US08681182B2
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for alternate viewpoint rendering. A first image and a set of pixel-shift values for the pixels in the first image are received. A portion of a second image is generated, the second image comprising a different viewpoint than a viewpoint of the first image. A first pixel from the set of pixels is selected based on the different viewpoint. A first destination pixel is identified for the first pixel in the second image based on a pixel-shift value from the set of pixel-shift values associated with the first pixel. A value of the first destination pixel is determined based on at least one of (a) a previously considered pixel from the set of pixels of the first image that is horizontally adjacent to the first pixel or (b) the pixel-shift value associated with the first pixel.
US08681181B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are herein provided for optimizing content display on a user interface. A method may include receiving an indication of user input indicating that a first portion of a display of a map is to be one of compressed or expanded. The method may further include causing the one of compression or expansion to the first portion of the display. The method may also include determining, based at least in part on the first portion of the display, at least one second portion of the display. The method may further include causing another one of compression or expansion to the at least one second portion of the display such that the second portion of the display is modified in a different manner than the first portion of the display. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.
US08681180B2
An apparatus, method, and computer program product for scaling a rendered surface. The apparatus includes a graphics processor configured to render a surface at a source resolution, wherein a scaling parameter is associated with the surface, the scaling parameter defining the source resolution and a destination resolution. The apparatus further includes a display processor configured to scale the rendered surface to the destination resolution. Preferably, the scaling parameters are EGL surface attributes.
US08681178B1
A computer-implemented method involves obtaining electronic information that indicates a location and direction of aim of a user in a virtual space of an augmented reality application running on a computing device, and determining, with one or more computer processors, factors that represent potential uncertainty in the obtained electronic information. The method also involves generating from the factors a combined level of uncertainty for a focus of the user, the focus representing an item within the user's field of view in the augmented reality application at which the user is directing attention, generating data for making a graphical indication of the level of uncertainty; and providing the data for making the graphical indication of the level of uncertainty for display as an overlay over an image of the field of view in the augmented reality application.
US08681173B2
A system and method for generating a single compressed vector including two or more predetermined attribute values. For each of a plurality of data points such as pixels, if a first and a second attribute values of the data point are equal to a first and a second, respectively, of the two or more predetermined attribute values, the compressed vector is used to operate on the data point. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08681171B2
The method is for identifying and selecting a color or a combination of colors. A color sphere (200) is provided that has a first color pocket (238) defined between a first horizontal disc (202) and a second horizontal disc (208) and vertical inserts (212c, 212b) extending between the first horizontal disc and the second horizontal disc. The first horizontal disc has a plurality of organized first spectrum of color cells and the second horizontal disc has a plurality of organized second spectrum of color cells. The first spectrum is gradually lighter than the second spectrum and gradually more gray from a peripheral surface (209) towards an axial opening (232a) of the first horizontal disc and an axial opening (232b) of the second horizontal discs. A first color cell (236) is identified in a first pocket (238).
US08681167B2
A computer system may comprise a graphics controller, which may support a display handler. In one embodiment, the display handler may receive configuration values comprising a quantity value and a blending order. In one embodiment, the display handler may determine the number of universal pixel planes using the quantity value. The display handler may provide a number of universal pixel planes equal to the quantity value and the universal pixel planes may be provided using a reference universal pixel plane. The display handler may render each of the universal pixel planes into a type of pixel plane indicated by the corresponding elements of the blending order.
US08681165B2
Provided is an image rotation method and apparatus for rotating an original image of 2n×2n pixels when n is a natural number greater than 1, including loading each row of pixels of the original image into a corresponding load memory vector; and, after the load step, for at least one iteration, performing a transposition operation for each matched load memory vector after matching the load memory vectors and, for zero or more iterations, an interleaving operation between each matched load memory vector after matching the load memory vectors, while the transposition step and the interleaving step are performed a total of n iterations.
US08681164B2
An electronic system, an integrated circuit and a method for display are disclosed. The electronic system contains a first device, a memory and a video/audio compression/decompression device such as a decoder/encoder. The electronic system is configured to allow the first device and the video/audio compression/decompression device to share the memory. The electronic system may be included in a computer in which case the memory is a main memory. Memory access is accomplished by one or more memory interfaces, direct coupling of the memory to a bus, or direct coupling of the first device and decoder/encoder to a bus. An arbiter selectively provides access for the first device and/or the decoder/encoder to the memory based on priority. The arbiter may be monolithically integrated into a memory interface. The decoder may be a video decoder configured to comply with the MPEG-2 standard. The memory may store predicted images obtained from a preceding image.
US08681162B2
A programmable graphics processing unit (GPU) includes a first shader stage configured to receive slice data from a frame buffer and perform variable length decoding (VLD), wherein the first shader stage outputs data to a first buffer within the frame buffer; a second shader stage configured to receive the output data from the first shader stage and perform transformation and motion compensation on the slice data, wherein the second shader stage outputs decoded slice data to a second buffer within the frame buffer; a third shader stage configured to receive the decoded slice data and perform in-loop deblocking filtering (IDF) on the frame buffer; a fourth shader stage configured to perform post-processing on the frame buffer; and a scheduler configured to schedule execution of the shader stages, the scheduler comprising a plurality of counter registers; wherein execution of the shader stages is synchronized utilizing the counter registers.
US08681159B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that switches from a first graphics processor to a second graphics processor to drive a display. During operation, the system receives a request to switch a signal source which drives the display from the first graphics processor to the second graphics processor. In response to the request, the system first configures the second graphics processor so that the second graphics processor is ready to drive the display. Next, the system switches the signal source that drives the display from the first graphics processor to the second graphics processor, thereby causing the second graphics processor to drive the display.
US08681158B1
A computer-implemented method includes comparing one or more surface features to a motion model. The surface feature or surface features represent a portion of an object in an image. The method also includes identifying a representation of the object from the motion model, based upon the comparison.
US08681149B2
Techniques and tools are described for rendering views of a map in which map metadata elements are layered in 3D space through which a viewer navigates. Layering of metadata elements such as text labels in 3D space facilitates parallax and smooth motion effects for zoom-in, zoom-out and scrolling operations during map navigation. A computing device can determine a viewer position that is associated with a view altitude in 3D space, then render for display a map view based upon the viewer position and metadata elements layered at different metadata altitudes in 3D space. For example, the computing device places text labels in 3D space above features associated with the respective labels, at the metadata altitudes indicated for the respective labels. The computing device creates a map view from points of the placed labels and points of a surface layer of the map that are visible from the viewer position.
US08681148B2
An object of the invention to provide a method for maintaining display quality as much as possible and reducing a crosstalk amount. A method for correcting stereoscopic images according to the present invention has (a) at least one of a step of detecting a range of crosstalk and a crosstalk amount occurring on a left image or a right image as black-side correction data, and a step of detecting the range of crosstalk and the crosstalk amount as white-side correction data, based on crosstalk characteristic data, (b) at least one of a step of making the black-side correction data into lower-limit data, and a step of making the white-side correction data into upper-limit data; and (c) a step of gamma-converting the left image or the right image based on at least one of the lower-limit data and the upper-limit data.
US08681140B2
A thin display device having a plurality of panels and an electronic apparatus using such a display device are provided at low cost. The display device of the invention has a plurality of display units. A controller IC for controlling a signal supplied to the display units is provided in common for the display units, thereby controlling which of the display units to be supplied with a signal. Similarly, a power supply IC is provided in common for the display units to control which of the display units to be supplied with a voltage.
US08681138B2
In a method for determining a control signal as a function of measured ambient light conditions for subsequent processing by at least one electrical component, in particular in order to control an imaging unit of an image output apparatus, the present light conditions are detected by means of a plurality of light sensors, measuring signals are output as a function of the intensity of the light conditions recorded by the light sensors, and the measuring signals of the individual light sensors are then combined into at least one control signal in accordance with at least one predefined ratio. The control signal is adjusted with consideration of the orientation of at least one of the light sensors and is then output.
US08681133B2
A display driver integrated circuit (IC) that stores an output mode of driving circuit control signal in a non-volatile memory and a method of outputting the driving circuit control signal, wherein the display drive IC fixes the driving circuit control signal values using fixation wire disposed on top layers of the display driver IC, and a method of manufacturing the display driver IC. The display driver IC includes a plurality of driving circuits, which operate a display panel; a driving circuit control signal output unit, which outputs a plurality of driving circuit control signal values, which control the driving circuits, received from an external device in a test mode, or outputs the plurality of driving circuit control signal values, which control the driving circuits that are internally set to a plurality of fixed values in a production mode; and a non-volatile memory, which stores a mode selection value indicating the test mode or the production mode, wherein the driving circuit control signal output unit operates in the test mode or the production mode in response to the mode selection value stored in the non-volatile memory. In the display drive IC, which stores an output mode of a driving circuit control signal in a non-volatile memory, and a method of outputting the driving circuit control signal, whether to fix a driving circuit control signal value or not can be changed after the display driver IC is assembled into a module.
US08681129B2
A method of associating auxiliary data with a digital ink stream comprises capturing a sequence of samples representing a digital ink stream and modifying the sample information, or inserting a plurality of new samples into the sample sequence, the modified or new samples representing auxiliary data. New samples are inserted in between existing samples and are essentially imperceptible to a person viewing the digital ink image, while an authorised recipient can extract the auxiliary data.
US08681128B2
An improved acoustic touch apparatus that has a logo or application icon applied on the back surface of a propagating substrate which can be viewed through the substrate and an acoustic element situated adjacent the logo or application icon that can compensate for phase velocity shifts of surface acoustic waves in propagating over the logo or application icon.
US08681127B2
In some implementations, a touch point on a surface of a touchscreen device may be determined. An image of a region of space above the surface and surrounding the touch point may be determined. The image may include a brightness gradient that captures a brightness of objects above the surface. A binary image that includes one or more binary blobs may be created based on a brightness of portions of the image. A determination may be made as to which of the one more binary blobs are connected to each other to form portions of a particular user. A determination may be made that the particular user generated the touch point.
US08681114B2
In a method for displaying information with the aid of a display mounted in a motor vehicle, graphic data which actuate at least a subregion of the display are generated by a user interface device, such that in an operation state, information assigned to at least one operator step able to be executed by an input device are generated and in a display state, information not assigned to any operator steps is displayed, and it is detected when an object enters an operator control zone assigned to the input device, and when it leaves the operator control zone. The method is characterized in that the user interface device switches from the operating state to the display state when the object leaves the operator control zone and does not reenter the operator control zone within a defined time interval. A display device is adapted for executing this method.
US08681112B2
A user interface in handheld devices has a touch screen for generating control signals for control of an electronic device, with a continuous touch movement detection on the touch area from a single touch from a begin sub-area to an end sub-area via a middle sub-area, in the touch control logic of the touch screen. The continuous touch movement detection in the logic memory creates substantially an arc touch movement from the begin sub-area to the end sub-area. The arc touch movement in the touch control logic of the touch screen is used to generate a control command signal for the electronic device. The touch movement detections, clockwise or anticlockwise, convex or concave are used to generate different control signals for the device and thus provide a large number of navigation control functions.
US08681098B2
Systems and methods for detecting, representing, and interpreting three-space input are described. Embodiments of the system, in the context of an SOE, process low-level data from a plurality of sources of spatial tracking data and analyze these semantically uncorrelated spatiotemporal data and generate high-level gestural events according to dynamically configurable implicit and explicit gesture descriptions. The events produced are suitable for consumption by interactive systems, and the embodiments provide one or more mechanisms for controlling and effecting event distribution to these consumers. The embodiments further provide to the consumers of its events a facility for transforming gestural events among arbitrary spatial and semantic frames of reference.
US08681084B2
A device excellent in electrical characteristics is provided by suppressing an operation failure owing to a hysteresis effect that occurs in a circuit using MOS transistors having floating bodies. Moreover, sensitivity of a sense amplifier circuit and a latch circuit including these MOS transistors as components is improved. A signal required in a circuit other than a first circuit is outputted by using electrical characteristics of MOS transistors in a first period (effective period), and in a second period (idle period) excluding the first period, between the gate and source of MOS transistors, a step waveform voltage not less than threshold voltages of these MOS transistors is given.
US08681075B2
To provide a display device that is capable of achieving a sufficient confidentiality keeping performance for directions other than a specific direction without a troublesome work such as wearing special eyeglasses. The display device includes: a plurality of display units each having a main pixel for displaying a first image and a sub-pixel for displaying a second image arranged in matrix in a first direction and a second direction; and an optical member which distributes light emitted from the plurality of display units towards different directions along the first direction. The display unit has a first display area in which the main pixel and the sub-pixel are formed in the second direction, and a second display area in which only the main pixel is formed.
US08681074B2
A headset comprises an arrangement and a display. The arrangement is situated at least partially on a head of a user. The display is coupled to the arrangement and capable of displaying a pointing device to the user. The headset is coupled to a mobile device which includes a sensor. When the mobile device is moved, the sensor detects a direction of the movement to generate corresponding direction data. The display displays to the user a corresponding movement of the pointing device which is determined as a function of the corresponding direction data.
US08681069B2
The present invention provides a substrate type antenna having resonant frequencies different in a simple configuration. At least one loop-like another joint pattern one spot of which is divided is formed at a position opposite to a second joint pattern having common feeding points. Antennas are respectively connected to both end terminals of both of a first joint pattern and another joint pattern referred to above at their divided positions. The antennas connected to the first joint pattern and the antennas connected to another joint pattern referred to above are respectively made different in resonant frequency.
US08681066B2
A microwave antenna feed arrangement provided with a unitary body with a feed bore between a launch end and a back end of the body. A plurality of coaxial annular grooves are located on the launch end of the body. An OMT bore in the body extends from a side of the body to the feed bore. The body may be further configured with an end cap to close the back end of the feed bore or a feed elbow for dual polarization operation. The body may be manufactured for example, by machining or metal injection molding.
US08681048B2
An arrival angle estimation system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device and estimates an arrival angle at which frames transmitted by radio from the transmitting device arrive at the receiving device. The transmitting device includes two directional antennas each arranged so that its directivity is tilted at ±θ degrees with respect to the front of the transmitting device. The receiving device includes a directional antenna having directivity toward the front of the receiving device. Frames are transmitted alternately from the respective directional antennas of the transmitting device, and received signal strengths of the frames on the receiving device side for the respective transmitting directional antennas are compared with each other to estimate the arrival angle.
US08681039B2
Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to determine an interference temperature associated with a number of radio equipped devices located in an area at a point in time, determine a radio tomographic map associated with the area at the point in time, and determine whether the area is occupied at the point in time based on the determined interference temperature and the determined radio tomographic map.
US08681038B1
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for radar data processing. In some examples, the method includes determining a plurality of substantially equally spaced frequency intervals within radar data based on an interval size; transforming parts of the radar data within each of the plurality of substantially equally spaced frequency intervals; determining a magnitude of each of the transformed parts of the radar data; and summing the magnitude for each of the transformed parts of the radar data to form adaptive radar data. The adaptive radar data can have a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the radar data.
US08681026B2
An input digital signal is converted to an analog signal using a main digital to analog converter (DAC) and a sub DAC. An offset value is subtracted from the input digital signal to generate an offset adjusted digital signal. The main DAC converts the offset adjusted digital signal to a first analog signal. A second digital signal is generated based on the offset value and a correction factor determined, at least in part, during calibration of the main DAC. The sub DAC converts the second digital to a second analog signal, which when combined with the first analog signal, provides an analog representation of the input digital signal.
US08681025B2
A data encoding apparatus for communicating between robot softwares includes a meta structure converter factory configured to allow one or more meta structure converters generated based on an information file, and if a type of user data for encoding is a structure or a structure array, select a meta structure converter, operable to convert a structure of the user data into a meta structure, from among the registered meta structure converters; an encoder factory configured to allow encoders for respective types of data to be registered, and to select an encoder from among the registered encoders in order to encode the user data to be encoded; and an encoder unit configured to encode the user data to be encoded using the meta structure generated by the selected meta structure converter and the encoder.
US08681024B2
An encoder without a stopping structure comprises a rotating shaft (1), an axis sleeve (2), a stopping base (4), a positioning elastic trip (5), a spacer (6), a partition plate (7), at least one movable arm (8), at least one electric brush (9) and at least one main body (11), and they are sequentially arranged from bottom to top. There is not any stopping structure on the rotating shaft (1) and the stopping base (4). The rotating shaft (1) can be rotated 360 degrees or more. The electric brush (9) has a plastic covered part (91), a bent part (92), an elastic arm (93) and a brush head (94) forming an integrated structure. The plastic covered part (91) is covered in a movable arm (8). The bent part (92) connects the plastic covered part (91) and the elastic arm (93) and bends the elastic arm (93) toward the plastic covered part (91). The elastic arm (93) comprises a main arm (931) with long strip ring body and a branch arm (932). Said brush head (94) is pressed at the free ends of the main arm (931) and the branch arm (932). The number of channels of the encoder increases to 32 or more, so that the programming and operating control can be conveniently realized. The electric brush is connected steadily with the circuit plate of the encoding circuit because of the electric brush without any loose situations.
US08681022B2
Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, defining a search area when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the search area including boundaries, calculating, using a processor, a points of interest (POI) density of the search area, comparing the POI density with a first density threshold and a second density threshold, adjusting the boundaries of the search area based on a result of comparing the POI density with the first density threshold and the second density threshold, identifying POIs in the adjusted search area, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, the POI information being associated with one or more POIs identified in the adjusted search area.
US08681021B1
Present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating a lateral meteorological profile are disclosed. The system is comprised of a source for providing hazard data and a lateral profile generator (“LPG”), where the source could be comprised of an aircraft weather system and/or a datalink system through which hazard weather data is received. The apparatus is comprised of the LPG configured to perform the method comprised of receiving hazard data, determining profile location data, and generating profile image data. The hazard data represents location information of each hazard located outside the aircraft, the profile location data is representative of a plurality of locations of maximum vertical sector height within a vertical sector, and the profile image data is representative of a lateral meteorological profile comprised of a plurality of points, each point corresponding to one location of the maximum vertical sector height.
US08681010B2
An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. A method, system, and an article of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on a series of measurements of one or more variables, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system.
US08680991B2
A personal emergency system includes a motion sensor wearable by a human being to sense motion of the human being; a processor; wireless communications circuitry; computer code to match the acceleration signature with at least one of a plurality of stored acceleration signatures, wherein each stored acceleration signatures corresponds with one or more types of motion; and computer code to identify the type of motion of the object based on the matching of the acceleration signature. An optional positioning system can be included where the location of the user is determined based on times of arrival of signals.
US08680988B2
An asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one GPS network. The unit, system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
US08680984B2
Covering arrangement for a pipe which can be welded to a series of further pipes to produce pipelines intended, in particular, for transporting gaseous or liquid media, wherein the covering arrangement is designed for sealing at least the pipe edge which is at risk of corrosion, and wherein the covering arrangement comprises an inner cap with an inner sleeve which is designed for abutment against the inside of the pipe and has a covering element which is provided for the purpose of at least partially covering the inner cross section of the pipe which is not covered by the inner sleeve. The invention also relates to a pipe having a corresponding covering arrangement and a system for monitoring pipes having corresponding covering arrangements.
US08680979B2
In a method for outputting information to the driver of a vehicle, the degree of deviation of a current operating point or value of an operating parameter of a drive unit and/or of a drive train of the vehicle from a predetermined range and/or a preferred range for entry to a coasting phase is indicated to the driver.
US08680975B2
A haptic actuator system and a method of making the same include an ultrasonically vibrating motor body. A shaft is coupled to the vibrating motor body, the shaft arranged to rotate in at least one direction in response to the vibrating motor body. At least one unbalanced mass is coupled to and is moveable with the shaft to generate human-detectable vibrations in response to a motion of the shaft.
US08680973B2
RFID tags are used for many purpose including tracking. RFID interrogators are used to retrieve information from tags. In many applications, a plurality of RFID interrogators are required. Synchronization between interrogators in the same theatre of operation is critical to ensure that their broadcasts do not interfere with each other. In fixed RFID interrogator applications, RFID interrogators can be wired together allowing a channel to synchronize the transmissions of the RFID interrogators. Methods described herein can ensure that synchronization is maintained in the event of the failure of a synchronizing master. Furthermore, additional methods for synchronizing RFID interrogators in wireless applications are described allowing synchronization in the absence of wired connections between interrogators.
US08680961B2
The disclosed reactor has a case and a cylindrical molded coil assembly which is disposed inside of the case and which is formed by covering a coil with a resin, wherein the coil assembly is sealed by an iron powder mixed resin to which iron powder has been admixed. The reactor has a pillar provided as a single body with the case, and one or multiple ring-shaped core members. The ring-shaped core members are disposed outside the outer surface of the pillar such that the pillar is inserted inside the inner surface of said ring-shaped core members, and the assembly coil is disposed outside the outer surface of the ring-shaped core members such that the ring-shaped core members are inserted inside the inner surface of said coil assembly. The ring-shaped core members are sealed by means of the aforementioned iron powder-mixed resin.
US08680956B2
In a switch device in which the main circuit contact sections of the switch device, an insulating rod, a driving rod, a contact pressure spring, an open spring, and an electromagnet are all coaxially arranged, a problem exists in that the axial dimension of the switch device becomes large. The present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problem. An object is to obtain an electromagnet device and a switch device using the electromagnet device, in which shortening the axial dimension of the switch device is achieved by arranging the main circuit contact sections of the switch device, the insulating rod, the driving rod, the contact pressure spring, the open spring, and a part of the electromagnet in the same axial range. Particularly, the open spring and the electromagnet are arranged in the same axial region.
US08680955B1
A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switch having a thermally neutral anchor configuration is provided. The MEMS switch includes a substrate onto which a first conductive pad and a second conductive pad are formed. A first conductive pad anchor is coupled to the first conductive pad and a second conductive anchor spaced from the first conductive anchor is also coupled to the first conductive pad. A conductive cantilever beam has a first end portion that is situated between and coupled to the first and second conductive anchors. Moreover, the conductive cantilever beam has a second end portion that is suspended over the second conductive pad, and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The MEMS switch also includes a conductive actuator plate formed on the substrate at a location beneath the middle portion of the conductive cantilever beam and between the first and second conductive pads.
US08680953B2
The invention relates to a low-pass filter for electromagnetic signals, made up of a series of rejection elements defined by stubs (2) of length λg/4, with a small or zero distance between them, these elements being tuned to different frequencies determining the rejection band.
US08680951B2
A micro-electromechanical resonator comprising a material having anisotropic directional elasticity characteristics. A shape of the resonator is such that a first distance in a first direction from a centroid of the resonator to a first point on a peripheral edge of the resonator is greater than a second distance in a second direction from the centroid to a second different point on the edge. This is true for every first direction and every second direction wherein the material has a lesser modulus of elasticity in the first direction than the second direction.
US08680941B2
A microwave harmonic processing circuit includes (n−1) parallel open ended stubs differing in length, connected in parallel to an output terminal of a serial transmission line at a single point, and having predetermined electrical lengths corresponding to second to higher n-th (n is any integer) harmonics, respectively, the serial transmission line having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of a transistor and having a predetermined electrical length; a first strip conductor connecting the serial transmission line to two parallel open ended stubs of the (n−1) parallel open ended stubs at a single connecting point; a second strip conductor connecting the (n−3) parallel open ended stubs to each other at a single connecting point; a ground layer disposed between first strip conductor and second strip conductor; and a via electrically connecting a connecting portion of first strip conductor and a connecting portion of second strip conductor.
US08680940B2
Methods and devices for modifying a tunable matching network are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of modifying a tunable matching network can include connecting one or more shunt inductors to a tunable matching network exhibiting parasitic capacitance to ground, whereby high-frequency performance of the tunable matching network is improved.
US08680938B2
Apparatus and methods for equalization are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for equalizing an input voltage includes a first capacitor and a first resistor having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the input voltage. The apparatus further includes a second resistor having a first end electrically connected to the second end of the first resistor at an output node. The apparatus further includes an inverting voltage buffer for substantially inverting the input voltage to generate an inverted input voltage. The apparatus further includes a transconductance buffer for receiving the inverted input voltage and for generating a current from a first end of the first capacitor to the output node having a magnitude equal to about the magnitude of the input voltage signal divided by the impedance of the first capacitor.
US08680937B2
An embodiment of an equalizer includes a voltage-to-current converter and a current-to-voltage converter. The voltage-to-current converter is configured to convert a differential input voltage to a differential current, and includes a differential amplifier with a first transistor and a second transistor, and a first source degeneration circuit coupled between the first transistor and the second transistor. An embodiment of the first source degeneration circuit includes a first resonant circuit. The current-to-voltage converter is coupled to the voltage-to-current converter, and is configured to convert the differential current to a differential output voltage. The current-to-voltage converter includes a first inverter with a first feedback circuit and a second inverter coupled to the first inverter, which includes a second feedback circuit. An embodiment of the first feedback circuit includes a second resonant circuit, and an embodiment of the second feedback circuit includes a third resonant circuit.
US08680936B2
A surface mountable transition block for perpendicular transitions between a microstrip or stripline and a waveguide. The transition block configuration allows for a reduction in the overall cost of a microwave circuit assembly because the circuit board to which the transition block is attached can be an FR-4 type circuit board as opposed to more expensive microwave circuit board materials.
US08680935B2
An RF circuit includes a balun circuit comprised of a coaxial cable having a desired characteristic impedance and having a first port coupled to a first port of said RF circuit and a second port and a transformer circuit having a first port coupled to the second port of the balun. The transformer circuit is comprised of a pair of coaxial cables, each having a desired characteristic impedance and each having a ferrite coupled thereto. The interconnects between center conductors and outer conductors in the transformer are made symmetrical such that a resonance with a frequency determined by the inductance and capacitance of the coaxial cables does not occur, preventing any nulls in an insertion loss characteristic of the RF circuit. The ferrite is selected to act as a circuit element having an impedance characteristic which is higher than the impedance characteristic of the coaxial cable.
US08680925B2
An amplifier arrangement comprising an amplifier (AMP) with a terminal (SPL) for a supply signal (VSPL) and a bias circuit (BIAS) for providing the supply signal (VSPL) at the terminal (SPL). The bias circuit holds an operating point (OP) of the amplifier (AMP) constant by means of the supply signal (VSPL). The bias circuit (BIAS) comprises a reference circuit (REF) for providing a reference signal (VREF) and a correction device (COR) by means of which the supply signal (VSPL) is regulated based on the reference signal (VREF) and a correction signal (Vfeed), the correction signal (Vfeed) being dependent on the operating point (OP) of the amplifier (AMP). A method for operating an amplifier arrangement is also described.
US08680902B1
A programmable power-on reset circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a programmable voltage divider. The programmable power-on reset circuit can also include a comparator that is coupled to the programmable voltage divider and that is coupled to receive a reference voltage. Additionally, the programmable power-on reset circuit can include a non-volatile memory that is coupled to the programmable voltage divider, wherein the non-volatile memory can be coupled to receive programming for controlling an output of the programmable voltage divider.
US08680901B2
Integrated Circuits (ICs) comprising circuits configured to generate a power on reset (POR) pulse are disclosed. An IC comprises a power supply sense circuit configured to generate a sense signal in response to a transition of a power supply signal from a first level to a second level, and a pulse generation circuit coupled with the power supply sense circuit. The pulse generation circuit is configured to generate a power on reset (POR) pulse of a threshold duration based on the sense signal. The IC further includes a reset generation circuit coupled with the pulse generation circuit to receive the POR pulse. The reset generation circuit is configured to generate a reset pulse based on the POR signal and of at least one control signal, where the reset pulse is configured to be utilized to perform a reset of one or more elements of the integrated circuit.
US08680900B2
An on-chip data processing apparatus has an operating supply voltage selected from a range of supply voltages and has voltage level detection circuitry configured to determine the level of the operating supply voltage. The voltage level detection circuitry comprises adaptive circuitry responsive to a variation in the reference voltage. Phase lock loop circuitry is configured to generate a source clock signal from the operating supply voltage, to receive the voltage level selection signal, to select a target frequency for the source clock signal in dependence on the voltage level selection signal, and to phase lock the source clock signal on the target frequency. Initialization circuitry is configured to initialize the on-chip data processing apparatus for data processing in dependence on the level of said operating supply voltage after the phase lock loop circuitry has phase locked the source clock signal on the target frequency.
