesis results in a netlist, the netlist includes first cells of the first technology library and second cells of the second technology library.
US08669761B2
A sensor circuit is configured and operated in the presence of interference. In connection with various example embodiments, a stray magnetic field is sensed with current sensors that also respectively sense current-induced magnetic fields generated by current flowing in opposing directions through different portions of a conductor. The current-induced magnetic fields and the stray magnetic field are coplanar, and the current sensors are arranged such that a portion of the output from each current sensor corresponding to the stray magnetic field is canceled when the sensor outputs are combined.
US08669756B2
A test apparatus for a broadband telecommunication network. The apparatus includes a DC power source having a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal and a DC feeding bridge having a pair of inputs coupled to the first and second electrical terminals of the DC power source. The first electrical circuit having at least one circuit section having a transformer-coupled impedance formed by at least one transformer connected in parallel to a first impedance, and a pair of outputs that are adapted for establishing electrical contact with a device under test (DUT) configured to be disposed on a pair of transmission lines of the broadband telecommunication network.
US08669753B2
Provided is a voltage regulator including a phase compensation circuit capable of obtaining an accurate output voltage. The phase compensation circuit includes: a first constant current circuit connected to a gate of an output transistor; a first transistor having a drain connected to the gate of the output transistor; and a second transistor having a drain connected to a gate of the first transistor, a second constant current circuit, and a resistor and having a gate connected to the resistor and any one terminal of a first capacitor, the first capacitor having the other terminal connected to an output terminal of the voltage regulator. This configuration prevents a current from flowing from an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit to the drain of the first transistor, to thereby reduce an offset voltage to be generated in input transistors of the differential amplifier circuit, thus obtaining an accurate output voltage.
US08669745B2
In accordance with the invention there is also provided a voltage combiner comprising: a transformer having a first and second winding each having a first and second tap; and an inductor connected between the first and second taps of the second winding, wherein: the first tap of the first winding is adapted for connection to a first voltage, the first tap of the second winding is adapted for connection to a second voltage, and the second tap of the second winding is adapted to provide an output being the first and second voltages combined, and further wherein: the inductor is adapted to provide a bypass path for the current associated with the second voltage.
US08669726B2
The invention in certain embodiments relates to a control circuit for an electric-motor-operated window lifter (10) of a motor vehicle (1), the control circuit having a first switch (11) for opening a vehicle window (7), a second switch (12) for closing the vehicle window (7), and a control device (15), which, when one of the switches (11, 12) is activated, actuates the window lifter (10) to move the vehicle window (7) in the opening direction or closing direction. The control device (15) monitors the lighting current (ILED) which flows across a lighting element (14) for the switches (11, 12), and generates a control signal (I12), if appropriate, for opening the vehicle window (7) if the lighting current (ILED) exceeds an overcurrent threshold value (IRef) thereby detecting inundation of the vehicle.
US08669724B2
A variable speed power converter controls the speed of a load in a material handling system as a function of the torque required to move the load. While the power converter is running, the torque being produced in the motor is determined. The power converter then determines the maximum rotational speed of the motor as a function of the torque currently being produced and of the torque-speed curve of the motor. The power converter then commands the motor to rotate at this maximum rotational speed. The power converter periodically monitors the torque being produced and adjusts the maximum rotational speed of the motor throughout the run.
US08669718B2
An LED lighting device includes: a power source unit for supplying the DC output voltage to a light-emitting diode; a control unit for adjusting the DC output voltage; and a control power source unit for supplying a control power to the control unit. The control power source unit generates the control power with the DC output voltage and has: a current-limiting resistor for limiting an electric current that flows from the power source unit to the control unit; a constant voltage unit for converting a voltage to be applied to the control unit through the current-limiting resistor unit to a constant voltage; and a switching unit for switching a resistance value of the current-limiting resistor unit among a plurality of resistance values.
US08669711B2
A voltage level supplied to power a plurality of LED light fixtures is dynamically adjusted to control the headroom of the voltage level. The current drawn by at least one of the plurality of LED light fixtures is monitored, and the voltage is increased from zero until the monitored current reaches its maximum.
US08669708B2
An illuminance sensor setting device includes: an illuminance sensor that outputs a signal for switching a lighting apparatus, and a setting unit that performs setting of the illuminance sensor. The illuminance sensor and the setting unit are provided separately from each other, and are connected to signal lines. The setting unit has a configuration to set a sensor address of the sensor, a control address of the lighting apparatus, and an illuminance reference for switching the lighting apparatus. The setting unit transmits to the signal line the setting signal and the sensor address. Thus, even if the illuminance sensor is provided on, for example, the ceiling in the vicinity of the lighting apparatus, the setting unit can be provided at any place, such as a wall, where the setting unit can be easily operated, and work for settings is facilitated.
US08669702B2
A highly reliable lighting device is provided at low cost by using a simple structure and a simple process. A lighting device with improved convenience, which has a shape suitable for a purpose and can respond to diversified applications is provided. A light-emitting panel which includes a light-emitting element provided over a flexible substrate and including an electroluminescent (EL) layer (the panel is also referred to as an “EL film”) is put in a glass housing. The EL film is flexible and thus can be provided in a variety of forms in accordance with the shape of the glass housing.
US08669699B2
A planar light-emitting module includes a planar substrate applied with a reflection film, a light-emitting element mounted on the reflection film side of the substrate, a first transparent resin layer disposed to encapsulate at least the light-emitting element, and a second transparent resin layer disposed to sandwich an air layer between the second transparent resin layer and the first transparent resin layer. A phosphor for converting the wavelength of light radiated from the light-emitting element is disposed by dispersion in the first and second transparent resin layers and the phosphor is selected such that when the second transparent resin layer is viewed from the outside, pseudo-white light is observed.
US08669695B2
Provided is a piezoelectric generating element having an electrode on an outer surface of a piezoelectric ceramic body, wherein the piezoelectric ceramic body has a relative permittivity of 110 to 1700, an elastic compliance of 15 to 150 pm2/N, and a void ratio of 20 to 75%. Preferably, the void ratio is 50 to 75% in the piezoelectric generating element. A crystal particle is modeled as a cube with a length X on a side, a virtual void portion is provided in cube, a void ratio x is calculated based on a thickness t of a frame excluding void portion, a relative permittivity εr and an elastic compliance s are calculated based on void ratio x, and a power generation amount P is estimated. Thereby, a piezoelectric generating element capable of significantly increasing a power generation amount more than before, and a method for estimating a power generation amount of the piezoelectric generating element can be obtained.
US08669675B2
A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.
US08669669B1
Systems and methods for regulating voltage in a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. More particularly, the voltage of the auxiliary power feed in a DFIG wind turbine system can be regulated by outputting reactive power from a power converter to a reactive element coupled between the auxiliary power feed and a stator bus. The reactive element can include a winding of the transformer used to couple the wind turbine system to the electrical grid and/or an inductive element coupled between the output of the power converter and the stator bus. The voltage of the auxiliary power feed can be maintained within a reduced operating range while an increased operating range can be provided for wind turbine system.
US08669668B2
An apparatus for the conversion of the energy of sea or ocean swells. The apparatus comprises: a frame including a vertical post and horizontal beam; a first generator slidably connected to the vertical post; a second generator slidably connected to the horizontal beam; a first pinion connected to the first generator; a second pinion connected to the second generator; a float; a connection mechanism for connecting the float to the generators; a horizontal first rack connected to the float for engaging the first pinion; a vertical second rack connected to the one float for engaging the second pinion, wherein all components connected to the float are disposed at or above sea level.
US08669665B2
A solder resist and a central pad to which a central Au bump provided on a semiconductor chip is flip-chip bonded are formed on a substrate main body. In a flip-chip mounting substrate where an underfill resin is provided after the semiconductor chip is mounted, a central opening portion for exposing the central pad is formed in the solder resist, and also, an edge portion forming the central opening portion of the solder resist is partially overlapped with the outer peripheral portion of the central pad.
US08669656B2
An interconnect for transmitting an electric signal between electronic devices includes a first coupling element electromagnetically coupled to, and immediately juxtaposed to, a second coupling element. The first coupling element is mounted on and is electrically connected to a first electronic device having a first integrated circuit. The second coupling element may be mounted on and electrically connected to the first electronic device, and electrically connected to an interconnect on a second electronic device, or the second coupling element may be mounted on and electrically connected to the second electronic device.
US08669654B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package paddle having a single integral structure with a paddle central portion surrounded by a paddle peripheral portion; forming a terminal adjacent the package paddle; mounting an integrated circuit over the paddle central portion; and forming an encapsulation over the integrated circuit and the terminal, the encapsulation free of delamination with the encapsulation directly on the paddle peripheral portion.
US08669649B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a package paddle; forming a lead adjacent the package paddle, the lead having a lead overhang protruding from a lead non-horizontal side and a lead ridge protruding from the lead non-horizontal side; mounting an integrated circuit over the package paddle; connecting an electrical connector to the lead and the integrated circuit; and forming an encapsulation over the integrated circuit, the lead, and the package paddle, the encapsulation under the lead overhang.
US08669644B2
An integrated circuit with a passivation trapping layer. An integrated circuit with a hydrogen or deuterium releasing layer underlying a passivation trapping layer. Method for forming an integrated circuit having a hydrogen or deuterium releasing layer. Method for forming an integrated circuit having a passivation trapping layer.
US08669640B2
An improved device (20) is provided, comprising, merged vertical (251) and lateral transistors (252), comprising thin collector regions (34) of a first conductivity type sandwiched between upper (362) and lower (30) base regions of opposite conductivity type that are Ohmically coupled via intermediate regions (32, 361) of the same conductivity type and to the base contact (38). The emitter (40) is provided in the upper base region (362) and the collector contact (42) is provided in outlying sinker regions (28) extending to the thin collector regions (34) and an underlying buried layer (28). As the collector voltage increases part of the thin collector regions (34) become depleted of carriers from the top by the upper (362) and from the bottom by the lower (30) base regions. This clamps the thin collector regions' (34) voltage well below the breakdown voltage of the PN junction formed between the buried layer (28) and the lower base region (30). The gain and Early Voltage are increased and decoupled and a higher breakdown voltage is obtained.
US08669637B2
An integrated passive device system is disclosed including forming a first dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, depositing a metal capacitor layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the metal capacitor layer, and depositing a metal layer over the second dielectric layer for forming the integrated capacitor, an integrated resistor, an integrated inductor, or a combination thereof.
US08669634B2
To provide a solid-state imaging device able to improve light transmittance of a transparent insulation film in a light incident side of a substrate, suppress the dark current, and prevent a quantum efficiently loss, wherein a pixel circuit is formed in a first surface of the substrate and light is received from a second surface, and having: a light receiving unit formed in the substrate and for generating a signal charge corresponding to an amount of incidence light and storing it; a transparent first insulation film formed on the second surface; and a transparent second insulation film formed on the first insulation film and for retaining a charge having the same polarity as the signal charge in an interface of the first insulation film or in inside, thicknesses of the first and second insulation film being determined to obtain a transmittance higher than when using only the first insulation film.
US08669633B2
An assembly includes a first packaged device that contains a first image sensor having first fiducial marks thereon. On a portion of the first packaged device at a predetermined location relative to the first fiducial marks is adhesive, and a first connection body is fixed within the adhesive and registered at the predetermined location relative to the first fiducial marks. The first connection body is mated into the first counter hole formed in a plate at a predetermined location.
US08669632B2
A solid-state imaging device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a structure that provides a high sensitivity and high resolution without variations in spectral sensitivity and without halation of colors, and prevents light from penetrating into an adjacent pixel portion. A plurality of photodiodes are formed inside a semiconductor substrate. A wiring layer includes a laminated structure of an insulating film and a wire and is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of color filters are formed individually in a manner corresponding to the plurality of photodiodes above the wiring layer. A planarized film and a microlens are sequentially laminated on each of the color filters. In the solid-state imaging device, each of the color filters has an refraction index higher than that of the planarized film and has, in a Z-axis direction, an upper surface in a concave shape.
US08669625B2
A photoelectric conversion device provided with an electron transport layer having an excellent electron transport ability and having an excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency, and electronic equipment provided with such a photoelectric conversion device and having a high reliability are provided. A solar cell, to which the photoelectric conversion device is applied, has a first electrode provided on a substrate, a second electrode arranged opposite to the first electrode and retained on a facing substrate, an electron transport layer provided between these electrodes and positioned on the side of the first electrode, a dye layer being in contact with the electron transport layer, and an electrolyte layer provided between the electron transport layer and the second electrode and being in contact with the dye layer. The electron transport layer is constituted of a monocrystalline material of multiple oxide as a main component thereof. Further, it is preferred that the monocrystalline material of multiple oxide has a layer structure in a crystal structure thereof.
US08669623B2
A semiconductor structure which includes a shielded gate FET is formed as follows. A plurality of trenches is formed in a semiconductor region using a mask. The mask includes (i) a first insulating layer over a surface of the semiconductor region, (ii) a first oxidation barrier layer over the first insulating layer, and (iii) a second insulating layer over the first oxidation barrier layer. A shield dielectric is formed extending along at least lower sidewalls of each trench. A thick bottom dielectric (TBD) is formed along the bottom of each trench. The first oxidation barrier layer prevents formation of a dielectric layer along the surface of the semiconductor region during formation of the TBD. A shield electrode is formed in a bottom portion of each trench. A gate electrode is formed over the shield electrode in each trench.
US08669605B2
A semiconductor device comprises a circuit cell and a basic end cell. The circuit cell includes a plurality of elements aligned in a first direction, and the basic end cell is arranged adjacent to the circuit cell in the first direction and has a compensation capacitor capable of being connected to a supply voltage of the circuit cell. In the semiconductor device, a diffusion layer forming the compensation capacitor extends along the first direction in a predetermined region of the circuit cell.
US08669600B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a gate electrode formed on a substrate; a active pattern and an ohmic contact pattern formed to overlap with the gate electrode with a gate insulating film therebetween; a source electrode formed on the active pattern and the ohmic contact; a drain electrode formed to oppose the source electrode; a pixel electrode overlapped with the drain electrode and directly contacted with the drain electrode; a common electrode formed to overlap with the pixel electrode with a passivation film therebetween and having a plurality of holes; and wherein the plurality of holes of the common electrode are only formed on a region in which the pixel electrode is formed.
US08669590B2
Methods and apparatus for forming semiconductor structures are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a semiconductor structure may include a first germanium carbon layer having a first side and an opposing second side; a germanium-containing layer directly contacting the first side of the first germanium carbon layer; and a first silicon layer directly contacting the opposing second side of the first germanium carbon layer. In some embodiments, a method of forming a semiconductor structure may include forming a first germanium carbon layer atop a first silicon layer; and forming a germanium-containing layer atop the first germanium carbon layer.
US08669589B2
A semiconductor device, and particularly a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT), having a plurality of epitaxial layers and experiencing an operating (E) field. A negative ion region in the epitaxial layers to counter the operating (E) field. One method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a substrate and growing epitaxial layers on the substrate. Negative ions are introduced into the epitaxial layers to form a negative ion region to counter operating electric (E) fields in the semiconductor device. Contacts can be deposited on the epitaxial layers, either before or after formation of the negative ion region.
US08669586B2
A light emitting device includes a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer; a second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode. A current blocking layer is formed on a side surface of and has a width provided within the first semiconductor layer. The thickness and width of the current blocking layer is smaller than the thickness and width of the first semiconductor layer.
US08669580B2
The present invention provides a Scalable Heat Dissipating Microelectronic Integration Platform (SHDMIP) LED Package having excellent heat dissipation and protection to LED, thus extending the lifespan of the LED. The SHDMIP LED package comprises a dual lead frame assembly comprising bottom and top lead frame, protection and driver circuits conductively attached to the bottom lead frame and a LED conductively attached to the top lead frame. The bottom lead frame comprises heat sink pad for heat dissipation purpose. Plurality of SHDMIP LED packages of the present invention can be configured in a matrix or row, forming a SHDMIP LED array for various lighting solutions. A method to manufacture the SHDMIP LED array of the present invention is provided herein.
US08669579B2
There has been a problem that difference in refractive index between an opposite substrate or a moisture barrier layer provided thereover, and air is maintained large, and light extraction efficiency is low. Further, there has been a problem that peeling or cracking due to the moisture barrier layer is easily generated, which leads to deteriorate the reliability and lifetime of a light-emitting element. A light-emitting element comprises a pixel electrode, an electroluminescent layer, a transparent electrode, a passivation film, a stress relieving layer, and a low refractive index layer, all of which are stacked sequentially. The stress relieving layer serves to prevent peeling of the passivation film. The low refractive index layer serves to reduce reflectivity of light generated in the electroluminescent layer in emitting to air. Therefore, a light-emitting element with high reliability and long lifetime and a display device using the light-emitting element can be provided.
US08669568B2
A light emitting device includes a light emitting unit and a submount. The light emitting unit has a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the submount has a plurality of conductive contacts on a side thereof. The LEDs are coupled to the conductive contacts in various electrical connection manners, such that the LEDs are connected in series or/and in parallel.
US08669560B2
Disclosed is a light-emitting device including: a support member; and a light-emitting structure on the support member, the light-emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, at least one intermediate layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer, wherein the intermediate layer is on at least one of upper and lower regions of the active layer and comprises at least four layers, wherein the layers have different band gaps, and wherein, among the layers, a layer having the largest band gap contacts a layer having the smallest band gap. Based on this configuration, it is possible to reduce crystal defects and improve brightness of the light-emitting device through effective diffusion of current.
US08669559B2
Provided is an image display apparatus in which color breakup of a reflection image formed from reflected ambient light may be reduced to suppress the influence of an ambient environment. The image display apparatus includes multiple pixels. Each of the pixels includes a light-emitting layer and a structure layer having a refractive index distribution in an in-plane direction parallel to a screen of the image display apparatus, for extracting light generated from the light-emitting layer. The structure layer includes multiple structures formed of a first medium and a layer formed of a second medium having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the first medium. The multiple structures are non-periodically arranged in the layer. Reflected ambient light is reflected by the multiple structures formed of the first medium to have an overlap range to reduce color breakup of a reflection image formed from the reflected ambient light.
US08669557B2
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor substrate and a method for fabricating the same which can reduce a number of steps. The method for fabricating a thin film transistor substrate includes the steps of a first mask step forming a first conductive pattern on a substrate to include a gate electrode and a gate line, a second mask step depositing a gate insulating film on the substrate having the first conductive pattern formed thereon and forming a second conductive pattern on the gate insulating film to include a semiconductor pattern, source and drain electrodes and data line, a third mask step depositing a first protective film on the substrate having the second conductive pattern formed thereon and forming a pixel contact hole for exposing the drain electrode passed through the first protective film, a fourth mask step forming a third conductive pattern on the first protective films to have a common electrode and a common line and a second protective film to form an undercut with the common electrode and to include a pixel contact hole which exposes the drain electrode on the common electrode, and a fifth mask step forming a fourth conductive pattern to include a pixel electrode spaced from the common electrode by a space provided by the undercut.
US08669556B2
An oxide semiconductor film which has more stable electric conductivity is provided. Further, a semiconductor device which has stable electric characteristics and high reliability is provided by using the oxide semiconductor film. An oxide semiconductor film includes a crystalline region, and the crystalline region includes a crystal in which an a-b plane is substantially parallel with a surface of the film and a c-axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the film; the oxide semiconductor film has stable electric conductivity and is more electrically stable with respect to irradiation with visible light, ultraviolet light, and the like. By using such an oxide semiconductor film for a transistor, a highly reliable semiconductor device having stable electric characteristics can be provided.
US08669553B2
A thin-film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate dielectric disposed on the gate electrode, a channel layer, and a passivation layer. The channel layer has a first surface and an opposed second surface, where the first surface is disposed over at least a portion of the gate dielectric. The channel layer also has a first oxide composition including at least one predetermined cation. The passivation layer is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the opposed second surface of the channel layer. The passivation layer has a second oxide composition including the at least one predetermined cation of the first oxide composition and at least one additional cation that increases a bandgap of the passivation layer relative to the channel layer.
US08669550B2
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.
US08669539B2
A variable aperture within an aperture device is used to shape the ion beam before the substrate is implanted by shaped ion beam, especially to finally shape the ion beam in a position right in front of the substrate. Hence, different portions of a substrate, or different substrates, can be implanted respectively by different shaped ion beams without going through using multiple fixed apertures or retuning the ion beam each time. In other words, different implantations may be achieved respectively by customized ion beams without high cost (use multiple fixed aperture devices) and complex operation (retuning the ion beam each time). Moreover, the beam tune process for acquiring a specific ion beam to be implanted may be accelerated, to be faster than using multiple fixed aperture(s) and/or retuning the ion beam each time, because the adjustment of the variable aperture may be achieved simply by mechanical operation.
US08669535B2
The present invention has an object to provide a cold cathode field-emission electron gun with low aberration, to thereby provide a high-brightness electron gun even in the case of a large current. The present invention provides a field-emission electron gun which extracts an electron beam from a cathode and converges the extracted electron beam, the field-emission electron gun including: a magnetic field lens which is provided such that the cathode is disposed inside of a magnetic field of the lens; and an extraction electrode for extracting electrons from the cathode, the extraction electrode being formed into a cylindrical shape without an aperture structure. The present invention can provide an electron gun having a function of converging an electron beam using a magnetic field, the electron gun which is capable of reducing an incidental electrostatic lens action and has small aberration and high brightness.
US08669530B1
The present invention provides a radiation detection element and a radiographic imaging device that may provide optimal resolution that corresponds to the purpose of imaging and to imaging speed, and that may suppress increase in device size. Namely, TFTs of plural pixels in a column direction are connected to the same signal lines. When a moving image is imaged, a control signal is output via a control line, the TFTs of the pixels are turned on, and the charges are read-out from sensor sections. Since the two pixels×two pixels are operated as one pixel and the charges are extracted, resolution may be lowered when compared with a still image and a frame rate may be improved.
US08669512B2
A system for measuring one or more characteristics of light of a photon energy Eph from a light source, that can be determined from measuring three-photon absorption events, the system comprising: a) a detector having a band gap material characterized by gap energy between 2.1 and 3 times Eph; b) an optical element configured to concentrate a beam of light from the light source on the detector; c) a signal amplifier that amplifies an output signal indicative of when three photons produced by the light source undergo a three-photon absorption event in the band gap material; and d) an analyzer that analyzes the output signal to count or measure a rate of the three-photon absorption events, and determines the one or more characteristics of the light from the light source.
US08669504B2
An unmanned aerial vehicle including a controller operating in a search mode of operation where a receiver of an acquisition sensor searches for a target and causes flight control surfaces to guide the vehicle in a downward spiral path, a terminal mode of operation where the acquisition sensor detects a target and causes flight control surfaces to direct the vehicle toward the target, and an activation mode of operation where a trigger sensor detects a target within a predetermined distance to the vehicle and the controller activates a responder.
US08669503B2
Disclosed is a warm window system that utilizes individual buss bars that are placed within the space between an inside window pane and an outside window pane and creates sufficient physical force to create an electrical contact on the tin oxide layer on the inside surface of the inside pane of glass. The buss bars have a modulus of elasticity to ensure sufficient electrical contact with the tin oxide layer to prevent the formation of hot spots and securely hold the buss bars in place. Both a z buss bar and c buss bar are also disclosed that are capable of generating a sufficient amount of reactive force to create a secure contact with a tin oxide layer on the interior surface of an interior pane of glass in a warm window system to hold the buss bar in place and provide a large contact surface area to provide sufficient electrical contact with the tin oxide layer to prevent hot spots. A safety circuit is also disclosed that utilizes a controller that generates a control signal to apply the ac power signal to the warm window system in response to a low voltage dc signal that is applied to an isolated strip of conductive material on the inner pane of glass that detects if the glass is broken. The low voltage signal does not provide a shock hazard and safely detects the status of the inner pane of glass.
US08669502B2
The present invention provides an operation device which has a stable operation feeling with a simple configuration and has a high reliability and an excellent operability. An electrode terminal portion which is arranged just below an operation region on a top plate made of a material having an electric insulating property, and serves as an electrostatic capacity type touch switch has a detection portion which comes into close contact with a back surface of the operation region, a spring portion which has an elastic force pressing the detection portion to the back surface of the top plate, and a slide portion which is movably retained in the guide holder.
US08669498B2
An enamel coating including a phosphate-based ingredient is provided on an inner surface of a cooking chamber and the inner surface of the cooking chamber is cleaned using high-temperature cleaning water. Therefore, the cleaning of the cooking chamber can be performed more efficiently.
US08669495B2
The heating apparatus comprises a substrate extending in one direction and a plurality of heat generating members provided on one surface of the substrate along a longitudinal direction thereof and wherein at least one of the plural heat generating members has heat generating regions having different heat generation amount per unit length in the longitudinal direction, substrate reinforcing members are provided on the other surface of the substrate in correspondence to the high heat generating regions provided on one surface of the substrate. By the virtue of the invention, cost can be reduced, emergency safety upon occurrence of overrun of a CPU can be achieved, and increase in temperature of a sheet non-passing portion can be suppressed.
US08669493B2
In an electrically-heated glazing unit including a plurality of collector conductors configured to supply a plurality of heating conductors with an electric current used to heat up the heating conductors and the glazing unit, at least one partial region of the surface of the glazing unit includes an arrangement of parallel heating conductors in which the current flows in opposing directions. The arrangement of the heating conductors in the partial region of the surface is tuned to minimize by mutual compensation or eliminate the magnetic field acting locally within this partial region and perpendicularly to the plane of the glazing unit when the current flows. The operation of an apparatus sensitive to magnetic fields, for example a compass, in the immediate vicinity of the glazing unit thus becomes more reliable.
US08669488B2
Temporal focusing of spatially chirped femtosecond laser pulses overcomes previous limitations for ablating high aspect ratio features with low numerical aperture (NA) beams. Simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing reduces nonlinear interactions, such as self-focusing, prior to the focal plane so that deep (˜1 mm) features with parallel sidewalls are ablated at high material removal rates.
US08669480B2
A wiring board and method of forming a wiring board including a first substrate, a second substrate having a smaller mounting area than a mounting area of the first substrate, and a base substrate laminated between the first substrate and the second substrate, such that the first substrate extends beyond an edge of the second substrate. An IVH (Interstitial Via Hole) or through hole penetrates the base substrate and vias are formed in at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate.
US08669464B2
A thermophotovoltaic system is described. The thermophotovoltaic system includes a chamber body, an emitter, a filter and a photovoltaic cell. The chamber body has an ellipsoid chamber including a first focus and a second focus. The emitter is disposed on the first focus, and the emitter is suitable for emitting a plurality of electromagnetic waves. The filter is surrounding the emitter to filter the electromagnetic waves and to pass the electromagnetic waves with a predetermined wavelength band. The photovoltaic cell is disposed on the second focus and is suitable for receiving the electromagnetic waves with the predetermined wavelength band.
US08669461B2
A photovoltaic cell is provided. The photovoltaic cell includes a concentrator optic structure separating the solar spectrum of light into a plurality of spectral bands. The concentrator optic structure focuses these spectral bands into a plurality of concentric tightly focused ring-shaped spots and a central round spot. A multitude of circular sub-cells are each approximately positioned at a ring-shaped spot associated with a respective spectral band produced by the concentrator optic structure. Each of the sub-cells stores the energy produced at the respective spectral band
US08669460B2
Apparatus and methods according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a light collection array. One or more light redirectors located at or near inactive areas of light collection arrays may redirect incident light to active areas. In one embodiment, the light redirector may be implemented with additional light redirectors and/or a concentrating photovoltaic collection system.
US08669458B2
A musical instrument includes a body, a neck attached to the body, a plurality of strings having first ends secured to the body and second ends secured to the neck, and a keyboard secured to the body. Optionally, each of the strings is associated with a plucker.
US08669449B1
A flute stopper having at least one sealing means able to seal the musical cavity and translation means to adjust the positioning of said seal. Said flute stopper is designed to be capable of interfacing with the original factory screw, nut and crown via nuts and/or fittings, including either compression or NPT fittings. Both or either end of said plug may be tapered to facilitate said interfacing.
US08669446B1
A wheat variety designated XW10S, the plants and seeds of wheat variety XW10S, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety XW10S with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety XW10S with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety XW10S. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety XW10S and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US08669445B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV375889. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV375889, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV375889 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 CV375889 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 CV375889.
US08669444B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV156142. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV156142, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV156142 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 CV156142 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 CV156142.
US08669440B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH007769. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH007769, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH007769 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH007769.
US08669439B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH140757. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH140757, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH140757 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH140757.
US08669438B1
A novel maize variety designated X130763 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X130763 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X130763 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X130763, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X130763. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X130763.
US08669435B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026754. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026754. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026754 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026754 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08669433B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026705. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026705. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026705 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026705 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08669430B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026025. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026025. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026025 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026025 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08669427B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1025967. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1025967. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1025967 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1025967 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08669424B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB47R12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB47R12, cells from soybean variety XB47R12, plants of soybean XB47R12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB47R12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB47R12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB47R12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB47R12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB47R12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB47R12 are further provided.
US08669417B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the efficiency of genetic transformation of host cells, including plant cells, and other eukaryotic cells, by reducing the expression of a polypeptide active in a pathway, such as the NHEJ pathway, for repairing damage to the cellular genome. In certain embodiments, the polypeptide is active in repairing double strand breaks (DSB's) of a cellular genome, and may include XRCC4, KU70, KU80, the DNA-activated Protein Kinase (DNA-Pkcs), and ATM. Methods for enhancing the resistance of plant cells to Crown Gall disease are also provided. In another aspect, genetic regulatory elements are provided, including an XRCC4 promoter.
US08669415B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH682569. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH682569, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH682569 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH682569.
US08669411B2
A sanitary napkin including a body-facing cover layer and an absorbent system adjacent the cover layer for receiving liquid therefrom, the napkin having enhanced fluid handing and masking properties.
US08669407B2
Described is an apparatus for, and a method of, recovering linear butenes from a mixed feed comprising providing a first mixed feed comprising linear butenes and isobutene; contacting the first mixed feed with an oligomerization catalyst such as an MWW family zeolite in a first oligomerization reactor to produce a second mixed feed comprising the linear butenes, C8 olefins and higher oligomers, and a reduced amount of isobutene relative to the first mixed feed; and separating the second mixed feed to produce a first effluent of first purified linear butenes, and a second effluent of C8 olefins and higher oligomers. The oligomerization reactor may be a converted isobutene-to-methyl-t-butylether reactor.
US08669404B2
An apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a solid material, which may be a high performance solid fuel, are presented. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available.
US08669402B2
A fuel composition for a homogenous charge compression ignition engine includes a combination of a gasoline fuel and a diesel fuel, the combination having a derived cetane number of from about 19.9 to 45 as determined in accordance with ASTM method D6890. A method for making the fuel composition provides for blending presently available gasoline fuel and diesel fuel together in a ratio to obtain the desired fuel composition.
US08669392B2
A process for preparing 2,3-di(non-linear-alkyl)-2-cyanosuccinate compounds, especially 2,3-diisopropyl-2-cyanosuccinate compounds, and processes for preparing 2,3-di(non-linear-alkyl)succinic acids and esters thereof by using the 2,3-di-non-linear propyl-2-cyanosuccinate compounds as intermediates are disclosed.
US08669369B2
Methods and processes for preparation and production of deuterated ω-diphenylurea are disclosed. Especially, a kind of deuterated ω-diphenylurea compounds which can inhibit phosphokinase and the preparation method of N-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-N′-(4-(2-(N-d3-methylcarbamoyl)-4-pridinyloxy)phenyl)urea are disclosed. The said deuterated diphenylurea compounds can be used for treating or preventing tumors and relative diseases.
US08669365B2
The invention provides novel derivatives of cyclopamine having the following formula:
US08669362B2
Processes are provided which create an aldehyde methylene, or hydrated or hemiacetal methylene attached to a heteroatom of a 6 membered ring without going through an olefinic group and without the necessity of using an osmium reagent. In particular, a compound of formula (I) can be produced from (II) and avoid the use of an allyl amine: (formulae I and II) where R, P1 P3, R3 and Rx are as described herein.
US08669359B2
Compounds with aryl ring(s) at porphyrin meso position(s) bearing an amino group in position 4 relative to the porphyrin macrocycle, and at least one unsubstituted 5 (hydrogen-bearing) meso position with the 10-, 15-, and/or 20-relationship to the aryl ring bearing the amino group, and metal complexes thereof, feature broad spectral absorption throughout the visible region. These compounds are electropolymerized to form electrically conducting porphyrin and porphyrin-fullerene polymers that are useful in photovoltaic applications. The structure of one such electrically conducting porphyrin polymer is shown below.
US08669352B2
The present invention provides novel antagonistic anti-human CD40 monoclonal antibodies, methods for generating them and uses thereof.
US08669350B2
The embodiments of the invention relate to compositions, methods, and kits comprising a fusion protein. The fusion proteins of the embodiments include monomer polypeptides which in one embodiment have at least a binding domain, an optional hinge region, a collagen-like domain and the Fc domain of a human IgG.
US08669345B2
Disclosed are immunogenic Nogo receptor-1 polypeptides, Nogo receptor-1 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same. Also disclosed are Nogo receptor antagonist polynucleotides. Also disclosed are compositions comprising, and methods for making and using, such Nogo receptor antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same and antagonist polynucleotides.
US08669344B2
A method of removing a residual catalyst metal compound from a polymer solution comprises the steps of: a) mixing a solution in which at least one organic nitrogen compound is dissolved in a polar solvent and the polymer solution to precipitate a chelate compound of the organic nitrogen compounds and the residual catalyst metal compound, b) adding the polar solvent to the solution mixture to dissolve a chelate compound and to precipitate a polymer, and c) filtering the precipitated polymer. After the polymer polymerization is completed, an organic nitrogen compound solution is added to perform a chelate reaction with the residual catalyst metal compound in a solution phase, and the polar solvent is added to precipitate the polymer so that only polymer precipitates are filtered while an additional filtration process in respect to the chelate compound is not performed to easily remove the residual catalyst metal compound.
US08669337B2
The present invention is directed to a network composition having the reaction product of: (i) at least one anionic polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer (I) selected from the group consisting of [CH2═C(R3)C(O)OXa(C2H4O)b(C3H6O)c(C4H8O)d]pP(O)(OY)q(OZ)r where R3═H or alkyl of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; X=alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl diradical connecting group of 0 to about 9 carbon atoms; a is 0 to about 100; b is 0 to about 100; c is 0 to about 100; d is 0 to about 100; q is 0 to about 2; r is 0 to about 2; p is 1 to about 3 subject to the limitation that p+q+r=3; and Y and Z is H, or metal ion; and CH2═C(R3)C(O)OXa′(C2H4O)b′(C3H6O)c′(C4H8O)d′—SO3—Y) where R3═H or alkyl of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; X=alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl diradical connecting group of 0 to about 9 carbon atoms; a′ is 0 to about 100; b′ is 0 to about 100; c′ is 0 to about 100; d′ is 0 to about 100; Y is H, or metal ion; and (ii) one or more additional monomers (II) selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid/acrylate, methacrylic acid/methacrylate, acrylamides, vinyl acetate and styrene, which are copolymerizable with (I); and (iii) a cross-linking agent (III), capable of copolymerizing with (I) and (II).
US08669333B2
A thermosetting resin composition contains an active ester resin (A) and an epoxy resin (B) as essential components, the active ester resin (A) having a resin structure which includes a polyaryleneoxy structure (I) and in which aromatic carbon atoms in a plurality of the polyaryleneoxy structures (I) are linked through a structural site (II) represented by a structural formula 1 (wherein Ar represents a phenylene group, a phenylene group nuclear-substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a naphthylene group, or a naphthylene group nuclear-substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).
US08669328B2
The invention describes a composition comprising, in the form of aqueous dispersion, A) for every 100 parts by weight of a, or of a plurality of, (meth)acrylate polymer(s); B) from 1-400 parts by weight of a, or of a plurality of, (meth)acrylate polymer(s), which contain(s) a compound of the formula (I) copolymerized, where the (meth)acrylate polymer(s) B) differ from the (meth)acrylate polymers specified in A), where these are obtainable by emulsion polymerization of a mixture comprising a) from 0.1 to 99.9 percent by weight of at least one compound of the formula (I), preferably of a benzophenone (meth)acrylate, in which the definitions of the moieties are those given in the description; and b) from 99.9 to 0.1% by weight of a, or of a plurality of, ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) which differ(s) from a) and which is/are copolymerizable with a), where components a) and b) together give 100% by weight of the polymerizable constituents of the mixture; and where the parts by weight of A) and B) are based on the solids content of the polymers A) or B) in the aqueous dispersion. Dispersions of this type are UV-curable and have excellent suitability for the production of coatings of any type, in particular for coating of mineral substrates, such as concrete. The dispersions of the invention are also advantageous for blending with known dispersions and improve their properties, in particular in respect of their curing profile.
US08669323B2
The present invention relates to unblocked nano-particle-modified polyisocyanates having increased stability in the NCO content.
US08669318B2
An oil-based ink composition comprising a colorant, an organic solvent and a polymeric compound, and optionally an alkylamine ethylene oxide derivative as a pH adjusting agent, in which the pH of an aqueous phase is from 5.5 to 10, when ions in the ink composition are transferred to water. This oil-based ink composition prevents corrosion of a nozzle plate and is improved in storage stability, and thus can ensure printer reliability such as ink-jet stability obtainable even after long storage thereof, and can withstand outdoor service environments.
US08669314B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions of blended polycarbonate resins with improved hydrolytic stability. The resulting compositions, comprising a hydrotalcite and inorganic buffer, can be used in the manufacture of articles while still retaining the advantageous physical properties of blended polycarbonate compositions with improved hydrolytic stability. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08669312B2
The invention provides a golf ball material which is a resin mixture composed of (a) an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of from 120,000 to 200,000 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to number-average molecular weight (Mn) ratio of from 4.3 to 6.6, or a metal neutralization product thereof, (b) an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of from 120,000 to 200,000 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to number-average molecular weight (Mn) ratio of from 6.8 to 9.5, or a metal neutralization product thereof, (c) an organic acid or a metal salt thereof and (d) a basic inorganic metal compound for neutralizing at least 70 mol % of acid groups in components (a) to (c), which resin mixture has a Shore D hardness of from 30 to 55. The golf ball material of the invention is a low-hardness material. Golf balls in which an injection molding of the golf ball material is used as a cover material have an excellent rebound and durability.
US08669308B2
There is provided a resin composition including: a crosslinked polymer compound having a crosslinked structure formed by reaction of a carboxyl group of aliphatic polyester having at least a carboxyl group at an end of polymer chain with a hydroxyl group of a lignophenol derivative having at least a hydroxyl group, a glass fiber, and condensed phosphate ester.
US08669307B2
A subject-matter of the invention is the use of a polyamide powder possessing a fireproofing property in a process for the manufacture of an object made of polyamide by sintering this powder using radiation, the said powder comprising, by weight, 2 to 40% of at least one flame retardant for respectively 98 to 60% of at least one polyamide, the flame retardant being a blend of at least one organic phosphinate of a metal and of at least ammonium polyphosphate.
US08669300B2
The present invention is related to a radiation curable binder, comprising the reaction product of a polyisocyanate having 3 free isocyanate moieties with an acrylate having isocyanate-reactive groups and a component selected from the group consisting of a C12-C22 carboxylic acid having one isocyanate-reactive group or a C12-C22 fatty alcohol. The present invention is furthermore related to a radiation curable printing ink, comprising said binder, at least one diluent, at least one pigment, and optionally additives, as well as to a process of preparing said radiation curable binder. Said binder or said printing ink can be used in offset printing or letterpress printing.
US08669283B2
The present invention relates to specific beta-lactone compounds and compositions thereof for the treatment of infections, such as, e.g., infections with bacteria or infections with protozoa, in particular infections with Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria and of infectious diseases caused by or related to Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria, and to the modulation of virulence of Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria or of protozoa by specific beta-lactone compounds. The invention further relates to the use of the compounds or compositions for preventing or eliminating biofilms.
US08669282B2
The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating or preventing disorders in companion animals, wherein the compositions and methods include feeding the companion animal a composition including lipoic acid or a salt thereof.
US08669280B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds and compositions having antiviral activity. The invention also relates to methods for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of viral infections in mammals.
US08669279B2
Novel solid forms of bendamustine hydrochloride are described, as well as methods of their preparation and use.
US08669277B2
Disclosed are solid forms of 1-[4-[4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-isoxazolyl]-2-thiazolyl]-1-piperidinyl]-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone (Compound 1). Methods for the preparation of solid forms of Compound 1 and for the conversion of one solid form of Compound 1 into another are disclosed.Disclosed are fungicidal compositions comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a solid form of Compound 1 and at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of surfactants, solid diluents and liquid carriers. Compositions comprising a mixture of a solid form of Compound 1 and at least one other fungicide or insecticide are also disclosed.Also disclosed are methods for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens comprising applying to a plant or portion thereof, or to a plant seed, a fungicidally effective amount of a solid form of Compound 1.
US08669272B2
The present invention is directed to 2,5-disubstituted piperidine amide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08669266B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, in which R1; R2; R3; R4; R5; R6; Z; A; B; E; X; Q; J; V; G and M have the meanings indicated in the claims. The compounds of the formula I are valuable pharmacologically active compounds. They exhibit a strong anti-aggregating effect on platelets and thus an anti-thrombotic effect and are suitable e.g. for the therapy and prophylaxis of cardio-vascular disorders like thromboembolic diseases or restenoses. They are reversible antagonists of the platelet ADP receptor P2Y12, and can in general be applied in conditions in which an undesired activation of the platelet ADP receptor P2Y12 is present or for the cure or prevention of which an inhibition of the platelet ADP receptor P2Y12 is intended. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, their use, in particular as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical preparations comprising them.
US08669264B2
The teachings provided herein generally relate to compositions comprising rutaecarpine derivatives that activates CYP1A2 through enzyme induction. The uses for such a derivative can include removing caffeine from a subject, improving sleep, treating insomnia, treating caffeine toxicity, treating caffeine addiction and withdrawal symptoms, and the like. Caffeine is just one example of a substrate that can be removed using the derivatives taught herein, and other examples, including theophylline, are provided herein.
US08669263B2
This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.
US08669243B2
The present invention relates to steroid-derived cyclopamine analogs and methods for using the same for inhibiting sonic hedgehog signaling and preventing or treating cancer. A method for synthesizing the analogs of the present invention from a steroid is also provided.
US08669240B2
Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for presenting the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.
US08669225B2
Methods are described for producing non-immunogenic nanoparticles from protein sources by controlling the pH in a nanoprecipitation process. The nanoparticles that are produced by the disclosed methods range in diameter size from about 100 ran to about 400 nm, with a preferred diameter size of from approximately 100 nm to approximately 300 nm, thereby rendering them non-immunogenic. The invention further discloses methods for producing nanoconjugates that are suitable for a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and other uses.
US08669221B2
Cleaning compositions comprising amphiphilic water-soluble alkoxylated polyalkylenimines having an inner polyethylene oxide block and an outer polypropylene oxide block.
US08669217B2
A cleaning method is provided that includes a step of preparing a cleaning composition containing 57 to 95 wt % of (component a) water, 1 to 40 wt % of (component b) a secondary hydroxy group- and/or tertiary hydroxy group-containing hydroxy compound, (component c) an organic acid, and (component d) a quaternary ammonium compound, the composition having a pH of 5 to 10, and a step of removing plasma etching residue formed above a semiconductor substrate by means of the cleaning composition. There are also provided a process for producing a semiconductor device that includes a step of cleaning plasma etching residue formed above a semiconductor substrate using the cleaning method, and a cleaning composition for removing plasma etching residue formed above a semiconductor substrate that contains 57 to 95 wt % of (component a) water, 1 to 40 wt % of (component b) a secondary hydroxy group- and/or tertiary hydroxy group-containing hydroxy compound, (component c) an organic acid, and (component d) a quaternary ammonium compound, the composition having a pH of 5 to 10.
US08669215B2
Gear oil formulations comprising a gear oil and a film forming agent are disclosed. The film forming agent comprises a polymeric ester which is the reaction product of at least one polyfunctional alcohol, a dimer fatty acid, an optional aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 5 to 18 carbon atoms and one or more ingredients to reduce the acid value of the polymeric ester to below 5 mgKOH/g with the resultant polymeric ester having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. ranging from 400 to 5000 mm2/s and a weight average molecular weight ranging from 5000 to 20000. When used as an automotive gear oil formulation the specifications for API GL-4 gear oils are at least satisfied. Use of the gear oil formulation in manual transmissions, transfer cases and differentials and use of the gear oil formulation in an industrial gear suitable for lubricating spur, helical, bevel, worm and hypoid gears are disclosed. Methods of lubrication are also disclosed.
US08669214B2
The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers and methods for making same. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having anionic sites and labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid and a cationic crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the particle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and exposure of the anionic sites so as to form a gel. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into target zone and when the heat and/or suitable pH of the target zone cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and the particle expands, the cationic crosslinker crosslinks the polymer to form a gel, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery.
US08669208B2
The present invention provides benzoxazinones of formula I wherein R1 is hydrogen or halogen; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-haloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkoxy or C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C6-alkyl; R3 is halogen; R4 is halogen; X is O or S; and Y is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; Benzoxazinones of formula I are useful as herbicides.
US08669207B1
This invention is related to compounds and/or compositions useful against pathogens affecting meats, plants, or plant parts. In one embodiment, the provided compounds are products of certain oxaborole moieties. In a further embodiment, the compound comprises a di-oxaborole compound. Delivery systems are also provided to take advantage of the volatile nature of these compounds and/or compositions.
US08669201B2
The invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process includes the steps of contacting an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent over a catalyst composition under conditions effective to produce the acrylate product. The catalyst composition comprises vanadium, titanium and tungsten. Preferably, the catalyst comprises vanadium to tungsten at a molar ratio of at least 0.02:1, in an active phase.
US08669199B2
The present disclosure relates to cordierite-forming batch materials and methods of using the same, and in particular batch materials for forming porous cordierite bodies suitable for treating engine emissions. The batch materials include sources of magnesium, alumina, silica, and high BET specific surface area raw kaolin clay. In some embodiments, the BET specific surface area of the raw kaolin clay is greater than 22 m2/g. In other embodiments, the BET specific surface area of the raw kaolin clay is greater than 13 m2/g, and the source of magnesium oxide and the source of non-kaolin clay source of silica both have relatively coarse particle size.
US08669190B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a process of providing a semiconductor wafer having a wiring layer having conductive patterns and a plurality of insulation films containing a first insulation film surrounding side surfaces of the conductive patterns are provided. After the process of providing the semiconductor wafer, a process of removing some regions of the plurality of insulation films to form openings is provided. Herein, the first insulation film is disposed to a position closer to the circumference of the semiconductor wafer than a position closest to the outermost circumference of the wafer among the arrangement positions of the conductive patterns.
US08669188B2
The substrate is provided with a layer of first material, a first etching mask, a covering layer and a second etching mask. The covering layer has a covered main area and an uncovered secondary area. The secondary area of the covering layer is partially etched via the second etching mask to form a salient pattern. Lateral spacers are formed around the salient pattern defining a third etching mask. The second etching mask is eliminated. The covering layer is etched by means of the third etching mask to form a salient pattern in the covering layer and to uncover the first etching mask and the first material. The layer of first material is etched to form the pattern made from the first material.
US08669183B2
This invention is directed to form a homogeneous film in a via hole formed in a semiconductor device using Bosch process. The via hole that penetrates through a predetermined region in a semiconductor substrate is formed by etching the semiconductor substrate from one of its surface to the other by the Bosch process using a mask layer as a mask. Next, the mask layer is removed. Then, scallops are removed by dry etching to flatten a sidewall of the via hole. Following the above, an insulation film, a barrier layer and the like are formed homogeneously in the via hole.
US08669181B1
Films having high hermeticity and a low dielectric constant can be used as copper diffusion barrier films, etch stop films, CMP stop films and other hardmasks during IC fabrication. Hermetic films can protect the underlying layers, such as layers of metal and dielectric, from exposure to atmospheric moisture and oxygen, thereby preventing undesirable oxidation of metal surfaces and absorption of moisture by a dielectric. Specifically, a bi-layer film having a hermetic bottom layer composed of hydrogen doped carbon and a low dielectric constant (low-k) top layer composed of low-k silicon carbide (e.g., high carbon content hydrogen doped silicon carbide) can be employed. Such bi-layer film can be deposited by PECVD methods on a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate having exposed layers of dielectric and metal.
US08669174B2
A device includes a first die having a first side and a second side opposite to first side, the first side includes a first region and a second region, and a first metal bump of a first horizontal size formed on the first region of the first side of the first die. A second die is bonded to the first metal bump at the first side of the first die. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the first die and includes a first portion directly over the second die, a second portion covering the second die. A second metal bump of a second horizontal size greater than the first horizontal size is formed on the second region of the first side of the first die. An electrical component is bonded to the first side of the first die through the second metal bump.
US08669173B2
A method of establishing conductive connections is disclosed. The method includes providing an integrated circuit die having a plurality of solder balls each of which has an oxide layer on an outer surface of the solder ball. The method also includes performing a heating process to heat at least the solder balls and applying a force causing each of a plurality of piercing bond structures on a substrate to pierce one of the solder balls and its associated oxide layer to thereby establish a conductive connection between the solder ball and the piercing bond structure.
US08669172B2
A semiconductor substrate having a main surface, first and second floating gates formed spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, first and second control gates respectively located on the first and second floating gates, a first insulation film formed on the first control gate, a second insulation film formed on the second control gate to contact the first insulation film, and a gap portion formed at least between the first floating gate and the second floating gate by achieving contact between the first insulation film and the second insulation film are included. With this, a function of a nonvolatile semiconductor device can be ensured and a variation in a threshold voltage of a floating gate can be suppressed.
US08669168B1
A method of preparing GaN material includes subjecting a GaN substrate to at least two cycles of Ga deposition and desorption, then applying a layer of AlN to the GaN substrate, then growing GaN on the AlN layer by molecular beam epitaxy. This results in reduced concentrations of oxygen, carbon, and silicon impurities.
US08669156B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor circuit device including a MOS transistor and a capacitor element in which a gate electrode of a MOS transistor is formed of a first polysilicon film, a capacitor is formed of the first polysilicon film, a capacitor film, and a second polysilicon film, reduction in resistance of a normally-off transistor and reduction in resistance of a lower electrode of the capacitor are simultaneously performed, and reduction in resistance of an N-type MOS transistor and reduction in resistance of an upper electrode of the capacitor are simultaneously performed.
US08669155B2
A hybrid channel semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes: providing a first semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer including an NMOS area and a PMOS area, a surface of the first semiconductor layer being covered by a second semiconductor layer, wherein electrons have higher mobility than holes in one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and holes have higher mobility than electrons in the other; forming a first dummy gate structure, and a first source region and a first drain region on respective sides of the first dummy gate structure on the second semiconductor layer in the NMOS area, forming a second dummy gate structure, and a second source region and a second drain region on respective sides of the second dummy gate structure on the second semiconductor layer in the PMOS area; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the second semiconductor layer and performing planarization; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first opening and a second opening; and forming a first gate structure on the one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer in which electrons have higher mobility in the first opening, and forming a second gate structure on the other semiconductor layer in the second opening. The invention can reduce defects in the channel region.