US08680894B1
There is disclosed a driver circuits and method for driving a micro-electro-mechanical system. A driver circuit may include a converter to convert a digital input value into a pulse-width modulated signal with precise amplitude. A low pass filter may extract an average DC component of the pulse-width modulated signal. An amplifier may amplify the average DC component to provide an output voltage to drive the MEMS.
US08680887B2
According to one embodiment, a memory includes a first P-channel FET having a gate connected to a second output node, a source applied to a first potential, and a drain connected to the first output node, a second P-channel FET having a gate connected to a first output node, a source applied to the first potential, and a drain connected to the second output node, a first N-channel FET having a control gate connected to a first word line, a source applied to a second potential lower than the first potential, a drain connected to the first output node, and a threshold changed by data in a storage layer, and a second N-channel FET having a control gate connected to a second word line, a source applied to the second potential, a drain connected to the second output node, and a threshold changed by data in a storage layer.
US08680882B2
An interposer for a 3D-IC is provided with a plurality of functional metal wiring segments where the plurality of functional metal wiring segments are connected in series by a plurality of dummy metal wiring segments thus allowing the plurality of functional metal wiring segments to be electrically tested for continuity Each of the plurality of dummy metal wiring segments is provided with a laser fuse portion for disconnecting the dummy metal wiring segments upon completion of the electrical test.
US08680878B2
In a current measuring device for measuring an electric current flowing through between a terminal of a battery and a wire, a resistance member has a length and first and second ends in a direction of the length. The first end is to be secured electrically to the terminal of the battery. The second end is to be secured electrically to the wire. The resistance member constitutes a current flow path between the terminal of the battery and the wire. The resistance member has a turned portion through which the current flow path extends. The current measuring device includes a circuit board in which a current measuring circuit is installed. The current measuring circuit measures an electric current flowing through the resistance member based on a potential difference between two different points defined on the resistance member.
US08680877B2
A touch sensing apparatus includes an approach sensing electrode unit including a plurality of first approach sensing electrode arrays disposed on a substrate and a plurality of second approach sensing arrays disposed adjacent to the first approach sensing electrode arrays, a voltage supply unit to supply a voltage to any of the first approach sensing electrode arrays and the second approach sensing electrode arrays, a signal generation unit to generate an approach sensing signal by detecting a variation of capacitance generated between the first approach sensing electrode arrays and the second approach sensing electrode arrays, the variation of capacitance occurring in a 3-dimensional (3D) approach sensing region, and an information generation unit to generate contact information corresponding to the approach sensing signal generated by the signal generation unit.
US08680874B2
A method and system for testing the functionality of a through-silicon-via in an integrated circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, the functionality is tested by measuring its capacitance from one side only. The capacitance of the TSV can be determined by measuring a timing delay introduced in a measurement circuit due to the presence of the TSV. The timing delay is determined by comparing the timing of measurement signal from the measurement circuit with the timing of a reference signal provided by a reference circuit. The comparison is carried out using a digital timing measurement circuit, such as a time-to-digital converter.
US08680872B2
A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for identifying false positive indications of high impedance faults in an AC electric power transmission and distribution network. In one embodiment, the method comprises using a procedure to monitor a phase conductor of the network for faults, said procedure generating a fault signal indicating a specified fault in the conductor. In this embodiment, the voltage and current waveform of the electric power conducted through the conductor are monitored. When a phase shift in said waveform is detected over a defined period of time, and said detected phase shift meets one or more given criteria, a correction signal is generated indicating that said fault signal is a false indication of the specified fault. The given criteria may include, for example, that the phase shift is more than a threshold value for a specified period of time.
US08680869B2
AC charging contact mechanisms are provided to charge facilitate testing of mobile devices that have charging contacts on sides of the device. A pin and spring based mechanism is provided to bias a probe against one of the charging contact. A lever based mechanism is also provided which biases a probe against one of the contacts in response to locking the mobile device in a battery emulator.
US08680851B2
A facility for generating a detection signal upon the presence of metallic-conductive parts in a conveyed flow that is at least largely non-conductive, in which, for example, an alternating electromagnetic field is established in a section of the conveyed flow to be monitored by means of an alternating current generator and a transmitter coil system, whereby a variation of the signal of said field that is triggered by passage of a part is detected by a receiver coil system and converted into a detection signal by an analytical circuit. The individual components of the system are distributed over separate circuit modules which in turn act in concert by means of a bus system.
US08680842B2
A method of measuring the total harmonic distortion in an electrical distribution system. The distribution system is sampled regularly to generate a set of data. The data is filtered using a narrow band filtering algorithm to measure the energy in fundamental and other harmonic frequencies. Due to the filtering, the energy in harmonic frequencies can be measured without interference from broadband noise, which provides an improvement in the measurement of total harmonic distortion at low current or voltage levels. A method is provided to sum the energy in identified frequencies in a multi-pass configuration, such that only a subset of all monitored frequencies are filtered and summed in each pass, with the balance being filtered and measured in subsequent passes. After all subsets are measured, the total harmonic distortion is calculated.
US08680840B2
A reference circuit includes a first transistor having a first current electrode, a control electrode, and a second current electrode coupled to a power supply terminal. The reference circuit further includes a resistive element including a first terminal coupled to the control electrode of the first transistor and a second terminal coupled to the first current electrode. Additionally, the reference circuit includes a second transistor including a first current electrode coupled to the second terminal of the resistive element, a control electrode coupled to the second terminal, and a second current electrode coupled to the power supply terminal. The second transistor is configured to produce an output signal related to a voltage at the control electrode of the first transistor.
US08680835B2
A buck DC-to-DC converter having a novel output protection mechanism, comprising: a buck converter circuit, having a line input end, a DC output end, a first feedback end, and a second feedback end; a voltage divider, having an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal being coupled to the DC output end of the buck converter circuit, and the output terminal coupled to the first feedback end of the buck converter circuit for providing a first feedback voltage; and an output current sensing resistor, having one end coupled to the DC output end of the buck converter circuit, and another end coupled to the second feedback end of the buck converter circuit for providing a second feedback voltage; wherein the buck converter circuit uses the first feedback voltage and the second feedback voltage to generate a protection signal.
US08680834B2
A method is disclosed for controlling a DC-DC switched-mode power converter comprising a switch, the method comprising, while controlling the switch by a main control loop: detecting a step in a load on the switched-mode power converter; generating a signal in response to the detector detecting a step in the load, and switching the switch in response to the signal. Advantageously, the method may avoid a delay (such as waiting for a subsequent oscillator pulse) which might otherwise occur before switching the switch, to react to the transient. The faster response may result in a reduction of the transient current from the converter, which may facilitate the use of smaller and cheaper components.A controller configured to operate such a method is also disclosed.
US08680831B2
A constant frequency ON-time control system applied to a voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator determines a time length of an input voltage inputted thereto according to an ON-time and thereby regulates an output voltage. The constant frequency ON-time control system includes a constant frequency ON-time control circuit for computing the ON-time according to a system duty cycle of the voltage regulator and a frequency setting parameter and a frequency setting parameter adjusting circuit for generating a frequency setting parameter adjust value according to an OFF-time corresponding to the ON-time and taking a result of operation between the frequency setting parameter adjust value and a preset frequency setting parameter as the frequency setting parameter. The frequency setting parameter adjusting circuit uses the frequency setting parameter adjust value to change the result of operation for varying the frequency setting parameter when the OFF-time is shorter than a reference value.
US08680828B2
There is provided a voltage regulator capable of achieving a fast transient response upon activation without allowing an abnormal consumption current to flow. The voltage regulator of the present invention includes: a booster circuit for detecting output current from an output transistor and outputting a boost signal to a first differential amplifier circuit; a sensing transistor for sensing the output current; a first transistor for making an adjustment to enable the output current to be copied accurately; and a second differential amplifier circuit in which the output terminal is connected to the gate of the first transistor, the inverting input terminal is connected to the drain of the sensing transistor, and the non-inverting input terminal is connected to the output terminal.
US08680820B2
A power factor correction booster circuit for connection to an alternating current (AC) power source including a first circuit portion arranged to be active over a first AC half cycle of the power source, the first circuit portion including: a first AC input node in connection with a source node of a first power transistor, a first node of an inductive element in connection with a drain node of the first power transistor, a second node of the inductive element in connection with a drain node of a second power transistor, a second AC input node in connection with a source node of the second power transistor, an anode of a first semiconductor diode element in connection with the second node of the inductive element, a cathode of the first semiconductor diode element in connection with a first node of a first output capacitor element, and a second node of the first output capacitor element in connection with the second AC input node, wherein the first and second power transistors are controllable to switch the first circuit portion between a forward mode and a flyback mode, such that in the forward mode the inductive element stores energy from the AC power source, and in the flyback mode the stored energy from the inductive element is transferred to the first output capacitor through the first semiconductor diode element.
US08680819B2
A field winding type rotary electric machine includes a motor generator; a field current detection unit; a field current control unit which controls a field current; a field current limiting determination section which calculates a field current integration value and determines whether or not the field current integration value reaches a predetermined field current integration threshold value; and a field current limiting command section which, when it is determined that the field current integration value reaches the predetermined field current integration threshold value, outputs a command which sets the field current to be lower than or equal to a predetermined field current limiting value to the field current control unit during a predetermined limiting time, and outputs a command which changes the predetermined limiting time depending on the field current. Accordingly, a temperature rise of the machine is suppressed and limiting of the field current can be released as needed.
US08680809B2
A battery charger includes a rotatable top cover for exposing electrical connectors for physically coupling and electrically communicating with a battery or other device and providing electrical energy for charging a battery or device.
US08680802B2
A stator phase circuit for an electric machine includes a phase winding circuit including a plurality of series coupled sub-winding circuits, each sub-winding circuit includes a respective sub-winding coupled in parallel across a respective first controllable switch.
US08680799B2
To achieve peak acoustic and power performance, the coil or applied current should be in phase or substantially aligned with the back electromotive force (back-EMF) voltage. However, there are generally phase differences between the applied current and back-EMF voltage that are induced by the impedance of the brushless DC motor (which can vary based on conditions, such as temperature and motor speed). Traditionally, compensation for these phase differences was provided manually and on an as-needed basis. Here, however, a system and method are provided that automatically perform a commutation advance by incrementally adjusting a drive signal over successive commutation cycles when the applied current and back-EMF voltage are misaligned.
US08680798B2
A motor control device for driving a brushless motor includes a current detecting unit which detects respective phase currents which flow into the brushless motor; a control calculation unit which calculates instruction values showing respective phase voltages to be applied to the brushless motor, and outputs the instruction values as phase voltage instruction values; a phase resistance calculation unit which calculates respective phase resistance values based on detection values of the respective phase currents detected by the current detecting unit, and the instruction values of the respective phase voltages applied to the brushless motor at the time of the detection of the detection values; a correction unit which corrects the phase voltage instruction values according to the respective phase resistance values calculated by the phase resistance calculation unit; and a driving unit which drives the brushless motor based on the phase voltage instruction values after correction by the correction unit.
US08680788B2
A driver circuit for a semiconductor light-emitting element enables stable dimmed lighting from very low luminance output to rated luminance output by use of a switching power source operating in a discontinuous mode. The driver circuit includes a DC-DC converter, an output sensor, and a feedback controller. The DC-DC converter includes a burst dimming controller for intermittently stopping an ON/OFF operation of a power switch of the DC-DC converter, thereby reducing a current flowing to the semiconductor light-emitting element. The output sensor detects at least one of the current provided to the semiconductor light-emitting element or the voltage of the semiconductor light-emitting element. The feedback controller adjusts an ON time of the power switch during the ON/OFF operation such that a detected value of the output sensor approaches a target value. Near a dimming control lower limit, power is blocked from the feedback controller.
US08680781B1
A circuit for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes a first semiconductor switch and a freewheeling device coupled between a first supply terminal that provides a supply voltage and a second supply terminal that provides a reference potential. The first semiconductor switch is responsive to a driver signal. An LED and an inductor are coupled in series between a common circuit node of the first semiconductor switch and the freewheeling device and either the first supply terminal or the second supply terminal. A current measurement circuit is coupled to the LED and provides a load current signal which represents a load current passing through the at least one LED. A first feedback circuit includes an on-off controller that receives load current signal and a reference signal.
US08680780B2
A light emitting diode (LED) backlight driving circuit includes LED lightbar(s) and a control module; the control module includes a dimming controllable switch. The LED lightbars are connected with the dimming controllable switch in series. Two ends of the dimming controllable switch are connected with a varistor in parallel. Because two ends of the dimming controllable switch are connected with a varistor in parallel, when the dimming controllable switch is switched off, a current of the branch circuit is suddenly reduced, the voltage withstood by the LED lightbars is greatly reduced, and the voltage on two ends of the dimming controllable switch is increased. Then, under action of high voltage, resistance of the varistors connected in parallel is reduced, and the current of a new branch circuit formed by the LED lightbars and the varistor is also increased. Thus, the voltage withstood by the LED lightbars is increased again and the voltage on two ends of the dimming controllable switch is reduced.
US08680778B2
An emergency-lighting device for operating a light-source, in particular an LED, comprises an energy storage unit, a charging circuit, to be supplied with a mains supply voltage (Uin), for charging the energy storage unit during charging operation, the charging circuit comprising a potential separation, and also a driver circuit, supplied by the energy storage unit during emergency-light operation, for operating the light-source. Furthermore a control unit is provided which is designed for monitoring the state of the mains supply voltage (Uin) during charging operation and, when an emergency condition is detected, for activating emergency-light operation, the control unit ascertaining the state of the mains supply voltage (Uin) on the basis of operating variables of the emergency-lighting device which are measured on the output side of the charging circuit.
US08680776B1
A lighting device such as an electronic ballast or LED driver includes a power factor correction (PFC) controller responsive to input power supply signals to generate control signals, a PFC boost converter responsive to said control signals to generate a boosted output voltage, and a fast start circuit with a power supply source and an energy storage device, a magnitude of the input power supply signal corresponding to energy stored in the energy storage device. During a first mode, the fast start circuit responds to a rectified mains input to enable the power supply source and charge the energy storage device. During a second mode, the fast start circuit responds to a magnitude of the power supply signal to disable the power supply source and discharge the energy storage device. The boost converter during the second operating mode maintains controller operation while the power supply source is disabled.
US08680775B2
A lighting fixture that suppresses blinking and flickering phenomena even when operating at very low luminance levels includes: a light source including at least one solid state light-emitting element; and a lighting driver circuit controlling the light source in accordance with a control signal. The lighting driver circuit includes an isolating flyback circuit and a control circuit. The isolating flyback circuit switches power from a DC power source and smooths the output. The control circuit controls switching operation performed by a switching element of the isolating flyback circuit via PWM signal. The control circuit provides a frequency component in accordance with the control signal to a reference signal outputted by a reference signal generator. In accordance with results of detection of the reference signal and a current flowing through the light source, the control circuit provides a stop period during which a driver controller driving the switching element is stopped.
US08680772B2
A light emitting device is provided which is capable of displaying in desired colors stably by controlling a change in luminance of OLED when an organic light emitting layer is degraded or there is a change in temperature of the surroundings. A reference value for the amount of current flowing into a pixel portion is calculated from data of a video signal. Then, the pixel portion displays an image in accordance with the data of the video signal and the drive current at the time is measured for all of OLEDs in the pixel portion. The two voltage values supplied from a variable power supply to the pixel portion are corrected such that the measured drive current approaches the reference value. With the above structure, lowering of luminance which accompanies degradation of an organic light emitting layer is prevented and a clear image can be displayed as a result.
US08680770B2
A power splitter and/or combiner is described. The power splitter may be provided as a broadband, passive, divide by N power splitter that may be advantageously employed in providing power to multiple electrodes within a plasma source. The power splitter comprises a transmission line and a plurality of N secondary windings arranged about the transmission lines.
US08680748B2
An electronic percussion apparatus for use with an acoustic drum. The apparatus has a base layer of material having a first side for contacting a drum head of an acoustic drum, and an opposite, second side. The apparatus has a top layer of material joined to the base layer of material. A percussion detector is between the top and base layers. The percussion detector generates electrical signals in response to percussion impacts on the top layer. The top and bottom layers each have a thickness that acoustically isolates the drum head from percussion impacts on the top layer, wherein when the electronic percussion apparatus is placed on a drumhead of an acoustic drum and percussion impacts occur on the top layer, the drumhead is acoustically isolated from the percussion impacts and the percussion detector generates electrical signals in response to the percussion impacts on the top layer.
US08680739B2
When a conventional technology is employed, it is difficult to manufacture a magnet row because magnets are disposed so that N-poles face each other while S-poles face each other. Further, magnetic reluctance is increased because a generated magnetic flux obliquely crosses an air gap in which the magnets are disposed. Furthermore, the conventional technology is at a disadvantage in that magnetic flux interference occurs between neighboring magnetic poles. The present invention has been made to address the above problems and provide a rotary electrical machine capable of generating high torque at low speed. The rotary electrical machine includes a rotor disc and an armature. The rotor disc is configured so that plural rectangular magnets whose longitudinal direction crosses the direction of rotor disc rotation are disposed on the rotor disc, and that the polarities of neighboring magnets differ from each other. The armature is configured so that plural armature cores are disposed to sandwich the magnets, which are mounted on the rotor disc and provided with a particular magnetic pole, and that a winding is commonly wound between the armature cores.
US08680735B2
A segment core forms an annular-shaped stator core of a rotary electric machine. The stator core is formed into an annular shape by circumferentially connecting a plurality of segment cores, each segment core having a L shape and includes a yoke portion that forms the outer periphery of the stator core, a tooth portion that extends from the yoke portion to the rotary axis in a radial direction of the stator core, and a steel plate where the yoke portion and the tooth portion are formed wherein one edge of the segment core linearly extends along the yoke portion and the tooth portion in the radial direction of the stator core, the other edge forms a projection in the yoke portion jutting out from the tooth portion in the circumferential direction whereby a segment core is formed into a shape of an L.
US08680733B2
An electric rotating machine includes a multi-phase armature coil that is wound around a cylindrical armature core in a distributed winding manner. Each of phase windings of the armature coil is formed of an electric wire bundle which includes a plurality of insulation-coated electric wires that are electrically connected to one another. Each of the electric wire bundles forming the phase windings has a plurality of in-slot portions and a plurality of turn portions. Each of the in-slot portions is received in a corresponding slot of the armature core. Each of the turn portions protrudes from a corresponding axial end face of the armature core and extends to connect a corresponding adjacent pair of the in-slot portions of the electric wire bundle. For each of the electric wire bundles, the electric wires of the electric wire bundle are stranded at least at the turn portions of the electric wire bundle.
US08680730B2
A low voltage high horsepower brushless motor assembly including a plurality of axially aligned and interconnected stator module sections, a plurality of rotor modules mounted upon a common shaft corresponding to the plurality of stator module sections, and a single rotor position feedback encoder operating the motor, wherein each of the individual stator modules include multiple phase winding circuits terminating in a plurality of studs located on an exterior of their respective housings for interconnection with a plurality of controllers.
US08680722B2
Disclosed is a linear vibrator, the linear vibrator including: a stator including a circuit substrate formed at a bottom surface with a connection terminal and a coil block arranged at an upper surface opposite to the bottom surface and electrically connected to the connection terminal; a first cover arranged at the bottom surface of the circuit substrate and formed with an opening for exposing the connection terminal; a second cover coupled to the first cover in a bottom-opened cylindrical shape; and a vibrator including a magnet arranged inside the coil block, a yoke in which the magnet is mounted, and an elastic member coupled to the yoke and the second cover to vertically vibrate the magnet relative to the coil block.
US08680719B2
A DC voltage supply apparatus including a voltage detection unit, an enable signal processing unit, a latch unit, a control unit and a voltage transforming unit is provided. The voltage detection unit receives and detects a DC input voltage to generate an input voltage state signal. The enable signal processing unit receives the input voltage state signal and an enable signal, and determines a state of the enable signal according to the input voltage state signal. When the enable signal is ineffective, the latch unit latches the enable signal to keep an ineffective state. The control unit receives the enable signal, and generates a control signal. When the control signal is effective, the voltage transforming unit receives the DC input voltage and transforms the DC input voltage into a DC output voltage. When the control signal is ineffective, the voltage transforming unit stops receiving the DC input voltage.
US08680693B2
The present invention provides a stacked organic light emitting device, comprising a first conductive layer, at least one intermediate conductive layer and a second conductive layer, and light emitting units disposed between the conductive layers, wherein at least two non-neighboring conductive layers among the conductive layers are conductive layers belonging to Group 1 such that they are electrically connected with each other to a common potential; at least one non-neighboring conductive layer among the conductive layers which are not electrically connected with the conductive layers belonging to Group 1 to a common potential are conductive layers belonging to Group 2 such that they are electrically connected with each other to a common potential; and the conductive layers belonging to Group 1 and the conductive layers belonging to Group 2 are connected with each other via a voltage regulator for alternately applying a positive voltage and a negative voltage.
US08680687B2
A die (or of a stack of die) is mounted over and elevated above a support, and is electrically connected to circuitry in the support. Pillars of electrically conductive material are formed on a set of bond pads at a mount side of the support, and the elevated die (or at least one die in the elevated stack of die) is electrically connected to the support, by traces of an electrically conductive material contacting interconnect pads on the die to the pillars, and through the pillars to the support. Also, tiered offset stacked die assemblies in a zig-zag configuration, in which the interconnect edges of a first (lower) tier face in a first direction, and the interconnect edges of a second (upper) tier, stacked over the first tier, face in a second direction, different from the first direction, are electrically connected to a support. Die in the first tier are electrically interconnected die-to-die, and the tier is electrically connected to a support, by traces of an electrically conductive material contacting interconnect pads on the die and a first set of bond pads on the support. Pillars of a electrically conductive material are formed on a second set of bond pads, and die in the second tier are electrically interconnected die-to-die, and the tier is electrically connected to the support, by traces of an electrically conductive material contacting interconnect pads on the die to the pillars, and through the pillars to the substrate.
US08680675B2
Structures with improved solder bump connections and methods of fabricating such structures are provided herein. The method includes forming a plurality of trenches in a dielectric layer extending to an underlying metal layer. The method further includes depositing metal in the plurality of trenches to form discrete metal line islands in contact with the underlying metal layer. The method also includes forming a solder bump in electrical connection to the plurality of metal line islands.
US08680671B2
A method for transferring a pattern to one or more microelectronic layers. A first mask layer, having a patterned feature, and a second mask layer, having another patterned feature, are formed. The first mask layer and the second mask layer are at least partially covered with a film, and openings are formed in the film by removing the other patterned feature of the second mask layer. A pattern of a microelectronic layer is then defined by patterning the patterned feature of the first mask layer through the openings in the film. In one example, the patterned feature of the first mask layer is defined by forming spacers adjacent to the other patterned feature. In another example, the other patterned feature of the second mask layer is defined by removing a portion of the other patterned feature via an anisotropic etching process.
US08680666B2
A wire bond free power module assembly consists of a plurality of individual thin packages each consisting of two DBC wafers which sandwich one or more semiconductor die. The die electrodes and terminals extend through one insulation covered end of the wafer sandwich and the outer sides of the sandwiches are the outer copper plates of the DBC wafers which are in good thermal communication with the semiconductor die but are electrically insulated therefrom. The plural packages may be connected in parallel by lead frames on the terminals and the packages are stacked with a space between them to expose both sides of all packages to a cooling medium, either the fingers of a conductive comb or a fluid heat exchange medium.
US08680660B1
In a semiconductor device having multiple tiers of bond wires extending in a first direction, dummy insulated bond wires extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and between the wire tiers to support the wires in an upper tier to prevent them from sagging and contacting wires in a lower tier.
US08680648B2
Embodiments of present invention provide methods and apparatuses for connecting and/or disconnecting nodes in a semiconductor device. Embodiments of the apparatus may include a plurality of metal layers formed above a substrate and an interconnect structure formed between first and second nodes in the plurality of metal layers. The interconnect structure includes one or more metal lines formed in each of the metal layers. The metal lines are connected by a plurality of vias. Modifying one of the metal lines in any one of the metal layers changes an electrical connection between the first and second nodes.
US08680645B2
A semiconductor device having a semiconductor die is provided. The semiconductor die includes a main horizontal surface, an outer edge, an active area, and a peripheral area. The peripheral area includes a dielectric structure surrounding the active area and extending from the main horizontal surface into the semiconductor die. The dielectric structure includes, in a horizontal cross-section, at least one substantially L-shaped portion that is inclined against the outer edge. Further, a method for forming a semiconductor device is provided.
US08680631B2
A method that includes forming an opening between at least one first electrode and a second electrode by forming a recess in a first electrode layer, the recess having sidewalls that correspond to a surface of the at least one first electrode, forming a first sacrificial layer on the sidewalls of the recess, the first sacrificial layer having a first width that corresponds to a second width of the opening, forming a second electrode layer in the recess that corresponds to the second electrode, and removing the first sacrificial layer to form the opening between the second electrode and the at least one first electrode.
US08680629B2
A high-k metal gate stack and structures for CMOS devices and a method for forming the devices. The gate stack includes a high-k dielectric having a high dielectric constant greater than approximately 3.9, a germanium (Ge) material layer interfacing with the high-k dielectric, and a conductive electrode layer disposed above the high-k dielectric or the Ge material layer. The gate stack optimizes a shift of the flatband voltage or the threshold voltage to obtain high performance in p-FET devices.
US08680628B2
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor structure includes: a substrate; and a plurality of devices at least partially overlying the substrate, where the plurality of devices include a first device coupled to a second device via a first raised source/drain having a first length, where the first device is further coupled to a second raised source/drain having a second length, where the first device comprises a transistor, where the first raised source/drain and the second raised source/drain at least partially overly the substrate, where the second raised source/drain comprises a terminal electrical contact, where the second length is greater than the first length.
US08680623B2
Techniques for combining transistors having different threshold voltage requirements from one another are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device comprises a substrate having a first and a second nFET region, and a first and a second pFET region; a logic nFET on the substrate over the first nFET region; a logic pFET on the substrate over the first pFET region; a SRAM nFET on the substrate over the second nFET region; and a SRAM pFET on the substrate over the second pFET region, each comprising a gate stack having a metal layer over a high-K layer. The logic nFET gate stack further comprises a capping layer separating the metal layer from the high-K layer, wherein the capping layer is further configured to shift a threshold voltage of the logic nFET relative to a threshold voltage of one or more of the logic pFET, SRAM nFET and SRAM pFET.
US08680622B2
A semiconductor device incorporates a resistor on a structure that uses diffusion layers for sustaining the breakdown voltage thereof to realizes a very resistive element that exhibits a high breakdown voltage and high electrical resistance, includes a spiral very resistive element buried in an interlayer insulator film. A first end of the very resistive element is connected to a drain electrode wiring and the second end of the very resistive element is grounded. An intermediate point of the very resistive element is connected to ae voltage comparator of a control IC. The semiconductor device according to the invention facilitates reducing the components parts costs, assembly costs and size of a switching power supply that includes a very resistive element.
US08680620B2
Bi-directional blocking voltage protection devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a protection device includes an n-well and first and second p-wells disposed on opposite sides of the n-well. The first p-well includes a first P+ region and a first N+ region and the second p-well includes a second P+ region and second N+ region. The device further includes a third P+ region disposed along a boundary of the n-well and the first p-well and a fourth P+ region disposed along a boundary of the n-well and the second p-well. A first gate is disposed between the first N+ region and the third P+ region and a second gate is disposed between the second N+ region and the fourth P+ region. The device provides bi-directional blocking voltage protection during high energy stress events, including in applications operating at very low to medium swing voltages.
US08680613B2
The present disclosure describes a termination structure for a high voltage semiconductor transistor device. The termination structure is composed of at least two termination zones and an electrical disconnection between the body layer and the edge of the device. A first zone is configured to spread the electric field within the device. A second zone is configured to smoothly bring the electric field back up to the top surface of the device. The electrical disconnection prevents the device from short circuiting the edge of the device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08680609B2
A manufacturing method of a depletion mode trench semiconductor device includes following steps. Firstly, a substrate including a drift epitaxial layer disposed thereon is provided. A trench is disposed in the drift epitaxial layer. A gate dielectric layer is formed on an inner sidewall of the trench and an upper surface of the drift epitaxial layer. A base doped region is formed in the drift epitaxial layer and adjacent to a side of the trench. A thin doped region is formed and conformally contacts the gate dielectric layer. A gate material layer is formed to fill the trench. A source doped region is formed in the base doped region, and the source doped region overlaps the thin doped region at a side of the trench. Finally, a contact doped region is formed to overlap the thin doped region, and the contact doped region is adjacent to the source doped region.