US08669154B2
A CMOS device includes high k gate dielectric materials. A PMOS device includes a gate that is implanted with an n-type dopant. The NMOS device may be doped with either an n-type or a p-type dopant. The work function of the CMOS device is set by the material selection of the gate dielectric materials. A polysilicon depletion effect is reduced or avoided.
US08669151B2
Sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures are provided on the basis of a hybrid process strategy in which the work function of certain gate electrode structures is adjusted in an early manufacturing stage, while, in other gate electrode structures, the initial gate stack is used as a dummy material and is replaced in a very advanced manufacturing stage. In this manner, superior overall process robustness in combination with enhanced device performance may be achieved.
US08669148B2
An embodiment of the disclosed invention is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which includes the steps of: forming a first insulating film; performing oxygen doping treatment on the first insulating film to supply oxygen to the first insulating film; forming a source electrode, a drain electrode, and an oxide semiconductor film electrically connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode, over the first insulating film; performing heat treatment on the oxide semiconductor film to remove a hydrogen atom in the oxide semiconductor film; forming a second insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film; and forming a gate electrode in a region overlapping with the oxide semiconductor film, over the second insulating film. The manufacturing method allows the formation of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which has stable electrical characteristics and high reliability.
US08669141B2
A capped integrated device includes a semiconductor chip, incorporating an integrated device and a protective cap, bonded to the semiconductor chip for protection of the integrated device by means of a bonding layer made of a bonding material. The bonding material forms anchorage elements within recesses, formed in at least one between the semiconductor chip and the protective cap.
US08669139B1
Multi-chip quad flat no-lead (QFN) packages and methods for making the same are disclosed. A multi-chip package may include a first die including a plurality of first bond pads, wherein selected first bond pads are wire-bonded to a first side of a leadframe, and a second die mounted on the first die and including a plurality of second bond pads, wherein selected second bond pads are wire-bonded to a second side, opposite the first side, of the leadframe. Another package may include a first die including a plurality of first bond pads, wherein selected first bond pads are wire-bonded to a first side of a leadframe, and a second die flip-chip mounted on a second side of the leadframe and including a plurality of second bond pads, wherein selected second bond pads are bonded to the second side of the leadframe. Other embodiments are also described.
US08669128B2
This invention relates to structures and fabricating methods of light-emitting diodes capable of emitting white or a color within full-visible-spectrum with better efficiency and flexibility. An embodiment provides a light-emitting diode array consisted of one or more light-emitting diodes on a substrate. Each light-emitting diode comprises a first doped nanorod, an active light-emitting region consisted of one or more nanodisks on the first doped nanorod, and a second doped nanorod on the active light-emitting region. Another embodiment provides a fabricating method of the light-emitting diode array.
US08669124B2
A detector device and method of its fabrication are disclosed. Illustratively, an additional via is present through an insulator layer over a gate channel region which is on top of the channel region. The additional via is filled with conductor material. The conductor material is removed to form a chamber leading to one side of the gate channel region. Furthermore, a nanopore is etched from the chamber through the channel region.
US08669115B2
An explosion tester system comprising a body, a lateral flow membrane swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to the body, a first explosives detecting reagent, a first reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the first reagent holder and dispenser containing the first explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body, a second explosives detecting reagent, and a second reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the second reagent holder and dispenser containing the second explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body.
US08669113B2
The present invention relates to methods, monitors and systems measuring lysophosphatidylcholine, its derivatives and/or procalcitonin as well as at least one clinical marker (e.g. temperature or respiration rate) and/or at least one biomarker for the early detection of sepsis in a subject.
US08669110B2
Provided is a sample collection container comprising one or more reagent bodies, wherein each body comprises one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent, wherein the restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the one or more reagents, and wherein the one or more reagents are dispersed through the restraining agent.Further provided is a cartridge system comprising: (a) a reagent component for storing one or more reagents; and (b) a processing component for processing the one or more reagents in an assay; wherein one or more of the components comprise one or more reagent bodies, wherein each body comprises one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent, wherein the restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the one or more reagents, and wherein the one or more reagents are dispersed through the restraining agent; and further wherein the reagent component and the processing component are configured to be coupled together to form a cartridge, and wherein the reagent component and/or the processing component comprise at least one compartment configured to accept waste from the assay, the reagent component not taking part in processing the reagents in the assay, except to accept waste from the processing component.
US08669105B2
The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.
US08669102B2
Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for decreasing PrP and preventing, ameliorating, or treating a prion disease or conformational neurodegenerative disorder, in an individual in need thereof. Examples of disease conditions that can be ameliorated with the administration of antisense compounds targeted to PrP include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD); variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD); Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome; fatal familial insomnia; kuru; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), e.g. “mad cow disease”; Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD); scrapie; transmissible mink encephalopathy; feline spongiform encephalopathy; ungulate spongiform encephalopathy; Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; Huntington's disease; and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
US08669101B2
Intact, bacterially-derived minicells can safely introduce therapeutically effective amounts of plasmid-free functional nucleic acid to target mammalian cells. To this end, functional nucleic acid can be packaged into intact minicells directly, without resort to expression constructs, the expression machinery of the host cell, harsh chemicals or electroporation.
US08669093B2
A method for producing D-lactic acid in high yield, and to provide a method for producing D-lactic acid with high selectivity, in which optical purity is high and a by-product organic acid is small. In one aspect, a microorganism, wherein activity of pyruvate formate-lyase (pfl) is inactivated or decreased, and further activity of Escherichia coli-derived NADH-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) is enhanced, is cultured to efficiently produce D-lactic acid. With regard to a method for enhancing ldhA activity, by linking, on a genome, a gene encoding ldhA with a promoter of a gene which controls expression of a protein involved in a glycolytic pathway, a nucleic acid biosynthesis pathway or an amino acid biosynthesis pathway, suitable results are obtained compared to the method for enhancing expression of the gene using an expression vector. A microorganism in which a dld gene is substantially inactivated or decreased is cultured to produce high quality D-lactic acid with reduced concentration of pyruvic acid.
US08669086B2
Disclosed herein is a structure having: a porous polymeric film permeated by a first extracellular matrix material; and a topcoat layer comprising a second extracellular matrix gel disposed on the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a porous polymeric film; permeating the film with a first extracellular matrix material; and applying a topcoat layer of a second extracellular matrix material to the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: laser-machining holes through a film comprising collagen to form a web-like structure.
US08669077B2
Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
US08669055B2
The invention further relates to conjugated polymers, and methods, articles and compositions employing them as described herein. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods, articles and compositions for the detection and analysis of biomolecules in a sample. Provided assays include those determining the presence of a target biomolecule in a sample or its relative amount, or the assays may be quantitative or semi-quantitative. The methods can be performed on a substrate. The methods can be performed in an array format on a substrate, which can be a sensor. In some embodiments, detection assays are provided employing sensor biomolecules that do not comprise a fluorophore that can exchange energy with the cationic multichromophore. In some aspects biological assays are provided in which energy is transferred between one or more of the multichromophore, a label on the target biomolecule, a label on the sensor biomolecule, and/or a fluorescent dye specific for a polynucleotide, in all permutations. The multichromophore may interact at least in part electrostatically with the sensor and/or the target, and an increase in energy transfer with the polymer may occur upon binding of the sensor and the target. Other variations of the inventions are described further herein.
US08669054B2
In embodiments the expression or methylation of the PAX5 gene is used as a marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer. In further embodiments methods for detecting gastric cancer are disclosed as are methods for inhibiting the growth of gastric cancer.
US08669046B2
Antibodies that specifically bind to a peptide having an amino acid sequence as found at the N-terminus of the HA2 fusion peptide of the influenza A virus may be raised by inoculating a mammal with a conjugate of the peptide. In one embodiment, the conjugate comprises the peptide linked to a spacer (e.g. 6-aminocaproic acid) and a carrier protein (e.g. KLH). The antibodies may be used as a universal reagent for detecting HA proteins of influenza viruses. The antibodies are useful as versatile reagents for laboratory research and vaccine potency determination, especially in the event of pandemic influenza outbreaks.
US08669035B2
A method for producing toner according to one example embodiment includes combining and agglomerating a first polymer emulsion with a colorant dispersion and a release agent dispersion to form toner cores. A borax coupling agent is added to the toner cores. A second polymer emulsion is combined and agglomerated with the toner cores having the borax coupling agent to form toner shells around the toner cores. The aggregated toner cores and toner shells are fused to form toner particles.
US08669032B2
An electrostatic-image-developing toner includes a binder resin that contains a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous polyester resin; and a coloring agent, wherein the crystalline polyester resin has a melting temperature Tmc of about 25° C. or greater but not greater than about 50° C., and a content of the crystalline polyester resin in the electrostatic-image-developing toner is about 3 wt % or greater but not greater than about 15 wt. %.
US08669031B2
Reduced are interferential streaks in a halftone image, which are produced when using a cylindrical photoreceptor conductive substrate having been subjected to tool bit cutting processing, and provided are an electrophotographic photoreceptor capable of obtaining high image quality in response to a light printing field or the like and an image forming method employing the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor possessing a cylindrical substrate having been finished via cutting processing and provided thereon, a photosensitive layer, wherein among peaks other than at a lag of 0 in a correlogram of a substrate surface profile in a direction along a central axis of the substrate, a mean value from a maximum peak in height to a third peak in height is 0.3-0.8, each of the peaks in height corresponding to an autocorrelation coefficient.
US08669026B2
Actinically modifiable composition for producing a black matrix comprising, all based on the entire composition, 10-70% by weight of a colorant or a mixture of colorants; 90-30% by weight of actinically reactive binder material, although optionally from 0% to 30% by weight of the actinically reactive binder material can be non-reactive components; and 0-10% by weight of further, non-reactive constituents; characterized in that the colorant or 50-100% by weight, the colorant mixture comprises a colorant obtainable by reaction of a compound of formula (i) with a compound of formula (ii), in the presence of a catalyst, or a mixture of such colorants, wherein the black colorant is likely a product of formula (iii) or a tautomer or isomer thereof.
US08669025B2
The invention provides a polymerizable composition including an oxime ester photopolymerization initiator, an organic acid anhydride having a molecular weight of 300 or less, and a polymerizable compound.
US08669014B2
Fuel cells for selectively reacting a feedstock material with or without generating electricity, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A fuel cell system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first electrode positioned in a first region, a second electrode positioned in a second region, an ion-transport medium between the first and second regions, and an electrical circuit connected between the first and second electrodes. The system is operable in a first mode to react the feedstock material by a non-electricity-generating reaction to produce a product and in a second mode to react the feedstock material by an electricity-generating reaction to produce electricity. A controller receives an input (e.g., corresponding to a change in demand for electricity) and causes the system to switch between operating in the first mode and operating in the second mode in response to the input.
US08669013B2
The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for generating electrical power from certain non-gaseous carbonaceous feedstocks through the integration of catalytic hydromethanation technology with fuel cell technology.
US08669011B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to lithium-ion batteries, and more specifically, to a system and method for fabricating such batteries using thin-film processes that form three-dimensional structures. In one embodiment, an anodic structure used to form an energy storage device is provided. The anodic structure comprises a flexible conductive substrate, a plurality of conductive microstructures formed on the conductive substrate, comprising a plurality of columnar projections and dendritic structures formed over the plurality of columnar projections and a plurality of tin particles formed on the plurality of conductive microstructures. In another embodiment, the anodic structure further comprises a tin nucleation layer comprising tin particles formed on the flexible conductive substrate between the flexible conductive substrate and the plurality of conductive microstructures.
US08668996B2
A battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a bare cell comprising a cap plate and an electrode terminal positioned on a center region of the cap plate; an insulating layer positioned over the cap plate, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first terminal hole formed in a region corresponding to the electrode terminal; and a protective circuit module positioned over the insulating layer, wherein the protective circuit module comprises a protective circuit board having a second terminal hole formed in a region corresponding to the electrode terminal.
US08668994B2
Provided is a rolled copper foil or electrolytic copper foil for an electronic circuit to be used for forming a circuit by etching, wherein the copper foil comprises a nickel or nickel alloy layer with a lower etching rate than copper formed on an etching side of the rolled copper foil or electrolytic copper foil, and a heat resistance layer composed of zinc or zinc alloy or its oxide formed on the nickel or nickel alloy layer. This invention aims to prevent sagging caused by the etching, to form a uniform circuit having the intended circuit width, and to shorten the time of forming a circuit by etching as much as possible, when forming a circuit by etching a copper foil of the copper-clad laminate; and also aims to make the thickness of the nickel or nickel alloy layer as thin as possible, to inhibit oxidation when exposed to heat, to prevent tarnish (discoloration) known as “YAKE”, to improve the etching properties in pattern etching, and to prevent the occurrence of short circuits and defects in the circuit width.
US08668992B2
The present invention provides new polyimide materials suitable for use in optically transparent fiber composites, ribbon composites, and optical communications applications. The polyimide compounds include monomeric repeat units comprising a fluorinated moiety and a fluorene cardo structure. The polyimides exhibit good optical transparency and have a low absolute thermo-optic coefficient (|dn/dT|).
US08668987B2
The present invention provides an electrophotographic electrically conductive member in which conductivity needed for a charging member is secured, and defects in an image attributed to uneven discharging can be minimized independently of a long-term use and an environment of use. An electrophotographic electrically conductive member comprising an electrically conductive support and an electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive layer includes an ion conductive resin having a quaternary ammonium ion in a molecule structure as a binder resin, and a carrier molecule represented by the following formula (1) or (2): (wherein n1 and n2 each independently represent an integer of 1 to 4).
US08668984B2
A multilayer composite includes a metal substrate layer, an electrically insulating layer directly disposed on the metal substrate layer, and a light absorbing layer directly disposed on said electrically insulating layer. In one embodiment, the light absorbing layer includes carbon black. This multilayer composite is bifunctional having the characteristics of both energy generation upon the absorption of electromagnetic radiation of the solar spectrum (making it useful as the photovoltaic component of a solar cell) and electrical energy storage. Therefore, in one embodiment, the multilayer composite is included in a solar cell.
US08668970B2
Film bags or film tubes formed from biaxially oriented film including less than 10 ppm of antimony and having a haze of less than 10% are provided. The films have an ultimate tensile strength of more than 100 N/mm2; have a difference in the ultimate tensile strength in MD and TD of less than 180 N/mm2; have a tensile strain at break of more than 50%; a tensile strain at break of more than 260%; have a yellowness index b* of less than 2.5; have a lightness L*>85; include from 50 to 15 000 ppm of free-radical scavenger; have an SV of at least 600 after ovening; have a tensile strain at break of >5% after ovening; have a film thickness of from 6 to 26 μm; and include more than 90% by weight of polyester.
US08668959B2
A method of imparting high-temperature, degradation resistance to a metallic component involving applying a metal slurry comprising a Co-based metallic composition containing Co, Cr, Mo, Si, and B, a binder, and a solvent to a surface of the component, and sintering the Co-based metallic composition to form a substantially continuous Co-based alloy coating on the surface of the body.
US08668957B2
Method of deposition on a substrate, of a metal containing dielectric film comprising a compound of the formula (I): (M11-aM2a)ObNc, (I) wherein 0≦a<1, 0
US08668949B2
A fire pan provides a table-top or ground-supported pan or tray to hold a source of heat such as charcoal, burning wood, gas burner, and so forth. The pan places the heat source away from a surface, thus not damaging lawns, tabletops, parking lots, sidewalks, or other supporting surfaces. The pan may support one or more Dutch ovens, thus providing a “fire pit” of modest size, foldable into a very small envelope. Handles are extendible away from the pan for handling or moving, even when hot coals are present. The legs below are curved to fold up along the contour of the bottom surface of the pan.
US08668943B2
A hair care composition that prevents hair loss and stimulates hair growth is disclosed. The hair care composition of the present invention comprises natural ingredients including one and/or more carrier oils, one and/or more essential oils, and fragrance oil. The preferred embodiment including Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Vanilla fragrance oil, Peppermint essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Tea Tree essential oil, Clary Sage essential oil, and Rosemary essential oil is provided.
US08668941B2
The present invention relates to a dietary supplement capable of treating and preventing symptoms of immune diseases (reduced immunity, allergic disease, and respiratory disease), viral diseases (cold, varicella, and herpes zoster), musculoskeletal diseases (arthritis, traffic accident sequela, sciatica, frozen shoulder, and herniated disk), neurological diseases (insomnia, menopausal disorder, hypothermia, cold hands and feet, dysautonomia, and postpartum pain), and the like. More specifically, the dietary supplement is prepared by the following steps: preparing pettitoes or a pig's head in cold water for about 24 hours to remove blood and to wash the same; preparing Zanthoxylum piperitum by collecting, selecting, and washing the branches and fruits of the Zanthoxylum piperitum; heating a mixture comprising the prepared pettitoes or pig's head and the branches and fruits of Zanthoxylum piperitum and water in a water bath at 150° C. to 250° C. for about 10 hours; filtering the extract heated in a water bath with a filter and mixing the extract and maple syrup; and boiling the filtered extract at 100° C. for 5 minutes and packaging the same into a pouch.
US08668940B2
The present invention relates to herbal medicinal compositions and extracts thereof for inhibiting growth of cancer cells. One of the examples described in the present invention comprises Forsythiae fructus, Menthae Herba, Gardeniae Fructus, Scutellariae Radix, Lophatheri Folium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Na2SO4, and Atractylodis Rhizoma. The residual examples are described herein.
US08668936B2
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.
US08668922B2
This invention is directed to compositions for animal consumption (including foods, treats, etc.), particularly compositions that tend to improve kidney function, and particularly compositions that comprise enhanced antioxidants and reduced quantities of protein and/or phosphorus. This invention also is directed generally to methods for using such compositions.
US08668913B2
This invention relates to novel compositions and methods of use by which the compositions of this invention are applied topically to one or more body parts of at least two individuals who bring said body parts into contact with the other individual and, when said body parts come into contact with each other, permit the formulations to interact and thereby achieve an unexpected sensation to each individual.
US08668904B2
The present invention relates to influenza vaccine formulations and accelerating primary vaccination regimes for immunizing against influenza disease, their use in medicine, in particular their use in promoting effective immune responses to various antigens, and to methods of preparation. In particular, the invention relates to two-doses accelerated pandemic or seasonal pandemic primary immunization regimes with influenza immunogenic compositions comprising an influenza virus or antigenic preparation thereof in combination with an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant, and to accelerated immunization regimes.
US08668902B2
In a personal care daily practice, common human malodor in breath can be treated and eliminated or substantially reduced through the use of a treatment comestible, lozenge, chewing gum or scraper prepared by combining a hardenable natural or artificial sweetener or gum base with an amount of activated carbon effective in reducing such malodors.
US08668900B2
The cancer-imaging agent and method of radioimaging relates to the use of a radioimaging agent for the imaging increased choline uptake to detect cancerous tissue. The radioimaging agent includes choline or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof labeled with technetium-99m. Preferably, the radioimaging agent is [methyl]-choline chloride labeled with 99mTcO4, which carries technetium-99m. In use, a patient is administered an effective amount of the radioimaging agent by injection and then scanned with a radioimaging device. The radioimaging agent is used to image select soft tissues in the patient, such as the liver or gallbladder, the upper abdominal organs, or the like, and to detect increased choline uptake. Choline is known to accumulate in cancerous cells. Thus, the radioimaging agent is particularly effective in the detection of potentially cancerous tissues.
US08668899B2
A sprayable polymeric foam hemostat for both compressible and non-compressible (intracavitary) acute wounds is disclosed. The foam comprises hydrophobically-modified polymers, such as hm-chitosan, or other amphiphilic polymers that anchor themselves within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. By rapidly expanding upon being released from a canister pressurized with liquefied gas propellant, the foam is able to enter injured body cavities and staunch bleeding. The seal created is strong enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood from these cavities. Hydrophobically-modified polymers inherently prevent microbial infections and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism. The amphiphilic polymers form solid gel networks with blood cells to create a physical clotting mechanism that prevent loss of blood.
US08668892B2
A system for reducing NOx in a flue gas stream, including an absorption element, a first inlet in fluid communication with the chamber configured to deliver a pressurized flue gas to the chamber, and a second inlet in fluid communication with the chamber configured to deliver an absorbing additive to the chamber. An outlet is in fluid communication with the chamber to exhaust from the chamber flue gas that has contacted the absorbing additive. A method for reducing NOx in a flue gas including the steps of: providing a flue gas in a chamber of an absorption element, providing an absorbing additive so that it contacts at least a portion of the flue gas, and exhausting at least a portion of the flue gas from the chamber.
US08668891B2
An exhaust system 10 for a vehicular lean-burn internal combustion engine comprises: (a) a first substrate monolith 6 comprising a SCR catalyst; (b) at least one second substrate monolith 4 comprising a catalytic washcoat coating comprising at least one platinum group metal (PGM) disposed upstream of the first substrate monolith; and (c) a third substrate monolith 2 disposed between the first substrate monolith and the or each second substrate monolith, wherein at least one PGM on the or each second substrate monolith 4 is liable to volatilise when the or each second substrate monolith 4 is exposed to relatively extreme conditions including relatively high temperatures, and wherein the third substrate monolith 2 comprises a washcoat coating comprising at least one metal oxide for trapping volatilised PGM.
US08668889B2
SOx removal equipment for reducing sulfur oxides from flue gas from a boiler, a cooler which is provided on the downstream side of the SOx removal equipment, for reducing the sulfur oxides from the flue gas and for decreasing a gas temperature, CO2 recovery equipment which includes an absorber for bringing CO2 in the flue gas into contact with a CO2 absorption liquid so as to be reduced and a regenerator for causing the CO2 absorption liquid to emit CO2 so as to recover CO2 and regenerate the CO2 absorption liquid, and dissolved salt spraying equipment for reducing a mist generation material which is a generation source of mist that is generated in the absorber of the CO2 recovery equipment before introducing the flue gas to the CO2 recovery equipment, are included.
US08668887B2
Methods and systems are provided for the in situ generation of polysulfide ions in a process stream including S2− and/or HS− ions. Methods and systems are also provided to ameliorate corrosion in a process stream containing an acid gas or a scrubbing agent solvent, and abate mercury and cyanide in process streams containing a scrubbing agent solvent.
US08668885B2
An aroma-diffusing heating device includes a heating base, an aroma capsule detachably accommodated in the heating base and heatable by the heating base to give off fragrance, and a cap capped on the heating base over the aroma capsule. The aroma capsule includes a heat-transfer container defining a top opening, an aromatic substance held in the heat-transfer container, and a sealing film bonded to the heat-transfer container to seal the aromatic substance in the heat-transfer container.
US08668883B2
A bio air sterilization system and method of use thereof is provided that can remove and render benign harmful contaminants and particulates, such as bacteria, viruses, and molds, from air within an enclosed area, as well as, in principle, from the exposed surfaces located within the enclosed area. In one aspect, the sterilization system includes a self contained, mobile sterilization unit that includes at least an ultraviolet array, an air flow control mechanism for diverting the air flow within the system through either a filter or through an ozone removal zone, an ozone generator, and a blower apparatus to pull the air through the system and out through ports, such as a nozzle system, to the surrounding environment.
US08668882B2
A manifold which introduces sterilant aerosol to a sterilization chamber for the disinfection of an article. The manifold defines the terminal portion of a fluid pathway from an aerosol generator to the sterilization chamber and comprises at least one chamber inlet port for introducing aerosol into the sterilizing chamber. The manifold is configured to provide directional aerosol flow tangential to the surface of the article, which is preferably of a known configuration and maintained in a predetermined position with respect to the manifold, such that it does not receive a direct flow of aerosol from the manifold. Preferably, the manifold is U-shaped, or bifurcate and defines a plane and with a chamber inlet ports are directed away from that plane. The chamber inlet ports are preferably paired so they create a circular motion of aerosol that moves around the article. Also sterilization apparatus including the manifold.
US08668878B2
The present invention relates to a reaction vessel for crystallization of a sample from a solution and a covering foil and an arrangement for mounting the covering foil.
US08668876B2
A configuration includes two exhaust gas treatment devices disposed in succession in an exhaust gas line. A first exhaust gas treatment device has a first subregion connected through at least one support body to a second subregion of a second exhaust gas treatment device. The support body has opposite ends connected by connections points to respective subregions. At least the second subregion is formed by metallic components that contact one another to form contact surfaces and at most 20% of the area of the contact surfaces have brazed or solder connections and/or diffusion connections.
US08668873B2
An improved method of extraction, detection, and characterization of a vapor from an explosive, a taggant in an explosive, a controlled substance, a biohazard, and mixtures thereof uses a new and improved SPME device for extraction and ion mobility spectrometry for detection and characterization. The new and improved SPME device has an increased capacity to sorb a target vapor. The increased sorption of vapor provides for more accurate detection by an ion mobility spectrometer. A SPME device having increased surface area may be exposed to an atmosphere in an enclosure containing a test object or a volume of gas that was in contact with the test object to allow for sorption of the target vapor and then introduced into an IMS for more accurate detection and characterization of the vapor due to the increased sorption of the vapor by the SPME device described herein.
US08668872B2
A method for analysis of an object dyed with fluorescent coloring agents. Separately fluorescing visible molecules or nanoparticles are periodically formed in different object parts, the laser produces the oscillation thereof which is sufficient for recording the non-overlapping images of the molecules or nanoparticles and for decoloring already recorded fluorescent molecules, wherein tens of thousands of pictures of recorded individual molecule or nanoparticle images, in the form of stains having a diameter on the order of a fluorescent light wavelength multiplied by a microscope amplification, are processed by a computer for searching the coordinates of the stain centers and building the object image according to millions of calculated stain center co-ordinates corresponding to the co-ordinates of the individual fluorescent molecules or nanoparticles. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images are provided for proteins, nucleic acids and lipids with different coloring agents.
US08668869B2
Analyzers are described that includes a mode selector for selecting one measurement mode from said plurality of measurement modes; a display for displaying a screen; and a display controller for displaying on said screen a picture representing contents of the measurement mode selected by said mode selector.
US08668841B2
A pellet having a microstructure including a bismuth phase, a zinc solid solution phase, and a Zn3Hg phase is disclosed. A method of making a pellet including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is also disclosed. Moreover, a fluorescent lamp with a fill material including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is disclosed. Further, a method of dosing a fluorescent lamp with mercury is disclosed.
US08668836B2
Plasma processing device and method of monitoring plasma discharge state in plasma processing device
An object is to provide a plasma processing device capable of rightly monitoring existence of plasma discharge and also rightly monitoring existence of abnormal discharge. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of monitoring a state of plasma discharge in the plasma processing device.A discharge detection sensor 23, in which a dielectric member 21 and a probe electrode unit 22 are combined with each other, is attached to an opening portion 2a provided in a lid portion 2 composing a vacuum chamber. A change in the electric potential induced in the probe electrode 22b according to a change in plasma discharge is received, electric potential change wave-forms of specific patterns are respectively detected by an N-type wave-form detecting portion 34 and V-type wave-form detecting 35, and a discharge state judgment including a judgment of whether the electric discharge exists or does not exist and whether the electric discharge is normal or abnormal is made according to a counted value of counting the number of times of appearance of these electric potential change wave forms for each type of wave-form by a discharge ON wave-form counter 36, a discharge OFF wave-form counter 37, an abnormal discharge wave-form counter 38 and a leak discharge wave-form counter 39.
US08668833B2
A method of forming a discrete nanostructured element at one or more predetermined locations on a substrate is presented. The method includes forming a mask member over the substrate. A window is formed in the mask member at each of one or more locations at which it is required to form the nanostructured element thereby to expose a portion of a surface of the substrate. A portion of the substrate exposed by the window at the one or more locations is removed to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The method further includes forming a layer of a nanostructure medium over a surface of the recess and annealing the structure thereby to form the nanostructured element in each of the one or more recesses. The nanostructured element includes a portion of the nanostructure medium and has an external dimension along at least two substantially orthogonal directions of less than substantially 100 nm.
US08668831B2
The present invention provides for a permeable reactive barrier and an effective method of removing contaminants from water using adsorbent powders, such as zero valent iron particles, adhered throughout a reticulated foam structure. This structure provides improved mass transfer, higher reaction rates and reduced residence times. The barrier includes a reticulated foam substrate with high permeability, an adherent coating and a reactive adsorbent arranged in a reticulated foam structure. The substrate can be selected from various materials including polyurethane and polyester. The adherent may be selected from a wide range of materials including polyurethanes, acrylics, silicones, siliconized acrylics, latex emulsions, and other inherently tacky materials that cure to a water resistant coating. The reactive adsorbent can be selected from various adsorbents including a powdered zero-valent iron (ZVI).
US08668823B2
This invention relates to methods and units for mitigation of carbon oxides during hydrotreating hydrocarbons including mineral oil based streams and biological oil based streams. A hydrotreating unit includes a first hydrotreating reactor for receiving a mineral oil based hydrocarbon stream and forming a first hydrotreated product stream, and a second hydrotreating reactor for receiving a biological oil based hydrocarbon stream and forming a second hydrotreated product stream.
US08668801B2
A method for producing a laminated optical film that allows three-dimensional images to be reproduced, which is preferably used in a large image display apparatus. One embodiment of the method includes laminating a polarizing plate and a λ/4 plate and forming a λ/2 layer partially on the λ/4 plate. The polarizing plate and the λ/4 plate are laminated such that an angle between an absorption axis of a polarizer of the polarizing plate and a slow axis of the λ/4 plate is substantially 45°, and the λ/2 layer is formed such that an angle between the absorption axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the λ/2 layer is substantially 45°.
US08668798B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a frit slurry paste for use in assemblies (e.g., a vacuum insulated glass unit or a plasma display panel), and methods of making the same. Frit powder, binder material, and a water-based solvent are mixed together to form an intermediate mixture. The frit powder is substantially lead free, and the water-based solvent is provided at a first temperature. Additional water-based solvent is added to the intermediate mixture to form a frit slurry paste. The additional water-based solvent is provided at a second temperature, with the second temperature being lower than the first temperature. The binder material is provided at a concentration of 0.001%-20% by weight with respect to the frit slurry paste or the frit slurry paste absent the frit powder. The frit slurry paste has a bulk viscosity of 2,000-200,000 cps.
US08668797B2
A method of assembly of fencing made of thermoplastic materials which can be easily assembled utilizing ultrasonic welding and which can include a unique configuration for the ultrasonic welding surfaces which prevents the flow of melted thermoplastic materials outwardly onto the decorative outer surfaces of the various fencing parts. Any excess thermoplastic material is designed to pass inwardly toward the longitudinally extending bore defined in the various fencing construction parts. This concept is particularly useful for attaching capping fence members which are injection molded onto structural fence members which are extruded.
US08668794B2
A method for die bonding includes positioning a dispenser in a die bonding apparatus, wherein the dispenser includes a reservoir having bonding adhesive therein including particles and a liquid carrier. The dispenser is moved to provide mechanical agitation to the dispenser for mixing the bonding adhesive into a homogeneous mixture of particles and the liquid carrier, wherein the bonding adhesive is not dispensed during moving. After the moving, the bonding adhesive is dispensed onto a bonding location on the workpiece without removing the dispenser from the die attach apparatus. An integrated circuit (IC) die is attached onto the bonding adhesive over the bonding location. The method can also include determining an amount of time elapsed after the last mixing of the bonding adhesive or the positioning of the dispenser in the die bonding apparatus, and automatically initiating movement for mixing only if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time.
US08668791B2
The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one ascorbic acid, terephthalate, or nitromethane, or mixtures thereof. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.
US08668787B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a Ag—Pd—Cu—Ge type silver alloy which can form a reflective electrode film having such two characteristics that it is very reduced in the lowering of reflectance caused by thermal deterioration and has resistant to yellowing caused by sulfurization even after a heating step in a process of producing a color liquid crystal display. The silver alloy according to the present invention includes a composition containing at least four elements including Ag as its major component, 0.10 to 2.89 wt % of Pd, 0.10 to 2.89 wt % of Cu and 0.01 to 1.50 wt % of Ge, and the total amount of Pd, Cu and Ge is 0.21 to 3.00 wt %.
US08668781B2
An appliance having a casing with an open topped tub located within it, a lid structure including a seal for closing and sealing the tub mounted to the casing, the seal sealing with the top edge of the tub and located at or close to the perimeter of the lid structure, the lid structure including a lid center portion and a frame which circumscribes the lid center portion, the appliance including a gasket, connecting the frame to the lid center portion so that at least part of the gasket forms a free body portion between the frame and the lid center portion, the lid center being free-floating relative to the frame, the appliance including a lid structure supporting mechanism connected to the frame to move the lid structure downwards, and if the lid center portion is prevented from moving downwards, the frame can continue to move downwards.
US08668780B2
Methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses are described in which lens bodies are placed in cavities of lens carriers that are fluidly connected to reservoirs, flow ducts and sub-cavity base channels that provide enhanced washing and wet processing of the lenses.
US08668773B2
A mortar composition in the form of a dry powder, ready for use, comprising at least one powdery binder and at least one aggregate, as well as possibly at least one standard additive and/or adjuvant, and formed from particles, at least some of which, referred to as fine particles, are liable to produce an emission of dust, characterized in that it also comprises a fluid additive that consists of least one non-polar hydrocarbon organic substance and that has a capacity for agglomeration of the said fine particles, and in that the dry mortar composition comprises agglomerates of fine particles formed by the fluid additive.
US08668754B2
Two air cleaners 20A, 20B are disposed on a horizontal plane in a state that air inlets 24, 24 are directed in an upward direction and an axial directions of the air cleaners 20A, 20B are aligned in parallel to each other. An air intake duct 21 for drawing in external air is disposed to overlap the air cleaners 20A, 20B in the upward direction. The air intake duct 21 is connected to the air inlets 24, 24 of the air cleaners 20A, 20B. A merging chamber S1 for supplying airs filtered through the air cleaners 20A, 20B to an engine is disposed along a direction orthogonal to the axial directions of the air cleaners 20A, 20B. The air cleaners 20A, 20B and a merging member 22 are attached to a common attachment member 26.
US08668747B2
The present invention relates to storage stable aqueous dye dispersions, comprising (a) 2.0 to 30.0% by weight, based on the sum of (a), (b) and (c), of a dye of the formula (3) in which KK is a residue of a coupling component; (b) 0.1 to 20.0 % by weight, based on the sum of (a), (b) and (c), of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, dispersing agents, rheology modifiers, and preservatives; and (c) 50.0 to 97.9% by weight, based on the sum of (a), (b) and (c), of water. The invention moreover relates to a process for their preparation and the use thereof for the dyeing, in particular of paper.
US08668740B2
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US08668730B2
A vascular device comprising a plurality of vessel engaging members and a valve. The device is movable from a collapsed insertion position having a first diameter to a second expanded position having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The plurality of vessel engaging members extend outwardly from the device for securely engaging the internal wall of a vessel upon expansion of the device to the second expanded position, wherein the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly upon movement of the device from the second expanded position toward a first expanded position having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. In the first expanded position the valve is movable between an open position to allow blood flow therethrough to a closed position to prevent blood flow.
US08668727B2
An internal anatomic target that is infected by pathogenic microorganisms is treated using an applicator configured for delivering a therapeutic solution thereto and an UV light-emitting device transmits UV light thereon.
US08668724B2
A connecting device is provided for use in orthopedic surgery, for example to connect a spinal rod and a vertebral screw or hook. The connector generally includes a receiver member for receiving an elongated member, and a grommet member for receiving a bone fixation member. The grommet member is inserted into the receiver member so that the receiver member and grommet member are rotatably connected. One or more disks may be placed between the receiver member and grommet member to assist in locking the device.
US08668721B2
A spinal stabilization apparatus and method according to which a fastener is engaged with a bone structure of a spinal system. The fastener is connected to a rod by moving the rod downward toward the fastener in a sagittal plane, and the direction of extension of at least a portion of the rod in a coronal plane may be selectively adjusted in predetermined angular increments through 360 degrees.
US08668713B2
A vascular filter device (1) comprises a plurality of filter elements (6) which are movable from a capturing position to an open position upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the capturing position the filter elements (6) are configured to capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava. In the open position the filter elements (6) are configured to facilitate unrestricted blood flow. The filter elements (6) are biased towards the open position. The filter (1) comprises a holder member (10) to temporarily hold the filter elements (6) in the capturing position until elapse of the predetermined period of time. The holder member (10) comprises a biostable wire element (12) which extends through an opening (13) in each filter element (6), and a biodegradable/bioabsorbable stop element (11). Upon biodegrading/bioabsorbing of the stop element (11), the filter elements (6) are free to move from the capturing position to the open position.
US08668691B2
A surgical instrument comprises an end effector including a pair of jaw members configured to move with respect to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration for clamping tissue. At least one jaw member includes an elongate cam slot extending in a longitudinal direction over a substantial a length a tissue clamping surface of the at least one jaw member. A plurality of electrically isolated, and longitudinally spaced electrodes is supported by the tissue clamping surface and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. A reciprocating member engages the elongate cam slot and is extendable to a sealing position with respect to each of the electrodes to define a predetermined gap distance between a particular electrode and an opposing tissue clamping surface.
US08668687B2
A method for removing a medical implant is contemplated by the present disclosure. The method includes the steps of guiding a plasma device to an implantation site. The plasma device includes a catheter having a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a flexible distal portion and a lumen defined therein terminating in an opening proximate a distal end thereof. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source. The plasma device also include one or more electrodes proximate the opening and adapted to couple to a power source. The method also includes the steps of positioning the opening proximate a medical implant, supplying ionizable media to the opening, energizing the electrode to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume emanating from the opening and manipulating the plasma plume relative to the medical implant to remove tissue surrounding the medical implant.
US08668670B2
An injection device comprises a syringe extendible against a spring bias from a retracted position in a housing to a projecting injecting position. A spring biased plunger has collapsible elbows which, when the plunger is released, initially engage the end of the syringe to drive it to the projecting position, whereupon arresting of the syringe movement causes the elbows to collapse inside the syringe to allow the plunger to engage and drive the bung.
US08668667B2
The present invention relates to a catheter assembly that can deliver a therapeutic composition. The catheter assembly can include an outer balloon with openings for releasing the therapeutic composition. When the catheter assembly is in its contracted state, the openings are closed, and the assembly retains the therapeutic composition. When the catheter assembly is in its dilated state, the openings are open, and the therapeutic composition is released. The present invention also includes methods of making and using such a catheter assembly.
US08668664B2
A handheld instrument for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic that has a main body, a vibration unit mounted in the main body when initiated to cause the main body to vibrate, and a detachable tip cantilever mounted on the main body to vibrate with it, the tip having a free end characterized by a bifurcation to form two spaced projections defining a space between them, whereby the spaced projections can be placed in proximity to, adjacent to and bracketing a preselected injection site on a human or animal and the tissue at said preselected injection site and vibrated while an injection is given.
US08668649B2
A system improves detection and diagnosis of blood pressure based cardiac function and tissue activities by analyzing and characterizing cardiac blood pressure signals (including non-invasive and invasive blood pressure, discrete values and continuous waveforms) using pressure signal variation and variability calculation and evaluation. The system combines blood pressure analysis with multi clinical related factors and parameters to detect and quantify cardiac health status and arrhythmia severity. The system determines an accurate time, location and severity of cardiac pathology and events by calculating blood pressure variability and statistical variation. The accurately and reliably identifies cardiac disorders, differentiates cardiac arrhythmias, characterizes pathological severity, predicts the life-threatening events, and supports evaluation of drug delivery effects.
US08668648B2
The effectiveness of contrast agent destruction is determined. Locations of ineffectively destroyed contrast agents are identified. The response from undestroyed contrast agents may be distinguished from response from tissue due to saturation or from rapid perfusion. The locations may be highlighted on resulting images, indicating to the user locations not associated with perfusion. The user may make a diagnosis on perfusion rather than a lack of destruction of contrast agents.
US08668645B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08668638B2
In a robotic endoscope system, the orientation of a captured camera view at a distal tip of a robotic endoscope and displayed on a screen viewable by an operator of the endoscope is automatically maintained at a roll orientation associated with a setpoint so as not to disorient the operator as the endoscope is moved, flexed and its tip turned in different orientations. A processor generates a current commanded state of the tip from operator input and modifies it to maintain the setpoint roll orientation. To generate the modified current commanded state, the current commanded roll position and velocity are constrained to be a modified current commanded roll position and velocity that have been modified according to a roll angular adjustment indicated by a prior process period commanded state of the tip and the setpoint. The processor then commands the robotic endoscope to be driven to the modified commanded state.
US08668635B2
A urethral stabilization system includes a support member adapted to be implanted into a patient to support a urethra. The support member has a first end and a second end. A first suspending member is attached between the first end of the support member and a first stabilizer and a second suspending member attached between the second end of the support member and a second stabilizer. A first thread member continuously extends between a first end that is attached to the first stabilizer and a second end that is free. A second thread member continuously extends between a first end that is attached to the second stabilizer and a second end that is free. The first and second stabilizers are configured to be advanced into the tissue to increase tension applied to the support member and withdrawn through the tissue to decrease tension applied to the support member.
US08668633B2
A waist and hip developer includes a track curving smoothly upwardly toward two distal ends thereof and having two stop members respectively located at two distal ends thereof, foot members affixed to the track for supporting the track on the floor steadily, a slide slidably coupled to the track with rollers thereof and movable back and forth along the track between the stop members, a seat rotatably supported on the slide with a ball bearing, two grips respectively affixed to the two distal ends of the track, and a counter for counting of the number of reciprocating cycles of the slide moving by the user sitting on the seat.
US08668628B2
An electric treadmill with a folding mechanism by use of two swivel pieces includes a handrail frame mounted at both sides of the front end of the base frame. A base frame swivel piece is pivotally positioned at both sides near the front part of the bottom of the base frame, respectively. A handrail frame swivel piece is pivotally disposed near the bottom of the handrail frames, respectively. A pull rod is pivotally interposed between the swivel pieces. A movable support with ground-touching rollers is pivotally coupled to a cross shaft of the base frame swivel pieces. Moreover, the movable support is constantly biased by a telescopic supporting element. In this way, an action bar of the telescopic supporting element pushes the movable support forward when the base frame is folded upwards. Meanwhile, the ground-touching rollers are constantly in contact with the ground. Accordingly, a stable folded-up position is achieved.
US08668624B2
A motor control device for a working vehicle includes: a travel drive device that transmits rotation of a motor to wheels through a torque converter; a first selection device to be operated so as to select one of a power mode and an economy mode; a second selection device that is different from the first selection device; a mode switching device that switches from the economy mode to the power mode if the second selection device is operated in a state where the economy mode has been selected by the first selection device; and a speed restriction device that, when the economy mode is set, restricts a maximum rotational speed of the motor to a lower speed side than that when the power mode is set.
US08668621B2
A control device that controls a vehicle drive device, including a rotary electric machine and internal combustion engine that drive wheels, a first friction engagement device and a second friction engagement device. The control device is configured to execute rotational state control in which a rotational state of the rotary electric machine is controlled so as to establish a target rotational state with the second friction engagement device in a slip engagement state, and hydraulic pressure regulation control in which a hydraulic pressure supplied to the second friction engagement device is controlled on the basis of torque of the rotary electric machine produced during the rotational state control after the first friction engagement device is transitioned to a direct engagement state while the second friction engagement device is transitioned from the slip engagement state to a direct engagement state.
US08668616B2
A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes first and second shaft members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a compound planetary gear set, a plurality of torque transmitting elements, and an output member. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of brakes, synchronizer assemblies, and clutches including a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least three reverse speed ratios and at least nine forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08668613B1
A two-speed transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, the transmission being capable of transitioning between fixed ratios, the high-range ratio being direct 1:1 and the low-range ratio being about 2:1. The transmission is a simple lightweight, yet robust, configuration utilizing only two gear meshes, being comprised of an input gear, a cluster gear, and an output gear. The transmission is controlled with a clutch and a sprag and with the input and output shafts turning in the same direction.
US08668610B1
An electro-hydraulic servo synchronizer for MW wind turbine generator system includes a 2K-H differential planetary drive mechanism and a direct drive volume control system. The 2K-H differential planetary drive mechanism comprises a planet carrier, a planet gear, a ring gear, a sun gear, and a control gear, the input end of the planet carrier is an input shaft I, the output end of the sun gear is an output shaft II, the central shaft of the control gear is a shaft III. The direct drive volume control system comprises a constant displacement motor, a two-way constant delivery pump and a servo motor, the servo motor is connected with the two-way constant delivery pump, the two-way constant delivery pump is connected with the constant displacement motor, and the constant displacement motor is connected with the shaft III, so as to drive the control gear.
US08668609B2
An inverted tooth chain drive system includes a sprocket supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including a plurality of teeth defined relative to respective tooth centers. The tooth centers are spaced evenly in a circumferential arrangement about the axis of rotation, and each of the plurality of teeth includes an engaging flank. An inverted tooth chain is engaged with the sprocket and includes a plurality of rows of links each structured for inside flank engagement with the sprocket, with leading inside flanks of each row of links projecting outwardly relative to the trailing outside flanks of a preceding row of links. The leading inside flanks of each row are positioned to make initial meshing contact with the engaging flank of one of the sprocket teeth. At least some of the teeth are standard teeth and other ones of the teeth are flank-relieved teeth. The engaging flanks of the flank-relieved teeth are negatively offset relative to their respective tooth centers as compared to said engaging flanks of said standard teeth relative to their respective tooth centers. The root surfaces leading the flank-relieved teeth are raised relative to the root surfaces leading the standard teeth and are also inclined.
US08668608B2
A chain guide that contacts a chain connecting a cam sprocket and a crank sprocket, and has a contact portion contacting the back of the chain in a length direction of the chain and a convex curved line in a cross-section of the contact portion.
US08668593B2
A shaft includes a shoulder that transitions the shaft from a first diameter to a second diameter. The shaft includes a groove that is disposed immediately adjacent to and/or is formed in an inner radial portion of the shoulder. The groove acts to produce uniform deflection of the shoulder in an axial direction with respect to a centerline axis of the shaft.
US08668579B2
A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
US08668574B2
A user playing a user device wagers a wager amount on a play of a game. A server determines a first reel set for the current play, an outcome for the current play, and a second reel set for the next play of that game on which the user wagers that same wager amount. The server communicates first reel set data, second reel set data, and outcome data to the user device. The user device spins and stops the first reel set in accordance with the determined outcome. When the user wagers that same wager amount on another play of that game, the user device displays that play of that game using the second reel set, and the server determines a third reel set for the next play of that game on which the user wagers that same wager amount and communicates third reel set data to the user device.
US08668559B2
A mechanism for separating single coins from a plurality of coins provided within a coin dispensing apparatus. The mechanism comprises a housing defining a coin dispensing path, coin transport means for urging coins along the coin dispensing path; and first and second biased coin stripping members located adjacent each other and disposed successively in the coin dispensing path at an outlet of the coin dispensing mechanism. The first and second stripping members together comprise a double outlet gate and each member is movable independently of the other by each urged coin to effect, in use, alignment and stripping of coins being dispensed.
US08668558B2
A cutting tool is provided for safely dressing a game animal having a handle and a fork section including first and second elongated shielding members shielding the hunter's hands and a cutting blade positioned between the first and second elongated shielding members and perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the cutting tool and wherein the handle is configured in a T-shaped manner for providing a good grip and wherein the cutting blade is positioned under outer surfaces of the first and second elongated shielding members to further shield the hunter's hands. The cutting tool is pushed against various membranes and the trachea to safely cut it for the removal of the heart and lungs of the game animal.
US08668550B1
A prosthetic nipple undergarment device is wearable to give an appearance of an erect nipple of a desired size and shape beneath an outer garment. The device includes a brassiere having a breast receiving cup. A prosthetic nipple is selectively coupled to the cup. The prosthetic nipple comprises a base and a projection coupled to and extending from the base wherein the prosthetic nipple is configured to resemble an erect human nipple.
US08668542B2
A multiple use, light weight, cost-effective, indoor and all-weather outdoor construction toy for stimulating children's imaginations and encouraging physical activity comprises a basic modular unit with open ended cup-like coupling-means on its perimeter for male to female coupling and decoupling to other couple-able units, is described. The coupling-means may be molded as an integral part forming one seamless basic unit. The open bottom end of the coupling means provides for coupling, the open top end prevents the buildup of snow inside the coupling unit. Coupling can be achieved via coupling-means on basic units to each other or through the use of accessory independent coupler-units. The basic unit of the modular toy may be in the form of a saucer, disc, an oval, or in a rectilinear-shape for use as a sled, skiing device, a flotation device, or as fort building modules. Additional accessory parts include skis and inner-tubes, for example.
US08668526B2
A percutaneous cable includes a cable body having a first end and second end, the cable body including a sheath adapted to traverse a patient's skin. The cable includes a plurality of conductors disposed within the cable body configured to transmit power and control data between a system controller and two implantable pumps. The cable includes a first connector disposed at the first end of the cable body and coupled to the plurality of conductors, the first connector configured to connect the cable body to the system controller. The cable includes a second connector disposed at the second end of the cable body, the second connector comprising a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts.
US08668512B2
A safety socket of the present invention has one or several groups of socket holes, lock mechanisms, and release mechanisms. Plug can be inserted into the socket holes. The lock mechanism can engage the plug for preventing unexpected removal of the plug. The release mechanism is used for operating the lock mechanism for releasing the plug. The release mechanism has a button which is arranged at aside of the socket holes. Thus, the button would not be hidden by the plug. User can approach to the button easily. Operation condition of the safety socket is then facilitated.
US08668510B2
A tubular component of a drill stem comprises a first end including a first threading, a second end including a second threading, and a substantially tubular central zone, the component further comprising a device for electrical connection with another component, mounted on at least one of the ends, and a cable for the transmission of signals between the first end and the second end, connected to the connecting device, the connecting device including at least one conductor provided with an electrically insulated link portion and an electrical contact portion; a dielectric to isolate the insulated link portion; and an annular sealing surface defining a protected zone, said electrical contact portion being disposed in the protected zone, the annular sealing surface being disposed at the surface of the insulated link portion.
US08668509B2
A wet-mateable connector for making a connection underwater comprises a male component 10 having a male pin 14 and a female component 20 having a female socket 24 for receiving the male pin. The male component has a male wiper seal assembly 16 which moves between a decoupled and a coupled position during coupling of the male component 10 and female component 20 so as to wipe at least a portion of the male pin 14. A latch 42a, 48 is provided which is arranged to latch the male wiper seal assembly 16 to the female component 20 during coupling such that when the male and female components are decoupled, the male wiper seal assembly 16 is returned to the decoupled position.