US08680607B2
Power devices, and related process, where both gate and field plate trenches have multiple stepped widths, using self-aligned process steps.
US08680604B2
A first region comprises: a semiconductor layer including a columnar portion, a charge storage layer, and a plurality of first conductive layers. The second region comprises: a plurality of second conductive layers formed in the same layer as the plurality of first conductive layers. The plurality of first conductive layers configure a stepped portion at an end vicinity of the first region. The stepped portion is formed in a stepped shape such that positions of ends of the plurality of first conductive layers differ from one another. The plurality of second conductive layers is formed such that positions of ends thereof at an end vicinity of the second region surrounding the first region are aligned in substantially the perpendicular direction to the substrate.
US08680599B2
To provide a more reliable semiconductor device including a lower-cost and more reliable capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same. This manufacturing method comprises the steps of: preparing a semiconductor substrate; and forming, over one of the major surfaces of the semiconductor substrate, a first metal electrode including an aluminum layer, a dielectric layer over the first metal electrode, and a second metal electrode over the dielectric layer. In the step of forming the first metal electrode, the aluminum layer is formed so that the surface thereof satisfies a relationship of Rmax<80 nm, Rms<10 nm, and Ra<9 nm. The step of forming the first metal electrode comprises the steps of: forming at least one first barrier layer; forming the aluminum layer over the first barrier layer; and recrystallizing a crystal constituting the aluminum layer.
US08680596B2
There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including, forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a capacitor on the first insulating film, forming a second insulating film covering the capacitor, forming a metal wiring on the second insulating film, forming a first capacitor protective insulating film covering the metal wiring and the second insulating film, forming an insulating sidewall on a side of the metal wiring, forming a third insulating film on the insulating sidewall, forming a hole by etching the third insulating film under a condition that an etching rate of the insulating sidewall would be lower than that of the third insulating film, and forming a conductive plug inside the hole.
US08680588B2
A field effect transistor includes a buried gate pattern that is electrically isolated by being surrounded by a tunneling insulating film. The field effect transistor also includes a channel region that is floated by source and drain regions, a gate insulating film, and the tunneling insulating film. The buried gate pattern and the tunneling insulating film extend into the source and drain regions. Thus, the field effect transistor efficiently stores charge carriers in the buried gate pattern and the floating channel region.
US08680587B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a Schottky diode that has a substrate, a drift layer provided over the substrate, and a Schottky layer provided over an active region of the drift layer. The metal for the Schottky layer and the semiconductor material for the drift layer are selected to provide a low barrier height Schottky junction between the drift layer and the Schottky layer.
US08680586B2
A semiconductor light emitting device including: a substrate made of GaAs; and a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, in which part of the substrate on a side opposite to the semiconductor layer is removed by etching so that the semiconductor light emitting device has a thickness of not more than 60 μm.
US08680581B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor. The method includes forming a groove in a surface of a growth substrate through etching; forming a buffer film on the groove-formed surface of the growth substrate through sputtering; heating, in an atmosphere containing hydrogen and ammonia, the substrate to a temperature at which a Group III nitride semiconductor of interest is grown; and epitaxially growing the Group III nitride semiconductor on side surfaces of the groove at the growth temperature. The thickness of the buffer film or the growth temperature is regulated so that the Group III nitride semiconductor is grown primarily on the side surfaces of the groove in a direction parallel to the main surface of the growth substrate. The thickness of the buffer film is regulated to be smaller than that of a buffer film which is employed for epitaxially growing the Group III nitride semiconductor on a planar growth substrate uniformly in a direction perpendicular to the growth substrate. The growth temperature is regulated to be lower than a temperature at which the Group III nitride semiconductor is epitaxially grown on a planar growth substrate uniformly in a direction perpendicular to the growth substrate. The growth temperature is preferably 1,020 to 1,100° C. The buffer film employed is an AlN film having a thickness of 150 Å or less.
US08680573B2
Device structures, design structures, and fabrication methods for a silicon controlled rectifier. A well of a first conductivity type is formed in a device region, which may be defined from a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. A doped region of a second conductivity type is formed in the well. A cathode of a silicon controlled rectifier and a cathode of a diode are formed in the device region. The silicon controlled rectifier comprises a first portion of the well and an anode comprised of a first portion of the doped region. The diode comprises a second portion of the well and an anode comprised of a second portion of the doped region.
US08680562B2
To provide a light emitting device in which generation of cross talk between adjacent light emitting elements is suppressed, even when the light emitting device uses a light emitting element having high current efficiency. Also, to provide a light emitting device having high display quality even when the light emitting device uses a light emitting element having high current efficiency. The light emitting device has a pixel portion including a plurality of light emitting elements, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting elements includes a plurality of light emitting bodies provided between a first electrode and a second electrode and a conductive layer formed between the plurality of light emitting bodies, wherein the conductive layer is provided for each light emitting element, and wherein an edge portion of the conductive layer is covered with the plurality of light emitting bodies.
US08680558B1
In accordance with certain embodiments, semiconductor dies are embedded within polymeric binder to form, e.g., freestanding white light-emitting dies and/or composite wafers containing multiple light-emitting dies embedded in a single volume of binder.
US08680552B2
A light emitting device package of the embodiment includes a body; an insulating layer on a surface of the body; at least one electrode layer on the insulating layer; and a light emitting device on the at least one electrode layer. The electrode layer includes a thermal diffusion layer and a reflective layer on the thermal diffusion layer, and the thermal diffusion layer has a thickness thicker than a thickness of the reflective layer by at least twenty times.
US08680549B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device according to the embodiment includes a substrate, a compound semiconductor layer, a metal electrode layer provided with particular openings, a light-extraction layer, and a counter electrode. The light-extraction layer has a thickness of 20 to 120 nm and covers at least partly the metal part of the metal electrode layer; or otherwise the light-extraction layer has a rugged structure and covers at least partly the metal part of the metal electrode layer. The rugged structure has projections so arranged that their summits are positioned at intervals of 100 to 600 nm, and the heights of the summits from the surface of the metal electrode layer are 200 to 700 nm.
US08680539B2
A foldable display includes a first plate, a second plate, a first protecting window, a second protecting window, a soft material layer and an intermediate layer which controls brightness. The first plate includes a thin film transistor and an organic light emitting diode (“OLED”), and displays at least one portion of an image to be displayed. The second plate includes a thin film transistor and an OLED, and displays a second portion different from the first portion of the image. The first protecting window is on the first plate. The second protecting window is on the second plate. The soft material layer is between the first and second protecting windows. The intermediate layer is between the soft material layer and a side surface of the first protecting window, and between the soft material layer and the second protecting window.
US08680520B2
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. The semiconductor device includes a first wiring, a second wiring, a third wiring, a fourth wiring, a first transistor including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode, and a second transistor including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode. The first transistor is provided over a substrate including a semiconductor material, and the second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer.
US08680518B2
Provided is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device having sub-pixels with four colors. When a B1 sub-pixel that represents deep blue and a B2 sub-pixel that represents sky blue are formed, by using a high efficiency blue organic material to form the same emission material layers in both the B1 and B2 sub-pixels such that a microcavity effect is implemented only in the B2 sub-pixel and a sky blue peak is extracted from the high efficiency blue organic material of the B2 sub-pixel, the emission material layer of the B2 sub-pixel represents sky blue. Therefore, a process of depositing emission material layers is simplified, which leads to a short process time and a reduction of the cost of materials, resulting in improvement in process efficiency of the OLED display device.
US08680517B2
An organic light emitting diode display device includes: a semiconductor layer on a substrate and including source and drain regions; a first insulating layer on the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode and a first storage electrode on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer on the gate electrode and the first storage electrode; source and drain electrodes connected with the source and drain regions, respectively; a second storage electrode on the second insulating layer at a location corresponding to the first storage electrode; a third insulating layer on the source and drain electrodes and the second storage electrode; a first metal layer on the third insulating layer and connecting the drain electrode to an anode; and a second metal layer on the third insulating layer at a location corresponding to the second storage electrode.
US08680513B2
An organic light emitting diode display including: a substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the substrate; a pixel defining layer formed on the substrate, having openings exposing the pixel electrodes; a plurality of spacers disposed on the pixel defining layer; organic emission layers formed on the pixel electrodes; a common electrode formed on the organic emission layers; and a capping layer formed on the common electrode, to cover the organic emission layers.
US08680506B2
Quantum dots are modified with varying amounts of (a) a redox-active moiety effective to perform charge transfer quenching, and (b) a fluorescent dye effective to perform fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), so that the modified quantum dots have a plurality of photophysical properties. The FRET and charge transfer pathways operate independently, providing for two channels of control for varying luminescence of quantum dots having the same innate properties.
US08680501B2
A phase change memory cell with substantially void free crystalline phase change material. An example memory cell includes a substrate and a bottom electrode carried by the substrate. The bottom electrode is a thermal conductor. A phase change layer includes phase change material. The phase change layer is void free within a switching region when the phase change material is in a crystalline phase. A top electrode is positioned over the phase change layer.
US08680499B2
Some embodiments include memory cells which contain chalcogenide material having germanium in combination with one or both of antimony and tellurium. An atomic percentage of the germanium within the chalcogenide material is greater than 50%; and may be, for example, within a range of from greater than or equal to about 52% to less than or equal to about 78%. In some embodiments, the memory cell has a top electrode over the chalcogenide material, a heater element under and directly against the chalcogenide material, and a bottom electrode beneath the heater element. The heater element may be L-shaped, with the L-shape having a vertical pillar region joining with a horizontal leg region. A bottom surface of the horizontal leg region may be directly against the bottom electrode, and a top surface of the vertical pillar region may be directly against the chalcogenide material.
US08680497B2
A superhydrophobic electromagnetic field shielding material includes a curable resin and a carbon material, the superhydrophobic electromagnetic field shielding material including at least two depression patterns on an exposed surface. The at least two depression patterns may include a first depression pattern including a plurality of grooves having a same shape and a second depression pattern including a plurality of grooves having a same shape. The carbon material may be about 3 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total weight of the superhydrophobic electromagnetic field shielding material.
US08680492B2
A light guide plate comprises a light incidence surface for receiving light rays; a transforming fluorescent powder disposed on the light incidence surface for converting the light rays into white rays; a reflection surface for reflecting the light rays and destroying total internal reflection formed inside the light guide plate to generate planar light rays; a light emitting surface for emitting the planar light rays; and a lateral reflection surface disposed away from the light incidence surface for reflecting the light rays from the light incidence surface and the reflection surface; the lateral reflection surface having a compensative fluorescent powder disposed thereon for adjusting a color of the planar light rays. The light guide plate can reduce the backlight color difference for a panel of a single-end incident type to improve visual quality level and the quality of products.
US08680486B2
A biological molecule detecting apparatus capable of highly sensitive measurements is provided. The emission direction of an orientation controlling light beam was periodically switched, to periodically switch the orientation direction of binding molecules 15 within a solution. Components, which are synchronized with the orientation periods of the binding molecules are extracted from fluorescence emitted by fluorescent molecules within the solution, are extracted and detected. Thereby, the concentration of a detection target substance can be accurately measured with a simple configuration.
US08680482B2
A method for aligning the axis of an atom beam with the orientation of an electric field at a particular location within an enclosure for use in creating a charged particle source by photoionizing a cold atom beam. The method includes providing an atom beam in the enclosure, providing a plurality of electrically conductive devices in said enclosure, evacuating the enclosure to a pressure below about 10−6 millibar, and aligning the axis of the atom beam with the orientation of the electric field, relative to each other, within less than about two degrees. Alignment may be facilitated by applying at least one voltage to the electrically conductive devices, mechanically tilting the atom beam's axis orientation of the electric field relative to each other and/or causing a deflection of the atom beam.
US08680478B2
A detection apparatus includes a driving circuit unit in which a plurality of unit circuits each including a first circuit that supplies conducting voltage of a switch element of a pixel based on voltage included in a clock signal to a driving wire in accordance with an initiation signal and a second circuit that supplies non-conducting voltage of the switch element to the driving wire in accordance with a termination signal are provided for the plurality of corresponding driving wires and a control unit that supplies the clock signal to the driving circuit unit. The control unit supplies control voltage to the plurality of unit circuits, and each of the plurality of unit circuits further includes a third circuit that continues to supply the non-conducting voltage to the corresponding driving wire in accordance with the control voltage.
US08680463B2
Systems, methods and apparatus for radial amplitude assisted transfer (RAAT) in mass spectrometers are provided in which ions for RAAT are accelerated along a longitudinal axis of a mass spectrometer in order to decrease the magnitude of excitation energy of radially excited ions in an ion trap that allows the radially excited ions to exit the ion trap. Hence, the radially excited ions exit the ion trap with reduced radial energy thereby decreasing the exit angle of the radially exited ions from the ion trap. Furthermore, combined forces on the ions are such that radially excited ions exit the ion trap while unexcited ions remain in the ion trap.
US08680459B2
An maintenance method of a radiological image detection apparatus including: a phosphor containing a fluorescent material which emits fluorescent light when exposed to radiation and a thin-film type sensor portion which is disposed adjacent to the phosphor on a radiation incidence side and supported by the phosphor and detects fluorescent light generated in the phosphor, the maintenance method includes: regularly performing at least one of a structural noise inspection, an MTF inspection and a dark current inspection, to detect deterioration of the phosphor.
US08680456B2
Systems and techniques for non-contact measurement of coiled tubing motion are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser source and a laser motion sensor. The laser source is configured to provide laser light that illuminates the coiled tubing as the tubing moves. The laser motion sensor is configured to collect and process laser speckle images and compute measurements of coiled tubing movement based on the laser speckle images.
US08680454B2
Implementations of a pixel including a substrate having a front side, a back side, and a photosensitive region formed on or near the front side, a dielectric layer formed on the front side, and a metal stack having a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side being on the dielectric layer. A light guide is formed in the dielectric layer and the metal stack and extending from the front side of the substrate to the top side of the metal stack, the light guide having a refractive index equal to or greater than the refractive index of the substrate. Other implementations are disclosed and claimed.
US08680452B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for a control device and control device operation. In one embodiment a control device includes a slider configured to support a control knob, a rack coupled to the slider and configured to linearly displace the slider. The rack including slots. The control device may further include a drive element configured to displace the rack and position the control knob, and an optical detection module configured to detect position of the control knob based on one or more optical signals detected relative to slots of the rack. According to another embodiment, a control console is provided including control devices.
US08680446B2
A microwave heating apparatus includes a microwave generation part 10 using a semiconductor element, and first and second heating chambers 100a, 100b to each of which a microwave generated in the microwave generation part is fed. A reflected microwave returned from at least one of the first and second heating chambers 100a, 100b to the microwave generation part is transmitted to the other heating chamber by a circulation type non-reciprocal circuit 118, so that generated power of the microwave generation part is substantially completely consumed upon heating of an article to be heated.
US08680445B2
A voltage calibration routine for an oven, particularly a microwave oven, enables a field technician to enter a voltage calibration mode to display on the oven a pre-established default voltage to which the oven is calibrated. The technician then measures the actual line voltage applied to the oven and, if different than the default voltage displayed, inputs the actual line voltage into the microwave oven control, such as via a keypad. Thereafter, an offset value is calculated to correct the voltage measurement, allowing for a correct tap selection when the microwave oven is running. An additional function is available to check the oven voltage reading upon accessing a voltage reading mode wherein the oven measures and displays the line voltage which is compared to a volt meter reading such that a simple comparison can be made, while avoiding certain steps associated with the voltage calibration mode.
US08680434B2
The invention relates to a welding method and a welding system that use a welding torch, the position of which is determined. In order to develop such a welding method and system, with which it is possible to reliably determine the position of the welding torch in three dimensions, it is provided that a signal is emitted by a transmitter, the signal being received by at least one sensor which is integrated in or is associated with the welding torch, the received data readings being sent to an evaluation unit, which determines values relating to the position of the welding torch in three dimensions.
US08680422B2
In a discharge pulse current introduced into a machining gap between a wire electrode and a workpiece, ineffective discharge pulses not contributing to machining are discriminated and the number of the ineffective discharge pulses is counted. Moreover, an electrical discharge position is detected. An unevenly distributed state of machining chips in the machining gap is discriminated based on the counted number of the ineffective discharge pulses and the detected electrical discharge position. In order to eliminate the unevenly distributed state of the machining chips based on the unevenly distributed state of the machining chips, a flow rate of a working fluid supplied from an upper working fluid feeder in an upper wire guide and a flow rate of a working fluid supplied from a lower working fluid feeder in a lower wire guide are adjusted.
US08680417B2
An operation apparatus inhibits separation of a holding member for holding an operation knob from a circuit board. A holding member holding a rotation operation knob so as to be rotatable includes a latched portion capable of insertion through a through-hole formed on a circuit board and also capable of flexure deformation in a specified line parallel to the circuit board. On a rear end of the latched portion, a latched projection is provided projecting to a first direction of the specified line. Accompanying flexure deformation of the latched portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the latched projection is able to pass through the through-hole by displacing a predetermined amount in the second direction. The rear cover includes a deformation regulator contacting the latched projection from the second direction and regulates displacement of the latched projection in the second direction to less than the pre-determined amount.
US08680416B2
A dial switch includes a rotary portion which has an uneven peripheral surface, a plunger, a holding portion which holds the plunger such that the plunger is movable in a reciprocating manner, and a coil spring which biases the plunger. The holding portion extends along a moving path of the plunger, and has a guide surface that surrounds the plunger from the outside. The plunger includes: an outer wall which has an outer peripheral surface which is arranged close to the guide surface and an inner peripheral surface having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the coil spring, and an inner shaft which has a rear end at a position inside the outer wall and in front of a rear end of the outer wall and allows the coil spring to be mounted on an outer side thereof.
US08680410B2
A self-locking ignition switch for engagement with a lock housing driver of a motor vehicle having a key activated ignition system. The ignition switch includes a switch mechanism that is moveable between multiple key positions. The switch mechanism is enclosed within a casing, and the casing including a collar extending from a side wall of the casing and terminating at a distal end. The collar further has portions defining an interference and portions defining a side opening extending from the distal end toward the side wall of the casing. A slide member positioned within the collar and biased by a biasing member so as to engage the interference. Engagement between the interference and the slide member forms a lockout that fixes the switch mechanism in an installation configuration and prevents movement of the portions of the switch mechanism between the multiple key positions prior to installation.
US08680406B2
A radiation-proof laminate for electronic devices has: a substrate layer consisting of an electrically conductive material, and a first radiation barrier layer formed on the substrate layer, wherein the first radiation barrier layer comprises 50 wt % to 70 wt % of rubber-based heat-bonding adhesive compound in the form of powder or liquid, 5 wt % to 20 wt % of aluminum powder, 5 wt % to 20 wt % of copper powder, and 5 wt % to 20 wt % of silver powder; wherein the aluminum, copper, and silver powder are mediated by the rubber-based heat-bonding adhesive compound to disperse and form a mesh-like distribution. The radiation-proof laminate can absorb electromagnetic radiation from the electronic device and redirect RF radiation while maintaining the RF signal strength not to be substantially affected or attenuated by the radiation-proof laminate, to maintain the network connection performance of the electronic device. A method for embedding the radiation-proof laminate into a case of the electronic device is also provided.
US08680397B2
Methods are provided for producing an attrition-resistant, flexible, insulated wire well-suited for use in a high temperature operating environment. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a conductor, preparing a dielectric coating, applying the dielectric coating over the conductor, and curing the coated conductor. The dielectric coating includes an organic binder, a dielectric material, and an inorganic lubricant.
US08680396B2
An oil-cooled equipment harness includes a shielded wire including a conductor, a shielding layer on a periphery of the conductor, and a flexibility, a terminal fitting enclosing a front end part of the shielded wire, a housing enclosing a periphery of the shielded wire a predetermined distance away from the terminal fitting such that shielded wire is exposed from the terminal fitting, the housing including a flange, a first oil entry-preventing means disposed at a space between the shielded wire and the terminal fitting for preventing oil in the shielding case from entering into the conductor, and an oil leak-preventing means disposed at a space between the housing and the shielding case for preventing the oil in the shielding case from leaking out of the shielding case. The terminal fitting and the housing are relatively movable by the shielded wire exposed at between the terminal fitting and the housing.
US08680389B2
A pickup device mountable on a body of an electric stringed musical instrument and configured to convert vibrations of strings of the musical instrument into electric signals, including: at least one magnet each being disposed near one of the strings when the pickup device is mounted; a coil wound around the magnet; and a magnetic attaching member which is conductably connected to the coil and which can be magnetized, wherein the magnetic attaching member is constituted by a magnet which is magnetically attachable to an attachment member provided on a surface of the body, wherein the attachment member is conductably connected to at least one electric component provided on the body, and wherein the magnetic attaching member is configured such that an electrically conductive state can be established between the magnetic attaching member and the attachment member when the magnetic attaching member is magnetically attached to the attachment member.
US08680387B2
Generating a musical composition from one or more portions of one or more performances of one or more musical compositions included in a database is disclosed. The method and system include selecting a portion of a pre-recorded composition based on a degree of similarity with the component of the composition that is input; portions that are musically similar but not musically the same as the component may be selected for addition to the composition. The degree of similarity may be based on a ChordScore and/or a ScaleScore of the retrieved portion of the pre-recorded compositions. A ChordScore is generated by comparing chord tones of one or more chords in the pre-recorded portion with chord tones of the input component. A ScaleScore is generated by comparing tones of one or more notes in the pre-recorded portion with tones in a harmonic scale associated with the input component's chords.
US08680385B2
An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
US08680384B2
According to one embodiment, a booklet page turning apparatus includes a control device that performs control, such that the contact roller unit moves to the position below the page, thereafter the lower vacuum pad cancels sucking and holding the page and the booklet is conveyed for a predetermined distance, and thereafter the upper vacuum pad cancels sucking and holding the page, so that the page is turned.
US08680383B1
An electronic hymnal system comprises a music stand and a hymnal display. The display is capable of playing the hymns to let users get familiar or practice the hymns while viewing the scores and lyrics in different zoom level according to user's preference. The device comprises a touch screen on the front of the device, a power ON/OFF button, a SD card slot, a disk input slot, a front cover attached to the device, a battery compartment, an earphone port, volume control button and battery charge port. The user can disable the function of playing the hymns, only review the score and lyrics in a group gathering situation.
US08680380B1
A novel maize variety designated X6N704 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 maize variety X6N704 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X6N704 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X6N704, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X6N704. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X6N704 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods.
US08680378B1
The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 121607. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 121607, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 121607 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 121607.
US08680376B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026766. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026766. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026766 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026766 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08680370B2
A novel soybean variety, designated XB09C11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB09C11, cells from soybean variety XB09C11, plants of soybean XB09C11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB09C11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB09C11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB09C11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB09C11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB09C11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB09C11 are further provided.
US08680368B2
There is provided an expression method of a target foreign gene in a plant induced by a chemical substance, which comprises a step of activating with copper ions a transcription factor encoded by a foreign gene different from the target foreign gene to induce activation of transcription of the target foreign gene by a region having a promoter function contained in the target foreign gene, wherein a nucleotide sequence encoding said transcription factor is contained in a gene construct which is constructed so as to comprise a nucleotide sequence of a 5′-untranslated region of an arbitrary foreign gene downstream from the region having a promoter function contained in the target foreign gene.
US08680367B2
The invention provides a method for priming plants, thereby achieving an enhancing resistance by providing these plants with a gene construct comprising a DNA sequence coding for an RKS receptor. The resistance can then be induced by contacting said plants with the pathogen or with a signal compound.
US08680362B2
Substrates, coated with a block copolymer comprising at least four blocks being at least two hard blocks, one soft block and one hydrophilic block, wherein a the soft block is sandwiched between the hard blocks.
US08680350B2
Unsaturated hydrocarbons are hydrogenated over catalysts which comprise copper and zinc and whose active composition, in unreduced form, consists essentially of from 10 to 95% by weight of copper oxide, calculated as copper(II) oxide (CuO), from 5 to 90% by weight of zinc oxide (ZnO), optionally from 0.1 to 50% by weight of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and optionally from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight of Al2O3, the proportions by weight adding up to 100% by weight.
US08680344B2
A process for the production and use of a molecular sieve blend with improved performance characteristics produced by preparing or obtaining a hydrophilic zeolite, particularly a hydrophilic zeolite 3A with a low SiO2:Al2O3 ratio, preparing or obtaining a hydrophobic silica binder, particularly a hydrophobic colloidal silica, mixing the zeolite with the silica binder to form a mixture, and forming the mixture into the molecular sieve blend.
US08680343B2
In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream in a first reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may comprise, among other components, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and residual acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of recovering acetaldehyde from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the steps of feeding a first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to the first reactor and reacting the first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the first reactor to form additional ethanol. In addition, the inventive process may comprise the steps of feeding a second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to a second reactor and reacting the second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the second reactor to form an additional product.
US08680342B2
Process for recovering alcohol produced by hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream comprising water
Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid from an feed stream comprising water. The presence of water does not significantly impact acid conversion or selectivity to ethanol. Further the addition of water allows for improved recovery of ethanol.
US08680339B2
Compounds of Formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as herbicides.
US08680335B2
Disclosed is a process of enantioselectively forming an aminoxy compound of Formula (3) In formula (3) R1 is one of an aliphatic group and an alicyclic group. R2 is one of hydrogen, an aliphatic group, an alicyclic group, an aromatic group, an arylaliphatic group and an arylalicyclic group. R3 is one of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, and an aliphatic group with a main chain having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. The respective aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, arylaliphatic or arylalicyclic groups of R1, R2, and R3 comprise 0 to about 3 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, Se and Si. The process includes contacting a carbonyl compound of Formula (1) and a nitroso compound of Formula (2) in the presence of a chiral catalyst. The chiral catalyst is a compound of Formula (IX)
US08680326B2
The hydrocortisone derivative of formula (I), whose IUPAC name is 3-[3,5-Dihydroxy-3-(2-hydroxy-acetyl)-3a,6-dimethyl-7-oxo-dodecahydro-cyclo-penta[alpha]naphthalen-6-yl]-propionic acid, designated as Deina®, is used in the treatment of atrophic tissues, particularly skin, cartilage, connective, and mucosal tissues and scalp skin.
US08680324B2
The invention relates to a process for recovering sterols and fatty and/or resin acids from tall oil pitch, comprising the steps of: a) saponifying tall oil pitch to provide saponified tall oil pitch, b) drying the saponified pitch to obtain dried saponified pitch, c) subjecting the dried saponified pitch to a first high vacuum evaporation to obtain an unsaponifiable fraction as a distillate and a first residue, d) optionally subjecting said distillate to a second high vacuum evaporation to obtain an enriched unsaponifiable fraction, e) crystallizing sterols from the unsaponifiable fraction or the enriched unsaponifiable fraction, f) acidulating the first residue obtained in step c) to obtain an aqueous phase and an organic phase, separating the aqueous phase and drying the organic phase to obtain a dried organic phase, and g) subjecting the dried organic phase to vacuum distillation to obtain fatty and/or resin acids and a second residue, said process additionally comprising providing pitch-based heavy components in the dried saponified pitch in an amount facilitating the first high vacuum evaporation.
US08680323B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates by thermal dissociation of carbamates and separation by distillation of the reaction mixture from the carbamate dissociation, comprising the corresponding isocyanate and the corresponding alcohol, by distillation in a column (K) having an enrichment section (V) and a stripping section (A), where the carbamate (1) is introduced between the enrichment section (V) and the stripping section (A) and the isocyanate is taken off as a constituent of the bottom stream (2) and the alcohol is taken off as a constituent of the overhead stream (3) from the column (K), in the presence of an inert solvent, wherein an intermediate boiler having a boiling point between the boiling point of the isocyanate and the boiling point of the alcohol under the operating conditions of the carbamate dissociation is used as inert solvent and is fed as external runback (4) in liquid form in a purity of >95% by weight, based on the total weight of the external runback (4), in the upper region of the enrichment section (V) and as gaseous, superheated stream (5) into the lower region of stripping section (A) at one or more points.
US08680319B2
A method for producing antifolate agents having glutamic acid part in their structure is developed by protecting carboxyl groups of glutamic acid or its N-substituted derivatives as cyanomethyl ester to give compounds of formula (II) which are hydrolyzed under very mild conditions to afford antifolate agents in high yield with high analytical and optical purity.
US08680316B2
The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of cis-1-ammonium-4-alkoxycyclohexanecarbonitrile salts and to novel intermediates or starting compounds which are passed through or used in the process according to the invention.
US08680306B2
Novel group 6 organometallic compounds are obtained by reaction of at least one boron compound comprising at least one hydroxy, sulfhydryl or amino function with at least one compound of a group 6 transition metal. These compounds are used in a catalytic composition utilized in an olefin metathesis method.
US08680300B2
The present invention relates to compounds with a dioxane nucleus derived from carbohydrates and C-glucosides, process for obtaining same, to the use of such compounds as cytotoxic and antiproliferative agents and to the use thereof for producing a cancer treatment drug.
US08680299B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1. The compounds are suitable intermediates in the preparation of herbicidally active 4-phenyl-3,5-pyrandiones, 4-phenyl-3,5-thiopyran-diones and 6-phenylcyclohexane-1,3,5-triones.
US08680257B2
A kit to execute a method of simultaneously performing comparative transcript analysis in a multitude of samples. The kit includes a blocking adapter. The blocking adapter includes an inert 3′ end.
US08680245B2
The present invention relates to antigen binding proteins to human IL-13, including anti-IL-13 antibodies and anti-IL-3/anti-IL-4 mAbdAbs, pharmaceutical formulations containing them and to the use of such antigen binding proteins in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of inflammatory diseases such as asthma or IPF.
US08680237B2
IVIG replacement compounds are derived from recombinant and/or biochemical creation of immunologically active biomimetic(s). These replacement compounds are then screened in vitro to assess each replacements compound's efficiency at modulating immune function. Particular replacement compounds are selected for further in vivo validation and dosage/administration optimization. Finally, the replacement compounds are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
US08680235B2
The present invention provides compositions, combinations, methods, sequences and kits for use of novel fluorescent proteins derived from the genus Branchiostoma. Specifically, polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences encoding fluorescent proteins isolated from Branchiostoma floridae, including harmonized sequences, which permit enhanced expression of the encoded polypeptides in mammalian cells in vivo are provided.
US08680230B2
Production process of poly(arylene sulfide) whose content of terminal halogen group has been reduced
The invention provides a production process of a poly(arylene sulfide) which contains a step of polymerizing a sulfur source and a dihalo-aromatic compound in an organic amide solvent, said polymerization step containing a phase-separation polymerization step that the polymerization reaction is continued in the presence of a phase separation agent in a phase-separated state, wherein a monohalo-organic compound is added in a proportion of 0.005 to 20 mol per 100 mol of the charged sulfur source into the polymerization reaction system at the time a conversion of the dihalo-aromatic compound has reached 80 to 99% after initiation of the polymerization reaction and before the liquid phase becomes the phase-separated state to be reacted with a formed polymer, and the liquid phase within the polymerization reaction system is then converted to the phase-separated state to continue the polymerization reaction.
US08680217B2
The present disclosure provides for polycyclopentadiene compounds that useful as an epoxide resin and/or as an adduct for a curable composition.
US08680212B2
The present invention relates to a composite dyestuff, characterized in that it is in the form of microcapsules composed of a polymer matrix of crosslinked polyurethane, polyurea and/or polyurethane/polyurea type obtained by interfacial polycondensation, and of a pigment.
US08680180B2
An epoxy resin composition comprises an epoxy resin (A) and rubber-like polymer particles (B). The rubber-like polymer particles (B) maintain a finely dispersed state of primary particles. The content of the rubber-like polymer particles (B) is 0.5 to 80% by weight when the total amount of the epoxy resin (A) and rubber-like polymer particles (B) is 100% by weight. Rubber-like polymer particles (B) are obtainable by graft-polymerizing 5 to 50% by weight of a shell layer (B-2) with 50 to 95% by weight of a rubber particle core (B-1), and average particle diameter of the rubber-like polymer particles (B) is 0.03 to 2 μm. Rubber particle core (B-1) comprises elastic material of not less than 50% by weight of at least one monomer selected from diene monomers and (meth)acrylate monomers and less than 50% by weight of another coploymerizable vinyl monomer, or polysiloxane rubber elastic materials, or a mixture thereof.
US08680175B2
The present invention provides an inkjet ink containing at least a colorant, water, a water insoluble resin, a fluorine surfactant, and a polyether-modified silicone oil, wherein the polyether-modified silicone oil has a hydrophobic value of 0.40 to 1.5, and the hydrophobic value is expressed by Equation 1; Hydrophobic value=A/B Equation 1 where “A” represents an integration value of a peak area from 0 ppm to 0.3 ppm in a 1H-NMR spectrum of the polyether-modified silicone oil using tetramethylsilane as a reference substance; and “B” represents an integration value of a peak area from 3.5 ppm to 4.0 ppm in the 1H-NMR spectrum.
US08680173B2
A method of producing an improved polyethylene, especially an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene utilizes a sequential irradiation and annealing process to form a highly cross-linked polyethylene material. The use of sequential irradiation followed by sequential annealing after each irradiation allows each dose of irradiation in the series of doses to be relatively low while achieving a total dose which is sufficiently high to cross-link the material. The process may either be applied to a preformed material such as a rod or bar or sheet made from polyethylene resin or may be applied to a finished polyethylene part.
US08680172B2
Some embodiments provide a copolymer comprising: an acrylate recurring unit and an optionally substituted vinylaryl recurring unit, wherein a portion of at least one of the recurring units comprises a vinyldialkylsiloxy pendant group. The copolymers may be useful as soft acrylic haptics for intraocular lenses. Some embodiments further relate to intraocular lenses having a hydrophobic soft acrylic optic and a silicone haptic, such as a dual optic accommodative lens a having hydrophobic soft acrylic anterior and posterior optic bodies and a silicone haptic. Related copolymeric composite materials as well as additional embodiments of intraocular lenses, are also described herein.
US08680171B2
The invention relates to a method of encapsulating a photovoltaic cell comprising curing an encapsulation composition comprising (i) a polyvinyl acetal resin/polymer, (ii) one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, oligomers, or a combination thereof, and (iii) at least one thermal free radical initiator and/or at least one photoinitiator. The resin/polymer is either a polyvinyl acetate derivative or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer such as EVA derivative, and comprises vinyl acetal units. The invention also relates to a photovoltaic cell encapsulated according to the method and to the encapsulation curable composition.
US08680161B2
The present invention relates to compositions containing plant gums and one or more fat-soluble active ingredients, wherein the composition comprises less than 40 weight-% oil, based on the total composition in dry matter. These compositions can be used for the enrichment, fortification and/or coloration of food beverages, animal feed, cosmetics or pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention also refers to the preparation of such compositions. The present invention furthermore refers to a process for the manufacture of a beverage by mixing the compositions with ingredients of beverages. The present invention also refers to beverages obtainable by this process.
US08680150B2
The present embodiments relate to compounds with physiological effects, such as the activation of hematopoietic growth factor receptors. The present embodiments also relate to use of the compounds to treat a variety of conditions, diseases and ailments such as hematopoietic conditions and disorders.
US08680148B2
Methods for treating a bacterial infection by using a metallo-desferrioxamine complex.
US08680141B2
The present invention relates to spiroketal compounds that are useful in methods of treating or preventing protozoal infections, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, cell proliferative disorders and anti inflammatory disorders. The spiroketal compounds are also useful as immunosuppressive agents, and also in methods of controlling pests.
US08680136B2
Disclosed herein are antimicrobial compounds compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, the use and preparation thereof. Some embodiments relate to 1 cyclic boronic acid ester derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents.
US08680135B2
The present invention relates generally to substituted benzofurans, benzothiophenes, and indoles and their use as tubulin polymerization inhibitors.
US08680129B2
This invention describes methods and pharmaceutical compositions for combinational cancer treatments that are capable of inducing JNK phosphorylation and induce programmed cell death. It also identified genes as target for anti-cancer drug development and enhancement of the chemotherapeutic drug effect for the treatment of cancer. This invention points to a novel method and principle for a new avenue of developing more efficient and low or non cytotoxic cancer treatment.
US08680128B2
A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane.
US08680127B2
The present invention relates to N-cycloalkyl-N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives of formula (I) wherein A, Z1, Z2, Z3, X, n, Y and m represent various substituents, their process of preparation, preparation intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.
US08680125B2
Described herein are methods for treating inflammatory disorders. The methods comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a synthetically modified fullerene.
US08680124B2
The present invention provides compositions and uses thereof for treating cancers which have acquired resistance to a KIT inhibitor by administering effective amounts of DAST (4{4-[3-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ureido]-3-fluorophenoxy}-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid methylamide).
US08680120B2
A compound (I) of the present invention, which has an EP1 receptor antagonism: [wherein A represents a benzene ring or the like; Y1 represents a C1-6 alkylene group; Y2 represents a single bond or the like; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group or the like; R2 represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a 5-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring which may have a substituent, a 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring which may have a substituent or the like; R3 represents a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkoxy group or the like; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; and R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. Furthermore, the compound (I) of the present invention can be used as an agent for treating or preventing LUTS, in particular, various symptoms of OABs.
US08680105B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient suffering from a disorder of the central nervous system associated with 5-HT1A receptor subtype, comprising as an active ingredient a carbostyril derivative or a salt thereof represented by the formula (1): wherein the carbon-carbon bond between 3- and 4-positions in the carbostyril skeleton is a single or a double bond.
US08680096B2
The invention relates to a formula (I), in which R is a hydrogen or halogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl group; X is one or more substituents selected from a hydrogen or halogen atom, a (C1-C6)alkyl, halo(C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, halo(C1-C6)alkoxy, cyano, hydroxy, or hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl group; Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl group; R1 is an NR2R3 or OR4 group; R2 and R3 independently are a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C6)alkyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl or oxo(C1-C6)alkyl group or R2 and R3, together with the nitrogen atom supporting the same, form a heterocycle optionally substituted by a (C1-C6)alkyl, hydroxy or oxo group; and R4 is a (C1-C6)alkyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, or oxo(C1-C6)alkyl group, in the base or acid addition salt state. Said formula can be used therapeutically for treating or preventing diseases linked to the nuclear receptors Nurr-1, also known as NR4A2, NOT, TINUR, RNR-1, and HZF3.
US08680095B2
The present invention relates to compounds having the following Formula (I) for use in the prevention and/or the treatment of diseases involving formation of amyloid plaques and/or where a dysfunction of the APP metabolism occurs.
US08680086B2
A gonadotropin is administered within a surprisingly effective narrow range for the purpose of treating chronic pain or other central sensitization sequelae. In one aspect, a recipient is provided with at least one of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a pharmaceutically active HCG analogue, and a pharmaceutically active metabolite of the HCG or analogue at a dosage selected to provide, or be equivalent to, a human subcutaneous dosage of between 120 IU/day and 170 IU/day of HCG, and more preferably between 140 IU/day and 160 IU/day of HCG. A kit is also described, which includes a supply of the HCG-related drug, and a label that identifies chronic pain or central sensitization as an indication of the drug.
US08680068B2
The present invention provides a herpes virus with improved oncolytic properties which comprises a gene encoding an immunomodulatory cytokine and which lacks a functional ICP34.5 gene and a functional ICP47 encoding gene.
US08680066B2
The invention provides methods for determining whether a subject is suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis associated with the BRAF oncogene comprising contacting isolated fibroblasts from the subject with a molecule or pool of molecules directed to the BRAF oncogene; and culturing the sample in the presence of the agent and determining whether BRAF oncogene expression by the cell is decreased and/or whether cells in the sample return to a less transformed phenotype, exhibit decreased cell proliferation and/or exhibit increased contact inhibition, any of which is indicative that the subject is suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis associated with the BRAF oncogene.
US08680063B2
The present invention relates to the discovery of an effective treatment for a variety of gain-of-function diseases, in particular, Huntington's disease (HD). The present invention utilizes RNA Interference technology (RNAi) against polymorphic regions in the genes encoding various gain-of-function mutant proteins resulting in an effective treatment for the gain-of-function disease.
US08680061B2
A method for producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a combination of phospholipid and glycyrrhizic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which composition is hydratable to produce an injectable medicinal form, said method comprising subjecting a mixture of phospholipid and an aqueous solution of glycyrrhizic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a carbohydrate to homogenization, for example at 800-1200 bar pressure at a temperature of less than 90° C., and subjecting the product of the homogenization to a sublimation drying step to produce said composition. Compositions obtainable using this method, and hydrated forms of these ready for administration by injection form further aspects of the invention.
US08680058B2
The present invention relates to targeting peptides capable of specifically binding to microbial organisms (e.g., P. aeruginosa or S. mutans), antimicrobial peptides having antimicrobial activities, and specifically/selectively targeted antimicrobial peptides (STAMPs). In addition, the present invention provides methods of selectively killing or inhibiting microbial organisms by using the peptides or compositions provided by the present invention.
US08680051B2
A composition for the prevention or treatment of type I diabetes in a subject, said composition comprising a GABAergic and incretin exemplified by GABA and GLP-1/Ex4. These are optionally provided together in a single composition to promote beta-cell regeneration prevent beta-cell apoptosis and control autoimmunity for the prevention and treatment of T1D in mammals.
US08680048B2
The present invention features interferon- and ribavirin-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration of treatment, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents without interferon and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to a subject an effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir).
US08680045B2
This invention describes a protein nanoparticle system for targeting siRNA or other drugs into tumors. The basis of the protein system is elastin-like peptides that self-assemble once exposed to the nucleic acid of the siRNA. Specific targeting peptides are fused to the core ELP structure by standard genetic engineering techniques. These targeting peptides confer specific binding of the nanoparticle to receptors on the surface of tumor cells and allow for uptake of the nanoparticle into the tumor cells.
US08680042B2
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. Acute complications of Sickle cell anemia are treated symptomatically with analgesics and transfusions, and a prophylactic treatment of sickle cell crisis is long term application of hydroxyurea. According to the present invention, an N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) blocker is used for the treatment of sickle cell anemia and for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of sickle cell anemia. Moreover, a method for screening for a compound effective in the treatment of sickle cell anemia comprises contacting a candidate compound with the NMDAR and selecting said candidate compound as effective if it is found to selectively reduce activity of the NMDAR.
US08680036B2
The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles.
US08680035B2
An aerosol product comprises a foaming concentrate composition that comprises a surfactant and particulate material having a particle size of at least about 100 μm. The foaming concentrate composition and propellant are contained in a package comprising a container and a powder valve comprising an orifice having an orifice diameter of at least about 508 μm. Preferably, a ratio of the maximum particle size of the particulate material to the orifice diameter of the orifice is less than about 0.75.
US08680034B2
An automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising: a. at least 0.1 mg of active protease per gram of composition, wherein the protease is a variant of a protease that has at least 70% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. wherein said variant comprise variations in one or more of the following positions: 32, 33, 48-54, 58-62, 94-107, 116, 123-133, 150, 152-156, 158-161, 164, 169, 175-186, 197, 198, 203-216 as compared with the protease in SEQ ID NO:1; and b. at least 0.05 mg of an active low temperature amylase per gram of composition.
US08680027B2
The invention provides a material comprising: a core made of a solid material; a first layer surrounding the core made of a swellable material able to swell in contact with a fluid; a second layer surrounding the first layer made of a glue material able to glue to a third element.
US08680023B2
Methods for screening and arranging microorganisms such as viruses in an array using subtractive contact printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming an array of receptors for microorganisms comprises: patterning an array of structures on a first substrate to form a template on a surface of the first substrate; applying a receptor material to a face of a second substrate; and contacting the face of the second substrate with the template to remove a portion of the receptor material from the second substrate, thereby forming an array of receptors on the second substrate.
US08680021B2
Disclosed herein are modified plant zinc finger proteins; compositions comprising modified plant zinc finger proteins and methods of making and using modified plant zinc finger proteins. The modified plant zinc finger proteins, in contrast to naturally-occurring plant zinc finger proteins, have a binding specificity that is determined by tandem arrays of modular zinc finger binding unit.
US08680013B2
This invention concerns the use of penoxsulam as a plant growth regulator for cotton.
US08680009B2
A thermal transfer sheet includes a thermal transfer dye layer containing a dye on one surface of a base material sheet and a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the other surface, wherein the heat-resistant lubricating layer contains a binder, spherical particles protruding from a surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer, and tabular particles having an average particle diameter larger than or equal to the average particle diameter of the spherical particles, and the tabular particles have a specific surface area of 5 m2/g or more and an average particle diameter of 10 μm or less.
US08680002B2
A double metal cyanide catalyst of the present invention having a controlled reactivity for preparing a polyol, which contains an ether ligand having a molecular weight of less than 200 and a glycol ligand having a molecular weight of less than 200 can be used in the preparation of a polyol having a unsaturation degree suitable for direct use for producing a polyurethane having suitable properties.
US08679999B2
Titanosilicate catalyst is used in the oxidation reactions such as allylchloride epoxidation, phenol hydroxylation, Cyclohexanone ammoximation. During the reaction the catalyst is deactivated which further decrease in the efficiency of the oxidation reactions. The present invention provides a method for an efficient regeneration of catalyst titanosilicate catalyst at low temperature below 100° C. using a gaseous mixture containing ozone, without isolating the catalyst from the reactor system.
US08679994B2
A method of inspecting a synthetic silica glass molded body includes: irradiating the synthetic silica glass molded body with a spectrum line of an Hg lamp having a wavelength of 248 nm; measuring light emitted by the synthetic silica glass molded body; and a procedure which may include screening a portion which satisfies a condition that a ratio of the bright line intensity and the fluorescent light intensity is of a certain value or less, or which may include determining whether a condition that a ratio of a minimum value and a maximum value of a measured fluorescent light intensity is in a certain range is satisfied or not.
US08679986B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device so as not expose a semiconductor layer to moisture and the number of masks is reduced. For example, a first conductive film, a first insulating film, a semiconductor film, a second conductive film, and a mask film are formed. The first mask film is processed to form a first mask layer. Dry etching is performed on the first insulating film, the semiconductor film, and the second conductive film with the use of the first mask layer to form a thin film stack body, so that a surface of the first conductive film is at least exposed. Sidewall insulating layers covering side surfaces of the thin film stack body are formed. The first conductive film is side-etched to form a first electrode. A second electrode layer is formed with the second mask layer.
US08679971B2
A through-substrate via (TSV) structure that is immune to metal contamination due to a backside planarization process is provided. After forming a through-substrate via (TSV) trench, a diffusion barrier liner is conformally deposited on the sidewalls of the TSV trench. A dielectric liner is formed by depositing a dielectric material on vertical portions of the diffusion barrier liner. A metallic conductive via structure is formed by subsequently filling the TSV trench. Horizontal portions of the diffusion barrier liner are removed. The diffusion barrier liner protects the semiconductor material of the substrate during the backside planarization by blocking residual metallic material originating from the metallic conductive via structure from entering into the semiconductor material of the substrate, thereby protecting the semiconductor devices within the substrate from metallic contamination.
US08679962B2
A method of forming a gate structure is provided. The method includes providing a metal layer in the gate structure, the metal layer includes an oxygen-gettering composition. The metal layer getters oxygen from the interface layer, which may decrease the thickness of the interface layer. The gettered oxygen converts the metal layer to a metal oxide, which may act as a gate dielectric for the gate structure. A multi-layer metal gate structure is also provided including a oxygen-gettering metal layer, an oxygen-containing metal layer, and a polysilicon interface metal layer overlying a high-k gate dielectric.
US08679958B2
The present disclosure relates to the deposition of dopant films, such as doped silicon oxide films, by atomic layer deposition processes. In some embodiments, a substrate in a reaction space is contacted with pulses of a silicon precursor and a dopant precursor, such that the silicon precursor and dopant precursor adsorb on the substrate surface. Oxygen plasma is used to convert the adsorbed silicon precursor and dopant precursor to doped silicon oxide.
US08679956B2
A method and apparatus that includes a processing chamber that includes a showerhead with separate inlets and channels for delivering separate processing gases into a processing volume of the chamber without mixing the gases prior to entering the processing volume is provided. The showerhead includes one or more cleaning gas conduits configured to deliver a cleaning gas directly into the processing volume of the chamber while by-passing the processing gas channels. The showerhead may include a plurality of metrology ports configured to deliver a cleaning gas directly into the processing volume of the chamber while by-passing the processing gas channels. As a result, the processing chamber components can be cleaned more efficiently and effectively than by introducing cleaning gas into the chamber only through the processing gas channels.
US08679950B2
A semiconductor device includes a first fin formed of a first semiconductor material and a second fin comprising a layer formed of a second semiconductor material. The first semiconductor material is silicon, and the second semiconductor material is silicon-germanium (SiGe). The second fin further includes a layer of the first semiconductor material below the layer of the second semiconductor material. The semiconductor device also includes a hard mask layer on the first and second fins and an insulator layer that is disposed below the first and second fins. The first and second fins are used to form an N-channel and a P-channel semiconductor device, respectively.
US08679947B1
A device and method for forming nanostructures includes providing a monocrystalline semiconductor layer on a flexible substrate and stressing the substrate in accordance with a crystal cleave plane to initiate cracks in the semiconductor layer. The cracks are propagated on the crystal cleave plane through the semiconductor layer where the cracks are spaced by an intercrack distance as determined by applying a particular strain. The strain is released to provide parallel structures on the flexible substrate.
US08679945B2
An integrated circuit is formed by coating a top surface of a wafer that has been processed through all integrated circuit chip manufacturing steps prior to backgrind with photoresist, applying backgrind tape over a top surface of the photoresist, backgrinding a back surface of the wafer to a specified thickness, removing the backgrind tape from the top surface of the photoresist, and removing the photoresist. The surface of the integrated circuit and any devices that may be bonded to the surface of the integrated circuit are protected by the photoresist layer during removal of the backgrind tape.
US08679936B1
Manufacturing resistors with tightened resistivity distribution in semiconductor integrated circuits
An anneal recipe is provided to tighten the distribution of resistance values in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits. An adjusted amount of dopant is implanted to compensate for a shift in the distribution of resistance values associated with the anneal recipe. The distribution tightening can be effectuated by including an ammonia gas flow in the anneal recipe.
US08679935B2
The present disclosure describes methods of fabricating a semiconductor device. An exemplary method includes forming a metal pattern on a substrate and etching the metal pattern using an etchant including at least an alkaline solution and an oxidant to form a metal electrode, where at least a portion of the surface of the metal electrode is uneven.
US08679934B2
A PCRAM cell has a gradated or layered resistivity bottom electrode with higher resistivity closer to a phase change material, to provide partial heating near the interface between the cell and the bottom electrode, preventing separation of the amorphous GST region from the bottom electrode, and reducing the programming current requirements. The bottom electrode can also be tapered to have a smaller cross-sectional area at the top of the bottom electrode than at the bottom of the bottom electrode.
US08679932B1
A system and method is disclosed for manufacturing thin film resistors using a trench and chemical mechanical polishing. A trench is etched in a layer of dielectric material and a thin film resistor layer is deposited so that the thin film resistor layer lines the trench. A thin film resistor protection layer is then deposited to fill the trench. Then a chemical mechanical polishing process removes excess portions of the thin film resistor layer and the thin film resistor protection layer. An interconnect metal is then deposited and patterned to create an opening over the trench. A central portion of the thin film resistor protection material is removed down to the thin film resistor layer at the bottom of the trench. The resulting structure is immune to the effects of topography on the critical dimensions (CDs) of the thin film resistor.
US08679927B2
A semiconductor structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a non-volatile charge trap memory device disposed on a first region and a logic device disposed on a second region. A charge trap dielectric stack may be formed subsequent to forming wells and channels of the logic device. HF pre-cleans and SC1 cleans may be avoided to improve the quality of a blocking layer of the non-volatile charge trap memory device. The blocking layer may be thermally reoxidized or nitridized during a thermal oxidation or nitridation of a logic MOS gate insulator layer to densify the blocking layer. A multi-layered liner may be utilized to first offset a source and drain implant in a high voltage logic device and also block silicidation of the nonvolatile charge trap memory device.
US08679926B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a source region and a drain region, defining a first dimension from the source to drain; and a gate stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate and partially interposed between the source region and the drain region. The gate stack includes a high k dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a first metal feature disposed on the high k dielectric layer, the first metal gate feature having a first work function and defining a second dimension parallel with the first dimension; and a second metal feature having a second work function different from the first work function and defining a third dimension parallel with the first dimension, the third dimension being less than the second dimension.
US08679923B2
A method for forming metal gates is provided. In the method, a substrate with a first region and a second region is provided. Dummy gate structures and an ILD layer is formed on the substrate. Dummy gates of the dummy gate structures are removed to form openings respectively within the two regions. Work function layers are respectively formed to overlay the openings. A metal layer is formed on the work function layers and then a CMP process is performed until the ILD layer is exposed, thereby forming the metal gates within the two regions at the same time. Only one CMP process is performed to the metal layer, so that over polishing of the ILD layer may be reduced and thickness of metal gates may be more accurately controlled.
US08679921B2
Lithographic limitations on gate and induced channel length in MOSFETS are avoided by forming non-planar MOSFETS in a cavity extending into a semiconductor substrate. The gate insulator and channel region lie proximate a cavity sidewall having angle α preferably about ≧90 degrees with respect to the semiconductor surface. The channel length depends on the bottom depth of the cavity and the depth from the surface of a source or drain region adjacent the cavity. The corresponding drain or source lies at the cavity bottom. The cavity sidewall extends therebetween. Neither depth is lithographic dependent. Very short channels can be consistently formed, providing improved performance and manufacturing yield. Source, drain and gate connections are brought to the same surface so that complex circuits can be readily constructed. The source and drain regions are preferably formed epitaxially and strain inducing materials can be used therein to improve channel carrier mobility.
US08679919B2
An electronic device can include a semiconductor layer overlying a substrate and having a primary surface and a thickness, wherein a trench extends through at least approximately 50% of the thickness of semiconductor layer to a depth. The electronic device can further include a conductive structure within the trench, wherein the conductive structure extends at least approximately 50% of the depth of the trench. The electronic device can still further include a vertically-oriented doped region within the semiconductor layer adjacent to and electrically insulated from the conductive structure; and an insulating layer disposed between the vertically-oriented doped region and the conductive structure. A process of forming an electronic device can include patterning a semiconductor layer to define a trench extending through at least approximately 50% of the thickness of the semiconductor layer and forming a vertically-oriented doped region after patterning the semiconductor layer to define the trench.
US08679908B1
A technique for and structures for camouflaging an integrated circuit structure. A layer of conductive material having a controlled outline is disposed to provide artifact edges of the conductive material that resemble an operable device when in fact the device is not operable.
US08679896B2
DC/DC converter power module package incorporating a stacked controller and construction methodology
Methods and systems are described for enabling the efficient fabrication of small form factor power converters and also the small form factor power converter devices.
US08679895B2
Embodiments relate to IC current sensors fabricated using thin-wafer manufacturing technologies. Such technologies can include processing in which dicing before grinding (DBG) is utilized, which can improve reliability and minimize stress effects. While embodiments utilize face-up mounting, face-down mounting is made possible in other embodiments by via through-contacts. IC current sensor embodiments can present many advantages while minimizing drawbacks often associated with conventional IC current sensors.
US08679891B2
A heterostructure containing IC and LED and a method of fabricating. An IC and an LED are established with the IC having a first electric-conduction block and a first connection block. The IC electrically connects to the first electric-conduction block. A first face of the LED has a second electric-conduction block and a second connection block. The LED is electrically connected to the second electric-conduction block. The first electric-conduction block and the first connection block are respectively joined to the second electric-conduction block and the second connection block, and the first electric-conduction block are electrically connected with the second electric-conduction block to form a heterostructure. The heterostructure provides functions of heat radiation and electric communication for IC and LED.