US08668499B2
A connector to be mounted on a substrate includes a first pad and a second pad formed on the surface, including a first contact including a first contacting portion to be in contact with the first pad when the connector is mounted on the substrate; and a second contact including a second contacting portion to be in contact with the second pad when the connector is mounted on the substrate, the first contact and the second contact being configured such that the first contacting portion slides on the first pad in a first direction while the second contacting portion slides on the second pad in a second direction opposite to the first direction, when the first contact and the second contact are pushed toward the first pad and the second pad, respectively, while the connector is being placed on and fixed to the substrate.
US08668498B2
System, method, and computer program product are provided for using real-time video analysis, such as augmented reality, to assist a user of a mobile device with interior design. Through the use of real-time object recognition features, logos, artwork, products, locations, etc. can be recognized in a real-time video stream and can subsequently be matched with data associated with such to assist the user with selecting the proper design elements for a space, such as a kitchen. The proper design elements may be based off of several factors regarding the design space, include the dimensions of the space, the location of windows, doors and outlets, geographic and positional data, other space features, current design elements, architectural features, décor, and style data of the space, etc. This invention provides a virtual area with design elements, such that a user may view the area and determine the proper décor for the area.
US08668497B2
A free fall simulator includes a self-contained air circuit and a hover chamber in which persons can hover as a result of an air stream directed vertically upward. A lower opening is located at a lower end of the hover chamber and an upper opening is located at an upper end of the hover chamber. A substantially closed air guide channel includes at least one fan. The channel connects the lower opening and the upper opening of the hover chamber. At least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening allow for exchanging air within the air guide channel. The simulator includes redirecting lamellae which redirect an air stream within the air guide channel in corner areas or areas of high curvature, wherein at least one air outlet opening is disposed within the redirecting lamellae.
US08668496B2
A training system is provided. The training system may have a handheld computing device configured to receive a data input from an input device. The input device may be a sensor capable of measuring a condition relating to the training. An analysis module in electronic communication with the handheld computing device is configured to interpret the data input from the input device and configured provide a feedback output related to the execution of the goals of the training system. Based on this feedback, a trainee or trainer may adjust the training program to enhance the trained skills.
US08668494B2
An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, a pivot, and a multi-axis rotation joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The pivot connects the body to the nose and includes a groove configured for a ball bearing that is passed through a channel formed within the pivot and the body. Also, the channel is parallel to the rotational axis of the shaft. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into a first configuration and a second configuration.
US08668488B2
A process for the combustion of a liquid in a combustion chamber includes atomizing liquid sulfur using a rotary atomizer and introducing the liquid sulfur into the combustion chamber. The liquid sulfur is charged onto an inside of a cup. The cup is rotated so as to form a liquid film on the inside of the cup and so that parts of the liquid film are radially flung off from an edge of the cup edge into the combustion chamber. The rotational speed of the cup is varied so as to control a thickness of the liquid film in the cup to between 200 and 1000 μm. The liquid sulfur is evaporated and subsequently burnt in the combustion chamber.
US08668484B2
A mold capable of a highly accurate alignment with a member to be processed in such a state that a photocurable resin material is disposed between the mold and the member to be processed, and is constituted by a substrate 2010 formed of a first material and an alignment mark 2102 formed of a second material different from the first material. The first material and the second material have transmissivities to light in a part of an ultraviolet wavelength range. The second material has a refractive index of not less than 1.7.
US08668478B2
A scroll compressor includes a discharge valve assembly having a valve member, a valve stop supported within the compressor shell and including an aperture there through and a communication member. The communication member defines a fluid passage extending into the discharge chamber from the valve stop toward the first discharge outlet in the discharge chamber and provides fluid communication between the aperture in the valve stop and a location downstream of the valve stop. A first side of the valve member abuts the valve stop when in an open position and the valve stop provides communication between the first side of the valve member and the communication member via the aperture.
US08668472B2
A pumping apparatus for harvesting the wave energy and converting such energy into hydraulic power which may be transmitted and used to generate electricity or to produce desalinated water. The pumping apparatus has a float, an accumulator pressurized above the ambient pressure of the pump, the accumulator is charged with fluid and the pump is full of fluid. A check valve is closed and a pumping chamber is pressurized. An additional pumping chamber is also equally pressurized. An axial force is generated on a first tube by the pressure difference between its ends. An opposite axial force is generated on a second tube by the pressure difference between its ends. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube and hence the magnitude of the force on the second tube is greater. The resultant of these forces is balanced by a portion of the buoyancy of float.
US08668470B2
A fluid end 15 for a multiple reciprocating pump assembly 12 comprises at least three plunger bores 61 or 91, each for receiving a reciprocating plunger 35. Each plunger bore has a plunger bore axis 65 or 95. The plunger bores are arranged across the fluid end to define a central plunger bore with lateral plunger bores located on either side. The fluid end 15 also comprises at least three respective suction valve bores 59 or 89 in fluid communication with the plunger bores. Each suction valve bore can receive a suction valve 41 and has a suction valve bore axis 63 or 93. The fluid end 15 also comprises at least three respective discharge valve bores 57 or 87 that can receive a discharge valve 43 and are in fluid communication with the plunger bores. Axes of suction and discharge valve bores are offset in the fluid.
US08668457B2
A trim balance for a gas turbine engine having a hollow rotatable rotor shaft includes an elongate support rod adapted for longitudinal accommodation within and mounting on an interior surface of the rotor shaft and one or more apertured balance weights supported on the support rod which extends through the weight apertures and a weight retainer for retaining the weights on the support rod.
US08668447B2
A steam turbine blade includes a coating film formed at least a portion of a surface of the steam turbine blade, the coating film containing a ceramic matrix and nanosheet particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix. The steam turbine blade is employed as one of stator blades or one of rotor blades in a steam turbine. The steam turbine includes a turbine rotor, the rotor blades implanted in the turbine rotor, the stator blades provided in an upstream side of the corresponding rotor blades, and a turbine casing supporting the stator blades and accommodating turbine rotor, the rotor blades and the stator blades. The steam turbine is also configured such that the rotor blades are paired with the corresponding stator blades to form turbine stages arranged in an axial direction of the turbine rotor, thereby forming steam paths.
US08668434B2
A system comprises an apparatus, an actuator and a processor. The apparatus defines a flow path through an aperture, the aperture defines a pressure drop along the flow path, and the actuator regulates fluid flow across the pressure drop. The processor comprises a flow module, a comparator, an estimator and a control law. The flow module maps a flow curve relating a flow parameter to a pressure ratio, and defines a solution point located on the flow curve and a focus point located off the flow curve. The comparator generates an error as a function of a slope defined between the focus and solution points. The estimator moves the solution point along the flow curve, such that the error is minimized. The control law directs the actuator to position the control element, such that the flow parameter describes the fluid flow and the pressure ratio describes the pressure drop.
US08668430B2
A proppant discharge system has a container with an outlet formed at a bottom thereof and a gate slidably affixed at the outlet so as to be movable between a first position covering the outlet to second position opening the outlet, and a support structure having an actuator thereon. The container is removably positioned on the top surface of the support structure. The actuator is engageable with gate so as to move the gate from the first position to the second position. A conveyor underlies the container so as to receive proppant as discharged from the container through the outlet. The container is a ten foot ISO container.
US08668429B2
The invention describes a depalleting device (1) and a method for operating the latter for a transported product (2) provided in a stack comprising a mounting table (8) which is adjustable linearly in a guiding arrangement (10) by a feed drive (9), and comprising a conveying device (4) arranged on the latter and drive-connected to a drive motor and with a mounting conveying device (23) arranged at least at one end section (20) of the conveying device (4). The mounting conveying device (23) is drive-connected to a drive motor that is independent of the drive of the conveying device (4). By means of a detecting means (52) of the mounting conveying device (23) a load parameter is detected which acts on the latter on placing a conveying roller up to the transported product (2) and a signal is generated in a control and regulating device for controlling the speed of the drive motor of the mounting conveying device (23).
US08668428B2
A horizontal articulated robot includes a first arm and a second arm respectively supported at their base end portions by a body and the tip end portion of the second arm to be rotatable about a first joint and a second joint; and a fork including its base end portion supported by the tip end portion of the second arm to be rotatable about a third joint. The first arm includes a first enlarged portion, formed in its tip end portion, with an upper surface positioned higher than an upper surface of the base end portion of the first arm. The second arm includes a second enlarged portion, formed in its tip end portion, with a lower surface positioned lower than a lower surface of the base end portion of the second arm. The first and the second enlarged portion are at least partially overlapped with each other horizontally.
US08668426B1
Proposed is a wheeled drop-floor trailer that has a U-shaped frame with two articulated linkages pivotally installed on the sides of the U-shaped frame and suspension rods that pivotally support the drop floor in a freely hanging condition. On the side of the trailer opposite the loading side the articulated linkages are interconnected by a cross bar, which is connected to a drive mechanism, e.g., to a winch, via a cable. When the articulated linkages are inclined toward the loading side, the drop floor descends to the ground under its own weight and, after the cargo is loaded onto the drop floor, the latter is raised by pulling the linkages with the use of the winch via the cable and the cross bar in the direction opposite the loading side.
US08668415B2
A support saddle (20, 24) for supporting a load (14) having a taper profile along an axial length of the load (14). The support saddle (20, 24) comprises a lower surface (20A, 24A) for resting on a surface (10A) of a transportation vehicle load bed (10) and an upper surface (20B, 24B) defining a taper to substantially match the taper profile of the load (10) in a region of the load contacting the upper surface (20B, 24B), the upper surface (20B, 24B) for receiving the load (10). In other embodiments the support saddles (20, 24) are used with inserts (64, 65) and/or cushions (45). One or more of the support saddles (20, 24), the inserts (64, 65) and the cushions (45) may comprise a tapered upper surface to match the taper profile of the load (14).
US08668403B2
An impact absorption panel is adapted for playground use and comprises a panel section and a plurality of projections. The panel section is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. The plurality of projections extend from the bottom surface of the panel section. The plurality of projections have a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is configured to collapse initially when subjected to an impact load. The second stage is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first stage. The panel section is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first and second stages. The first stage can also be distinguished from the second stage by virtue of having a comparatively smaller volume.
US08668402B2
Pipe holders retain a first pipe and a second pipe having a connector cable extending through the second pipe. The pipe holder has a first retaining section that detachably holds and fixes the first pipe and a second retaining section that detachably holds and fixes the second pipe. A second retaining chamber is surrounded by an internal surface of the second retaining section. A guide section communicatively connects the second retaining chamber to outside of the pipe holder, wherein the first retaining section, the second retaining section and the guide section are made of metal, and the connector cable that extends through second pipe and has at least one end to be connected to an electronic musical instrument is guided through the guide section to the outside. A coupling section couples the first retaining section and the second retaining section, wherein the guide section is formed in the coupling section.
US08668399B2
A device for applying a coating includes a multi-component cartridge, a static mixing nozzle in fluid communication with the cartridge, and at least one paint applicator selected from the group including a roller, a brush, and an angled spray tip, in fluid communication with the nozzle. A method includes applying a coating to a surface with the above-described device. Another method includes applying a non-skid coating to a surface with the above-described device.
US08668398B2
This invention disclosed hair coloration applicator designed with a holder with two ends, at least one opening provided on each of said ends corresponding with the opening on the other end, at least one pair of coloration bars being fixed at said corresponding openings on said two ends, in which said coloration bars are made of coloring compound with a color in a specific hair color family and can be blended together to make a variety of hair color shades. The Invention allows a person to blend the right color within their hair color range since it has colors that blend together to create a variety of shades within a specific color scheme.
US08668382B2
Disclosed is a method for estimating, within a short time, the life of a cable insulating coating material containing an antioxidant in a suitable concentration based on the rate of decrease of the antioxidant and on the critical concentration of the antioxidant at which oxidative degradation rapidly proceeds. The method tests the coating material to examine its life, the coating material including a base polymer, and an antioxidant having a functional group suppressing an oxidative deteriorative reaction of the base polymer. The method includes performing a thermal degradation test on the coating material; determining the degradation levels and degradation rates of the coating material at two or more time points in the thermal degradation test, based on the ratio of the absorbance of the functional group of the antioxidant to the absorbance of the base polymer; and thereby evaluating the life of the coating material.
US08668377B2
A gas diluter which comprises: dilution chambers in which a first gas is mixed with a second gas to reduce the concentration of the first gas; connecting passages with which the dilution chambers are connected serially; branched passages through which the first gas is distributed to the dilution chambers, an introduction passage through which the second gas is introduced into the dilution chamber, which is located at one end of the serially connected dilution chambers; and a discharge opening through which the gas obtained by mixing the first gas with the second gas is discharged from the dilution chamber, which is located at the other end of the serially connected dilution chambers.
US08668370B2
Dimpled plates for light distribution and concentration are provided. Also provided are apparatus incorporating the plates as waveguides, and methods for using the dimpled plates for distributing or concentrating input light. The dimpled plates are designed to spatially distribute light from each of one or more near point light sources into a pixelated light projection using an array of reflective conical light deflection elements.
US08668367B2
A lamp shade cover that fits snugly over a lamp shade or lamp shade liner to provide interchangeable lamp shade decor with a tailored look. In embodiments, a separating closure mechanism attaches sides of the lamp shade cover together to form a lamp shade form that fits snugly over the supporting lamp shade or lamp shade liner. In embodiments, the separating closure mechanism is a separating zipper sewn into either side of the lamp shade cover. Embodiments include an interchangeable lamp shade system that includes a lamp shade liner and one or more lamp shade covers that fit snugly over the lamp shade liner and are removable via the separating closure mechanism of the lamp shade cover.
US08668366B2
The present disclosure provides an illumination device. The illumination device includes a cap structure. The cap structure is partially coated with a reflective material operable to reflect light. The illumination device includes one or more lighting-emitting devices disposed within the cap structure. The light-emitting devices may be light-emitting diode (LED) chips. The illumination device also includes a thermal dissipation structure. The thermal dissipation structure is coupled to the cap structure in a first direction. The thermal dissipation structure and the cap structure have a coupling interface. The coupling interface extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The thermal dissipation structure has a portion that intersects the coupling interface at an angle. The angle is in a range from about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees according to some embodiments.
US08668364B2
A backlight unit capable of emitting heat smoothly and a display device including the same are disclosed. The backlight unit includes a bottom cover, a light emitting module arranged in a predetermined area of the bottom cover, a reflective sheet provided on the bottom cover, the reflective sheet spaced apart a predetermined distance from the bottom cover, a plurality of first heat radiating members provided between the reflective sheet and the bottom cover, the plurality of the first heat radiating members spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, a second heat radiating member arranged between the light emitting module and the first heat radiating members, and a projected part located in the second heat radiating member below the reflective sheet, the projected part supporting the reflective sheet to locate the reflective sheet spaced apart a predetermined distance from the first heat radiating members.
US08668361B2
A light source that is adapted to replace existing fluorescent tubes in an existing fluorescent light fixture is disclosed. The light source includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on a heat-dissipating structure, first and second plug adapters that mate with the florescent tube connectors of the fluorescent tube the light source is to replace, and a power adapter that converts power from a fluorescent tube ballast presented on the first and second plug adapters to DC power that powers the LEDs. The light source is powered from the output of the existing fluorescent ballast. The light source can utilize the existing metallic enclosure as a heat-radiating surface and/or direct air heat transfer from the surface of the heat-dissipating structure.
US08668358B2
A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
US08668357B2
The invention relates to a luminaire with LED technology, which comprises a power supply, wiring, a plurality of electronic components (7), a translucent or transparent closure (5), a protective housing (3) for the lighting system, and at least one electronic base plate (1) having a plurality of LEDs (2), the luminaire being characterized in that it comprises a thin film which is made of highly reflective material and is applied to at least 5% of a first surface (4a) defined by the surface of said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the electronic components (7) adjacent thereto; and/or is applied to at least 5% of a second surface (4b) defined by the inner surface of the protective housing (3) between said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the translucent or transparent closure (5).
US08668356B2
A heat sink includes a thermally conductive layer comprising at least one of fullerenes and nanotubes disposed in a polymeric host. The thermally conductive layer may be disposed on a heat sink body, which may be thermally insulating and/or plastic, and may include surface area enhancing heat radiating structures, such as fins, with the thermally conductive layer being disposed over at least the surface area enhancing heat radiating structures. A light emitting diode (LED)-based lamp embodiment includes the heat sink and an LED module including one or more LED devices secured with and in thermal communication with the heat sink. A method embodiment includes forming the heat sink body and disposing the thermally conductive layer on the heat sink body. The disposing may comprise spray coating. An external energy field may be applied during spray coating to impart a non-random orientation to nanotubes in the polymeric host.
US08668344B2
Described is a device comprising a retro-reflective marker sphere comprising: a core ball comprising: a generally spherical body portion, a mounting base extending from one end of the body portion of the core ball, and a mounting recess having a recess opening in the mounting base and extending into the body portion of the core ball, and a retro-reflective covering on the core ball, the retro-reflective covering comprising an opening through which the mounting base of the core ball extends, wherein a flat lower surface of the mounting base is spaced proximally from a lower edge of the opening of the retro-reflective covering, and wherein the mounting recess includes an interior screw thread for engaging an exterior screw thread of a mounting post when the retro-reflective marker sphere is mounted on the mounting post.
US08668331B2
A method for optimizing the performance in centration, rotation and stability of contact lenses makes use of the upper and lower eyelid geometries to maximize the lens-lid interaction for two different contact lens positions on the eye. The contact lenses are non-round lenses for maximum interaction with the eyelids.
US08668329B2
Printing apparatus arranged to lower, position and raise pressure elements in the printing apparatus
A printing apparatus has a path for transporting flat items in the x-direction, and allows insertion and removal of a box-shaped module along the y-direction. The box-shaped module has a pressure device that exerts pressure in the z-direction on the flat items to be transported. The x-direction, y-direction and z-direction are orthogonal to one another. The components of the box-shaped module in combination with guides of the printing apparatus cooperate to initially move the pressure device along the z-direction during insertion of the box-shaped module into the printing apparatus and to move said box pressure device opposite along the z-direction upon reaching a predetermined position.
US08668327B2
A particle dispersion supply apparatus includes a roller, an ejection device and a particle dispersion permeation member. The roller rotates in a prescribed direction and touches an image formation face of a recording medium being conveyed by a conveyance body. The ejection device is disposed to oppose the roller at a roller rotation direction upstream side relative to the position at which the roller touches the image formation face of the recording medium, and ejects a particle dispersion in which numerous particles are dispersed in a liquid. The particle dispersion permeation member is disposed so as to be interposed between the ejection device and the roller and so as to contact the roller. The particle dispersion permeation member retains the particle dispersion and the particle dispersion can permeate therethrough.
US08668325B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes first liquid ejecting nozzles that eject first liquid; a second liquid ejecting nozzle that ejects second liquid which is different from the first liquid; and a control unit which performs control of ejection of the first liquid from the first liquid ejecting nozzles and ejection of the second liquid from the second liquid ejecting nozzles. The control unit has a first mode of performing control to form flushing dots by ejection from the first liquid ejecting nozzles on a recording medium, the ejection not being based on image data, form background dots by ejection from the second liquid ejecting nozzle on the flushing dots, the ejection being based on the image data, and form image dots by ejection from the first liquid ejecting nozzles on the background dots, the ejection being based on the image data.
US08668317B2
A second sealing film F2 is thermally bonded onto a leading end portion R1 of an ink lead-out member 32b of an ink pack and an annular projecting portion R2 provided on an ink casing 31. Thereby, a gap D produced between the ink lead-out member 32b and the ink casing 31 can be closed from outside the ink casing 31. Accordingly, the airtightness of a space S in the ink casing 31 is kept, thus making it possible to raise the pressure in the space S and generate such a force as to crush the ink pack.
US08668314B2
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first passage, a second passage, a pressure unit, and a control valve. The first passage is connected to the head to supply liquid to the head. The second passage is connected to the tank. The pressure unit is disposed at the second passage to apply pressure to liquid in the second passage. The control valve includes an internal channel to connect the first and second passages, an expandable liquid retaining chamber connected to the internal channel to retain the liquid, and a valve member disposed in the internal channel to open and close the first and second passages and movable by a flow of liquid from the chamber to the first passage created by ejection of liquid from the head to communicate the second passage with the first passage.
US08668310B2
A liquid-ejecting head includes a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element has piezoelectric layer contains a perovskite complex oxide containing Bi, La, Fe, and Mn and can undergo electric-field-induced phase transition.
US08668306B2
A liquid ejecting head including: a head unit having a nozzle forming surface on which a plurality of rows of nozzles ejecting a liquid are arranged and of which the nozzle forming surface is wiped by a wiping member along an arrangement direction of the nozzle rows; and a fixing member, wherein the fixing member has a fixing plate section on which an exposure opening section exposing the nozzles of the nozzle forming surface is formed and of which an upper surface is joined to the nozzle forming surface as a fixing reference surface in a state where the nozzle is exposed into the exposure opening section, and a cutout section, which opens the exposure opening section in the wiping direction and exposes an edge portion of the nozzle forming surface, is formed downstream of the wiping member in the wiping direction in the exposure opening section.
US08668297B2
There is provided a driver for an inkjet head, capable of smoothly driving the inkjet head. The driver for an inkjet head includes: an amplifying unit having a plurality of amplifiers individually outputting signals having voltage levels amplified in accordance with a predetermined gain in a predetermined cycle; a coupling unit coupling the signals outputted from the plurality of amplifiers as a single driving signal in accordance with a control signal; a controlling unit controlling the coupling of signals performed by the coupling unit; and a switching unit switching a signal transmission path through which the single driving signal is transmitted to an inkjet head.
US08668296B2
A method of driving a liquid ejection head adapted to apply a voltage to the liquid ejection head to eject a liquid including a polymer is provided. The method includes raising the voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage; raising the voltage from the second voltage to a third voltage at a gradient larger than that in raising the voltage from the first to the second voltage, and then holding the voltage at the third voltage; dropping the voltage from the third voltage to a fourth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the fourth voltage; raising the voltage from the fourth voltage to a fifth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the fifth voltage; dropping the voltage from the fifth voltage to a sixth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the sixth voltage; and raising the voltage from the sixth voltage to a seventh voltage.
US08668290B2
A rack and pinion storage system for use in a refrigerator compartment defined by a liner includes a pair of supports attached to opposing sidewalls of the liner. First and second gear covers snap-fittingly connect first and second gear wheels to respective first and second mounting brackets extending from a storage basket, such that the gear wheels are rotatably connected to the storage basket and have equal rotational and linear motion along the respective supports. Retaining bars extending from the storage basket are held within channels defined between the bottom walls of the supports and top walls of opposing telescoping slide assemblies used to movably support a door of the compartment. Tabs extending from the supports limit the sliding movement of the storage basket. A removable divider connects to the storage basket, sectioning the basket into multiple storage compartments.
US08668289B2
An automatic door opening/closing apparatus automatically opening and closing a door without applying any manual force to the door, and a refrigerator having the automatic door opening/closing apparatus. The automatic door opening/closing apparatus devised to automatically open or close a sliding door that is mounted, in a drawer manner, to a refrigerator body, includes a drive device coupled to the sliding door to automatically open or close the sliding door with respect to the refrigerator body, an input part to receive an user input and to operate the drive device based on the user input, a sensing part to sense an open or closed state of the sliding door, and a controller to operate the drive device based on signals from the input part and signals from the sensing part.
US08668284B2
An ejector for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed end position in or on a furniture body includes an ejection lever that can be driven by an electrical drive unit, in particular an electric motor. The ejection lever has a first ejection lever part and a second ejection lever part that can be moved relative to the first ejection lever part. An adjusting device causes the length of the ejection lever to change during the ejection process as a result of the two ejection lever parts sliding relative to each other.
US08668283B2
An electronic device enclosure assembly with a connecting assembly is disclosed. The electronic device enclosure assembly includes two electronic device enclosures. Each of the two electronic device enclosures includes a top frame, a bottom frame, a plurality of supports and a maintaining pole. The plurality of supports connects the top frame and the bottom frame, the maintaining pole is secured between two of the plurality of supports, and the maintaining pole defines a securing slot. A mounting member includes two side plates opposite to each other, and a positioning member protrudes from each of the two side plates. The maintaining poles of the two electronic device enclosures are located between the two side plates, the positioning member is engaged in the securing slot, and the two electronic device enclosures are connected together by the mounting member.
US08668282B2
A brake-by-wire system uses a time sequence type that determines road conditions before initialization, initializes EWBs (Electro Wedge Brake) at the left/right front wheels and EMBs (Electro Mechanical Brake) at the left/right rear wheels with time differences on the basis of the determined road conditions. Therefore, the clamping force in at least any one of the EWBs and the EMBs is maintained in any circumstances, thereby avoiding a situation that all the braking force of a vehicle is removed.
US08668273B2
A highchair has a seat device, a bracket device and a table. The seat device has a base, a supporting sleeve and a seat. The bracket device is connected to the seat device and has two connecting segments, a connecting frame and a supporting arm. The connecting segments are respectively connected securely to the supporting sleeve and each has a connecting mount, a button seat, a pressing button and a button spring. The connecting frame connects to the connecting segments and has two inserting segments and a primary frame. The supporting arm is telescopically and pivotally connected to the connecting frame. The table is detachably mounted on the bracket device.
US08668272B2
A vehicle seat (10) includes an improved seat frame member (14) used as a seat back, a recliner mechanism connection (16) and a vehicle seat track actuator mechanism (18). The seat back frame member (14) includes a side frame member (30) having a side frame structural member (32) preferably made from a relatively high strength steel and a stiffening insert member (42) to provide strength and rigidity to the recliner mechanism connection (16) and to reduce the overall mass of the vehicle seat frame member and thereby the vehicle seat (10). The seat frame member (14) further includes a recliner mechanism (34) welded to the side frame structural member (32) preferably utilizing a shaped laser weld pattern (40). The vehicle seat track actuator mechanism (18) includes a bar (56), first and second pivot pins (62, 64) and connectors (70).