US08679886B2
A microelectronic device including a substrate, at least a semi-conductor element, an anti metal ion layer, a non-doping oxide layer and a MEMS structure is provided. The substrate has a CMOS circuit region and a MEMS region. The semi-conductor element is configured within the CMOS circuit region of the substrate. The anti metal ion layer is disposed within the CMOS circuit region of the substrate and covers the semi-conductor element. The non-doping oxide layer is disposed on the substrate within the MEMS region. The MEMS structure is partially suspended above the non-doping oxide layer. The present invention also provides a MEMS package structure and a fabricating method thereof.
US08679867B2
The invention relates to a method for contacting a device with a conductor 6, the device 1 comprising a substrate 2 with at least one cell 3, a contact region 4 and an encapsulation 5, wherein the encapsulation 5 encapsulates at least the contact region 4, the method comprising the steps of arranging the conductor 6 on the encapsulation 5, and interconnecting the conductor 6 with the contact region 4 without removing the encapsulation 5 between the conductor 6 and the contact region 4 beforehand. This invention is advantageous as the encapsulation 5 between the conductor 6 and the contact region 4 does not need to be removed beforehand anymore.
US08679860B1
A method for making a laterally modulated metallic structure that is compositionally modulated in the lateral direction with respect to a substrate.
US08679859B2
Devices comprising functionalized materials, and embodiments of a method for making and using such devices, are disclosed. Exemplary devices include ophthalmic devices, nanoparticles, quartz crystal microbalances, microarrays, and nanocomposites. In particular embodiments, device surfaces are modified with monomers and/or polymers, typically carbohydrate monomers and/or polymers. Embodiments of a method for making and using such devices are disclosed. Monomers and/or polymers are covalently bonded to surfaces using functionalized perhalophenylazides. In some embodiments, device surfaces are functionalized with a perhalophenylazide. One or more monomers and/or polymers subsequently are covalently bonded to the device surface using the perhalophenylazide. In other embodiments, monomers and/or polymers are derivatized with a functionalized perhalophenylazide. The derivatized monomers and/or polymers then are covalently bonded to the device surface using the perhalophenylazide. In some embodiments, graphite is functionalized with perhalophenylazide to produce a functionalized graphene sheet. In other embodiments, graphene sheets are covalently attached to functionalized substrates.
US08679855B2
In the present invention, it is demonstrated for the first time, the influence of electrical current on the ability of surface plasmons to amplify fluorescence signatures. An applied direct current across silver island films (SiFs) of low electrical resistance perturbs the fluorescence enhancement of close-proximity fluorophores. For a given applied current, surface plasmons in “just-continuous” low resistance films are sparsely available for fluorophore dipole coupling and hence the enhanced fluorescence is gated as a function of the applied current.
US08679854B2
The present invention relates to a fluorescent dye-labeled glucose analog, and a synthesis method and usage of the same, and more particularly, to novel glucose α and β anomers in which a fluorescent dye is labeled by O-1-glycosylation, an asymmetric synthesis method of the anomers, a molecular bioimaging method of the anomers, and a screening method of curing or preventing drugs for diseases related to glucose metabolism.
US08679847B2
A device adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor. The device comprises a display adapted to display information to a user. The device further comprises at least one user-interface mechanism adapted to allow the user to interact with the device. The device further comprises a body portion including at least one opening formed therein, the at least one opening being of sufficient size to receive the test sensor. The device further comprises a memory adapted to store a plurality of stored analyte concentrations. The device further comprises a processing feature adapted to inhibit the stored analyte concentrations from being displayed on the display.
US08679837B2
Production of clinical grade gene therapy vectors for human trials remains a major hurdle in advancing cures for a number of otherwise incurable diseases. Disclosed herein are systems based on a stably trans formed insect cell lines harboring helper genes required for vector production. Specifically exemplified are system embodiments that take advantage of DNA regulatory elements from two unrelated viruses—AcMNPV and AA V2. System embodiments utilize rep and/or cap genes either stably transfected in cell lines or which are introduced into cells as an expression cassette in a vector. Rep and cap genes that are designed to remain silent until the cell is infected with a viral vector. Infection with viral initiates rescue/amplification of integrated AAV helper genes resulting in dramatic induction of the expression and assembly of rAAV. The arrangement of this specific embodiment provides high levels of Rep and Cap proteins in every cell thus improving rAAV yields by 10-fold. The described vectors are modular in design and may be utilized for the production of other multiprotein complexes.
US08679833B2
The present invention provides novel stem cells, nucleotide sequences and proteins therefrom. More specifically, the present invention provides Pax7+/Myf5− stem cells and methods for identifying and isolating them. Also provided is a MEGF10 nucleotide sequence and protein.
US08679830B2
The present invention provides a herpes virus which lacks a functional ICP34.5 encoding gene and which comprises two or more of—(i) a gene encoding a prodrug converting enzyme; (ii) a gene encoding a protein capable of causing cell to cell fusion; and (iii) a gene encoding an immunomodulatory protein.
US08679827B2
The present invention relates to methods for measuring an amount of an analyte using an electrochemical assay in a conduit comprising a sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an electrode having a surface layer of immobilized antibody that binds said analyte, and a counter/reference electrode disposed within said conduit. A solution comprising a substrate for said enzyme and at least one air segment contacts the sensor to remove unbound analyte and labeled antibody from a region of the sensor. The disclosed invention is adaptable to the point-of-care clinical diagnostic field, including use in accident sites, emergency rooms, surgery, nursing homes, intensive care units, and non-medical environments.
US08679823B2
The present invention relates to the use of F4+ non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains to promote growth in an animal. The present invention also relates to the use of such strains to homogenize growth among a herd of animals. More specifically, the animal(s) of interest in the present invention are those wherein growth promotion or growth homogenization are desired goals, such as animals reared for meat production. The present invention further relates to a method for promoting growth of an animal as well as a method for homogenizing growth among a herd of animals.
US08679818B2
The present invention provides a novel β-glucosidase nucleic acid sequence, designated bgl7, and the corresponding BGL7 amino acid sequence. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding BGL7, recombinant BGL7 proteins and methods for producing the same.
US08679794B2
Method for extracting oils, proteins and fermentable sugars from vegetable material in an aqueous medium, includes: a) adding water to the vegetable material; b) adding an enzyme mixture containing at least one cellulase, at least one hemicellulase, and at least one pectinase, the ratio between the pectinase activity and the cellulase activity being at least 0.14, and the ratio between the pectinase activity and the hemicellulase activity being at least 7.10−3, the pectinase activity being less than 120 μmol/min/mL; c) incubating the vegetable material and the enzyme mixture with stirring to release oils, proteins and fermentable sugars in the reaction medium; d) separating the reaction medium to obtain free oil, an aqueous phase containing proteins and fermentable sugars, and a solid phase; e) optionally separating and recycling an emulsion of free oil or aqueous phase, to the medium; f) separating the proteins and fermentable sugars from the aqueous phase.
US08679791B2
The present invention relates to a mashing and filtration step in a brewing process and to a composition useful in the mashing and filtration step of a brewing process.
US08679777B2
The present invention relates to novel yeast strains intended for alcohol production.The present invention also relates to yeasts obtained by cultures of said yeast strains and use thereof for producing alcohol, in particular in a toxic fermentation medium.Another object of the invention relates to a method of selecting yeast strains that are resistant to a toxic fermentation medium.
US08679776B2
Novel, activatable dyes, such as photoactivatable dyes, e.g., oxazine dyes, are described. Some of the dyes are targeting dyes that can, e.g., target biomolecules, such as polypeptides, proteins, or nucleic acids. Upon activation, such as by irradiation, the novel dyes rapidly turn on their fluorescence and emit light, such as near-IR light with spatial and temporal precision.
US08679769B2
The present invention refers to a group of biomarkers and to non-invasive in vitro methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of endometriosis, as well as to a kit to perform said methods.
US08679750B2
Methods and compositions for reducing expression of a mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein in a cell are provided. Such methods include contacting the cell with an effective amount of a nucleic acid silencing agent targeting a differentiating polymorphism in RNA encoding the mHTT.
US08679747B2
The invention herein disclosed provides for devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore in the absence of requiring a terminating nucleotide. The devices and methods are also used to determine rapidly (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of drug discovery, molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.
US08679746B2
This invention is directed to compositions and their uses for detection of markers. Such markers may be useful in the understanding of the underlying molecular event leading to a condition or a disease in a subject. These markers may also be useful for characterization of neoplastic cells and cancer cells and their response to certain therapeutical regimes. Therefore the invention as disclosed may contribute to the improvement of the stratification of patients for the best possible treatment.
US08679733B2
A method according to one embodiment includes applying a photoresist to a substrate; exposing the photoresist such that a local intensity of radiation applied to the photoresist at each pixel thereof is a function of a mathematically-generated representation of a target surface shape; developing the resist; and performing a subtractive process on the developed photoresist and the substrate for creating the target surface shape on the substrate. A method according to another embodiment includes applying a photoresist to a substrate; patterning the photoresist using a machine-readable profile; and performing a subtractive process to transfer the profile onto the substrate.
US08679713B2
An electrostatic image-developing toner comprising a binder resin, wherein the content of all the chlorine-substituted benzene derivatives in the electrostatic image-developing toner is about 0.01 ppb or more and about 10 ppb or less.
US08679711B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed, comprising, on an electrically conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer and a surface layer provided sequentially in that order, in which the surface layer is a layer formed by polymerizing a polymerizable compound (I) containing seven to ten functional groups and exhibiting a reactive group equivalent of not more than 140 and not less than 100.
US08679694B2
A fluidic control system includes featured layers. The featured layers include two or more features which collectively form at least one functional component.
US08679690B2
A fuel cell system has a fuel cell generating power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent gas serving as materials of the system and a material supply section supplying the materials to the fuel cell. The power generated by the fuel cell is extracted to a load. A device for controlling the fuel cell system has: a material flow calculation section calculating a material flow supplied to the fuel cell so as to cause the fuel cell to generate the power of a required power generation amount; a material reduction limit detection section calculating a limit for reducing the material flow, based on a power generation state of the fuel cell; and a material flow change section controlling the material supply section so as to change the material flow calculated by the material flow calculation section to the limit calculated by the material reduction limit detection section.
US08679688B2
A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.
US08679677B1
The electrochemical device includes a composite electrode. The composite electrode has a working electrode that includes a current collector. A reference electrode is immobilized on the current collector. The reference electrode includes a reference active medium on a reference current collector. The reference current collector is electrically insulated from the current collector. A top surface of the reference electrode is substantially flush with a top surface of the working electrode. The top surface of the reference electrode is a surface of the reference electrode that is substantially parallel to the reference current collector.
US08679676B2
Provided is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery which has excellent high-temperature cycle characteristics, while maintaining the shutdown response speed of the separator and the overcharge characteristics after many repeated cycles at high temperatures. The battery uses a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a carboxylic acid ester and a nitrile compound, and a separator having a porosity of 28 to 54% and an air permeability of 86 to 450 secs/dl.
US08679675B2
A battery including a battery case, an electrode assembly disposed in the battery case, the electrode assembly including a winding of a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator, wherein the separator is interposed between the first and second electrode plates, a cap assembly covering the battery case, and a member configured to prevent a short circuit of the electrode assembly.
US08679653B2
A spin-valve element has a pair of ferromagnetic layers having mutually different coercive forces, sandwiching an insulating layer or a nonmagnetic layer therebetween. The in-plane shape of the spin-valve element is substantially circular in shape but is provided, in the peripheral portion, with a plurality of cutouts NS, NW, NE, NN. Preferably, the shape of at least one cutout be made different from that of others. Moreover, a storage device that employs such a spin-valve element is provided.
US08679647B2
The invention relates to organic electroluminescent devices which comprise triazine derivatives as the electron transport material.
US08679642B2
A first material with a known maximum temperature of operation is coated with a second material on at least one surface of the first material. The coating has a melting temperature that is greater than the maximum temperature of operation of the first material. The coating is heated to its melting temperature until the coating flows into any cracks in the first material's surface.
US08679637B2
The optical lens according to the invention comprises a temporary protective coating comprising at least one outer layer, which is mechanically alterable through friction or contact, said layer being coated with a peelable film which electrostatically adheres to the outer layer.
US08679635B2
Disclosed is a solder material which enables to realize a lower mounting temperature when an electronic component is mounted. Also disclosed are a solder paste and a conductive adhesive. Specifically disclosed is a solder material having a basic composition composed of Sn, Bi and In. This solder material may further contain at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ge and Ni. A solder paste which enables to realize a low-temperature mounting can be obtained by blending a flux component into the solder material. A conductive adhesive which enables to realize a low-temperature mounting can be obtained by blending a resin component into the solder material.
US08679634B2
Certain example embodiments relate to Ni-inclusive ternary alloy being provided as a barrier layer for protecting an IR reflecting layer comprising silver or the like. The provision of a barrier layer comprising nickel, chromium, and/or molybdenum and/or oxides thereof may improve corrosion resistance, as well as chemical and mechanical durability. In certain examples, more than one barrier layer may be used on at least one side of the layer comprising silver. In still further examples, a NixCryMoz-based layer may be used as the functional layer, rather than or in addition to as a barrier layer, in a coating.
US08679633B2
Certain example embodiments relate to Ni-inclusive ternary alloy being provided as a barrier layer for protecting an IR reflecting layer comprising silver or the like. The provision of a barrier layer comprising nickel, chromium, and/or molybdenum and/or oxides thereof may improve corrosion resistance, as well as chemical and mechanical durability. In certain examples, more than one barrier layer may be used on at least one side of the layer comprising silver. In still further examples, a NixCryMoz-based layer may be used as the functional layer, rather than or in addition to as a barrier layer, in a coating.
US08679625B2
The present invention is to provide a solar cell sealing film which suppresses occurrence of rust on conducting wires or electrodes and which is improved in transparency and generating efficiency of the solar cell, and a solar cell having the sealing film. The solar cell sealing film comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a crosslinker and an adsorbent, which comprises, as the adsorbent, an inorganic fine particle having refractive index of not more than 1.54 in an amount of 0.1 to 1.5 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
US08679624B2
In accordance with the present teachings, there are composite materials, fuser members comprising the composite materials, and methods of making the composite materials. In various embodiments, the composite material can include a polyimide resin having a thermal conductivity and a plurality of passivated aluminum nitride particles substantially uniformly dispersed in the polyimide resin to provide the composite material with a thermal conductivity of about 0.4 W/mK to about 2.5 W/mK, and wherein each of the plurality of passivated aluminum nitride particles can include a passivation layer disposed over an aluminum nitride particle core to inhibit oxidation and thermal degradation of a surface of the aluminum nitride particle core.
US08679620B2
A foamed product that generates no smoke when incinerated, has a low calorific value, and achieves a desired dimension and thermal insulation performance is provided. A foamed product 1 is formed by heat-mixing, in an extruder 11, a paper pellet 7 that is a mixture of a fine paper powder having a particle diameter of 30 to 200 μm and starch, a container recycle pellet 8 that is a mixture of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene, foamable polypropylene 9, and water 10. A weight distribution is set so that the paper pellet 7 is 50 to 65% by weight, the container recycle pellet 8 is 13 to 25% by weight, the foamable polypropylene 9 is 10 to 30% by weight, and the water 10 is 10 to 20% by weight to these resins and other materials.
US08679618B2
Optical film, method of manufacturing optical film and liquid crystal display device having the same
An optical film includes a multi-layer sheet including: a plurality of polyethylene terephthalate polymer layers, the polymer layers having a first refraction index in a first direction parallel to a plane of the polymer layers and a second refraction index in a second direction parallel to the plane of the polymer layers, and a plurality of polyethylene terephthalate copolymer layers, the copolymer layers having a third refraction index in the first and second directions, a protection sheet on at least one side of the multi-layer sheet, and an adhesive member between the multi-layer sheet and the protection sheet.
US08679616B2
Technologies are described herein for enhancing joint capability and reducing the risk of delaminating a stringer using skew-angle radius fillers. A skew-angle radius filler for enhancing joint capability includes a top surface and a bottom surface separated by a thickness. The radius filler also includes a radius contact side that has an edge radius that is sized to match a radius of a web joint of a stringer. The radius filler also includes a pair of opposing non-parallel sides that may extend from the radius contact side at an acute angle, and a rear side that is shorter than the radius contact side.
US08679614B2
Polymeric fibers coated with an olefin block copolymer containing resin, the olefin block copolymer having a density of 0.815 kg/dm3 to 0.920 kg/dm3 and a melting point of 110° C. to 130° C. and laminates comprising polymeric tapes embedded in a resin of olefin block copolymer having a density of 0.815 kg/dm3 to 0.920 kg/dm3 and a melting point of 110° C. to 130° C.
US08679610B2
An enhanced polymeric void board for placement between adjacent horizontal layers of masonry materials to maintain an opening in a lower of the layers, the enhanced void board comprising a relatively thin planar element having a plurality of ribs extending along the length of the planar element.
US08679608B2
A multilayer elastomer laminate that is impermeable to inflation gases, which is capable of adhering to a diene elastomer composition and which can be used in an inflatable article provided with such a diene composition, said laminate comprising at least two superposed elastomer layers (phr signifying parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer, in each elastomer composition considered): as a gastight first layer, a first elastomer composition comprising more than 50 phr of a copolymer containing polystyrene and polyisobutylene blocks; as an adhesive second layer, a second elastomer composition comprising more than 50 phr of an unsaturated thermoplastic styrene copolymer and optionally a liquid plasticizing agent at a content from 0 to less than 100 phr. This multilayer laminate possesses very good impermeability properties and a reduced hysteresis compared to layers based on butyl rubber, and also a high adhesion to a diene elastomer third layer.
US08679606B2
A method and apparatus for forming a tubular from a composite material. The composite material includes fibers and epoxy resin that are formed into plies that are wound around an axis to form an annular member. The fibers in each ply are arranged axially and hoopwise. The axially oriented fibers are angled from about 10° up to about 20° with respect to an axis of the tubular. The hoopwise fibers are wound in the plies ranging from about 60° at the innermost ply up to about 90° in the outermost ply. The hoop fibers in the intermediate plies are arranged at increasing angles with distance away from the innermost layer. Transitioning the hoop fiber alignment in the successive plies better distributes hoop stress through the wall of the tubular thereby reducing stress concentrations on the innermost ply.
US08679600B2
The food drainage bag is a flexible drainage bag fabricated from a fine-mesh material having non-stick properties. The bag is utilized to drain excess liquid from frozen or fresh food items. Liquids can be made to drain more quickly from the foods simply gently by squeezing the bag. Alternatively, foods may be allowed to drain naturally if desired. The bag is easily cleaned and may be folded for storage or positioned on a hook to dry when not in use. The interior of the bag may be treated with a non-stick, non-toxic material to further enhance its non-stick properties.
US08679599B2
Vacuum-insulated glass windows include two or more glass panes, and glass-bump spacers formed in a surface of one of the panes. The glass-bump spacers consist of the glass material from the body portion of the glass pane. At least one of the glass panes comprises chemically-strengthened glass. Methods of forming VIG windows include forming the glass-bump spacers by irradiating a glass pane with a focused beam from a laser. Heating effects in the glass cause the glass to locally expand, thereby forming a glass-bump spacer. In embodiments where the glass-bump spacers are formed in a chemically-strengthened glass pane, the glass-bump spacers may be formed before or after the chemical strengthening. A second glass pane is brought into contact with the glass-bump spacers, and the edges sealed. The resulting sealed interior region is evacuated to a pressure of less than one atmosphere.
US08679597B2
A recording medium includes, in sequence, a support, a first ink-receiving layer, and a second ink-receiving layer, in which a content of a boric acid in the first ink-receiving layer is 2.0% by mass or more and 7.0% by mass or less with respect to a content of a polyvinyl alcohol in the first ink-receiving layer, a content of a boric acid in the second ink-receiving layer is 10.0% by mass or more and 30.0% by mass or less with respect to a content of a polyvinyl alcohol in the second ink-receiving layer, an outermost surface layer of the recording medium has a content of particles of 0.5% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less, the particles having an average secondary particle size of 1.0 μm or more and 20.0 μm or less with respect to a content of an inorganic pigment.
US08679591B2
An embodiment is a method for forming a semiconductor assembly including cleaning a connector including copper formed on a substrate, applying cold tin to the connector, applying hot tin to the connector, and spin rinsing and drying the connector.
US08679590B2
A release agent applicator displaying decreased and consistent surface resistivity, and a method of making same. The release agent applicator includes an foam delivery surface having an ionic layer such that the surface resistivity of the delivery surface is reduced, thereby decreasing the chances of static charge accumulation on the roller that may interfere with high quality printing.
US08679584B2
A method for partially coating a shaped body, the surface of which comprises an area to be coated and an area to be left clear, wherein with the method a protective layer is applied to the area to be left clear, a layer comprising a fluid phase is applied to the surface, and the coated shaped body is heated to a temperature at which the protective layer is removed residue-free by pyrolysis.
US08679581B2
Silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions including amphiphilic copolymers. The amphiphilic copolymers are based on a polydimethylhydrogensiloxane or polydimethylsiloxane based macroinitiator. A medical device including said pressure sensitive adhesive compositions for securing the device to human skin or tissue.
US08679575B2
Dielectric elastomer or electroactive polymer film transducers configured to minimize high electrical field gradients that can lead to partial discharge and corona.
US08679573B2
An apparatus includes a piezoelectric print head capable of ejecting a droplet of a coating substance towards a stent strut, a sensor capable of sensing a parameter of the droplet, and a controller, communicatively coupled to the print head and the sensor, capable of determining if the parameter of the droplet meets a requirement. A method includes ejecting a droplet of a coating substance towards a stent strut with a piezoelectric print head, sensing a parameter of the droplet, and determining whether the parameter of the droplet meets a requirement.
US08679567B2
Disclosed are sweetened consumables and methods of forming said sweetened consumables that comprise certain sweeteners and at least one sweetness enhancer in a concentration near its sweetness detection threshold. The sweeteners include sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, inositol, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, neotame, sucralose, saccharine, or combinations thereof. The sweetness enhancer is selected from naringin dihydrochalcone, mogroside V, swingle extract, rubusoside, rubus extract, rebaudioside, and stevioside.
US08679563B1
A sheeter includes an internally grooveless front roller, a rear roller configured to rotate counter to the front roller, a partially spiraled stripper wire coupled across the front roller, and a conveyer belt connected to a proximal conveyer roller and a distal conveyer roller. The conveyer belt includes a landing zone configured to prevent damage to a received product. The conveyer belt includes a raised portion adjacent to the proximal end and flat portion towards the distal end.
US08679555B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing organically-bound vitamin B, preferably vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, or mixtures thereof, in plants, wherein plant seeds are soaked in the solution of the respective vitamin and are cultured to vitamin-B-enriched germ buds by subsequent sprinkling.
US08679548B2
Described are highly concentrated liquid biocidal solutions formed in water from (a) specified bromine sources (e.g., BrCl or mixtures of BrCl and Br2) and (b) alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid and/or sulfamic acid and alkali metal base, wherein the solution contains >160,000 ppm of active bromine. Solutions of this type have been found to have greater stability than a commercially-available solution made from the same components containing 148,600 ppm of active bromine. Also described are new, water-soluble, solid state biocidal products formed by removing the water from solutions made in water from (a) and (b) irrespective of the initial concentration of active bromine. Removal of water can be accomplished by flashing or distillation at reduced pressure or preferably by spray drying. Such solid state products are typically in the form of powders or small particles, but can be compacted into larger forms preferably with the aid of one or more suitable binding agents.
US08679544B2
The present invention relates to methods for producing particles of diclofenac using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising diclofenac, medicaments produced using diclofenac in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of diclofenac administered by way of said medicaments.
US08679543B2
Nanocrystals having an indium-based core and methods for making them and using them to construct core-shell nanocrystals are described. These core-shell nanocrystals are highly stable and provide higher quantum yields than known nanocrystals of similar composition, and they provide special advantages for certain applications because of their small size.
US08679537B2
Methods for sealing an orifice in tissue in the body of a living animal using an adhesive formed by reacting an oxidized polysaccharide with a poly(hydroxylic) compound derivatized with acetoacetate groups in the presence of a base catalyst are disclosed. Methods for using the adhesive for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; and drug delivery are described.
US08679531B2
Vesicle compositions are provided that comprise a therapeutic compound. The vesicle compositions may be capable of releasing the therapeutic compound in response to the presence of an external trigger. The vesicle compositions may comprise a plurality of biocompatible vesicles. The biocompatible vesicles may comprise a therapeutic compound for treatment of a patient in need thereof, and one or more cross-linkages between two or more of the biocompatible vesicles, each cross-linkage comprising a chemical sensing moiety and a sensed moiety. In some embodiments, the therapeutic compound may be any compound that provides palliative, curative, or otherwise beneficial effects to a patent.
US08679523B2
The present invention comprises methods and compositions for delivery devices. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide having oxygen and optionally active agents incorporated therein. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for treatment of compromised tissue or for delivery of oxygen to a localized environment.
US08679522B2
A chewing gum with a liquid-fill composition and a surrounding gum region, with one or both containing active ingredients, such as herbal, medicinal and/or mineral elements or combinations thereof, present in an amount of at least about 0.05 mg.
US08679518B2
Antimicrobial compounds, such as silanol or alcohol, include a protecting or leaving group that can protect the compound from degradation during the process of preparing a medical device containing the compound or reduce the volatility of the compound relative to its counterpart without the leaving group. Nearly any hydrolysable leaving group may be employed. The leaving group may be an agent that may serve a therapeutic function in addition to protecting or retaining the antimicrobial agents.
US08679512B2
Topically administering a propellant-free formulation as a spray in the form of aqueous suspension of drug particles, wherein said formulation consists essentially of: micronized particles of beclometasone dipropionate (BDP) suspended in an aqueous phase, said aqueous phase comprising: an emulsifying agent selected from the class of polysorbates in an amount of 0.1 to 0.2% w/v, based on the total volume of the formulation; a sugar or a sugar alcohol in an amount of 5.0 to 5.2% w/v, based on the total volume of the formulation; a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium in an amount of 0.5 to 1.0% w/v, based on the total volume of the formulation; one or more preservatives; and water up to 100%, is effective for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a dermatological disease such as atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis.
US08679510B2
The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila.
US08679500B2
The present invention relates to compositions containing antibodies for treating CD5+ HLA-DR+ B OR T cell related diseases such as B or T cell malignances (leukaemia and lymphoma), autoimmune diseases and T cell related diseases as transplantation and graft rejection.
US08679498B2
The present invention provides anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies or antigen-binding fragment thereof. In addition, the present invention provides the use of the anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies or antigen-binding fragment thereof for the treatment of Alzheimers disease.
US08679491B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, such as an antibody, a protein, a peptide or the like, an agent of promoting the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, and an immunologically functional molecule having the promoted activity.
US08679489B2
Fully human monoclonal Abs includes (i) an antigen-binding variable region that exhibits very high binding affinity for IL-1α and (ii) a constant region that is effective at both activating the complement system though C1q binding and binding to several different Fc receptors.
US08679484B2
The present invention provides novel mucoadhesive compounds useful in the prevention of diseases and disorders of or which are associated with the mucosal membrane.
US08679475B2
A kit is disclosed that includes a first component comprising alginate, wherein the first component is comprised in a first sterile vial, and a second component comprising cells comprising keratinocytes or fibroblasts, or mixtures thereof, that secrete one or more biologically active molecules selected from the group consisting of GM-CSF, VEGF, KGF, bFGF, TGFβ, angiopoietin, EGF, IL-Iβ, IL-6, IL-8, TGFα, and TNFα, wherein the cells are allogeneic and mitotically inactive, a buffered solution, and human serum albumin or a cryoprotectant, wherein the second component is comprised in a second sterile vial.
US08679474B2
A method of treating a cellular proliferative disorder with cancer antigen-activated dendritic cells that are derived from a population of somatic stem cells. Also disclosed are methods of treating tissue damages and degenerative diseases with a population of somatic stem cells.
US08679471B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating the presence and/or activity of regulatory T cells in a subject.
US08679454B2
Surface coatings including microparticles immobilized in a matrix of polymeric material on a substrate are described. The microparticles can also include an agent which can be useful for various applications, such as medical applications.This invention relates to the field of surface coatings for use in various applications. More particularly, the invention relates to surface coating useful for drug delivery, imaging and other uses of microparticles immobilized via a polymeric matrix.