US08668268B1
A lounge chair assembly includes a frame having a top section, a bottom section, and a medial section. A support member is coupled to the frame for supporting a person on the frame. The support member has a corresponding top portion, bottom portion, and medial portion coupled to the frame. A plurality of legs is coupled to the frame. A telescopic headrest extends from the top section of the frame. An aperture extends through the head rest. A pair of openings extend through the bottom portion of the support member. Each opening is configured for receiving a human foot therethrough whereby a leg extending from the foot is abutted and supported by the support member without bending of the foot relative to the leg.
US08668267B2
A chair comprising a basic structure, a seat, a backrest, and at least one joint made of plastic material, which connects the backrest to the basic structure, wherein the joint has a first connection portion fixed to or integral with respect to the backrest, and a second connection portion connected to the basic structure, wherein said second connection portion comprises a first and a second arm, which are elongated in a longitudinal direction and are set at a distance from one another in a vertical direction, wherein the first arm has a front portion fixed to the basic structure and is deformable between a resting position corresponding to the resting position of the backrest and a deformed position corresponding to the position where the backrest is tilted backwards, wherein the second arm has a front portion, which is mobile in a longitudinal direction with respect to the basic structure between a first position corresponding to the resting position of the first arm, and a second position corresponding to the deformed position of the first arm, and wherein the second arm and the basic structure are provided with respective arrest elements which limit the extent of the travel in a longitudinal direction of the front portion of the second arm and define an end-of-travel of tilting backwards of the backrest.
US08668254B2
A vehicle underfloor structure includes under covers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) that cover an underside of a vehicle, and drain members (D) provided in the under covers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The drain members (D) each include: a front inclined wall (21) provided with a water drain opening (33, 34, 42, 43, 44, 72, 74); and a rear inclined wall (22). A recess is formed in each under cover in a front-back direction of the vehicle in such a manner that a first interior angle (θ1) formed by the front inclined wall is larger than a second interior angle (θ2) formed by the rear inclined wall and a length of the front inclined wall is different from a length of the rear inclined wall.
US08668244B2
A vehicle boundary layer air flow control structure is provided with a vehicle body and a side view mirror. The vehicle body includes an exterior contoured surface with an air flow deflector. The side view mirror is attached to the vehicle body to provide a diagonally rearward direction to be viewed from a driver's seat. The air flow deflector has an inward longitudinal air flow guiding surface provided in a vehicle body region of the exterior contoured surface of the vehicle body along which an air flow heading toward the side view mirror passes. The inward longitudinal air flow guiding surface extends in an air flow direction of the air flow with respect to the side view mirror to divert the air flow inward of the side view mirror with respect to a vehicle widthwise direction.
US08668242B2
Systems and methods for providing a removable valance for a golf cart are provided. The apparatus may include a valance for use with a golf cart. The valance may include a bead configured to be inserted into a slot on a golf cart. The slot is preferably configured to engage the bead. The valance may further include material fixedly attached to the bead along a longitudinal axis of the bead.
US08668230B2
A hose connection system comprises a body including an internal cavity and a port in fluid communication with a portion of the internal cavity. In addition, the system comprises a hose end fitting positioned in the cavity. The hose end fitting includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member concentrically disposed about the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slits. Further, the system comprises a plurality of wedge members arranged circumferentially about the outer tubular member. Still further, the system comprises an annular piston movably disposed within the internal cavity of the body. An end of the piston has an inner frustoconical surface that slidingly engages the plurality of wedge members. The piston is configured to move axially through the body and compress the wedge members and the outer tubular member radially inward.
US08668220B2
A wheelchair system and an accessory system for a wheelchair are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the accessory system may include an accessory frame having one or more interface elements to mount to a wheelchair frame. The accessory system may include a wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the accessory frame by a first fastener. The accessory system may include an engagement system further coupling the accessory frame to the wheel assembly. The engagement system may include a channel guide member defining a channel having a notched region. The channel guide member may be rotatably coupled to one of the accessory frame or wheel assembly by a second fastener. The engagement system may further include a translating member retained within the channel of the channel guide member. The translating member may be fixed to another one of the accessory frame or wheel assembly.
US08668213B2
A damper mounting structure is provided with a top buffer member and a bottom buffer member. The bottom buffer member has a protruding section that protrudes with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom buffer member. The damper mounting structure mates with the protruding section and is anchored to a vehicle body panel, and is provided with a collar formed at substantially the same height as the height of the protruding section. The corner of an opening formed on the vehicle body panel, which comes into contact with the top buffer member, is chamfered.
US08668210B2
Disclosed is a wheelbarrow that is easily moved and can be unloaded at either the front or rear end. One example embodiment of the wheelbarrow provides a frame and a container. A pivoting mechanism pivotally secures the container to the frame such that the container can be pivoted relative to the frame. A pair of handles is attached to the frame and a pair of wheels is coupled to the frame. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the handles and the frame. The stabilizing assembly is selectively engaged during unloading of the wheelbarrow.
US08668208B2
Pallet truck for transporting goods that has a substantially horizontal frame on which the goods to be transported are placed. In one implementation the horizontal frame includes two substantially parallel arms with each arm having two parallel longitudinal extensions that define a space between them. Each of the two parallel longitudinal extensions has a wall that face each other and which are visible and accessible through the space. The longitudinal extensions being visible and accessible from above for their cleaning.
US08668206B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide improved face seal gaskets for use in connecting meters and other devices to pipelines. The improved face seal gaskets include a planar annular ring portion and one or more tabs extending substantially perpendicularly from the annular ring portion. In use, the annular ring portion is disposed adjacent a sealing surface on the inlet or outlet of the device to facilitate a fluid tight connection between the device and the pipeline. The tabs engage complementary grooves formed in the inlet or outlet portions of the device to facilitate alignment of the annular ring to the sealing surface thereon. The tabs may also retain the face seal gasket adjacent the sealing surface to facilitate improved installation of the device to the pipeline.
US08668205B2
A metallic flat seal, in particular a cylinder head gasket, includes at least one through-hole, a functional layer, a spacer layer, and a stopper layer which is arranged between the functional layer and the spacer layer, as well as a closed sealing bead around every through-hole in the functional layer, wherein the sealing bead points in the direction of the stopper layer, the seal additionally comprising an embossed closed contour around every through-hole in that least the stopper layer, the functional layer or the spacer layer, wherein the contour forms a fixing aid. A method is also provided for making such a gasket.
US08668202B2
A method of playing a card game in which at least one player plays her own hand against a banker's hand, using at least one deck of conventional playing cards, wherein Kings, Queens, Jacks, and tens have a value of zero, Aces have a value of one, and all other cards have a value equal to their numeric face value, wherein, when the total value of the cards in a hand equals ten or more, only the right-hand digit is considered, and wherein the rank of the hands, from highest to lowest rank, starts with a Natural 9 hand, which is a two-card hand having a value of nine, followed by a three-card hand having a value of nine, and continues with an eight-through-zero hand, which is a two or three card hand that has a value of eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one or zero.
US08668200B2
A carrying apparatus includes: a carry path which is defined to guide a first carried object and a second carried object; a first pulley; a first roller; a second pulley; a first belt which is wound on the first pulley and the second pulley; a first tensioner; and a first moving mechanism which moves the first roller between a first position and a second position. The first moving mechanism moves the first roller between a first position at which the first roller carries the first carried object and a second position which is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which the first roller carries the second carried object.
US08668199B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a shift unit which includes a conveyance roller pair capable of being placed in a contact state and a separation state and configured to convey sheets having an overlapping portion where a rear end portion of a preceding sheet and a front end portion of a following sheet overlap each other. The shift unit is movable in a widthwise direction while conveying the sheets by the conveyance roller pair. The sheet conveyance apparatus moves the shift unit in the widthwise direction when it is determined that the overlapping portion of the sheets has reached the conveyance roller pair.
US08668198B2
A controller controls operations of a sheet conveying portion and a sheet feeding portion in such a manner that an operation for feeding a preceding sheet by the sheet feeding portion is started after a downstream portion of a subsequent sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion is overlapped an upstream portion of the preceding sheet stacked on the stacking portion, and the downstream edge of the preceding sheet is caused to abut against the reference member by the sheet feeding portion in a state where the upstream portion of the preceding sheet and the downstream portion of the subsequent sheet are maintained in an overlapped state.
US08668194B2
A media cassette is described. The media cassette comprising: a media removal window at one end of the media cassette; a handle end at an opposite end of the cassette to the media removal window; and a pusher plate assembly. The pusher plate assembly includes: (i) a finger recess component, (ii) a pawl biased downwards to a low position, and (iii) an actuator coupled to both the pawl and the finger recess component and including a pivot. The actuator is moveable on insertion of a finger into the finger recess component to raise the pawl from the low position to a high position.
US08668185B2
A hoist or capstan fitted with a driving pulley. The latter comprises a peripheral groove for taking a cable and two substantially parallel pulley halves, each pulley halve comprising a flank forming the lateral side of the peripheral groove and being axially pulled toward each other so as to prevent the slipping of a cable by elastic means formed of a continuous polymer ring.
US08668183B2
A magnetic safety valve for installation through a tank wall incorporates a piston movable within a valve body. The valve is held normally-closed by two opposite-pole magnets, one in the inner end of the piston, and one in the valve body. A vacuum produced by a pump connected to the valve will act upon the outer end of the piston, producing a force tending to move the piston outward. When the vacuum-induced outward force on the piston exceeds the attractive force between the two magnets, it pulls the piston outward and away from the valve body magnet, unseating the inner end of the piston from the valve body, and allowing outward fluid flow through the valve. A second valve seat may be provided for engagement with an outer portion of the piston to prevent uncontrolled fluid flow out of the tank in the event of valve damage.
US08668177B2
An apparatus comprising first and second elements and a connecting element is provided. The first element comprises a first terminal member, an intermediate member having first and second ends, and a second terminal member having a closed form channel. The connecting element goes through the channel thereby engaging the first and second elements. An axis connects the first terminal member and the intermediate member first end permitting a closed position, in which the first terminal member adjoins the intermediate member, and an open position, in which the first terminal member is away from the intermediate member. Another axis connects the second terminal member and the intermediate member second end permitting a closed position, in which the second terminal member adjoins the intermediate member, and an open position, in which the second terminal member is away from the intermediate member. The second element retains an object.
US08668176B2
There are provided a part fixing structure and a part fixing method to a resin-made fuel tank which can firmly fix a part to a tank wall without the need of providing a molding die with a convex portion and a recess. A part fixing method for fixing a tank-associated part to a tank wall of a resin-made fuel tank, the part being formed together with a pair of hook portions, the method comprising a step of burying the hook portions in the tank wall in a melted state when the resin-made fuel tank is molded, thereby fixing the part to the tank wall after the tank wall is cooled. In order to cause the resin of the tank wall to flow well, a chevron portion having a pair of first inclined faces is projectingly provided at the bottom face of the part between the hook portions, and a second inclined face which is inclined in a direction opposite to the buried direction toward the tip of the hook portion is formed at the bottom face of each hook portion.
US08668175B2
A cabinet bracket system is secured to a column for supporting an electronics cabinet. The cabinet bracket system includes a lower cabinet bracket disposed against the bottom of the electronics cabinet, an upper cabinet bracket disposed against the top of the electronics cabinet, and a bottom support bracket secured to the lower cabinet bracket so as to prevent lower bracket from moving on the column when the electronics cabinet is mounted onto the lower cabinet bracket.
US08668167B2
A system for airborne transport of flammable liquids with an aircraft. A fuel tank and a reservoir, each for storing flammable liquids, are joined to the aircraft. A fuel jettison subsystem is coupled between an interior portion and an exterior of the reservoir to selectably expel fuel from the reservoir to an exterior portion of the aircraft. The fuel jettison subsystem includes a jettison valve opening formed in the reservoir. A lid selectably closes off the opening. A biasing member urges the lid away from the jettison valve opening. A solenoid retains the lid in the jettison valve opening when unactuated and releases the lid when actuated. A jettison linkage is coupled to the solenoid, the jettison linkage being operable to actuate the solenoid. The lid is urged away from the jettison valve opening by the biasing member when the solenoid is actuated by the jettison linkage.
US08668165B2
A wheel drive system for an aircraft that features at least one electric motor and at least one fuel cell as energy source for the electric motor, wherein the electric motor is coupleable to at least one wheel of at least one landing gear of the aircraft. The wheel drive system reduces the fuel consumption and lowers the emission of CO2 and pollutants—primarily carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Persons, vehicles and other aircraft furthermore are not endangered by a jet blast while the aircraft is taxiing because the main engines do not have to be started until the take-off and landing strip is reached. The operation of the wheel drive system furthermore leads to a reduced noise pollution.
US08668160B2
A cable organizer in accordance with the present invention has a top seat, a separating plate and a base plate. The top seat has two plug slots, a winder and a longitudinal slot. The separating plate is mounted to a bottom of the winder and has a slit corresponding to and communicating with the longitudinal slot. The base plate is detachably mounted to a lower portion of the separating plate and has a spindle having a top mounted in the slit of the separating plate. The present invention also relates to an electronic appliance with the cable organizer. The electronic appliance has two sliding slots to which the base are slidably mounted, wherein the base plate has a mounting slot and the electronic appliance has a positioning bead selectively protruding from the side of the electronic appliance and detachably inserted in the mounting slot of the base plate.
US08668158B2
A horizontal shaft impact crusher, including a crusher housing having an inlet for material to be crushed and an outlet for material that has been crushed. An impeller is mounted on a horizontal shaft in the crusher housing and is operative for rotating around a horizontal axis. Material to be crushed is accelerated by the impeller against a curtain. An adjustment device is provided for adjusting the position of the curtain relative to the impeller. The crusher housing includes at least two guide rails to which the adjustment device is slidably connected. A retaining device is arranged to hold, with a predetermined holding force, the adjustment device in a crusher operation position relative to the guide rails. The adjustment device is movable along the guide rails from the crusher operation position and away from the impeller in response to an excessive force being transferred from the curtain to the adjustment device and exceeding the predetermined holding force.
US08668153B2
A spray nozzle includes an orifice disposed on a substantially planar discharge surface. An impingement surface is disposed opposite the orifice, the impingement surface forming an angle with a centerline of the orifice. A deflection ridge bridges a gap between the impingement surface and the discharge surface. Adjacent the deflection ridge is a further trough which extends into the impingement surface. The nozzle includes a fluid fitting adapted for providing a pressurized fluid to the orifice.
US08668126B2
The present invention relates to the means for attaching gadget on a stroller using an elastic holder to wrap around the stroller. Using the elastic self-wrapped holder, the lighting device or gadget is easily and conveniently secured on the stroller without any tool, thereby saving time and effort of parents. The elastic self-wrapped holder does not distort or damage the stroller. The elastic self-wrapped holder is versatile and can firmly secure a lighting device or gadget to any parts of stroller. The elasticity of the material used for the holder can conform to gadget of various sizes and shapes thereby firmly grip and tightly fit the gadget.
US08668106B1
A fluid container includes a spout and a cap, where the spout has an actuation portion that is inclined with respect to a drinking portion of the spout. The spout is actuated from a closed position to an open position with an external force applied on the actuation portion. A channel through the spout encompasses an oblique angle, and the spout is pivotally coupled to the cap at a fulcrum point. The fulcrum point is laterally offset from an aperture in the cap, where the aperture forms a passageway through a thickness of the cap. The channel adjoins the aperture when the spout is in the open position.
US08668098B2
A polymer lid for capping the mouth of a PET bottle having a neck with a male thread, the lid comprising a threaded female cylindrical section for engaging the male thread of the neck; an outer surface comprising an arcuate skirt consisting of at least three quarters (270°) of a torroidal cylindrical section around the female cylindrical section; and further consisting of a protrusion having first and second surfaces than meet at an apex whose maximum extension protrudes between 1 mm and 5 mm from the inner cylindrical female surface; the protrusion for engagement by a thumb of a person attempting to open the bottle, enabling increased torque in a counter-clockwise direction for removal of the lid from a PET bottle.
US08668096B2
A shelf including a mounting bracket having two arms is provided. The length of the arms and the distance between the arms are adjustable so the shelf may be attached to and project outwardly from various support structures.
US08668089B2
The present invention relates to a crate (2) of a system of crates, in particular for transporting fresh fish, which has an opening (16) on the top side, and wherein the edge area as well as the base area of the opening on the top side are designed in such a manner that the base area on the edge of the opening on the top side is laterally and positively placed on an identical crate; thus the crates can be stacked on top of each other such that the upper crate can be inserted into the lower crate, rotated about a vertical axis by 180°, and thus the empty boxes can be stacked into one another (180° stack-nest crate), and said crate is thereby characterized in that the edge area (10) of the opening on the top side is designed, at least in terms of area, in a channel shape and has at least one first through hole (30) which is located on the outer side at the bottom of the crate wall adjacent to the edge area, and in that the base of the crate features a second through hole (30) so that liquid can drain out of the crate through the second through hole into the channel-shaped area of a similar crate stacked below, and then through the first through hole of the crate stacked below, out of the channel-shaped area alongside the outer side crate wall adjacent to the edge area of the lower side.
US08668081B2
A toy vehicle storage case may be placed in a racing configuration with a toy vehicle raceway deployed and supported by the storage case, or a transport configuration with the storage case containing the toy vehicle raceway.
US08668080B1
A method and device for storing and transporting jewelry which generally includes a flexible, tubular, and transparent sleeve having a first angled end and a second angled end opposite thereof. The first end and the second end each have angled openings leading to an internal cavity. A jewelry item is inserted within the sleeve so that the first end and second end of the jewelry protrude from the first and second end of the sleeve. The first and second end of the sleeve are then extended over the first and second ends of the jewelry and connected to each other, such as by tying, or through the use of various types of fasteners so that the jewelry is completely enclosed within the sleeve in a conventional clasped circular-shaped orientation that will prevent tangling of the jewelry and allow the jewelry to be stored, hung on display, worn, or easily transported.
US08668079B2
An alignment and bracing assembly and method of using the same to erect a bucket elevator. The assembly has first and second cross braces that are attached to trunking members of a bucket elevator in spaced relation where a plate is secured to each of the cross braces. The plate includes diagonal sections for additional bracing and in addition alignment openings so that alignment pins can be disposed therethrough to align additional sets of trunking members with one another during the erection process.
US08668071B2
A turning wheel comprising a number of blades. Each blade has a front side provided with a front projection, and a back side provided with a back projection. Each two consecutive blades form a gap between the backside of a first blade and a front side of a second blade. The gap comprises an inner gap formed radially inward from the back projection and the front projection. During rotation of the turning wheel a container can be held in the gap and an end portion of the container can be held in the inner gap, thereby protecting the end portion from being damaged.
US08668064B2
One example may be directed to a luggage case including a first wire frame element forming at least a partial shape of a main body, an inner material attached at least in part to the first wire frame element, an outer material positioned over the first wire frame element, and a second wire frame element attached at least in part to the inner material and the outer material. The outer material is not attached to the first wire frame element.
US08668056B2
The invention relates to a modular weighting element that can be assembled with at least one other modular element to form a ballast bar, known as an ingot, for example for creating a counterweight for a lift/elevator and/or goods lift, said modular element being in the form of a generally parallelepiped elongate body. According to the invention, said modular element comprises at least two assembly members, one of them male and the other female, of complementary shapes, arranged on said body in such a way as to allow said modular element to be assembled with at least one other modular element, preferably an identical one aligned in the continuation of one another. The invention also relates to a ballast bar, to a counterweight by superposing such ballast bars and to an assembly comprising the framework carrying such a counterweight.
US08668030B2
Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and for path mapping within a region for the purpose of tracking and/or guiding the movement of an underground boring tool. In one aspect, an improvement is provided forming part of an arrangement for tracking the position and/or guiding the boring tool using an electromagnetic locating signal which is transmitted from the boring tool as the boring tool moves through the ground. At least two detectors are located at fixed positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive the electromagnetic locating signal in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the boring tool within the region. Provisions are also described for extending drilling range by using additional detectors by moving a limited number of detectors. In another aspect, a system is provided including at least two above ground detectors for sensing the locating signal. The detectors are located at initial positions in the region. Electromagnetic data is generated by the detectors with the boring tool at multiple positions to generate electromagnetic data which is used to identify the positions of the detectors. A selected flux pathline steering technique is introduced.
US08668019B2
A plug is disposable in a well bore to block fluid from passing through the wellbore. The plug includes a body formed from water soluble glass. The body is dissolvable in water. A method of utilizing water soluble glass includes employing an element formed of the water soluble glass, performing a first function in the system when the element is present, dissolving the element in the presence of water, and performing a second function in the system different than the first function.
US08668013B2
A plug counter includes a seat receptive of a plug in a first position and capable of passing the plug in a second position. A first sleeve is in operable communication with the seat and is longitudinally movable in response to movement of the seat between the first position and the second position. A second sleeve is in operable communication with at least one of the first sleeve and the seat and is configured to index upon passage of the plug. A key is in operable communication with the seat and is configured to prevent movement of the seat to the second position after a selected number of plugs have passed the seat. A third sleeve is in operable communication with the first sleeve, and a release member is in operable communication with the third sleeve and is configured to move the third sleeve after it is released.
US08668012B2
A wellbore servicing system, comprising a sleeve system comprising a ported case, a sliding sleeve within the case and movable between a first sleeve position in which the sleeve restricts fluid communication via the case and a second sleeve position in which the sleeve does not, a radially divided segmented seat movable between a first seat position in which the seat restricts movement of the sleeve and a second seat position in which the seat does not, and a sheath covering a portion of the seat, the sleeve system being transitionable from a first, to a second, to a third mode, in the first mode, the sleeve is in its first position and the seat in its first position, in the second mode, the sleeve is in its first position and the seat in its second position, and, in the third mode, the sleeve is in its second position.
US08668006B2
Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a tubular member having an inner wall surface defining a bore and a seat in sliding engagement with the inner wall surface. Operatively associated with the seat is a plug element support member having an expanded position when the apparatus is in a run-in position and a contracted position when the apparatus is in a set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the seat which in turn moves the plug element support member from the expanded position to the contracted position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.
US08667996B2
A fluid transfer device for transferring fluid between a supply reservoir and a fill reservoir includes a metering reservoir and a manifold that forms at least part of a first channel that is fluidly connected with the metering reservoir. The first channel comprises a first cannula extending from the manifold. The manifold forms at least part of a second channel fluidly connected with the metering reservoir. The second channel comprises a second cannula extending from the manifold. A third channel extends through the manifold and comprises a third cannula having a first end proximate a distal end of the first cannula and a second end proximate a distal end of the second cannula. A first check valve is disposed within the first channel and a second check valve is disposed within the second channel.
US08667990B2
A hydraulic oscillating motor which has at least two working chambers which are coupled via pressure lines to a device for pressure compensation. A first working chamber is connected to a first pressure line and a second working chamber is connected to a second pressure line. The motor further has a device for pressure compensation with a first compensating cylinder and a second compensating cylinder. Each of the compensating cylinders has in each case one compensating volume and in each case one elastic force store for delimiting the respective compensating volume. The compensating volume of the first compensating cylinder is connected to the first pressure line, and the compensating volume of the second compensating cylinder is connected to the second pressure line.
US08667988B2
A gas valve unit for adjusting a volumetric gas flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance, in particular a gas cooking appliance, includes at least two open/close valves which can be actuated by moving at least one magnetically active body, in particular a permanent magnet, relative to the open/close valves. For actuating an open/close valve, a position of the magnetically active body, which is preferably implemented in the form of a permanent magnet, can be varied relative to the shut-off body of the open/close valve.
US08667985B2
A pressure relief valve and vent assembly include a tank vent including: (i) a vent body having a vent inlet adapted to connect to a tank and arranged to communicate with an exhaust outlet via a fluid passageway; (ii) an exhaust check valve connected to the vent body at or adjacent the exhaust outlet, the exhaust check valve being configured to allow flow in one direction only; and (iii) a pressure relief valve connected to the tank vent inlet and adapted to couple to a tank. The pressure relief valve, when closed, allows for venting air or air/hydrocarbon mixtures from the tank to the exhaust check valve via the fluid passageway. The pressure relief valve, when opened on pressurization of the tank, exhausts tank fluid from the exhaust check valve.
US08667983B2
A relief valve for an oil pump can prevent a main gallery from being damaged by largely decreasing peak pressure of an oil pump by using bypass flow according to oil pressure of the main gallery in cold start of an engine, and can control the discharging pressure of the oil pump at the optimum level when the engine is warmed up, by defining a housing chamber communicating with the main gallery of the engine and a plunger chamber bypassing some of oil flowing to the main gallery to the oil pump or an oil pan in accordance with oil pressure in the housing chamber using a plunger chamber, and by changing a modulus of elasticity of a coil spring elastically supporting the plunger in accordance with the oil pressure produced in the main gallery, by using a substance that is expanded by temperature.
US08667978B2
A methods and system detecting water system leaks provides detecting of water leakage having very low flows. Very low flow leaks are detected by detecting drops in a building water system pressure when the water supply source is disabled. The water system is disabled by an electrically controllable valve, which may be turned off in response to a motion detector that detects that no human activity is present in the building. The rate of pressure drop is used to determine the magnitude of the leak, and multiple thresholds can be used to detect slow leaks versus more serious leaks. A humidity detector may also be incorporated in the system to detect abnormal humidity conditions and shut the electrically controllable valve in response. Appliance current consumption can be detected and used to override motion-sensor based shut-off of the valve, so that water-consuming appliances can continue to operate.
US08667975B1
An improved umbrella configured to reduce the likelihood that water on top of the umbrella will drain onto the area around the user when the umbrella is closed. The improved umbrella has a handle supporting a canopy section comprising of an upper canopy, a lower canopy and a collapsible frame attached to and disposed between the upper and lower canopies. An operating mechanism allows the user to move the umbrella between its open and closed positions. When being closed, the operating mechanism inverts the frame so the peripheral edge of the upper canopy is directed upward and the center area thereof is pulled down into an interior cavity at the top end of the handle so water will drain inward to the cavity instead of outward. The upper canopy is pulled into the cavity and the frame, with the lower canopy wrapped around it, is collapsed against the handle.
US08667964B2
A patient interface includes a body portion configured to communicate with at least one fluid path, and at least one nostril interface extending from the body portion. The nostril interface includes an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a nostril of a patient and to be in communication with the at least one fluid path. In an embodiment, the insertion portion includes a plurality of laterally directed openings configured to communicate fluid between the fluid path and the nostril. The patient interface also includes a seal portion that is constructed and arranged to provide a seal between the patient interface and the nostril.
US08667961B2
An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip has a plurality of blister pockets and uses a pivotable mouthpiece cover to move the blister strip onward via a conveyor, wherein the mouthpiece cover is drivingly coupled with the conveyor by engaging an axle in a recess to drive a conveying wheel.
US08667956B2
A controllable launcher for propelling a payload through a predictable and repeatable trajectory to a desired height. The launcher has an energy source for propelling a carriage and a piston in substantially opposing directions and a controller for controlling the trajectory of the propelled payload to enable the payload to land gently at a safe impact distance from the edge of a destination structure.
US08667954B2
A valve control system includes an engine speed control module that determines an engine speed and a desired engine stop position. A piston position module determines a desired stopping position of a first piston based on the desired engine stop position. A valve control module receives the desired stopping position, commands a set of valves to close at the desired stopping position if the engine speed is less than a predetermined shutdown threshold, and commands the set of valves to reduce the engine speed if the engine speed is greater than the predetermined shutdown threshold.
US08667951B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and method for converting ozone and fuel into mechanical energy and waste products. In some embodiments, a super-combustor may be used to provide a combustion engine with an improved ability to combust fuel. Certain embodiments of the invention may provide for an improved spark plug or modified engine having a super-combustor built in.
US08667947B2
An oil passage structure for an engine of a vehicle is provided with a connecting rod swingably coupled to a crankshaft rod by a plurality of crankpins, the plurality of crankpins being disposed between a plurality of crank journals, and a plurality of support portions for rotatably supporting the crankshaft by the plurality of crank journals in a cylinder block. The crankshaft has a first oil passage formed therein, the first oil passage supplying oil from an opening formed in one end face thereof to sliding surfaces of the plurality of crankpins, the plurality of support portions have a second oil passage formed therein, the second oil passage supplying the oil to a sliding surface of each of the plurality of crank journals, and the first oil passage and the second oil passage communicate with each other in some of the support portions and in some of the crank journals.
US08667933B2
A two-stroke engine, comprising: a crankcase; a cylinder connected to said crankcase; a combustion chamber defined by a reciprocally mounted piston within said cylinder; a crankshaft mounted rotatably in said crankcase and drivingly connected with said piston; at least one overflow passage connecting the crankcase and the combustion chamber when the piston is positioned in the lower dead center region; a connecting stub attached to said cylinder which contains an intake passage that opens into the crankcase and supplies fuel and combustion air, said intake passage including therein an air-fuel mixture passage, wherein said connecting stub contains at least one section of the mixture passage; at least one fuel opening for supplying fuel into said mixture passage; and a guiding rib positioned within said connecting stub and oriented longitudinally in the mixture passage and protruding into the mixture passage.
US08667926B2
A painting robot includes a fixing unit fixed to a sidewall of a painting booth; a swivel unit provided to swivel with respect to the fixing unit; an arm provided to the swivel unit; and a painting gun provided in a tip end portion of the arm. The fixing unit includes a fixing surface fixed to the sidewall of the painting booth; and a cable lead-in portion provided on the fixing surface to lead a cable into the painting robot therethrough.
US08667925B2
An apparatus is disclosed for locating an instrument within a pipe. The apparatus may include body portion defining a cavity therein, a pipe engagement region for slideable engagement with a pipe, and an instrument retention portion for receiving at least a portion of an instrument therein and retaining the instrument in position relative to the body. A method is also disclosed including the use of the apparatus to locate an instrument within a pipe.
US08667924B2
A coating device including a coating mechanism which includes nozzles for ejecting a liquid material onto front and rear surfaces of the substrate while rotating a substrate in an upright state, and a nozzle managing mechanism which manages the state of the nozzles, in which the nozzle managing mechanism includes a soaking portion which dips the front end of the nozzle in a soak solution, and a discharging portion which discharges at least the soak solution, and a nozzle managing method.
US08667922B2
A closure element is provided for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, in which tank an at least slight excess pressure and/or vacuum may exist. An indication is provided on the closure element, by which indication the operator is informed of the presence of excess pressure and/or vacuum in the tank. The indication takes place mechanically by way of a mechanical pressure sensor, specifically with respect to the presence of essentially ambient pressure or excess pressure by use of different colors. For this purpose, an indicating dial can be provided in the closure element, which indicating dial can be rotated by way of a pin displaceable against a spring force under the influence of the pressure existing in the tank. A jacket segment being recognizable by the operator through a window.
US08667917B2
A watercraft includes a hull and a water diverter. The water diverter comprises at least one first deflector configured to direct water upward and outward from the hull of the watercraft to create a wave. The water diverter may include a support structure in the shape of a hollow tube for the first deflector, and a second deflector positioned above the first deflector. An entanglement system for defending watercraft includes a main cable attached to the watercraft and at least one strand section. Each strand section includes a connector and a plurality of strands attached to the connector, and each strand section is attached to the main cable. A defense system for watercraft can include both a water diverter and an entanglement system.
US08667916B1
The vapor exhaust assembly, for anhydrous ammonia, includes a closed filter tower and a closed exhaust tower with vertical tubes. The filter tower is connected to the vapor tower by a vapor upper pipe and a liquid lower pipe. A filter tube is mounted in the filter tower. Ammonia enters the filter tower above an open end of the filter. Ammonia vapor moves from the filter tower through the vapor upper pipe to a vapor chamber in the vapor tower. Liquid moves from the filter tower through the liquid pipe to the vapor tower. Liquid received in the vapor tower is moved upward by a dam. Vapor in the liquid moves upward to the vapor chamber. Liquid moves downward from the dam top to a liquid discharge exit. A vapor discharge valve in the top of the vapor tower is opened to discharge vapor and increase liquid in both towers.
US08667906B2
A device to be attached to the edge of a table comprises a table clamp provided with a vertical hole in which one leg of an angled tube is fastened. The other leg of the tube is horizontal and has at its outer end a tray mount, which receives in a pivotable, fixable and removable manner a centrally situated vertical pivot pin on the underside of a tray on which food and beverages can be placed. By pivoting the tube in the table clamp and the tray in the tray mount the tray can be placed in the desired position and at the desired angle while allowing the table clamp to be positioned out of the way. By displacing and fastening the tube in the table clamp the tray can be vertically adjusted to permit a user to eat in comfort with the food within sight.
US08667874B2
A hand tool includes a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly. The first jaw assembly includes a first handle portion, a first jaw portion, a first pivot portion disposed between first handle portion and the first jaw portion, and a first rail disposed on one of the first pivot portion and the first handle portion. The second jaw assembly includes a second handle portion, a second jaw portion, a second pivot portion disposed between the second handle portion and the second jaw portion, and a second rail disposed on one of the second pivot portion and the second handle portion. The second rail is shorter than the first rail. A lock button is slidingly coupled to the first rail and selectively slidingly coupled to the second rail. A resilient member disposed between the lock button and the first rail to inhibit sliding movement of the lock button.
US08667858B2
A steering gear comprises a shaft bearing configuration which comprises a mounting which is installed in a housing section of the steering gear and has openings that enable a pivoting movement by an annular section of the mounting which is assembled with a first rolling bearing, and the mounting comprises a disk-shaped section, which is provided with the openings and relative to which the annular section can be pivoted, wherein the annular section is either assembled with the outer ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the housing section, or the annular section is assembled with the inner ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the shaft.
US08667857B2
In a control arrangement for an automated gear shift transmission, particularly a dual clutch transmission, which provides for a plurality of functionalities with a relatively small number of slides and control valves, a first gear slide, which is assigned to a first shift device and by means of which an actuation pressure can be applied to the first shift device, has a first and a second supply input for the first and second movement direction of the piston. A supply pressure slide, by means of which a supply pressure can be directed to the gear slide, has first and second supply outputs, which are respectively connected to the first and second supply inputs of the gear slide. The supply pressure slide is designed in such a manner that it can direct a supply pressure optionally to one of the two supply outputs.
US08667856B2
A method for assembling a sensor assembly includes providing a sensing device configured to measure at least one variable. The method also includes at least partially enclosing a magnetic material within an enclosure. At least a portion of the enclosure is manufactured from a material having a permeability that facilitates forming a magnetic field therein. The method also includes coupling the sensing device to a first portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes at least one second portion that is movable with respect to the first portion of the enclosure such that a magnetic coupling force is induced external to the enclosure to facilitate coupling the sensor assembly to a magnetic surface.
US08667852B2
The present invention relates to a vibrating flow meter (210) and a method of providing a vibrating flow meter (210). The vibrating flow meter (210) includes a conduit (103A) and a driver (104) configured to vibrate the conduit (103A). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a first pick-off (105). The first pick-off (105) includes a first pick-off component (105a) and a second pick-off component (105b). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a reference member (150). The first pick-off component (105a) is coupled to the reference member (150) while the second pick-off component (105b) is coupled to the conduit (103A) proximate the first pick-off component (105a). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a balancing element (253) coupled to the reference member (150).
US08667835B2
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring cylinder valve deactivation in an engine operating with a plurality of cylinder valves. One example method comprises indicating valve degradation based on an indication of manifold pressure over a plurality of immediately successive induction events of the engine, the indication responsive to increases and decreases in the indication of manifold pressure correlated to the induction events of engine cylinders and further correlated to whether cylinders are commanded to be activated or deactivated.
US08667832B2
The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, accurate, and rapid method of measuring particle settling velocity comprising: (i) providing a gravity settler such as a column; (ii) filling the column with a first homogenous particle suspension, wherein the particle concentration in the first homogenous particle suspension is X, (iii) separating the column into an upper sub-column and a lower sub-column with a height h after settling the first homogenous particle suspension for a period of time t, wherein some particles remain in the upper sub-column; (iv) removing the particle suspension in the upper sub-column and mixing the particle suspension confined in the lower sub-column with a height h to prepare a second homogenous particle suspension; (v) measuring the particle concentration in the second homogenous particle suspension X; and (vi) determining the particle settling velocity v with the formula: v=h(X−X)ltX. Also provided are device and system for carrying out the method.
US08667828B2
A crankshaft production method includes: pressurizing both end portions of a shaft blank with a pressurization surface of a die, the pressurization surface being inclined in a specific direction so as to come close to the other end side of the shaft blank, and applying an axial compressive load to the shaft blank, while restricting a radial deformation in a predetermined zone of the shaft blank in a direction other than the specific direction, thereby swaging the shaft blank and causing the predetermined zone to buckle in the specific direction.
US08667826B2
A device for leveling metal stock, which is moved during operation from an infeed side of the device to an outfeed side, includes: an upper set of leveling rollers and a lower set of leveling rollers, each of which comprises a terminal leveling roller on the infeed side and another one on the outfeed side. A plurality of lower backup roller support blocks, each include a plurality of backup rollers, which serve to support the lower leveling rollers and are arranged in rows, wherein their axes of rotation are parallel to axes of rotation of the leveling rollers. At least one of the terminal lower leveling rollers of the set of lower leveling rollers is arranged so that it can be individually adjusted, wherein the at least one of the terminal lower leveling rollers is supported at each end in a lever arm.
US08667813B2
An adjustable jewelry head or casting is provided. The head includes a track and a plurality of mounting members, at least one of which is slideable along the track. One or more pins connect the mounting members to the track. The pins are moveable to allow sliding adjustment of the mounting members with respect to one another.
US08667811B2
In this method, a refrigerant (52) is compressed (32) in a refrigerating circuit, then condensed by cooling in a condenser (44), then expanded in a throttle valve (62) and delivered in the expanded state, in the form of wet vapor (52), to an evaporator (60) that is in thermally conductive contact with a substrate (12) to be cooled. The cooling process thus operates similarly to a liquid cooling process, but with a higher mean logarithmic heat transfer temperature difference, which allows lower temperatures of the substrate (12) to be achieved and makes possible a better heat transition coefficient, since the refrigerant is present as wet vapor. A corresponding arrangement is likewise described.
US08667802B2
An aircraft nacelle comprising an outer cowl and an inner cowl located inward of the outer cowl with an air flow path formed therebetween. The inner cowl may comprise a forward portion and an aft portion slidable in a forward-to-aft direction via one or more actuators. When translated aftward, the aft portion may decrease the area of the nacelle's fan duct nozzle. The greatest radial distance between the inner cowl and a center axis of the nacelle may occur at or forward of a location in which the forward and aft portions overlap each other. The forward portion may be comprised of a different material than the aft portion.
US08667801B2
An enhanced cooling system for the downstream end of a combustor liner assembly is provided. The downstream end region of the combustor liner assembly is formed by a subassembly comprising an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member and a middle band. The middle band includes a plurality of undulations having alternating peaks and valleys. The middle band is operatively positioned between the inner and outer tubular members to form a plurality of elongated cooling passages. A turbulence generator is provided along each of the cooling passages and extends radially inward from a portion of the peaks such that the turbulence generator and the valleys contact an outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular member. The surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the inner tubular member is greater than the surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the outer tubular member.
US08667785B2
A catalysed substrate monolith 12 for use in treating exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn internal combustion engine, which catalysed substrate monolith 12 comprising a first washcoat coating 16 and a second washcoat coating 18, wherein the first washcoat coating comprises a catalyst composition comprising at least one platinum group metal (PGM) and at least one support material for the at least one PGM, wherein at least one PGM in the first washcoat coating is liable to volatilize when the first washcoat coating is exposed to relatively extreme conditions including relatively high temperatures, wherein the second washcoat coating comprises at least one metal oxide for trapping volatilized PGM and wherein the second washcoat coating is oriented to contact exhaust gas that has contacted the first washcoat coating.
US08667784B2
An exhaust gas purification apparatus for a diesel engine mounted on a vehicle includes a regenerative diesel particulate filter, an accumulated amount detector, an exhaust gas temperature raising unit, and a forcible regeneration control unit. The forcible regeneration control unit measures an automatic regeneration enable time in which an automatic regeneration condition for regenerating the filter is satisfied when the diesel engine is operating, determines from the automatic regeneration enable time whether the probability is high in which a regeneration will be completed without being interrupted when the automatic regeneration condition is continuously satisfied, performs automatic regeneration when determining that the probability of regeneration being completed is high.
US08667783B2
Method for controlling the operation of a pump driven by an electric motor and controlled by a controller, according to which an electronic control module (ECM) sends, to the controller, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control signal having a duty cycle that varies as a function of the desired operating conditions for the pump and according to which the controller acts on the electric motor to apply said operating conditions to the pump.
US08667771B2
A system comprises a first housing configured to enable grass to extend into the first housing. A grass cutting unit is housed within the first housing. A discharge chute is joined to a rear portion of the first housing for directing grass cuttings away from the first housing. A bag unit is configured for collecting the grass cuttings from the discharge chute. A second housing is joined to a rear portion of the first housing and positioned below the discharge chute. A rake device is housed within the second housing. The rake device comprises rake tines being configured for rotating below the second housing bottom for transferring debris to the bag unit. A handle unit is joined to the second housing. The handle unit is configured for enabling an operator to control operations of the system. A plurality of wheels is joined to the first housing and the second housing.
US08667768B2
A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).
US08667767B1
The present invention provides a device and method for automatic release of a refuse bag from a refuse receptacle. The device and method provided herein substantially eliminates all contact by a user with a filled refuse bag and the unsanitary contents therein.
US08667763B2
A connector for coupling a veneer panel to a back-up comprises a support member. The support member comprises a mounting flange adapted for securing the support member to said back-up wall. The support member further comprises first and second support member side walls extending outwardly from the mounting flange. The first and second support member side walls define at least one generally horizontal slot when the support member is secured to the back-up wall. The connector further comprises a veneer connector configured for non-rotational sliding receipt in the generally horizontal slot and adapted to support a generally horizontal edge of said veneer panel when the veneer connector is received in the generally horizontal slot and when the support member is secured to the back-up wall.
US08667755B1
This invention relates to a dual panel composite truss having a pair of spaced apart prestressed concrete panels having a versatile and adaptive structurally supporting end bearing truss on the ends thereof. The end bearing truss incorporates a versatile and adaptive structural support on each end of the composite truss. The end bearing truss is formed as an integral part of the composite truss for supporting the ends of the composite truss when the composite truss is used for the floors or ceiling of a building. The end bearing truss advantageously forms each end of each concrete panel form for the concrete pour when making each concrete panel.
US08667749B2
A building closure for mounting within an opening in a building wall structure includes a frame for mounting within the wall structure opening and at least one closure unit for mounting within the frame. The frame has at least one interior chamber extending entirely around the frame and a nailing flange for securement to the building wall structure such that at least a portion of the frame is disposed within the building wall opening. There is a cavity between at least one exterior surface of the frame and the inner periphery of the building wall opening, with the cavity extending along at least a top portion of the frame. A barrier extends along at least the top portion of the frame to retard passage of moisture from the cavity to the building interior. At least one moisture weep opening is disposed in the top portion of the frame from the cavity to the interior chamber of the frame such that moisture in the cavity flows through the weep opening into the chamber, within the chamber around the frame and then out of a drain opening in a bottom portion of the frame.
US08667748B2
A photovoltaic module ground mounting system can include a collapsible photovoltaic module mounting assembly framework.
US08667735B2
A planter includes a concave container and a separate rim, both formed from a thermoplastic material. The container has a brim extending radially outward from an upper portion of the container. A vertical wall extends upward from the brim and has exterior flanges and grooves formed on its outer surface. The rim has a top wall with outer and inner side walls extending downward from its edges. Interior flanges and grooves formed on the inner surface of the outer rim wall are configured to engage the exterior flanges and grooves on the outer surface of the container vertical wall such that the rim can be secured onto the upper end of the container. The upper surface of the brim of the container comprises a stop inward of the vertical wall such that when the rim is advanced onto the upper end of the container, a lower portion of the inner rim wall confronts the stop to inhibit further advancement.
US08667734B2
A hydroponic plant container with a reservoir of “highly oxygenated” nutrient solution that is the result of continuous direct air injection into the bottom of the reservoir, at a specific range of trajectories, along with continuous Coriolis effect mixing. The highly oxygenated nutrient solution is used to provide a deep water culture for the lower section of the plant roots, to saturate the middle section of the plant roots with fine droplets of the highly oxygenated nutrient solution, and to saturate the growing media and the upper section of the plants roots with a continuous drip of the highly oxygenated nutrient solution.
US08667708B2
A sole of a shoe includes a container housing a compressed gas having an active ingredient and an actuator operatively connected to the container. The container has an output for dispensing the compressed gas which is operatively connected to the actuator. The actuator permits closing of the output to restrict delivery of the compressed gas and opening of the output to permit delivery of the compressed gas from the container. The actuator includes an electro-magnet adapted to produce a magnetic field from an electrical current, and a moving element configured to assume different positions under control of the magnetic field and mechanically coupled to the output so as to correspondingly close and open the output.
US08667706B2
A biomass drying system includes a rotary biomass dryer that includes a helically threaded auger shaft rotatably driven by a prime mover, such as an electric motor. No external source of heat is required to dry a wet biomass material that is supplied to an input of the biomass dryer. Instead, the helical threads on the shaft have a variable width, designed to gradually increase the compression applied as the biomass material is advanced through a generally cylindrical bore in the biomass dryer. A variable compression nozzle is disposed at a distal end of the bore and can be adjusted to achieve a desired level of a parameter such as the moisture content of the dried biomass material produced by the system. The variable compression nozzle, which can be automatically controlled, includes longitudinally extending segments that are forced radially inwardly to increase the compression force applied to the biomass material.
US08667705B2
A clothes dryer having a lint cleaning device to collect and store lint generated during drying through a simple structure. The lint cleaning device, including a filter, a rectilinear blade performing a rectilinear motion to collect lint, and a rotary blade performing a rotary motion interlocking with the rectilinear motion of the rectilinear blade to collect lint, collects lint at a spot and stores the collected lint in a compressed state. The lint cleaning device is used for a long time without replacement.
US08667702B2
A domestic appliance includes an open air duct and a flow cross-section adjuster in the air duct for adjusting a flow cross-section of the air duct. The flow cross-section adjuster includes rotatably mounted blades for noise dampening purpose. The air duct and the flow cross-section adjuster are in a cooling air inflow region relative to a heat exchanger or a compressor of the domestic appliance.
US08667695B2
The present application provides a work head for a rotational brush cutter. The work head comprises an upper plate, a lower plate and a blade, the upper plate and the lower plate being fixedly coupled. The lower plate is circular and has a passage therethrough with a gear arranged in the passage. The blade has a body portion and a connection portion with the body portion able to be extended outside of the upper and lower plates. The through passage is designed so that the blade can be replaced without requiring the upper plate and lower plate to be disassembled. As a result, because the blade is not restricted by a narrow space between the upper plate and the main frame, the work head does not need to be removed from the brush cutter to replace the blade thereby saving time and effort.
US08667691B2
The actuated nail clipper is a grooming tool that has made it easier to clip nails. The present invention can change in length so the toe nails are easily reachable for the consumer. The elongated neck prevents the consumer from feeling any discomfort that is normally associated with clipping toe nails. A vacuum on the actuated nail clipper can suction in leftover nail clippings. The convenience of the vacuum allows for easier clean up. The present invention also includes a small light that is angled so the nail that is being cut is clearly visible to the consumer. The light helps reduce errors in nail clipping as well as decrease the strain on the consumer's eyes.
US08667689B2
Method and arrangement for supplying essentially hollow bodies with equipment wherein the hollow bodies each have a transverse dimension and a longitudinal dimension being larger than the transverse dimension. The bodies have at least one opening for accessing their interior from outside along their longitudinal dimension. The hollow bodies are arranged essentially side-by-side along the longitudinal dimension and they are moved along their transverse dimension in a clocked fashion. An arrangement comprises a plurality of conveyor means for moving hollow bodies, wherein the conveyor means are arranged such that the hollow bodies are arranged side-by-side along their longitudinal dimension and moved along their transverse dimension in a clocked fashion.
US08667683B1
Apparatus and methods for use with a baffle support fixture for a machine assembly of the tubes and baffles in a bundle assembly of a shell and tube type heat exchanger. The bundle comprises tubes inserted through baffles. The bundle is assembled using a holding fixture that includes anti-rotational features to secure baffles in a desired orientation. Following assembly, the bundle assembly is temporarily fixtured using pressure applying means such as plates and rods, and is then permanently affixed using an adhesive composition. After adhesive is applied, bundles, with the pressure applying means still attached, are preserved on racks and heat treated to cure and permanently set the adhesive.
US08667676B2
A method of stranded electrical wire connection involves stripping the insulation off the ends of stranded wire, inserting a metallic barrel member over the ends of the wire, applying ratcheting pressure to the barrel member to compress the barrel member over each end of the stranded wires, and then applying constant, irreversible ratcheting pressure to the wire containing barrel to substantially eliminate the spaces between the strands and to form a permanent barrel to wire connection between the lengths of wire. A shrink tube with an inner layer of adhesive is positioned over the permanent connection and the shrink tube, with its layer of adhesive, is heated, thus substantially eliminating any space between the shrink tube and the permanent connection. Utilizing the method of the present invention results in a permanent, waterproof connection between the stranded wire which eliminates all expansion and contraction within the permanent connection during use.
US08667669B2
It is an objective of the present invention to eliminate wafer testing. Provided is a manufacturing apparatus comprising a detecting section that detects a position of a device terminal of a device; a generating section that generates a substrate-side terminal, which connects to the device terminal, on a substrate at a position corresponding to the device terminal; and a mounting section that mounts the device on the substrate and connects the device terminal to the substrate-side terminal. The detecting section captures an image of the device and detects the position of the device terminal based on the captured image, and the generating section prints a pattern of the substrate-side terminal on the substrate at a position corresponding to the device terminal.
US08667666B2
Method for producing stator or rotor with interlaced wire groups forming an intertwined wave winding
The disclosed method produces a stator or rotor having a distributed wave winding, in which the wires are associated in pairs lying with straight segments in the same slots. Head portions of two successive straight segments of each wire of a pair protrude from opposite ends of slots. For forming two wire groups, a plurality of coil windings are simultaneously created by winding up n parallel wires with intermediate spacing onto a striplike former that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. From each of the parallel wires one straight segment and one end turn are doubled by being bent over with the wire length of a head portion, and then head portions are formed and the wires interlaced. Finally, the two wire groups are wound onto one another and thereby intertwined with one another, and then introduced as an entire intertwined wave winding strand into the stator or rotor slots.
US08667665B2
One embodiment of the present inventions sets forth a method for decreasing a temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of a MEMS resonator. The method comprises lithographically defining slots in the MEMS resonator beams and filling the slots with a compensating material (for example, an oxide) wherein the temperature coefficient of Young's Modulus (TCE) of the compensating material has a sign opposite to a TCE of the material of the resonating element.