US08679448B2
Sulfur emissions from liquid sulfur are reduced, or even entirely avoided by degassing the liquid sulfur at pressure in an out-of-pit vessel and by sweeping the rundown pit (or vessel) with a sweep gas that is non-poisonous for a hydrogenation catalyst. Acid gases from degassing are fed at pressure to the Claus unit, while sweep gases are fed to the tail gas treatment unit to substantially recycle the acid gases to extinction. In preferred plants and methods, motive fluids and booster eductors or compressors are not needed, and incineration of the acid gases can be avoided.
US08679442B2
In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes fullerene derivatives that are capable of photocatalytically generating reactive oxygen species in the presence of ultraviolet and/or visible light. In some embodiments, the fullerene derivatives are aminofullerenes containing a plurality of amine-terminated moieties covalently bonded to the fullerene cage. The fullerene derivatives may optionally be covalently bonded to a substrate surface for use in photocatalytic disinfection systems for removing various contaminants including, for example, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and chemical pollutants. Methods using the present fullerene and aminofullerene derivatives in various purification processes are also described herein.
US08679435B2
Configurations herein include a novel process and apparatus for generating and maintaining sulfur trioxide gas. The generation system and process operate to provide sulfur trioxide calibration gas for calibrating sulfur trioxide detection devices. The system and process provides a known, concentration of sulfur trioxide gas via a heated catalyst, which enables accurate calibration of measurement equipment. The system functions in part by controlling temperature, amount of moisture, residence time, catalyst selection, diluting generated sulfur trioxide and by locating the sulfur trioxide generator at a point of injection of a sulfur trioxide detection system.
US08679429B2
A hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) powder is disclosed in which primary particles of the powder exhibit a ratio (D/d) of long diameter (D) to thickness (d) in a range of 5 to 10. Agglomerated particle bodies made of the primary particles have an average particle diameter (D50) in a range of 2 μm to 200 μm, inclusive, and the powder has a bulk density in a range of 0.5 g/cm3 to 1.0 g/cm3. In an exemplary method for producing the h-BN, boron carbide is nitridizated in a nitrogen partial pressure of at least 5 kPa at 1800° C. to 2200° C., inclusive. B2O3 (or precursor thereof) is added to the nitridization product to produce a mixture. The mixture is decarbonized in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a 1500° C. to 2200° C., inclusive. The decarbonization product is pulverized and subject to particle-size classification, yielding H-BN powder. The method includes a depressurizing step, performed at 100 kPa or less either during nitridization or after decarbonization.
US08679424B2
A biotip according to an embodiment of the invention moves a reaction mixture along a longitudinal direction under the force of gravity. The biotip includes a chamber formed of a transparent material and filled with a liquid having a smaller specific gravity than the reaction mixture and immiscible with the reaction mixture, and a seal that seals the chamber. The liquid has a volume resistivity of greater than 0 Ω·cm and 5×1013 Ω·cm or less.
US08679421B2
A dispensing device and an analyzer capable of improving dispensing accuracy as well as improving jamming detection accuracy can be realized by having a short distance between a syringe and a suction tip. The dispensing device 10 includes an upper fixed unit 10A, a lower movable unit 10B which is connected to the upper fixed unit 10A, the movable unit being relatively movable with respect to the upper fixed unit 10A, and a Z-axis movement mechanism 55Z which moves the upper fixed unit to and fro. A syringe 4 and a plunger 13 are held by the upper fixed unit 10A. A tip nozzle 8 is attached to the lower movable unit 10B. An interior space of the syringe 4 and an interior space of the tip nozzle 8 are connected with each other by a connection tube 1 having flexibility.
US08679415B2
An exhaust gas treatment device includes a housing, a fragile element disposed within the housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the fragile element and the housing for maintaining the positioning of the fragile element, absorbing mechanical shock, and providing thermal insulation. The mounting mat includes a layer or sheet of inorganic fibers with a portion of the layer having a first basis weight and another portion having a second basis weight that is different from the first basis weight. The mat or a vacuum formed insulating pre-form having a variable basis weight in certain regions may be used as end cone insulation in exhaust gas treatment devices.
US08679413B2
A honeycomb structural body has a honeycomb body and an electrode pair. The honeycomb body has a cell formation part and an outer skin part of a cylindrical-hollow shape. The electrodes are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the outer skin part so that the electrodes face to each other in a diameter direction of the honeycomb body. Each electrode has a reference electrode part formed at a central part of the electrode and one or more outside electrode parts formed at both ends of the reference electrode part. An electrode terminal is formed at the central part of each electrode. The reference electrode parts of the electrodes face to each other. The outside electrode parts of the electrodes face to each other. A thickness of each electrode is gradually decreased from the central part toward the outside of the electrode along the circumferential direction of the honeycomb body.
US08679403B2
Disclosed is a method of providing photocatalytic activity. Nanoparticulate matter comprising a strontium titanate ferrite of the general formula SrTi1-xFexO3- is provided, in which x is any value from 0 to 1. The nanoparticulate matter is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 800 nm.
US08679400B2
An iron-based sintered sliding material includes: a sintered structure which contains 10-50 wt. % copper and 1-15 wt. % carbon and has been formed by sintering a powder mixture obtained by mixing at least one of an Fe—Cu alloy powder containing copper in an amount which is the solid solubility or larger and is 5-50 wt. %, excluding 50 wt. %, and an Fe—Cu—C alloy powder containing copper in an amount which is the solid solubility or larger and is 5-50 wt. %, excluding 50 wt. %, and containing carbon in an amount of 0-5 wt. %, excluding 0 wt. %, with a graphite powder and at least one of a copper powder and a copper alloy powder; and graphite particles dispersed in the sintered sliding material in an amount of 1-14 wt. % or 3-50 vol. %.
US08679388B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of a lignocellulose product from a) at least one material containing lignocellulose, b) a resin-based binding agent and (c) an organic compound comprising at least one first and second functional group. The first functional group is an oxidizable functional group and the second functional group is a group which can react with the binding agent forming a substantially covalent bond. The reactand and reaction conditions of the method are selected in such a way that substantially covalent cross-polymerization occurs between the material containing lignocellulose and the binding agent. The lignocellulose products produced according to the inventive method contain less binding agent and have improved physical-chemical properties.
US08679379B2
The present invention aims to improve shape precision of a molded body when a plurality of molded bodies, which are projections or recesses made of a curable resin, are formed on both sides of a glass substrate. Disclosed is a method for producing a molded body, which comprises a step of preparing a first mold having a plurality of negative molding surfaces having shapes corresponding to a plurality of molding parts; a step of applying a curable resin onto a surface of the first mold on which the molding surfaces are formed; and a curing step of curing the applied curable resin. The curing step includes a photocuring step wherein curing of the curable resin is carried out by irradiating the resin with light, and a heat curing step wherein the curable resin partly cured by the photocuring step is further cured by being subjected to a heat treatment.
US08679377B2
A gamma radiation source comprises 75Selenium wherein the 75Selenium is provided in the form of compounds, alloys or mixtures with one or more nonmetals which upon irradiation do not produce products capable of sustained emission of radiation which would unacceptably interfere with the gamma radiation of 75Selenium. A further gamma radiation source comprises 75Selenium wherein the 75Selenium is provided in the form of compounds, alloys or mixtures with one or more metals or nonmetals, the neutron irradiation of which does produce products capable of sustained emission of radiation which would acceptably complement the gamma radiation of 75Selenium. Further, the gamma radiation source may have components that are separately irradiated before being combined and the components may be of natural isotopic composition or of isotopically modified composition so that the subsequent radiation peaks may also be adjusted in relative frequency.
US08679371B2
Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing an electrically conducting polymeric composition comprising blending an organic polymer composition that comprises a thermoplastic organic polymer; an electrically conducting filler composition that comprises metal fibers; and an electrically insulating composition in an extruder; wherein the electrically insulating composition is fed into the extruder downstream of the location at which the organic polymer composition is fed into the extruder and wherein the electrically conducting filler composition is fed into the extruder at a location downstream of the location at which the electrically insulating composition is fed into the extruder.
US08679369B2
Disclosed is a method for prediction of a film material such as a raw material for organic EL. In the method, a film material having an evaporation rate (V(%)) represented by the formula below can be predicted based on the values of the constant (Ko) and the activation energy (Ea). V=(Ko/P)×e−Ea/kT wherein Ko represents a constant (%·Torr), P represents a pressure (Torr), Ea represents an activation energy (eV), k represents a Boltzmann constant, and T represents an absolute temperature.
US08679365B1
Phase change materials that include oleochemical carbonates absorb and release latent heat upon changing phases from solid to liquid (melting) or from liquid to solid (solidifying). The oleochemical carbonates are prepared from oleochemical alcohols derived from animal fats and vegetable oils or other bio-based substances. These oleochemical carbonates have melting temperatures with a relatively high heat of fusion and are non-corrosive. Oleochemical carbonates can be mixed together in various proportions to adjust melting/solidification temperature ranges as required by a particular application.
US08679355B2
A method of manufacturing an electronic device that comprises a microelectromechanical (MEMS) element, the method comprising the steps of: providing a material layer (34) on a first side of a substrate (32); providing a trench (40) in the material later (34); etching material from the trench (40) such as to also etch the substrate (32) from the first side of the substrate (32); grinding the substrate (32) from a second side of the substrate to expose the trench (40); and using the exposed trench (40) as an etch hole. The exposed trench (40) is used as an etch hole for releasing a portion of the material layer (34), for example a beam resonator (12), from the substrate (32). An input electrode (6), an output electrode (8), and a top electrode (10) are provided.
US08679353B2
In one aspect of the invention, a method recovers oil from a concentrated byproduct, such as evaporated thin stillage formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method includes forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct. Further, the step of separating the oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil from thin stillage.
US08679347B2
Disclosed is a versatile multi-use high water recovery process that integrates the use of water purification membranes including reverse osmosis and nanofiltration with ion exchange water softening resins in a number of configurations that optimize operation and achieve maximum membrane permeate recoveries while eliminating the use of fresh water, sodium chloride and other chemicals needed to regenerate the IX resin. The invention provides process mobility and flexibility that enable selection of optimum process configurations and features to address variability in the Influent Water quality.
US08679345B2
Provided are methods and apparatus for determining conditions for performing chromatography, particularly flash chromatography. The methods may be utilized for separating compounds in a sample in a column chromatography system. The method includes determining at least two retention factors corresponding to the TLC performance of a target compound and an adjacent compound and defining a sample loading amount and a solvent gradient profile using at least two solvents that will result in differential elution of the target and adjacent compounds from a chromatography column. The chromatography system and loading parameters may be selected to provide satisfactory separation of the target compound from adjacent compounds.
US08679344B2
A process for replacing the continuous phase of a nanoparticle dispersion with a less polar phase, includes filtering the dispersion through a semi-permeable membrane filter to remove the continuous phase, and introducing a less polar phase.
US08679341B2
A method of concentrating nanoparticles, having the steps of: adding and mixing an extraction solvent with a nanoparticles-dispersion liquid that nanoparticles are dispersed in a dispersion solvent, thereby concentrating and extracting the nanoparticles into a phase of the extraction solvent, and removing the dispersion solvent by filter-filtrating a liquid of concentrated extract, in which the extraction solvent is substantially incompatible with the dispersion solvent, and the extract solvent can form an interface after the extraction solvent is mixed with the dispersion solvent and left the mixture still; further a method of deaggregating aggregated nanoparticles, having the steps of: applying two or more ultrasonic waves different in frequency to a liquid containing aggregated nanoparticles, and thereby fining and dispersing the aggregated nanoparticles.
US08679337B2
The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module having fixing layers to which one or more hollow fiber membrane bundles each including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed at respective ends thereof using a casting resin, a hollow portion of each of the hollow fiber membranes being open at one or both of the ends, wherein the hollow fiber membrane bundle is divided into a plurality of small bundles at least one of the fixing layers on the open side of the hollow portion, and an outer circumference of each of the small bundles is covered with an elastic body near a filtration portion interface of the fixing layer.
US08679334B2
A power steering fluid filter includes a housing that defines an interior chamber, an inlet port communicating with the upstream end of the interior chamber, and an outlet port communicating with the downstream end of the interior chamber. A movable thimble filter is disposed within the housing and an annular magnet is located at the mouth of the thimble filter. A spring biases the thimble filter and magnet toward the inlet port of the housing. In use, power steering fluid passes through the housing and debris is captured by the thimble filter. Ferrous particles entrained in the fluid flow are attracted to and captured by the magnet. When the thimble filter becomes clogged, it is displaced by the pressure of the fluid against the clogged filter so that fluid can flow around and bypass the thimble filter while still being exposed to the magnet for removing ferrous particles.
US08679333B2
A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling nano-scale flow rate of fluid in the operating flow path of a HPLC system provide fluid flow without relying on complex calibration routines to compensate for solvent composition gradients typically used in HPLC. The apparatus and method are used to correct the flow output of a typical, analytical-scale (0.1-5 mL/min) HPLC pump to enable accurate and precise flow delivery at capillary (<0.1 mL/min) and nano-scale (<1 μL/min) HPLC flow rates.
US08679329B2
A filter system for a storm water sewer includes a flat mount frame with inwardly projecting support wires and seats on an internal ledge of a grate frame supporting a removable grate. A fabricated circular wire basket has welded cross wires defining openings in side and bottom walls and is lined with a porous filter fabric for collecting silt within storm water flowing through openings in the grate. The wire basket has upwardly projecting bent wire portions hooked onto the support wires of the mount frame and define overflow passages and handle openings for removing the mount frame and the basket after the grate is removed. A smaller and lined lift-out wire basket is supported within a lower portion of the wire basket attached to the mount frame, and each wire basket may be compressed laterally into an oval configuration for use with a rectangular mount frame.
US08679327B2
The bioretention box includes a vault, a lid and a removable grate positioned within the lid, the combination of the vault, lid and grate being positionable with a dugout subgrade region and capable of supporting vehicular traffic within a parking area. Within the bioretention box is a treatment region to remove contaminants from storm water ingress. The treated water moves through openings in the bottom of the vault or through pipes to outside the vault, to a storm drain. The bioretention box includes overflow pipes which accommodate heavy storm water flows.
US08679325B2
Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering energy, materials or both from asphaltene-containing tailings are disclosed. The asphaltene-containing tailings can be generated, for example, from a process for recovering hydrocarbons from oil sand. Embodiments of the method can include a flotation separation and a hydrophobic agglomeration separation. Flotation can be used to separate the asphaltene-containing tailings into an asphaltene-rich froth and an asphaltene-depleted aqueous phase. The asphaltene-rich froth, or an asphaltene-rich slurry formed from the asphaltene-rich froth, then can be separated into a heavy mineral concentrate and a light tailings. Hydrophobic agglomeration can be used to recover an asphaltene concentrate from the light tailings. Another flotation separation can be included to remove sulfur-containing minerals from the heavy mineral concentrate. Oxygen-containing minerals also can be recovered from the heavy mineral concentrate. Water removed by the various separation steps can be recycled and its heat energy recovered.
US08679321B2
A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
US08679318B2
The disclosure provides an electrolyte supplement system in an aluminum electrolysis process, which includes low-molecular-ratio cryolite, wherein the low-molecular-ratio cryolite is selected from mKF.AlF3, nNaF.AlF3 or mixture thereof, where m=1˜1.5 and n=1˜1.5. When the electrolyte supplement system provided by the disclosure is applied to the aluminum electrolytic industry, electrolytic temperature can be reduced obviously in the aluminum electrolysis process without changing the existing electrolytic process; thus, power consumption is reduced, volatilization loss of fluoride is reduced and the comprehensive cost of production is reduced.
US08679314B1
The present invention provides an efficient method for creating natural gas including the anaerobic digestion of biomass to form biogas, and the electrodeionization of biogas to form natural gas and carbon dioxide using a resin-wafer deionization (RW-EDI) system. The method may be further modified to include a wastewater treatment system and can include a chemical conditioning/dewatering system after the anaerobic digestion system. The RW-EDI system, which includes a cathode and an anode, can either comprise at least one pair of wafers, each a basic and acidic wafer, or at least one wafer comprising of a basic portion and an acidic portion. A final embodiment of the RW-EDI system can include only one basic wafer for creating natural gas.
US08679310B2
A biosensor includes a first working electrode that a biocatalyst, which has a property that reacts on a specified ground substance, is disposed, a second working electrode that the biocatalyst, which the property is lost, is disposed, and at least one counter electrode for respectively applying a voltage to the first working electrode and the second working electrode.
US08679294B2
Expandable microspheres formed by suspension polymerization using a shot growth method are provided. The microspheres are formed of a continuous, gas impermeable shell surrounding a blowing agent. The shell includes a first polymer layer formed from primary monomers and a second layer that includes a chemically reactive monomer or a high Tg monomer. To form the microspheres, the primary monomers are polymerized in a reaction vessel to an approximate 90% polymerization, at which time a secondary monomer that is either a monomer having a Tg of at least 85° C. or a chemically reactive monomer, is added to the reaction vessel to drive the polymerization reaction to completion. The outer layer thus contains either a larger amount of the high Tg monomer or a chemically reactive monomer that possesses the ability to covalently bond a cationic species. The microspheres may be used in papermaking processes to increase the paper bulk.
US08679293B2
A system and method for optimizing a process for refining lignocellulosic granular matter such as wood chips use a predictive model including a simulation model based on relations involving a plurality of matter properties characterizing the matter such as moisture content, density, light reflection or granular matter size, refining process operating parameters such as transfer screw speed, dilution flow, hydraulic pressure, plate gaps, or retention delays, at least one output controlled to a target such as primary motor load or pulp freeness, and at least one uncontrolled output such as specific energy consumption, energy split, long fibers, fines and shives. An adaptor is fed with measured values of matter properties and measured values of controlled and uncontrolled outputs, to adapt the simulation model accordingly. An optimizer generates a value of the target according to a predetermined condition on a predicted uncontrolled output parameter and to one or more process constraints.
US08679292B2
A method is conceived for producing hydrophobic lignocellulosics based on the graft copolymerisation of vinyl-type monomers onto the lignocellulosic backbone initiated by a redox couple initiator in aqueous medium. The green modification process can be carried out on any lignocellulosic material, for example, chemical, chemi-thermomechanical or thermo-mechanical pulps, bleached or unbleached. The technology disclosed in this invention yields individual lignocellulosic entities, for instance, hydrophobic pulp fibers, that can be used in combination with other fibers or polymers to produce nonwoven fibrous materials or composites. A significant aspect of the invention is that the modified lignocellulosic material possesses an efficient hydrophobic barrier and minimum interfacial energy to generate optimum adhesion when introduced to polymer resins. Hydrophobic lignocellulosics can have wide applications in products requiring high dimensional stability and excellent adhesion as in fiber-based packaging, decorative laminates, furniture and non-structural biocomposites.
US08679289B2
A first holding table suction-holds an annular projection of a wafer remaining on a rear face thereof for surrounding a back grinding region. A second holding table having an outer peripheral wall adjacent to an inner wall of the annular projection is inserted into a flat portion inside the annular projection for joining a separating adhesive tape to a protective tape on a surface of the wafer while a flat plane of the flat portion is suction-held. Thereafter, the adhesive tape is separated. Accordingly, the adhesive tape is separated from the surface of the wafer together with the protective tape.
US08679283B2
A bonding method of bonding two base members together through a bonding film is provided. The bonding method is a method for forming a bonded body in which a first base member and a second base member are bonded together through the bonding film. The bonding method includes: applying a liquid material containing a silicone material composed of silicone compounds onto a surface of at least one of the first and second base members to form a liquid coating on the surface; drying the liquid coating so that it is transformed into the bonding film on the surface of the at least one of the first and second base members; and applying energy to the bonding film so that a bonding property is developed in the vicinity of a surface thereof, to thereby bond the first and second base members together through the bonding film.
US08679279B2
Methods for creating a foam-like texture on an implantable material are provided. More particularly, methods for creating foam-like texture on implantable silicone materials are provided.
US08679278B2
Method for continuously producing multi-layered composite bodiesA process for continuous production of multilayered composite articles which comprise (A) at least one backing material, (B) least one bonding layer, and (C) at least one polyurethane layer which includes capillaries which pass through the entire thickness of the polyurethane layer, comprises using a mold to produce polyurethane layer (C) and fixing said polyurethane layer (C) on said backing material (A) with the aid of a material which converts to said bonding layer (B), the mold having a temperature in the range from 80 to 170° C and a heat capacity in the range from 100 to 20 000 J/K·m2.
US08679271B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to composite pillar arrangements for VIG units that include both harder and softer materials. The softer materials are located on the outside or extremities of the central, harder pillar material. In certain example embodiments, a high aspect ratio mineral lamellae is separated by an organic “glue” or polymer. When provided around a high strength pillar, the combination of the pillar and such a nano-composite structure may advantageously result in superior strength compared to a monolithic system, e.g., where significant wind loads, thermal stresses, and/or the like are encountered.
US08679266B2
Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.
US08679264B2
The invention relates to a method for generating an atmosphere for heat treating metal parts in a furnace, which includes inserting, in at least one phase of the treatment cycle or at least one area of the heat treatment furnace, a mixture comprising gaseous CO2 and ethanol in the form of fine droplets or vapor, so as to carry out the reaction between the CO2 and the ethanol inside the furnace to form a mixture of hydrogen and CO according to the reaction: CO2+C2H5OH→3 CO+3 H2, characterized in that the injection is performed in a phase of the treatment cycle or in an area of the heat treatment furnace in which the temperature is higher than 750° C., while CO2 alone or optionally mixed with nitrogen is injected in the phase or phases of the treatment cycle or in the area or areas of the furnace in which the temperature is lower than 750° C.
US08679256B2
A soft, spreadable honey product is formed by feeding the honey in raw solid form through a side feed chute into a container defined by a vertical rotating auger with a clearance between the flight and the container. The auger flight drives the material to one discharge end of the container with a closed discharge valve at the discharge end to cause the honey to be admixed within the container and the crystals to fracture and to interact with one another so as to grind them down making them smooth and small. The mixing action is carried out until the crystals in the honey are broken down sufficiently to form the honey into the soft, spreadable honey product and carried out without the use of any heat at any time and without filtering the product.
US08679252B2
An actively heated aluminum baffle component such as a thermal control plate or baffle ring of a showerhead electrode assembly of a plasma processing chamber has an exposed outer aluminum oxide layer which is formed by an electropolishing procedure. The exposed outer aluminum oxide layer minimizes defects and particles generated as a result of differential thermal stresses experienced by the aluminum component and outer aluminum oxide layer during plasma processing compared to an identically shaped component having a Type III anodized surface.
US08679238B2
A centrifugal oil separator (3) provided with a metallic foam structure (4) and at least one high-voltage discharge electrode (5) arranged upstream of the metallic foam structure (4) is a component of a hollow engine shaft (2), with the metallic foam structure (4) and the high-voltage discharge electrode(s) (5) being integrated into the engine shaft (2) and energy transmission to the high-voltage discharge electrodes (5) being transformatory. Such a centrifugal oil separator, space-savingly arranged in an engine shaft, enables a high rate of oil separation to be achieved despite the centrifugal forces being low in particular in the area of the engine shaft, thus ensuring low oil consumption and preventing oil-contaminated air from getting into the atmosphere.
US08679229B2
An adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of not less than 4.5 angstroms and not more than 7.3 angstroms as a principal component, which can adsorb xenon under ordinary temperatures and pressures or under ordinary temperatures and low xenon partial pressure, is used. In the xenon recovery method of the present invention, the adsorbent is communicated with a xenon-containing equipment, and xenon is adsorbed on the adsorbent and xenon is detached from the adsorbent. Thereby, xenon can be recovered, with efficiency, directly from used equipment in which xenon is enclosed under ordinary temperatures and pressures or under ordinary temperatures and low xenon partial pressure.
US08679227B2
The present invention provides methods for making improved zeolite and crystalline silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) membranes, in particular SAPO-34 membranes, on a porous support through improved removal of the organic structure-directing templating agent. A calcining step is performed in an oxygen free atmosphere, such as under a vacuum or inert gas, to remove the organic templating agent. By removing the templating agent in the absence of oxygen, the calcination step can remove a greater amount of the templating agent than comparable template removal steps conducted in the presence of oxygen and the calcination step can be conducted at significantly lower temperatures. The membranes of the present invention provide increased permeance while maintaining comparable selectivity for gas separations, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) separations and separations at high temperatures.
US08679221B2
A method for producing an alumina template of nanorods, the alumina template, and the nanorods are provided for overcoming the problems of the conventional alumina template having anodic aluminum oxide that may be peeled off from a substrate or forming a non-conductive oxide easily, and the alumina template includes a conductive substrate composed of an active metal and an inert metal, so that the alumina template can be attached onto the active metal and inert metal at the same time, and the active metal can be used for securing the alumina template and supporting the alumina template on the inert metal, and the anodic aluminum oxide attached onto the inert metal can be used for providing a better conductivity, such that a stable and highly conductive alumina template can be produced.
US08679220B2
This invention relates to a ceramic and a cermet each having a second phase for improving toughness via phase separation from a complete solid-solution phase and to a method of preparing them. The ceramic and the cermet may have the second phase phase-separated from the complete solid-solution phase, thereby easily achieving a great improvement in toughness and exhibiting other good properties including high strength, consequently enabling the manufacture of high-strength and high-toughness cutting tools, instead of conventional WC—Co hard materials.
US08679217B2
A filter including a filter medium with a pleated structure. The medium includes a nanoweb layer and a scrim, wherein the nanoweb layer contains fibers with a number average diameter less than 1 micron and layer thickness less than 50 microns. The ratio of total medium thickness-to-pleat spacing is less than 0.15 and the nanoweb layer has a basis weight of more than about 0.6 gsm. The nonwoven scrim can be a spunbond web, a dry-laid web, a wet-laid web, a cellulose fiber web, a melt blown web and a glass fiber web.
US08679213B2
A dust collector for catching dust generated by temperature drop comprises a box, a plurality of separating boards, a plurality of catch boards, and a plurality of baffle boards. The separating boards partition the box to form an air flow channel. The catch boards and the baffle boards are staggered in the air flow channel; a portion of the catch boards are arranged in a central column to form a superimposition region along the vertical direction. The pores of the catch boards in the superimposition region are overlapped to make the air flow pour into the air flow channel easily. The baffle boards are staggered at the left or right of the catch boards, whereby the air flow takes more time to have a longer travel in the air flow channel, and dust is not accumulated in a single area but uniformly caught by the catch boards.
US08679204B2
A compression ignition (CI) (typically diesel) fuel formulation is provided containing (i) a C4 to C8 dialkyl ether (DAE), (ii) a naphtha fuel component and (iii) a low boiling component selected from low boiling hydrocarbons, ethers and mixtures thereof. The formulation may be produced along with a gasoline fuel formulation, by (1) preparing a gasoline fuel formulation in a manner which yields a naphtha fuel component as a byproduct, and (2) blending at least some of the naphtha byproduct with a C4 to C8 DAE and a low boiling component (iii) so as to produce the CI fuel formulation.
US08679195B2
Tanned leather, skin or pelt is produced by non-metal tanning, comprising the step of tanning with a tanning agent (A) of a formula (I), Wherein Hal signifies fluorine or chlorine, R1 signifies hydrogen, C1-8-alkyl or an alkyleneoxy radical of a formula (Ia), —(—C2-3alkylene-O—)q—H (Ia), R2 signifies C-1-4-alkyl or C-1-4-alkoxy, m, signifies 1 or 2, n signifies 0 or 1, q is of from 1 to 10, M signifies hydrogen or an alkali metal cation or an ammonium cation, in a tanning bath, the tanning bath having a pH of from 6 to 10 at the beginning of tanning step, the invention relates to the defined tanning process, particular tanning agent compositions, the use of the tanned leather, skins or pelts for further processing and the produced tanned and optionally further processed leather, skins or pets.
US08679194B2
The expulsion liner is for use with a prosthetic device to be secured to a residual limb. The expulsion liner includes an elongated elastomeric tube having a closed distal end and an open proximal end, and defining an interior space configured to receive the residual limb. A one-way valve is positioned within the closed distal end and provides controlled fluid communication between the interior space and an external environment. The one-way valve may be configured to allow the weight of a user, via the residual limb, to expel moisture and air from the interior space out to the external environment.