US08667663B2
An eccentric fitting assembly includes an outer eccentric fitting which defines an outer axis, the outer eccentric fitting defines an opening offset from the outer axis and an inner eccentric fitting which defines an inner axis, the inner eccentric fitting defines a stud opening offset from the inner axis, the inner eccentric fitting receivable within the opening.
US08667660B2
A clamping assembly for a toolholder includes a toolholder body having an access hole. A locking sleeve is slidably disposed within the access hole and a center collet is disposed within the locking sleeve and is fixedly connected to the toolholder body. The center collet receives a retaining tip of a tool. A spring assembly and a release device cause the locking sleeve to move within the access hole between a load position, where the locking sleeve is disengaged from the center collet such that the center collet is open and a lock position, where the locking sleeve engages the center collet such that the center collet is closed and locks the retaining tip of the tool within the access hole.
US08667657B2
A method and apparatus for engine piston installation in which robots are used for the entire engine piston installation process. A first robot equipped with a stuffing gripper and force control picks up a piston with a connection rod, detects the piston ring presence, squeeze the rings, find the engine cylinder bore, and stuffs the piston into the cylinder bore. A second robot can be used to load and unload the engine block, hold the block and position it to the location, and indexes the crankshaft into the proper orientation for each cylinder bore. A set of tools either fixed on a stationary station or on a third robot is used to guide the piston connecting rod, transport and place on the connecting rod cap, and fasten the cap onto the connecting rod. The piston connecting rod guiding process may be omitted in piston stuffing for some types of engines.
US08667655B2
An apparatus for securing a drive system to a ring in a medical imaging gantry, the ring defining a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a ring having an outer race and an inner race rotatively mounted within the outer race, the inner race defining inner race teeth about a portion of its circumference, The apparatus also includes a drive system having a drive gear, defining drive gear teeth that are engaged with the inner race teeth, and defining tooth clearance there between. A mounting assembly is also included having at least one mounting bar rigidly attached to the outer race outer facing surface, the mounting bar including a transverse face being substantially perpendicular to the ring outer race circumference, at least one mounting plate secured to the drive system and transverse face of the at least one mounting bar.
US08667651B2
A combined diving utensil has a buckling assembly, a seesaw and a fastening element. The buckling assembly includes a male buckle and a female buckle. Of which, one end of the female buckle is provided with an opening, and the other end provided with a mating joint. One end of the male buckle is provided with a threading portion, and the other end provided with an extension coupled with the mating joint. A plurality of ribs are set on one surface of the fastening element, which is set on the threading portion of the male buckle. A stopper is set close to the end of the fastening element. The seesaw is provided with a thrust rib plate, which is mated with a plurality of ribs on the fastening element and pivoted on the female buckle via the fulcrum.
US08667648B2
A ball handle assembly for a handheld tool is provided. The handheld tool includes a powered mechanism, an actuating mechanism for actuating the powered mechanism, and an elongated boom extending between the powered mechanism and the actuating mechanism. A ball handle assembly is adjustably attached to the boom to allow a user to adjust the ball handle assembly relative to the boom to provide a comfortable and ergonomic orientation regardless of the handedness of the operator. The ball handle assembly is translatable along the length of the boom, and the ball handle assembly provides for three degrees of rotation relative to the boom.
US08667646B2
A magnetic bumper apparatus for constraining a vehicle closure to a vehicle closure interface includes first and second magnetic members configured for attachment to the closure and closure interface, and a non-magnetic bumper element interposed therebetween. Each magnetic member defines a plurality of spatially modulated magnetic fields (SMMF) in corresponding patterns to provide a cumulative SMMF attractive force and a cumulative SMMF repulsive force between the magnetic members and define a separation reference and an alignment reference. The magnetic members in magnetic proximity to each other constrain the closure to the closure interface with respect to the alignment and separation references to prevent contact between a closure surface and a closure interface surface and to define at least one alignment parameter therebetween. Constraining the closure to the closure interface may include resisting a non-magnetic force inputted to the vehicle to prevent contact between the closure and closure interface surfaces.
US08667634B2
The mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece carrier member (14) having upper and lower sections which are adapted to receive the upper and lower teeth of a user. The mouthpiece carrier member has several embodiments which include side members and an intermediate member or members connecting the two side members to define the two sections. A bristle field (20) is mounted on the mouthpiece carrier member for contact with the surfaces of the teeth. The mouthpiece carrier member is moved in such a manner to produce a bristle action which has a significant axial component, resulting in the bristle tufts moving toward the teeth, contacting the teeth and moving away from the teeth, producing cleaning action on the teeth.
US08667632B2
A pneumatic seat cushion system (10) has a deformable cushion (11) having a seating surface (12) and a self inflating cushion bladder (14) positioned beneath the seating surface (12). The self inflating cushion bladder (14) has an airtight envelope (15) containing compressible material (16) which is in air communication (19) with a displacement bladder (18) such that when in use the airtight envelope (15) and the displacement bladder (18) form a closed system from which no air can enter or escape. When there is no person seated on the seating surface (12), the self inflating cushion bladder (14) is inflated and the displacement bladder (18) is deflated. When there is a person seated on the seating surface, the weight of the person compresses the compressible material (16) so as to partially deflate the self inflating cushion bladder (14) which results in the contained air passing into the displacement bladder (18) which becomes fully inflated.
US08667631B2
Infant and preemie swaddling wraps including a kite-shaped body defining head and body supporting portions, a bottom flap and opposing right and left wings configured to be folded around the infants torso, a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners attached to the body at a plurality of positions for releasably engaging with other positions on the kite-shaped body to maintain the folded configuration, and padding in the head and body portions.
US08667628B1
A bed frame has a bed frame having side frame members and cross supports interconnecting the side frame members for supporting one of a mattress and box springs and an integrated roller system which actuates the bed frame between a first wheels up position rollers connected to said bed frame are operably disposed between said bed frame and a floor to ready mobility of the bed frame via the rollers and a second wheels down position such that the bed frame in is in contact with the floor without the rollers contacting the floor and is generally frictionally disposed to inhibit movement.
US08667627B1
A multi-layer blanket or bed covering has adjacent sides or halves with different insulating properties, yet which resembles a traditional blanket, and which allows people to sleep side by side with different comfort levels for heat or coolness. The blanket preferably comprises three layers on one half of the blanket and two layers on the other. The blanket is preferably made from a single rectangular piece of material which is folded first at a location one fifth of the way in from one side of the rectangular piece of material, and folded second at a location two fifths of the way in from an opposite side of the rectangular piece of material. A stitch down the middle is preferably made after the first fold, and then the blanket is stitched around its four sides after the second fold.
US08667619B2
A water saving device for a toilet adapted for mounting on an overflow tube above a flapper valve. The device uses a mainframe connected to the overflow tube to position a highchair that is pivotally mounted to the mainframe. A water cup is mounted to the highchair for weight and a vertical cam descends from the highchair to contact and close the flapper valve.
US08667613B2
A device for warming a first arm and shoulder of a wearer includes a single arm portion and a torso portion. The single arm portion is comprised of a substantially flexible material and is configured to substantially cover the first arm of the wearer from the shoulder to a position beyond an elbow of the first arm. The torso portion is connected to the single arm portion and is configured to at least partially cover an opposite shoulder of the wearer without extending to an underarm under the opposite shoulder of the wearer. The torso portion includes a relatively rigid frame member. The torso portion defines a neck opening that is configured to receive a head and a neck of the wearer.
US08667612B2
The invention relates to an eye protection cap to protect an eye of a person to be treated against electromagnetic radiation, in particular against laser radiation. The eye protection cap comprises a dimensionally stable shaped body, which has a free edge for adjacent arrangement in relation to the person to be treated, limits a hollow shaped body interior, is formed from a silicone material and has a self-holding region for independent holding on the person to be treated.
US08671458B2
A computer-implemented method includes generating data indicative of one or more times in which to sample content of a first resource and content of a second resource; receiving, from a client device, content of the first resource sampled at the one or more times; comparing the sampled content from the first resource to content sampled from the second resource at the one or more times; determining, based on comparing, that the first resource includes a same resource as the second resource; verifying, based on determining, ownership of the second resource; generating, based on a verifying, a user key specifying ownership of the second resource; and transmitting the user key to the client device.
US08671452B2
An apparatus and method for transferring a Rights Object (RO) for a content between devices via a server, wherein a sending device converts a first RO taken by itself to encode into a second RO, and sends an RO move request message including the second RO to the server, whereas the server converts the second RO included in the RO move request message into a third RO and transfers the third RO to a receiving device, whereby the receiving device receives the third RO from the server for installation, wherein the sending device deletes or modifies the first RO at an appropriate time point.
US08671449B1
A computer-implemented method for identifying potential malware may include (1) identifying a file that is subject to a reputation evaluation, (2) identifying at least one client submission received from at least one computing system that identifies (a) an instance of the file created on the computing system and (b) at least one additional file created on the computing system at substantially the same time as the instance of the file and within the same file path as the instance of the file, (3) identifying a reputation associated with the additional file(s), and then (4) generating a reputation rating for the file based at least in part on the reputation associated with the additional file(s). Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08671447B2
A local gateway device receives email across the internet from a sender of the email and forwards it across the internet to an email filtering system. The email filtering system analyzes the email to determine whether it is spam, phishing or contains a virus and sends it back to the local gateway device along with the filtered determination. The local gateway device forwards the received email and the filtered determination to a local junk store which handles the email appropriately. For example, if the email has been determined to be spam, phishing or containing a virus, the junk store can quarantine the email and if the email has been determined to be non-spun and/or not phishing and/or not containing a virus, the junk store can forward the email to a local mail server for delivery.
US08671445B1
Method and system for transferring replicated information from source storage to destination storage
Machine implemented method and system for transferring replicated information from a first storage location managed by a storage operating system at a first storage system node and accessible to a client computing system to a second storage location managed by a second storage system node are provided. A resource pool having a plurality of tokens is maintained for authorizing a replication engine to transfer replicated information from the first storage location to the second storage location. The number of available tokens is increased when traffic due to client requests for accessing the first storage location is less than a first threshold level. The number of available tokens is decreased for reducing transfer of information via the replication engine, when latency in responding to the client requests reaches a second threshold value and the traffic due to client requests reaches the first threshold value.
US08671443B2
A system and a method are described for presenting media content for users to view over the internet. Rights pertaining to said media to be viewed are uploaded to servers by users holding such rights to rent or resell such media content. Servers restrict the viewing of the content in accordance with the limitations of the uploaded rights such that copyright rules are respected at all times.
US08671442B2
Techniques are described for repairing some types of user account problems that interfere with granting a user access to a computer system and doing so during a process to authenticate the user in a way that does not require the user to re-enter authentication information or require the user to restart a communication session with the computer system. In response to a determination that a user's account has a problem during an authentication process, techniques are provided to enable a user to execute an appropriate process or processes to fix the user account, after which the authentication process continues. In this way, the correction to the user account may appear to be seamless to the user.
US08671439B2
Architectures and techniques that allow a firmware agent to operate as a tamper-resistant agent on a host platform that may be used as a trusted policy enforcement point (PEP) on the host platform to enforce policies even when the host operating system is compromised. The PEP may be used to open access control and/or remediation channels on the host platform. The firmware agent may also act as a local policy decision point (PDP) on the host platform in accordance with an authorized enterprise PDP entity by providing policies if a host trust agent is non-responsive and may function as a passive agent when the host trust agent is functional.
US08671438B2
A method for enabling security on a mobile terminal having a communication link with a circuit switched network against suspicious activities is provided. Activities performed at the mobile terminal are performed according to a security policy provided from the circuit switched network. Detection of a suspicious activity is alerted to the circuit switched network when the suspicious activity is detected. A policy manager server of the circuit switched network changes the security policy to cure the suspicious activity on the mobile terminal. Call traffic delivered to/sent from the mobile terminal is filtered out, which causes the suspicious activity according to the security policy. The mobile terminal enforces a security measure on a suspicious activity according to the security policy.
US08671430B2
A system enables dynamic linking between a variety of video formats including television broadcasts, web pages, and video displays which are stored on magnetic or optical media. Each frame of the video information is identified together with a plurality of locations within that frame. The locations selected by the user for example using a pointing device is then used to access associated information either within the system itself or on an external system. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, any item on a given frame may be linked initially or thereafter to other information within or without the particular system containing that information.
US08671418B2
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques that improve resource management on a massively parallel computing system having a plurality of hybrid compute nodes. For example, a job scheduler may be provided which determines a library to link to an application based on system and user requirements. In one embodiment, the libraries may provide optimizations for job execution time, and also provide optimizations directed towards a specific processor architecture. Once the library is determined, the job scheduler may configure the environment of the application so that the application links with the optimized library during run-time. Doing so may improve overall system performance of the massively parallel computing system.
US08671413B2
A method of executing a dynamic clock and voltage scaling (DCVS) algorithm in a central processing unit (CPU) is disclosed and may include monitoring CPU activity and determining whether a workload is designated as a special workload when the workload is added to the CPU activity.
US08671411B2
Systems and methods are provided for scheduling the processing of a coprocessor whereby applications can submit tasks to a scheduler, and the scheduler can determine how much processing each application is entitled to as well as an order for processing. In connection with this process, tasks that require processing can be stored in physical memory or in virtual memory that is managed by a memory manager. The invention also provides various techniques of determining whether a particular task is ready for processing. A “run list” may be employed to ensure that the coprocessor does not waste time between tasks or after an interruption. The invention also provides techniques for ensuring the security of a computer system, by not allowing applications to modify portions of memory that are integral to maintaining the proper functioning of system operations.
US08671401B2
Described is a technology by which a series of loop nests corresponding to source code are detected by a compiler, with the series of loop nests tiled together, (thereby increasing the ratio of cache hits to misses in a multi-processor environment). The compiler transforms the series of loop nests into a plurality of tile loops within a controller loop, including using dependency analysis to determine which results from a tile loop need to be pre-computed before another tile loop. For dependency analysis, the compiler may use a directed acyclic graph as a high-level intermediate representation, and split the graph into sub-graphs each representing an array. The compiler uses descriptors processed from the graph to determine the controller loop and the tile loops within that controller loop.
US08671392B2
Techniques for integrating software applications include identifying an enterprise application executable in a first computing environment, where the enterprise application is compatible with a first version of a network application executable in a second computing environment so that a first set of functionality of the first version of the network application is exposed through the enterprise application. The features include identifying a second version of the network application executable in the second computing environment. The second version of the network application includes a second set of functionality at least partially distinct from the first set of functionality. The features include delivering an integration component from the second computing system to the first computing system. The integration component includes a non-modifying add-on component to the enterprise application that exposes at least a portion of the second set of functionality of the second version of the network application through the enterprise application.
US08671386B2
The apparatus of the present invention includes a block diagram dividing unit that divides a block diagram into a plurality of pieces at a branch point, connects a branch point block element to one end of a data line which has been connected to the branch point at each divided piece and thereby generates a plurality of block diagram pieces, a program instruction generator that generates program instructions for performing processing on each block diagram piece, an execution sequence determining unit that determines an execution sequence of generated program instructions, a structural information generator that generates structural information of each of the block diagram pieces and a program generator that arranges the program instructions according to the execution sequence, writes structural information of each block diagram piece into a comment line of each of the program instructions corresponding to each of the block diagram pieces and thereby generates a program.
US08671385B2
A method and system for throttling a volume of request messages to a service application stored within a service provider (SP) computer system through an open application programming interface (API) platform is provided. The SP computer system is in communication with a memory device. The method includes storing a throttling profile for a developer application within the memory device wherein the throttling profile includes at least a throttling amount threshold and a throttling time period, receiving at the API platform a request message initiated by the developer application wherein the request message is included within a volume of request messages initiated by the developer application, identifying the request message as being associated with the developer application, retrieving the throttling profile for the developer application, and validating the volume of request messages as complying with the throttling profile.
US08671372B2
A verification support program that causes a computer to execute identifying from a finite state machine model related to a circuit-under-test, an input count of transitions to a transition-end state and an output count of transitions from the transition-end state; determining the transition-end state to be a record/restore subject, if the identified output transition is greater than the identified input transition count; embedding record-instruction information causing the record/restore subject to be recorded to a database, if a first element causing transition to the record/restore subject is included in a first test scenario that is in a test scenario group related to the circuit-under-test; and embedding restore-instruction information causing the record-restore subject to be restored from the database, if a second element causing transition to the record-restore subject is included in a series of elements making up a second test scenario that is in the test scenario group.
US08671365B2
An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for providing a cursor for indicating context data in a mapping application. An electronic device may display a map to a user via a mapping application having a cursor. A user may provide input selecting a type of context data to be represented by the cursor. The cursor may be positioned at a location on the map, and the electronic device may obtain context data based on the user input relating to the position and area proximate the position of the cursor on the map. The electronic device may then update a representation of the cursor using visual and other indicia to reflect the context data.
US08671356B1
A first desktop icon is displayed on a computer desktop. The icon is configured to enable execution of a first application. Based on an evaluation of business rules, the first icon is changed to a second icon. The second icon is configured to execute a second application.
US08671355B2
Methods and systems are provided for decluttering icons on a map graphically presented on a display. In one implementation, a method is provided for decluttering icons representing points-of-interest on a map, wherein the method includes determining whether icons in a map view are overlapping and grouping the icons which are determined to overlap into at least one icon group. The method may also include repositioning the icons in each icon group into a decluttered icon patterns, wherein repositioning includes repositioning the icons at a predetermined distance from a common focal point. In addition, the method may include adjusting the repositioned icons to a different position in the map view when the repositioned icons overlap. Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include repositioning an icon in at least one decluttered icon pattern to a new position in the map view based on input from a user.
US08671349B2
The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product for providing teleportation suggestions to avatars in a virtual universe. A service is provided that determines the set of teleportation suggestions for the avatar based on at least one of: an inventory analysis of the avatar, a historical teleportation analysis of the avatar, a motion analysis of the avatar, a social network analysis of the avatar, or a ratings analysis of locations within the virtual universe.
US08671347B2
Method, apparatus and system to modify a user interface implemented in a communication network associated with a plurality of mobile devices. In one embodiment a mobile device associated with a communication network is configured to sense mood data that quantifies a frustration parameter based at least in part on interaction of a user with a user interface mode portion of a user interface and associates the mood data with mode data, wherein the mode data identifies the user interface mode operation of a user interface and transfers the mood data and the mode data to a mobile service provider portion of the communication network. Furthermore, the mobile service provide may transfer at least a portion of an updated user interface to one or more of the plurality of mobile devices based at least in part on the identification of the one or more user interface modes that are frustrating.
US08671345B2
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods that provide a workflow-based session manager or workflow engine for a content delivery system, such as for delivering video-on-demand, streaming audio, streaming video, etc. Such techniques increase velocity and flexibility of deploying new features and services in a video delivery system. Techniques include a session management model provides a service-oriented and workflow-based approach. As a service-oriented approach, each functional session management step can be represented as a business service. As a workflow-based solution, a sequence of steps to be performed can be defined as data, rather than being hard-coded inside an application. Defined as data, steps (nodes, tasks) can then be created and changed using a graphical editor. New services can be added by defining actions for the new service, and adding a node to a given session management workflow sequence. Techniques include a workflow engine that initiates session management in realtime.
US08671337B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for determining by-storyline data from by-episode data.
US08671328B2
A decoding system includes a decoder, a first module and a second module. The decoder is configured to receive data read from an optical storage medium and perform a first decoding iteration and a second decoding iteration to decode the data. The first decoding iteration includes generating a resultant matrix. The first module is configured to, based on first decoding statuses of multiple bytes in the resultant matrix, determine second decoding statuses of bytes proximate to failed bytes of a feedback matrix. The feedback matrix is generated based on the resultant matrix. The first module is configured to mark selected ones of the failed bytes as erasures based on the second decoding statuses. The second module is configured to correct one or more of the bytes marked as erasures during the second decoding iteration.
US08671319B2
An operating system independent JTAG debugging system implemented to run in a web browser. The software executing in the browser identifies the JTAG enabled components in the target system that is to be tested, and automatically downloads the latest versions of the appropriate software, JTAG drivers and configuration information from a test server.
US08671318B2
Connection circuitry couples scan test port (STP) circuitry to test access port (TAP) circuitry. The connection circuitry has inputs connected to scan circuitry control output leads from the TAP circuitry, a select input lead, and a clock input lead. The connection circuitry has outputs connected to a scan enable (SE) input lead, a capture select (CS) input lead, and the scan clock (CK) input lead of the STP circuitry. The connection circuitry includes a multiplexer having a control input connected with a clock select lead from the TAP circuitry, an input connected with a functional clock lead, an input connected with the clock input lead, an input connected with a Clock-DR lead from the TAP circuitry, an OFF lead, and an output connected with the scan clock input lead.
US08671309B2
Embodiments of a hardware processor including a plurality of machine state registers (MSRs) are described. At least one of the MSRs includes an erroring logical processing (ELP) bit which when set, indicates that a particular thread executing on the hardware processor caused an error.
US08671307B2
A computer which takes over a task managed by a server apparatus from another computer which occupies the task, the computer including, a processor to detect an error of the other computer, to transmit, when an error of the another computer is detected, a task relaying request for taking over the task to the server apparatus, and to allow when a permission of the takeover of the task is received from the server apparatus processes of application programs in standby states in the computer to occupy the task.
US08671301B2
A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.
US08671299B2
According to one general aspect, a method may include operating a computing device in a first power mode. The method may also include executing, by a processor of the computing device, at least one non-interactive task. The method may also include detecting, by a processor of the computing device, a request to place the computing device in a second power mode, wherein the second power mode consumes less system resources than the first power mode. The method may further include delaying the transition of the computing device to the second power mode until either the completion of the non-interactive task or an overriding triggering event.
US08671289B2
In one aspect, a multi-port interface circuit applied to a playback apparatus which is able to switch among a plurality of input ports coupled to a plurality of source devices for playing back. Each input port has a receiver, the receiver including a front-end for receiving and processing a data stream from the source device and providing a data enable signal, and further including a content protection circuit for performing content protection according to the data enable signal. Each receiver records data enable information associated with the data enable signal of the data stream in an initial status. When one input port is selected, receivers of the other input ports operate in a power saving mode, the front-end circuits stop receiving the data stream, and the content protection circuit maintains operation according to a regenerated enable signal, which is regenerated according to the data enable information.
US08671288B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling power consumption in a processor (or computational unit thereof). The method comprises monitoring power consumption in a processor (or computational unit) and determining that the power consumption of the processor (or computational unit) exceeds a threshold. Thereafter, instruction issuance if modified (such as by slowing or ceasing instruction issuance) within the processor (or computational unit) until the power consumption is below the threshold. The apparatus comprises a power consumption monitor for determining when power consumption within the processor exceeds a threshold. Upon that determination, a scheduler begins modify instruction issuance to one or more execution units until the power consumption is below the threshold. The modification of instruction issuance can be to slow instruction issuance or cease instruction issuance for a time period or until the power consumption is below the threshold.
US08671286B2
In one embodiment, a power supply switching circuit may automatically provide power to a clock circuit from one of an auxiliary power supply and a main power supply, based on a voltage of the main power supply. To provide automatic switching, a switch circuit coupled between the power supplies and the clock circuit may be controlled by a voltage detector, in some embodiments.
US08671284B1
An application includes: a programming model including a service provider, first components, second components, and sinks communicating via messages. Each of the second components is assigned a unique capability. A given one of the first components routes a message from the given first component to second component(s) and then to a sink. Each of the second component(s) sends the message to the service provider. The service provider creates a token corresponding at least to a received message and a unique capability assigned to an associated one of the second component(s) and sends the token to the associated one of the second component(s). The selected sink receives the message and a token corresponding to each of the second component(s), verifies each received token, and either accepts the message if each of the received tokens is verified or ignores the message if at least one of the received tokens is not verified.
US08671280B2
An electronic document management program, an electronic document management method and an electronic document management apparatus acquire a plurality of pieces of part identification information respectively identifiably expressing a plurality of parts of document information and a digital signature corresponding to the document information, acquire the preparation type, the preparer's name and the time and date of preparation of the document information as tracing information of the document information, manage the part identification information, the digital signature and the tracing information in association with each other and present information relating to the tracing information to the user in response to a request from the user. Additionally, they acquire new document information and tracing information according to a directive from the user.
US08671270B2
A computer system including no basic input/output system (BIOS) for operating bootstrap used in initial activation of a legacy operation system is allowed to perform booting of legacy operation system therefor and includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, in which extended firmware and bootstrap program are stored. The extended firmware includes BIOS emulator and a plurality of device drivers. The extended firmware uses the device driver to make the BIOS emulator perform emulation of BIOS operation in response to a BIOS call issued by the bootstrap program.
US08671269B2
A method and apparatus are provided for increasing the accuracy of a branch predictor. A branch prediction table provides a first instance of a branch prediction value associated with an instruction being speculatively executed a first time; and provides a second instance of the branch prediction value associated with the instruction being speculatively executed a second rime. The first instance of the branch prediction value may be subsequently revised after the instruction associated with the first instance of the branch prediction value is retired. Information regarding whether that branch instruction was accurately predicted may then be used to update the branch prediction table and the second instance of the branch prediction value.
US08671266B2
Techniques are described for decoupling fetching of an instruction stored in a main program memory from earliest execution of the instruction. An indirect execution method and program instructions to support such execution are addressed. In addition, an improved indirect deferred execution processor (DXP) VLIW architecture is described which supports a scalable array of memory centric processor elements that do not require local load and store units.