US08679189B1
An implant device having a non-conductive base structure with at least two exposed or exterior surfaces wherein at least one of the exposed or exterior surfaces has attained electrical conductivity on at least portions of the surface by an energy exposure wherein portions of the exposed or exterior surfaces are transformed by the energy exposure to attain the electrical conductivity.
US08679178B2
Implantable assemblies for manipulating energy transferred by members defining an anatomical joint, and methods of implanting and using. The members of the anatomical joint collectively define a path of motion. An assembly includes a first component configured to be attached to a first member of the anatomical joint; a second component configured to be attached to a second member of the anatomical joint; and a joint joining the first and second components. The first component includes a first flex member and the second component includes a second flex member. The first and second flex members are configured to flex to absorb energy transferred by the members of the anatomical joint.
US08679166B2
An implantable prosthesis system including a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent is disclosed. The types of prostheses which may include a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent include rods, fracture plates, screws, as well as other types of prostheses. Additionally, the structural composition of many types of prostheses may be modified to help induce bone ingrowth and allow for fusion with the implantable prosthesis.
US08679165B1
A cervical plate is disclosed. The plate includes plate body with a first end adapted for attachment to a first vertebra in a cephalad relation to the plate body and a second end adapted for attachment to second vertebra in a caudad relation to the plate body. The plate body being of a first thickness at the first end and of a second thickness at the second end, the first thickness being smaller than the second thickness, and the plate body transitioning from the first thickness to the second thickness in a graduated manner.
US08679163B2
A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, consisting of a highly porous body, made from a polymer, the porous body having a plurality of pores, such that the device is capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, and the polymer fixation device is rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. Preferably, the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device consists of a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may feature additional materials which serve to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively the additional materials serve to deliver therapies to the living being.
US08679160B2
An implant set for insertion into the lamina of a vertebra includes several reinforcing implants, each of which includes a main body with bearing surfaces on the vertebra and a fastening device. The main body has a front surface, a rear surface, and lateral and medial side surfaces, the medial side surface being offset rearwardly in relation to the lateral side surface. The side surfaces bear on sectioned surfaces of the lamina, and a rearwardly protruding extension with a lateral bearing surface on a spinous process of the vertebra is arranged on the rear surface. In this way, the resection opening can be easily and safely closed. Sleeves can be provided for the fastening via screws that are oriented such that the screws are guided through the adjoining facets and fuse the latter.
US08679159B2
A suture anchor driver has an elongated shaft, a handle at a proximal end of the shaft an anchor engagement at a distal end of the shaft and a clutch between the handle and the shaft. The clutch includes a slot for frictionally engaging a suture an engagement with the shaft and an engagement with the handle. The engagement with the shaft and the engagement with the handle are located with respect to one another such that driving torque applied to the handle urges open the slot to release its frictional engagement of the suture.
US08679157B2
Barbed surgical sutures are provided which include an elongated body and a plurality of barbs extending therefrom. A bioactive agent is disposed within barb angles formed between the barbs and the elongated body. The barbs may be made from a shape memory polymer having a permanent shape which may be deformed to a temporary shape, such that barbs of the suture extend at different barb angles in the different shape configurations. The barb angles of the permanent shape may be greater than the barb angles of the temporary shape, thereby exposing and/or releasing a bioactive agent after placement in tissue.
US08679152B2
A surgical mesh maker applicator for applying an in situ forming material to subdermal tissue is disclosed and includes a handle and an outer tube extending from the handle. The outer tube defines a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal slot along a distal portion of the outer tube. An inner tube containing a pattern extends at least partially through the outer tube. A rotational mechanism rotates the inner tube with respect to the longitudinal axis to dispense the in situ forming material into a patterned structure for strengthening the subdermal tissue.
US08679143B2
An appliance for water-jet surgery is provided that includes a plurality of supply cylinder and piston arrangements in each of which is stored a working fluid that can be expelled, by means of the piston, through an outlet into a pressure conduit. At least one actuation device is provided to actuate the piston of each supply cylinder. By means of a change-over device to change the actuation from the piston of one supply cylinder to the piston of another supply cylinder, it is ensured that the working fluid can be expelled into the pressure conduit from consecutively emptying supply cylinders. As a result, an apparatus with a small structure that is achieved by simple means is disclosed.
US08679140B2
At least on aspect of the present disclosure relates to a surgical clamping device, comprising first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, a gripping member disposed on the first shaft member, and a gear system disposed on the second shaft member and configured to receive the gripping member and incrementally lock the gripping member in at least one predefined position.
US08679136B2
A needle capture device includes a flexible tubular member, a flexible shaft extending through the tubular member, a proximal handle for moving the shaft and tubular member relative to each other, a housing at the distal ends of the shaft and tubular member, and a capture mechanism situated within housing. The housing has an alternating arrangement of flights and spaces radially arrayed about its exterior dimensioned to be closely received within an endoscopic instrument channel so as to coaxially orient said housing with the instrument channel. The capture mechanism has a first configuration in which it is adapted to receive and retain a needle presented into the distal end of the instrument channel, and a second configuration in which it is adapted to release the needle from the instrument channel.
US08679135B2
A suture passing instrument includes an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suture pusher, and a guide tube. The handle has an actuator movable between first and second positions. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion. The needle member has an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suture pusher is movable within the needle member from a retracted position to an extended position. The guide tube has a body telescopically receiving a retriever loop. The loop is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A suture can be moved by the suture pusher and captured by the retriever loop.
US08679126B2
An instrument for adjusting a spinal rod relative to a bone anchor includes a handle connecting a set screw driver with a reduction collar. The handle includes an inner shaft engageable with the set screw driver, an outer shaft engageable with the reduction collar, and a clutch connecting the inner shaft to the outer shaft and permitting selective rotation of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft, and thus, selective rotation of the set screw driver relative to the reduction collar, upon application of a torque to the reduction collar and the outer shaft greater than a preselected torque value.
US08679122B2
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for tensioning a surgical wire with a tensioning device and/or fixing bone with a surgical wire tensioned with a tensioning device.
US08679117B2
A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.
US08679113B2
A resecting device is disclosed. The resecting device comprises: a handle having a jaw trigger slidably engaged with said handle and mechanically engaged with a spring mechanism communicating a biasing force to said jaw trigger; a fixed shaft portion having a first and a second end, wherein said fixed shaft portion first end is affixed to said housing, wherein said fixed shaft portion second end forms a first jaw member, and wherein said first jaw member has a tissue contact area; and a slidable shaft portion in communication with said spring mechanism and slidable relative to said fixed shaft portion.
US08679111B2
A method of treating a patient is provided. The method comprises delivering an electrically conductive material within a vascular network, wherein the electrically conductive material embolizes in a region of the vascular network to form a vascular electrode array that assumes a geometry of the embolized region of the vascular network. The method may optionally comprise delivering a containment agent within the vascular network proximal to the delivered electrically conductive material to stabilize the vascular electrode array. The method further comprises applying electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) to the vascular electrode array to therapeutically conduct electrical energy into a region of the targeted tissue adjacent the embolized region of the vascular network.
US08679110B2
A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads. The secondary lead includes an electrode at the working end of the catheter. The secondary lead can have a polarity opposite to the polarity of the primary leads in a bipolar configuration. The polarity of the leads can be switched and the catheter can be moved during treatment to ligate an extended length of the vein. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery.
US08679099B2
A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instrument exits at an intermediate position of the guide tube and is oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as it exits. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The guide tube is jointed to allow the image capture component to be moved. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled.
US08679098B2
A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The housing includes a nose having a neck and a base that defines a diameter greater than that of the neck. A rotation knob has a distal end defining a first aperture and a proximal end defining a second aperture, the apertures cooperating to define a lumen extending through the rotation knob that is configured to receive the shaft. The first aperture defines a diameter that generally approximates a diameter of the shaft. The rotation knob is transitionable between an at-rest position and a flexed position. In the flexed position, the second aperture is expanded to permit passage of the base of the nose into an interior of the rotation knob. In the at-rest position, the second aperture generally approximates the diameter of the neck to rotatably engage the rotation knob about the nose with the shaft extending therethrough.
US08679090B2
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a selectively closable male end portion. Embodiments are configured to open upon connection with a female connector or female tipped medical implement. Some embodiments include an internal cavity configured to change size as the connector moves from the open to closed or closed to open positions. In some embodiments, the connector is configured to draw fluid from the male end toward the other end of the connector as the connector closes.
US08679088B2
The present invention relates to a method and device for removing solid matter from a brain and controlling bleeding associated with the removal of the matter. The method involves securing a cranial anchor to a region of the skull in which an opening has been created to expose brain matter and introducing through a passage defined by the anchor a channel member that displaces brain tissue and exposes the solid matter. After removing the solid matter, a flowable hemostat is introduced into the cavity created by removal of the matter. A balloon introduced into the working channel is then inflated to compress the hemostat against the wall of the cavity to control bleeding from blood vessels around the cavity. The device includes a cranial anchor, a channel member defining a working channel, an optional removable trocar, and a catheter for introducing the hemostat and the inflatable balloon into the cavity.
US08679084B2
In a three-dimensional gather BS, a sheet extending from the lateral side to the center side direction is folded in four by folding the sheet at the first folding portion folded back toward the lateral side on a central side position and at the second folding portion and the third folding portion in series to form the first folding back surface, the second folding back surface, the third folding back surface, and the fourth folding back surface. In a predetermined range containing the body fluid excretion portion, at least the third folding back surface and the fourth folding back surface stand so as to form an approximately dogleg-shaped cross section, and in the buttock side portion, the second folding back surface to the fourth folding back surface are bonded to one another, and stand linearly in an oblique manner toward the outer side direction.
US08679080B2
A dressing assembly for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the dressing assembly develops a directed force under reduced pressure. The directed force may be a radial force or a closing force. The dressing assembly includes a shaped dressing bolster having a shaped extremity that is operable to evenly deliver the radial force and to distribute reduced pressure. Numerous shapes may be used for the shaped extremity. The dressing assembly may further include an over-drape to assist in creating a seal over the shaped dressing bolster and against a portion of a patient's epidermis.
US08679075B2
A system and method for automatically delivering an infusate to a patient is disclosed. The system includes an infusion set and an infusion device. A signaling component disposed on an infusion set component identifies an administration protocol for the infusion set. A detection device operatively connected to the infusion device detects the signaling component and identifies the administration protocol. The infusion device is then configured to operate according to the administration protocol.
US08679074B2
A pressure responsive slit valve assembly is designed to be used in a variety of configurations of medical devices to manage contemporaneous and pressure responsive fluid communications between such devices and a plurality of fluid sources. The pressure responsive slit valve assembly of the present invention includes a valve housing adapted to receive fluids from at least two sources and a pressure responsive slit valve means corresponding to each fluid sources.
US08679067B2
A medical tubing securement assembly includes a base having a disc, and a retaining adapter removably and rotatably attached to the disc. The retaining adapter includes a longitudinal passage for receiving a locking adapter. The locking adapter includes a longitudinal passage for receiving a medical tube. Once the tube is inserted into the locking adapter, the locking adapter may be rotated within the retaining adapter, around the tube, to secure the tube within the securement assembly.
US08679062B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for delivering therapeutic fluid to a user are disclosed. The apparatus includes a pump mechanism for pumping therapeutic fluid to the user having a reusable part which includes a housing and a disposable part configured to be inserted into the housing of the reusable part and to be connected with the reusable part. The connection of the reusable part and the disposable part enables operation of the pump mechanism and disconnection of the reusable part and the disposable part disables operation of the pump mechanism.
US08679061B2
An automatic injection device for providing a subcutaneous injection is disclosed. The device includes a syringe movably disposed in a housing and including a barrel portion, a needle and a bung for sealing the barrel portion. The device includes a plunger for moving the syringe towards a first open end of the housing such that the needle projects from the first end and subsequently applying pressure to the bung. The plunger includes a rod connected at a first end to the bung, a compressible expanded central portion, and a flange between a second end of the rod and the central portion. The device includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the plunger towards the first open end of the housing, the biasing mechanism disposed about the second end of the rod between the flange and the second end of the housing.
US08679055B2
An automatic administration instrument includes a syringe and a partition wall in the syringe which partitions the syringe into different rooms for respectively holding plural kinds of drug solutions or a drug and a drug solution. A partition-wall driver displaces the partition wall and an injection needle is connected to the syringe. A body cap attached to the administration instrument body so as to cover the injection needle. The syringe, the partition wall, and the body cap are configured such that displacing the partition wall dissolves or mixes the drug solutions or the drug and the drug solution in a state that the injection needle is covered by the body cap.
US08679042B2
A brace for supporting a biomechanical joint includes first and second surface regions disposed relatively distal to the joint on a first side of a limb and a third surface region disposed substantially adjacent to the joint on a second side of the limb so that by applying forces between the surface regions, a portion of the joint is cantilevered and pressure is relieved from a cartilage surface region within the joint.
US08679039B2
This application teaches a novel ultrasonic skin care device with a built-in specimen containment and a dispensing mechanism to enable easy application of the specimen for hygiene operation of the device for skin beautification purpose. The device provides portability for usage anywhere and anytime and provides a flexibility of multi-purpose skin care treatment with a unique design of multiple specimen containment structures.
US08679035B2
A guide wire for use in a medical procedure having a shapeable tip integral with and made from the distal end of a superelastic nitinol distal section of the guide wire, wherein the shapeable tip can be finger kinked. Such a guide wire includes an elongated core made from a superelastic nitinol alloy at the distal end, the distal end of the elongated core having a tapered section leading to a shapeable distal tip. The shapeable tip is an extension of the distal end of the nitinol distal section, and includes permanent strain hardening from at least two different radial directions imparting crystallographic texture in the radial directions that eliminate superelasticity so that permanent deformation can be achieved with finger pressure.
US08679031B2
The present application discloses a hearing prosthesis comprising a stimulation assembly configured to be implanted into a cochlea. The stimulation assembly comprises a plurality of electrodes and one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may be configured to measure pressure within the cochlea. The pressure measurements may include (i) measurements of pressure corresponding to a physical contact of the one or more sensors with internal cochlear structures, (ii) measurements of perilymph fluid pressure, or (iii) measurements of pressure waves in the perilymph fluid corresponding to external sound waves. In one aspect, the sensor may be used by a system to help surgeons avoid damage to the cochlea during surgical implantation of the stimulation assembly. In another aspect, the sensor may be one component of an implantable microphone.
US08679030B2
A method of predicting an onset of apnea is described. Motion of a subject, including at least breathing-related motion, is sensed, and a signal corresponding to the sensed motion is generated. A breathing-related signal is extracted from the sensed motion signal, and the onset of apnea is predicted at least partially in response to analyzing the breathing-related signal. Other applications are also described.
US08679029B2
Improved apparatus and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and treating at least one medical respiratory condition of a patient are provided, including a medical data input interface adapted to provide at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration of the patient, and a medical parameter interpretation functionality (104, 110) adapted to receive the at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration (102) of the patient and to provide at least one output indication (112) relating to a degree of severity of at least one medical condition indicated by the at least one medical parameter.
US08679027B2
According to embodiments, techniques for using continuous wavelet transforms to process pulses from a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal are disclosed. The continuous wavelet transform of the PPG signal may be used to identify and characterize features and their periodicities within a signal. Regions, phases and amplitudes within the scalogram associated with these features may then be analyzed to identify, locate, and characterize a true pulse within the PPG signal. Having characterized and located the pulse in the PPG (possibly also using information gained from conventional pulse processing techniques such as, for example, by identifying turning points for candidate pulse maxima and minima on the PPG, frequency peak picking for candidate scales of pulses, etc.), the PPG may be parameterized for ease of future processing.
US08679011B2
A medical diagnostic system and method include a software application capable of generating medical data representing patient physiological information based on input signals received directly from one or more sensors. The application is capable of operating on a controller adapted to receive, store, and process the physiological information and may include a touch-screen, one or more auxiliary input devices, circuitry for obtaining position information from a location sensor, and a wireless transceiver to transmit data that may include patient physiological information over a wireless link. The controller may be capable of receiving voice input signals and manually entered input signals. A host may include a digital file for receiving and storing the wireless data, control logic to process the wireless data to generate a medical status of the patient, and a memory storage device for recording the medical status.
US08679009B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for assessing a state of a comorbidity associated with a primary disease are provided. The methods comprise receiving at least one autonomic index, neurologic index, stress marker index, psychiatric index, endocrine index, adverse effect of therapy index, physical fitness index, or quality of life index of a patient; comparing the at least one index to at least one reference value; and assessing a state of a body system of the patient that is a site of the comorbidity, based on the comparison. A computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method described above is also provided. A medical device system capable of implementing the method described above is also provided.
US08679005B2
A posterior retractor is provided, including a handle section; and, a retraction section having an anchoring element. The handle section has a proximal region, a mid-region, and a distal region. And, the length of the handle section can be sufficient to position a hand-held portion of the proximal region of the handle section outside of a surgical site during use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure. A use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure is described.
US08679004B2
An endoscope including a shaft having a deflectable distal end; a handle at a proximal end of the shaft; and a deflection control connected to the distal end. The deflection control includes a combined lock and deflection control member at the handle. The control member is adapted to be moved to a selected location by a single finger of a user and thereby deflect the distal end. The control member is adapted to be locked at the user selected location by movement of the control member to a locked position by the single finger of the user.
US08678989B2
A separating disk for a disk package of a centrifuge rotor of a centrifugal separator has a tapering shape and extends around an axis of rotation and along a tapering rotary symmetric surface along the axis of rotation. There is an interspace between the separating disk and an adjacent separating disk. The separating disc has first protrusions extending outwardly from the tapering rotary symmetric surface and second protrusions extending inwardly from the tapering rotary symmetric surface. Each of the first and second protrusion are after each other in a peripheral direction and define a contact zone adapted to abut an adjacent separating disk in the disk package. The contact zones of the first protrusions are displaced in relation to the contact zones of the second protrusions seen in a normal direction with regard to the outer surface. Each contact zone has a continuously convex cross sectional shape.
US08678969B2
A vehicular drive system provided with an electric motor for generating a drive force to be transmitted to drive wheels, includes: the electric motor including an output rotary member having opposite end portions from which the drive force of the electric motor is transmitted to the drive wheels; two power connecting/disconnecting devices respectively configured to selectively connect and disconnect each of the opposite end portions of the output rotary member to and from the drive wheels; and the two power connecting/disconnecting devices being controlled to selectively connect the opposite end portions of the output rotary member to the drive wheels, for thereby changing a ratio of rotating speeds of the drive wheels to an operating speed of the electric motor.
US08678959B2
A goalie hockey stick having a handle with a handle top end and a handle bottom end, the handle bottom end having a first female receiver therein, a paddle with a paddle top end and a paddle bottom end, the paddle top end having a first male end disposed thereon, the bottom end having a second female receiver therein, the first male end being inserted into the first female receiver, and a blade with a blade top end and a blade bottom end, the blade top end having a second male end disposed thereon, the second male end being inserted into the second female receiver. The handle, the paddle, and the blade are removably connected to one another.
US08678954B2
A method for using visual indicia for teaching a student proper alignment and club selection for each of a plurality of different positions of a ball for a golf type game in which the ball is struck with a club toward a target. The method includes positioning sets of markers at different distances from the target wherein each distance is chosen to represent a particular type of stroke to be made with a club. Other markers are positioned on the putting green to represent a landing spot for a ball struck from a location off of the putting green. Thereafter, directional arrows are positioned along a preferential path for a ball to travel in order to reach the target. The student is aligned with the markers and arrows to create a visual reference to associate with the striking of the ball.
US08678953B2
A golf tee system comprising a card stock having a thickness, a width, a length with bend lines and break lines formed on the card stock, a tee element formed within the card stock, wherein the card stock is approximately flat and configured to allow at least one tee element to be removed from the card stock and assembled into a structural tee device for holding a golf ball, a top portion, a bottom portion, a body portion connected to and extending upward from the bottom portion, having a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and a second side wall when folded toward each other at least partially bound and define an inner cavity within the body portion, wherein a folded upper crown of the top portion defines a ball receipt surface configured to receive and hold the golf ball off of a ground surface and wherein the reconfigurable golf tee is detached from scored card stock.
US08678944B2
A variable length golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft includes a hollow lower shaft with a plurality of holes, a hollow upper shaft with at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface that is sized to fit within the plurality of holes, and an unlocking bar. The shaft length can be adjusted by sliding the upper shaft over the lower shaft and using the unlocking bar to release the protrusion from the holes to allow overall shaft length adjustments. In another embodiment, the variable length shaft includes a hollow lower shaft, a hollow upper shaft, an engaging insert, and a locking bar.
US08678928B2
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to deliver video games. The method includes receiving a request for a game from a set-top box device. The method also includes determining whether at least one user identity is associated with the set-top box device. The method also includes retrieving previous game information associated with the at least one user identity. The method can also include providing the previous game information to the set-top box device and allowing at least one user to continue a previously executed game in response to a user selection at least partially based on the previous game information.
US08678927B2
Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling a game with a mobile touch-enabled device. A thumbstick and a mode selection button can be rendered on a display of the mobile touch-enabled device. The thumbstick can be rendered on a reassignable area of the display and the mode selection button can be rendered on a mode selection area of the display. A touch (e.g., drag) from the mode selection area to the reassignable area can be detected, and an operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a depressed height in response to the touch in the reassignable area while the touch is detected without discontinuity of contact from starting the drag. Further, upon detecting discontinuation of the touch, a different operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a default height in response to a subsequent touch.
US08678926B2
In order to achieve the above objective, a game apparatus determines whether there has been an input to each of an A button and a B button. It is determined whether there has been an input to the other of the A button and the B button before a predetermined time period elapses after a determination that there has been an input to one of the A button and the B button, that is, whether a simultaneous operation has been performed. Then, it is determined whether one of: a first timing which is a timing of the input to the one of the A button and the B button; and a second timing which is a timing of the input to the other of the A button and the B button is within a simultaneous operation period. When a result of the determination is affirmative, and it is determined that the simultaneous operation has been performed, it is determined that the simultaneous operation has been performed at a correct timing.
US08678923B2
Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an automated gaming chair for a gaming system that conducts a wagering game. The gaming chair includes a seat portion and a backrest portion that are supported by a base. The seat portion includes one or more sensing devices for detecting the position of the player relative to the seat portion. The backrest portion includes one or more sensing device for detecting the position of the player relative to the backrest portion. The gaming chair also includes at least one actuator for automating movement of the gaming chair. The actuator(s) limits one or more ranges of motion within which the gaming chair is moved based upon the position of the player as detected by the sensing devices of the seat portion and backrest portion.
US08678922B2
A server for administering an on-line virtual environment comprises a data communication arrangement and a processor. The data communication arrangement receives a signal from a first entertainment device in communication with an instance of the virtual environment. The signal indicates that a user of that device has performed a predetermined action. The processor determines the availability of a second entertainment device, and is operable to switch the second device from a second instance of the virtual environment to the first instance of the virtual environment. The data communication arrangement is operable, if the second device is available, to transmit a signal to the first device indicating that a software controlled avatar within that instance should change modes to represent a user of the second device. The processor is operable to transfer control of a previously software controlled avatar within that instance of the virtual environment to the second device.
US08678920B2
A remotely accessed lottery system in accordance with the present invention, includes at least one gaming location including a plurality of terminals, each terminal including a display and an input device, the terminals being connected on a local area network. A dedicated transmission link is coupled to the local area network. A central station is remotely disposed relative to the at least one gaming location, the central station coupled to the local area network by the dedicated transmission link. The central station further includes at least one computer for generating tickets to be sent to the terminals pursuant to requests by players to participate, wherein the tickets are digitally rendered on a display of the terminals and have outcomes predetermined at the central station prior to the request for purchase and also includes a device for updating player accounts responsive to requests for participation and winning results as determined at the central station. A method for playing virtual scratch off games is also included.
US08678910B2
A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel.
US08678904B1
Peggle is a game that balances skill and luck. The Peggle board is made up of different types of pegs, some of which the player must clear. The player begins a turn by aiming a ball at the pegs. When the player releases the ball, the ball travels through the pegs, contacting some and eventually falling to the bottom of the board. The ball may bounce off many pegs, and those pegs that the ball contacts are removed. A score is calculated based on the number and types of pegs hit during a turn.
US08678901B1
A method provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
US08678900B2
Methods of playing games and gaming systems and devices useful for playing games. Gaming devices include a first gaming unit for randomly selecting and displaying indicia associated with play of a primary game and for generating a signal relating to play on the first gaming unit. The gaming device also includes a second gaming unit connected to the first gaming unit for conducting an ongoing bonus game and enabling participation by a player in the ongoing bonus game in response to a signal generated by the first gaming unit. The ongoing bonus game may be administered by and communicated from a second gaming unit in the form of a host server to a number of networked gaming devices. Players may enter and exit play of the ongoing bonus game while it is still in progress, participating only in a segment thereof.
US08678899B2
A method of providing a game show that includes broadcasting performances from a plurality of contestants to audience members and receiving lists from the audience members. Each list received contains the identifiers of at least two contestants. These lists are tabulated and a vote is recorded for a contestant each time the identifier for that contestant appears on a list. The contestants are then ranked in order of the number of votes each received, with the contestant who received the least votes ranked first. The contestant with the most votes and/or the contestant with the least votes are named the winner. The group of audience members who submitted lists that rank the contestants in order of who received the fewest votes to who received the most votes also win.
US08678896B2
Provided are methods and systems and computer readable media for providing interaction between remote players and one or more local players of a rhythm-action game executed on a game platform. One or more local players is identified to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical instrument. A first type of simulated musical instrument, represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players, may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. Then, game platforms of the local and remote players communicate to establish a networked session of the rhythm action game with the one or more local players and the identified remote player before initiating a game session where the players play the game.
US08678893B2
To provide a game system capable of preferably producing a picture in which a first game character loses sight of a second game character having moved so as to disappear from the view of the first game character. The present invention relates to a game system for displaying on a display unit (82a) a picture of a display target area in a common game space where a first game character corresponding to a game machine A (10a) and a second game character corresponding to a game machine B (10b) are placed. A position condition determination unit (78a) determines whether or not a position of the second game character included in the display target area satisfies a position condition based on the position and orientation of at least one of the first game characters. A display control unit (80a; display restriction means) restricts display output of the second game character included in the display target area on the display unit (82a), based on a result of determination.
US08678888B2
A cassette having a plurality of coin stores for storing and dispensing coins in a coin changer, the coin stores arranged in a plurality of rows of coin stores, and a coin reject path for transporting coins that have been rejected by the coin changer, the coin reject path being disposed between rows of the coin stores.
US08678883B2
A riding apparatus for treating a floor surface has a main steering and drive wheels and a forwardly located seat for an operator and at least one foot rest for feet of the operator. The vehicle has a polishing and cleaning deck mounted in front of the vehicle and is operably connected to the main vehicle. A clearance gap is formed between the vehicle and the polishing and cleaning deck. The at least one foot rest has a gap therebetween for providing a line of sight for the operator through the gap to view the floor surface directly behind the deck.
US08678879B2
A first grinding head is provided on a base frame via a first movable body and a first grinding base. The proximal portion of the tilt arm is tiltably fitted in the housing of the grinding head. A measuring device is rotatably coupled to a distal portion of the tilt arm. A gauge and a measuring pin are coupled to the lower end of the measuring device, and the gauge is engaged with a crankpin of a crankshaft. A tilt center of the tilt arm is arranged on the same axis as the rotation center of the first grindstone ISA. When the tilt arm is tilted, the position of the measuring device is changed, accordingly. However, since the relational relationship between the first grindstone ISA and the gauge is not changed, the position of the gauge is easily adjusted in accordance with the diameter of the crankpin. Accordingly, a grinding machine is provided that simplifies the movement path of the gauge of the measuring device, thereby allowing the outer diameter of the workpiece to be quickly measured.
US08678876B2
Apparatuses for remote control by a remote object is disclosed that includes one or more sensors configured to communicate with the remote object to obtain ranging information of the apparatus relative to the remote object; and a processing system configured to provide local control of the apparatus based on the ranging information.
US08678866B2
A retainer (50) is mounted into a housing (20). The retainer (50) can be inserted into a deformation space (26) for the locking lance (25) when a terminal fitting (80) is inserted properly into a cavity (22) and thus restricts deformation of a locking lance (25) to lock the locking lance (25). On the other hand, the retainer (50) contacts the resiliently deformed locking lance (25) to prevent any further insertion of the retainer (50) when the terminal fitting (80) is in an insufficiently inserted state in the cavity (22). First and second contact portions (31, 32) are provided at different positions of the locking lance (25) with which the retainer (50) contacts the first contact portions (31) when the terminal fitting (80) is inserted insufficiently in the cavity (22). A jig (100) contacts the second contact portion (32) to release a locked state of the terminal fitting (80).
US08678857B2
An electrical connector includes a port (102, 103) for insertion of a mating connector along an insertion direction, a mating module (50) having a set of contacts (540, 542) received in the port, a transferring module (53) located behind the mating module and having a number of conductive components mounted thereon, and a shielding component (51, 52) disposed between the set of contacts and the transferring module. The shielding component is located between the set of contacts and the transferring module. The shielding component is simple and easily assembled to the transferring module.
US08678852B2
A connector configured to adopt a position for the installation of cables between jaws (2a, 2b), to adopt an in-service position in which the cables are sandwiched between the jaws (2a, 2b) and to pass from the cable installation position to the in-service position by bringing the jaws (2a, 2b) closer together, with a tightening element that is a blind rivet (4).
US08678851B2
A method for manufacturing a metal component includes the steps of forming a resist film on a surface of an electrode plate, making the resist film exposed to light by use of a photomask having a mask pattern, in at least part of a rim of which a fine concavity and convexity are drawn, developing the resist film, to form an opening for molding in the resist film, and epositing an electroforming material by electroforming inside the opening for molding, to mold the material.
US08678849B2
An electric connector is provided, including a first insulating body and a plurality of conductive terminals. The first insulating body includes two positioning grooves and a plurality of terminal grooves. Each positioning groove has a first socket and a second socket. A concave portion, a first guiding groove, and a second guiding groove are disposed at a groove wall of each positioning groove. The first guiding groove extends from the first socket in a first direction to the concave portion. The second guiding groove extends from the second socket in a second direction to the concave portion. The terminal grooves are disposed at an interval between the two positioning grooves. Each terminal groove has a third socket and a fourth socket. The conductive terminals are disposed individually in the terminal grooves. A joint connector is capable of being plugged into the electric connector in the first or second direction.
US08678839B2
A connector of horizontal construction includes at least a pair of first and second halves that are mated together along a common mating line. A plurality of mating blades are supported in a vertical arrangement within a mating portion of the connector. The connector includes two distinct fasteners for holding the housing halves together. A fastener can be provided as a horizontal attachment member that extends widthwise in the mating portion in a space between the circuit cards. A second fastener can be provided as an exterior retainer that engages at least part of the outer circumference, or perimeter of the connector.
US08678833B2
A training device for training at least one user comprising a user output interface (3) for presenting at least one training task (t) to said user (2), a user input interface (4) for inputting a response of said user (2) to each presented training task (t), means (5) for detecting a performance (p) of said user (2) on the basis of the responses input by said user (2), and means (6) for presenting rewards for the detected performance (p) of said user, wherein said rewards are selected depending on a training date (TD) on which the responses are input by said user (2) and depending on an age (A) of said user (2).
US08678827B2
A method for the computer-assisted learning of orthography, the method includes executing by a data processing system the steps of retrieving a main set of words from a data storage; retrieving an error data set associated with said main set of words from the data storage and repeatedly executing the steps of selecting a word to prompt the user with, by computing, for each word from the error data set, a statistic measure related to the probability of an error occurring in the word, and selecting the word which has the maximum value of the statistic measure; prompting the user with the word; accepting a user input specifying a sequence of symbols; comparing the user input with the word and updating and storing the error data set.
US08678825B2
The present disclosure is generally related to the device for displaying samples, which may comprise a first display panel, a lens set apart from the first display panel such that a viewer looking through the lens can obtain a focused image of the first display panel, a first opening in or on the display panel for a first generally planar color sample, said first color sample providing a background color, and a second opening for a second generally planar color sample, a second opening for a second generally planer color sample, said second opening configured to overlay said second color sample on a portion of the first color sample. A viewer can use the foregoing device to simulate the display of certain colors or floor materials for a space. Moreover, the viewer can select a desired color and/or floor material for the actual application to the space.
US08678815B2
In a method of heating a structure, an interior space of a furnace is heated to an interior temperature which is greater than a desired temperature to which a structure is intended to be heated. The structure is then placed into the furnace while the interior space is at least at the interior temperature at all times. When the structure has been heated to the desired temperature, it can be removed from the furnace at the desired temperature which is lower than the interior furnace temperature.
US08678811B2
An apparatus for taking out a molded product that can effectively suppress peeling of a cured adhesive applied to fix a fiber-reinforced plastic shaped material to each of a pair of opposed sidewalls of an elevating shaft, the sidewalls being opposite each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the elevating shaft. A fiber-reinforced section of the fiber-reinforced plastic shaped material is formed of a plurality of warp threads and a plurality of weft threads, which are disposed on a surface of the sidewalls of the elevating shaft such that the plurality of warp threads are juxtaposed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the elevating shaft and extend in the axial direction and the plurality of weft threads are juxtaposed in the axial direction and extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction.
US08678807B2
The invention relates to molding systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a molding apparatus includes a first cylindrical roll that is rotatably coupled to a frame and an adjacent pressure device, the frame is configured so that a substrate can pass through a nip formed between the first cylindrical roll and the pressure device while a portion of the substrate extends laterally beyond at least the frame and the first cylindrical roll.
US08678798B2
A rotary pump device is provided in which a drive shaft is inserted into a center hole of a cylinder that forms rotor chambers, and into outer rotors and inner rotors of rotary pumps. In the rotary pump device, seal mechanisms that include hollow-shaped resin members and annular rubber members are arranged on an opposite side to the cylinder with respect to the rotary pumps. Metal rings are arranged in hollow portions of the resin members in the seal mechanisms so that the drive shaft is inserted into an inner periphery of the metal rings with a minimum clearance.
US08678796B2
A scroll-type compressor whose capacity can be easily changed and with which an inconvenience can be prevented is provided. A scroll-type compressor includes a fixed scroll having a first spiral-shaped wall member provided upright on a side surface of a first end plate, and an orbiting scroll having a second spiral-shaped wall member provided upright on a side surface of the second end plate, the orbiting scroll being supported so as to be capable of orbital revolution movement while being prevented from self rotation by meshing the wall members with each other. Wall-member stepped portions having a small height at the center and a large height at the outer side in a direction along the spiral are formed on the upper edges of the first and second wall members. End-plate height-difference portions having a large height at the center and a small height at the outer side in the direction along the spiral are formed on the side surfaces of the first and second end plates, at positions facing the wall-member stepped portions. One of the first and second wall members has a cutout portion formed at the outer end in the direction along the spiral and has a smaller spiral-end angle than the other of the first and second wall members.
US08678793B2
The invention provides a finger-type peristaltic pump (2) having a body (4) and a housing (6). The body contains two or more finger-type valves (16) and a processor (22) configured to operate the valves according to a predetermined temporo-spatial pattern. The housing has a passageway (18) configured to receive a conduit. The housing has a first position in which a conduit in the passageway is positioned adjacent to the valve fingers, and a second position in which a conduit in the passageway is not adjacent to the valve fingers. The invention also provides a housing for use in the pump of the invention.
US08678789B2
A refrigeration compressor includes a housing having a suction gases inlet and a compressed gases outlet. A linear compressor is supported for operation within the housing. A compressed gases discharge conduit extends from the linear compressor to the housing to connect with the outlet. The conduit is formed of a material of lower heat conductivity than the housing. The conduit passes through the wall of the housing at the compressed gases outlet.
US08678781B2
A turbo type centrifugal pump is provided in which an angular oscillator is angularly oscillated so that fluid in a radial through hole receives centrifugal force. The angular oscillator is used in combination with a resonance oscillation motor that generates angular oscillation. The resonance oscillation motor is incorporated in the pump so that the pump structure and the drive mechanism are integrated. This reduces the size of the pump. Since the angular oscillation is a reciprocating rotation within an oscillation range less than 360°, a suction pipe can be connected to the radial through hole used in the angular oscillation. This eliminates the necessity for providing a shielding structure.
US08678777B2
A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.
US08678776B2
The invention relates to a vacuum generating device (1) and to a method suitable for the operation thereof. An ejector device (27) is connected with an inlet (29) thereof to an air supply conduit (32) that can be selectively closed or opened by an electronic control unit (14) in order to selectively turn off or turn on the ejector device (27). When the ejector device (27) is turned on, a vacuum is generated in a suction channel (35). The ejector device (27) is operated such that the vacuum fluctuates between an upper switching value and a lower switching value. By comparison to a reference time value, the operating period of the ejector device (27) is determined in order to generate a diagnosis signal that allows a conclusion of the leak that is present.
US08678769B2
A compressor impeller and a method of manufacturing the compressor impeller. The magnesium alloy compressor impeller as a die-cast part comprises a hub shaft part, a hub disk part having a hub surface extending from the hub shaft part in the radial direction, and a plurality of vane parts disposed on the hub surface. The impeller can be manufactured by a die-cast method in which a magnesium alloy heated to a liquidus temperature or higher is supplied into molds with cavities corresponding to the shape of the impeller for a filling time of 1 sec. or shorter, a pressure of 20 MPa or higher is applied to the magnesium alloy in the cavities, and the pressurized state is maintained for a time of 1 sec. or longer.
US08678763B2
The invention provides a ring, rotatable duct, shroud, fuselage or cylindrical external wall fabricated so as to have desirable strength even if its diameter exceeds about 2.7 meters by using arbitrary metallic and non-metallic materials. Such ring and others may be readily fabricated by laminating a thin sheet band made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber or synthetic resin of 0.01 mm to 5 mm thick or a thin sheet band made of rubber or silicon of 0.1 mm to 50 mm thick by winding around a giant spinning wheel by at least two rounds or more so as to form a longitudinal plate portion of 2 mm or more in radial thickness when the band is made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber or synthetic resin and to form such portion of 4 mm or more thick when the band is made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber, synthetic resin, rubber or silicon.
US08678754B2
According to one aspect of the invention, an assembly for preventing fluid flow between turbine components includes a shim and a first woven wire mesh layer that includes a first surface coupled to a first side of the shim and a second surface of the woven wire mesh layer opposite the first surface. The assembly also includes a first outer layer coupled to the second surface of the woven wire mesh layer, where the first outer layer includes a high temperature non-metallic material.
US08678753B2
An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes first and second spaced walls defining opposite sides of a first fluid passageway extending along a first axis. At least one of the first and second walls is cantilevered along the first axis and includes a distal end moveable relative to the first axis. The distal end of the at least one wall is moveable in response to changes in the flow temperature to passively vary a size of the first fluid passageway.
US08678748B2
A blower fan unit includes a housing, a fan, a support unit to support the housing rotatably, and a exhaust tube projecting from the outlet, the exhaust tube producing a reaction force by guiding the airflow toward an upstream side of movement of the peripheral surface synchronized with rotation of the housing, the reaction force rotating the housing toward a downstream side of the movement of the peripheral surface of the housing, a stopper being positioned on a movement path of the exhaust tube that moves with the rotation of the housing to stop the rotation of the housing by blocking movement of the exhaust tube, and a switch mechanism to switch blocking and restarting of the movement of the exhaust tube using the stopper.
US08678747B2
A brake assembly (44) for an air turbine starter (10) includes a brake cylinder (46) located in the air turbine starter (10). A brake piston (48) is located at least partially within the brake cylinder (46) and slidable therein. A biasing member (50) biases the brake piston (48) toward a turbine wheel (12) of the air turbine starter (10) applying a braking force to the turbine wheel (12) and defining a piston chamber (58) between the turbine wheel (12) and the brake piston (48). A through opening (56) in the brake piston (48) into the piston chamber (58) is configured such that a flow of fluid through the through opening (56) into the piston chamber (58) applies a force to the brake piston (48) sufficient to overcome the bias thereby allowing rotation of the turbine wheel (12).
US08678744B2
An apparatus that is mounted above a water current flow for generating electricity. The apparatus is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the water current flow with paddles protruding from a shaft into the water causing the shaft to rotate. Component parts mounted on three parallel shafts inter connected by gears transfer the rotational motion energy through the apparatus amplifying the velocity and storing torque in a flywheel. Each shaft has a disconnect mechanism to transfer the motion from the shaft outer end to the inner end allowing for a specific installation method that moves the motion from the point of contact with the water current flow through the apparatus to an electric generator, generating electricity.
US08678741B2
An oil cooled runner, for a rotary seal between an engine case and a shaft rotationally mounted to the case, includes an annular runner ring having a platform with a radially outer seal engagement surface and a radially inner surface, and an oil distributor having a radially inner portion in communication with a source of liquid lubricant and an outer lubricant casting cone with a rim disposed radially inwardly from the inner surface of the platform.
US08678738B2
Equipment for transferring biological products containers from an interface support to a transport device and vice-versa for biological containers, positioned at different heights. The equipment including a frame to which a holding device for biological products containers is connected vertically mobile with respect to the frame and provided with fingers suitable to hold, transfer and release a container for biological products. The frame is integer with a sliding device along a bar fixed to an inclinable body. The inclinable body being in its turn rotatingly connected to a sustaining body, and a regulation device for the inclination of the inclinable body, and consequently of the bar, with respect to the sustaining body being present in function of the difference of height existing between the interfacing support and the transport device for biological products containers.
US08678725B2
A bit retaining system for a rotary tool or device such as a router is disclosed. The bit retaining system may include a collet assembly and a control assembly. The collet assembly may include a spindle, a collet adapted to receive the bit, and a collet nut. The collet assembly may further include a collet gear mounted on the collet nut and/or a spindle gear mounted on the spindle. The control assembly selectively engages the collet assembly to drive the collet nut and/or secure the spindle in a fixed position, preventing its rotation. In operation, a hand tool is utilized to engage the control assembly. This configuration enables a user to capture and release the rotary tool bit using one hand.
US08678712B2
A system for forming a movable slab foundation has a slab foundation, at least one support surface, at least one lifting member, at least one support sleeve, and an engagement device carried by the at least one support sleeve. The at least one support sleeve is encased within the slab foundation and its lower end is positioned in abutting contact with the at least one support surface. The at least one lifting member is inserted through the at least one support sleeve. The at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation are moved upward axially along the length of the at least one lifting member. The engagement device is engaged with the at least one lifting member, thereby securing the slab foundation and the at least one support sleeve at a desired height.
US08678703B2
A lightweight, knock-down portable watercraft lift or mooring device for small watercraft is disclosed that includes a modular freestanding frame having a pair of spaced supporting foot members, each foot member carrying a pair of spaced support members connected at one end to the foot member, a pair of rails carried by and connected to a second end of the support members. Both the spacing of between the support members and the length of the support members are adjustable allowing the distance between and height of the rails to vary to accommodate watercraft of different widths, water of different depths and create varying lift angles.
US08678691B2
A writing implement. A tubular outer shell (11) is provided outside a grip member (10), an inner shell (12) made of a soft material is provided entirely inside the outer shell (11), and the inner shell (12) is covered with the moderately hard outer shell (11). Thus, while the inner shell (12) inside can allow the user to feel the fit, the outer shell (11) outside prevents the inner shell (12) from getting damaged or worn even if the inner shell (12) is soft, so as to fully secure durability of the grip member (10). Since a thin part (11A) of the outer shell (11) is sufficiently thin on a swell (13), the excellent fit can be given to the user even if the outer shell (11) is formed of a hard elastic material to fully secure the durability of the grip member (10).
US08678687B2
A method for automatically adapting a write cycle to a movement of a web-shaped medium in a digital printing machine, as a function of the thickness of the web-shaped medium guided around first and second transport or guide rollers, includes providing the first and second transport or guide rollers having a known diameters, the diameter of the second being different from the diameter of the first. A rotational speed ratio N(T) between the first and second transport or guide rollers (9, 11) is determined while the printing material (6) is guided around the transport or guide rollers (9, 11). The write cycle is determined at least with the use of the previously determined rotational speed ratio N(T).
US08678679B2
Provided herein are systems for engaging and transporting a camera, particularly a camera having a removable lens attached thereto. The systems generally comprise a combination of two adjustable straps working in concert. Particularly, a first adjustable strap comprises means to engage the removable lens, such as a ball connector/strap receiving component, a shoulder pad end and a strap end connected via a safety buckle and a slide disposed on the strap end. Optionally, in the system, the ball connector may be threaded to a mount plate which is threaded to the removable lens. The shoulder pad end has a connecting ring to removably connect the second adjustable strap that comprises a first adjustable strap part with a slide and a second strap part with a means for engaging the camera connectable by a safety buckle. Also provided is an adjustable camera strap comprising the second adjustable strap as described herein.
US08678677B2
Systems and methods for recording images and providing a selected movement or position to a recording device include use of attachment members having a receptacle that receives and is engageable with the distal end of an elongate member of a device for mounting a camera or similar apparatus. As such, the camera may be rolled providing movement suitable for video capture or capture of other types of images that require camera movement, or otherwise positioned as needed.
US08678669B2
A reconfigurable polarity detachable connector assembly includes a housing defining two accommodation channels and providing a springy protruding member at a top side, two mating simplex connectors respectively detachably mounted in the accommodation channels of the housing, a fiber optic cable fastened to the housing with two optical fiber cores thereof respectively inserted into respective calibration support rods of the mating simplex connectors, and a sliding cap slidably coupled to the housing. The sliding cap is unlocked and can be moved backwardly relative to the housing to expose the optical fiber cores of the fiber optic cable to the outside of the housing for allowing position exchange between the two mating simplex connectors after the user presses the springy protruding member.
US08678665B2
A bearing arrangement to reduce the effects of thermal expansion in a marine transmission includes a pinion gear thrust bearing, a clutch shaft thrust bearing, a shaft roller bearing and a thrust washer. The clutch shaft thrust bearing is retained on one end of a clutch shaft and the shaft roller bearing is retained on the other end of the clutch shaft. A pinion gear is rotatably retained on the clutch shaft. The pinion gear thrust bearing is retained on the pinion gear with a bearing retainer. The thrust washer is retained on the bearing retainer. An end of the clutch shaft thrust bearing rotates relative to the thrust washer and makes contact therewith. The length of thermal expansion in the transmission housing is limited to the distance between the opposing ends of the two thrust bearings.
US08678660B2
A sealing device includes a bottom of an axial concave portion in a surface of an elastic member forming a radial lip, facing away from a flange portion in an axial direction overlaps an end face of a radially-extending portion of a core metal member, facing a tubular portion, in a radial direction. A bottom of a radial concave portion of the elastic member forming the radial lip, facing the tubular portion of a slinger is spaced from the end face of the core metal member toward a flange portion in the axial direction.
US08678658B2
A tilting pad bearing comprises a piston carrier ring that may include a plurality of voids spaced around the piston carrier ring, wherein a channel may be formed in a surface of the piston carrier ring opposite the plurality of voids. A carrier end plate may be positioned in the channel and secured to the piston carrier ring, wherein a recess may be formed in a top surface of the carrier end plate. A piston may be positioned in each void, wherein a bottom face of each piston is positioned adjacent the recess. The pistons may be substantially secured in the voids using a plurality of membranes, wherein one membrane corresponds to one piston and one void. Alternatively, the pistons may be formed in two pieces secured via a membrane. Each piston may be engaged with a bearing pad and/or interface member in a bearing pad carrier ring.
US08678655B1
A bearing assembly for a first part that rotates with respect to a second part may include a slewing bearing having an axis of rotation and inner and outer races concentric with the axis of rotation. The inner race may be fixed to the first part and the outer race may be fixed to the second part. An inner, annular catch ring may be fixed to and adjacent to a lower surface of the inner race. An outer, annular catch ring may be fixed to and interposed between a lower surface of the outer race and the second part. A portion of the outer catch ring may be disposed below and adjacent to the lower surface of the inner race.
US08678645B2
Reliably and quickly acting device that can be cheaply employed for monitoring the flow of water vapor, having a water vapor line extending between a switching valve and a cross-section connection, in particular a nozzle, and a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature in the line.
US08678644B2
A hot gas path measurement apparatus is provided and includes a substrate having a coating applied on a surface thereof such that the coating is interposed between the substrate and a hot gas path; and a measurement device fixed in a recess formed in the substrate, the measurement device including a sensor, and a holder configured to position the sensor in an alignment condition with a plane of a surface of the coating or at least partially within a span of the hot gas path.
US08678643B2
A method for non-destructive testing of open hollow components for tightness supplies a gas under pressure into the component and cools the component in a punctiform manner. Detecting a leak out of the component using a thermographic camera and using a computer connected downstream of the thermographic camera to visualise the leak, follows. The precise location of each leak is thus detected.
US08678636B2
A light guide plate for a backlight. The light guide plate includes: a light source unit for generating light; a light guide plate proximate to the light source unit and including an upper surface and a lower surface; and a light emission pattern configured to diffuse a portion of the light directed toward an image display panel, and a first straight pattern configured to channel the light along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of propagation of the light generated by the light source unit, both the light emission pattern and the first straight pattern being disposed on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the light guide plate, in which the first straight pattern has peaks and valleys formed in alternating and repeating manner in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the light generated by the light source unit.
US08678624B2
Apparatus and methods for illuminating display panels of electronic devices are described. An example electronic device includes a first housing defining a first visual indicator. A first post extends from a first inner surface of the first housing where the first post has a first chamber to receive at least a portion of a first light source. The first chamber provides a first optical pathway between the first light source and the first visual indicator and the first post prevents the first light source from illuminating a second visual indicator adjacent the first visual indicator.
US08678622B2
Lighting modules include a housing, a window attached to the housing, and an array of light-emitting elements that are positioned within the housing and emit light through the window. The window has a first surface and a second surface. The light from the array of light-emitting elements is emitted through the first surface and the second surface of the window. In some examples, the first surface and the second surface of the window are angled with respect to each other.
US08678621B2
A mounting arrangement for a light source (L) having associated a Printed Circuit Board, wherein said mounting arrangement includes: a housing (H) with an exit opening for light from the source (L), a reflector (R) to reflect light from the source (L) towards the opening, an at least partly transparent cover (1) to close the opening of the housing (H). The cover (1) includes a set of retaining elements (12A) for retaining the cover (1) to the housing (H), and a set of holding elements (12B) for holding the associated Printed Circuit Board (D) within the housing (H). Such configuration is capable of exerting a pressure on the reflector (R) when the cover (1) is coupled to the housing (H), and wherein the reflector (R) in turn urges the light source (L) against the housing (H), providing thus thermal coupling between the light source (L) and the housing (H).
US08678612B2
A light source including a plate and an emitter array mounted on the plate extending from a first edge to a second edge. The plate can include a first edge; a second edge, the first edge being opposite the second edge; a first mount on the first edge; and a second mount on the second edge. Such light sources can be combined together.
US08678607B2
An assembly comprising at least one energy consuming device; the at least one energy consuming device being mounted to a support; at least one solar element for creating electric power from solar power; at least one battery for storing electricity generated by the solar element; at least one wind vane operatively associated with the support; at least one energy converter for generating electric power from the wind; and at least one shaft operatively connected to the at least one energy converter and the supports. Optionally, the energy converter comprises at least one motor which operates to rotate the support; the at least one motor being operatively connected to the at least one battery for storing electric power therein.
US08678604B2
A method is provided for manufacturing a back frame of a flat panel display device, which joins at least first and second primary assembling pieces to form a back frame, in which the first primary assembling piece has an end forming at least two joint sections, and each of the joint sections has a structure mating an end of the second primary assembling piece, the first primary assembling piece using one of the joint sections to join the corresponding end of the second primary assembling piece, the back frame further including a plurality of bracing pieces that are fixed to the primary assembling pieces; moving the bracing pieces according to a bracing pattern provided in a bracing mold in order to form a corresponding mounting structure on the bracing pieces.
US08678598B2
A system for displaying an anamorphic image on a viewing surface comprises a screen having a viewing surface and an image source configured to display the anamorphic image on the viewing surface such that an image viewed on the viewing surface appears undistorted from a viewing point. In addition, the system may also include a reflective lens having a convex exterior surface and a refractive lens having a plurality of surfaces to redirect light toward an image capture device. Further, the system may include an image conversion module for converting a non-anamorphic image into the anamorphic image suitable for displaying on the viewing surface and a selected portion of the anamorphic image into at least one non-anamorphic image.
US08678594B2
A spectral interferometry apparatus and method are disclosed, that can be used to monitor or measure an unknown length by following a characteristic of an indicating signal. The measurement is performed by adjusting an optical path difference (OPD) in an interferometer part of an interferometer configuration until sound or light or both are obtained with the desired strength and pitch. Embodiments are presented where the unknown length is the eye length. Spectral interrogation of the interferometer optical output is achieved by reading the signal of an analogue photodetector array in a spectrometer or by tuning a swept source and processing the signal of a photodetector. Sound of different pitches are produced either directly in this process, or by using a nonlinear amplifier, or a mixer. For enhanced signal, the array may be driven by a nonlinear clock or the swept source may be driven by a distorted driving signal.
US08678593B2
An ophthalmoscopic surgical contact lens for placement on an eye of a patient is disclosed. The surgical contact lens includes an optic surrounded by a rim and at least one flange. The optic includes an aspheric anterior surface and a posterior surface having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of a human cornea. The rim, comprising an edge surrounding the optic, provides the user with a gripping surface conducive to manual positioning and repositioning of the lens against a human eye. The flange may include a plurality of tabs extending from a periphery of the flange, wherein each tab is shaped and configured to conform to the curvature of a human sclera. Various embodiments of the contact lenses disclosed herein facilitate the visualization of structures within the interior of an eye, such as may be necessary during vitreoretinal surgical procedures.
US08678592B2
An apparatus for detecting fixation of at least one eye of a subject on a target includes an optical illumination system, an optical detection system, and a signal processing system adapted to communicate with the optical detection system. The signal processing system is configured to calculate at least one of a time-frequency distribution or an Auto-Regressive spectral estimation of the detection signal to provide a frequency distribution of the detection signal at a plurality of times for use in determining periods in which the subject's eye is fixed on the target based on the first and second frequency signatures.
US08678587B2
Techniques are disclosed in which a topographic parameter is determined in each semi-meridian of the eye by considering the topography in each of three concentric zones from the central axis at 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm and assigning weighting factors for each zone, By selectively treating the weighted values in the three zones, parameters of magnitude and meridian can be obtained for each semi-meridian. From these parameters, a single topographic value for the entire eye (CorT) can be found as well as a value representing topographic disparity (TD) between the two semi-meridians. The topography values for the semi-meridians are used in a vector planning system to obtain treatment parameters in a single step operation.
US08678583B2
Mutifocal diffractive lenses are generally designed with concentric annular zones comprising blazed steps of equal area. Trifocal diffractive lenses differ in the intensity of light that they diffract into each of their three different powers. Usually, this light distribution has been adjusted by varying the step heights of the blazed steps within the annular zones. This invention discloses a trifocal diffractive lens wherein the equal area annular zones are further subdivided into two sub-zones wherein each sub-zone comprises a discrete blazed step. The sub-zones of this invention may be of unequal area. This allows the light distribution at its focal powers to be adjusted by varying not only the step heights of the blazed steps of the sub-zones, but also the relative areas of the sub-zones. The present invention allows for an increased flexibility in the design of multifocal diffractive lenses.
US08678577B2
The present invention provides an ink set including an ink composition and a maintenance liquid that removes from a head nozzle surface a substance that is derived from the ink composition and that adheres to the head nozzle surface, the ink composition including a pigment coated with a water-insoluble polymer formed by copolymerizing a monomer mixture including a styrene macromer; polymer particles; a water-soluble organic solvent; and water.
US08678572B2
A liquid storage container which is mounted on a printer ejecting a liquid includes a liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid therein, a liquid supply portion that supplies the liquid to the ejecting head, a device chamber that is provided in a pathway supplying the liquid from liquid storage chamber to the liquid supply portion and includes a device in the inner portion thereof, and an air chamber that is provided in a pathway supplying air from the outside to the liquid storage chamber according to a decrease of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, is filled with air in the inner portion, and prevents the liquid from being leaked to the outside by trapping the liquid when the liquid flows backward from the liquid storage chamber. In addition, among walls which surround the device chamber, at least one wall is adjacent to the air chamber.
