US08711150B2
Methods and apparatus for deactivating internal constraint curves when inflating an N-Sided patch. Given a patch representation, the methods simplify the construction of 3D models from 2D sketches. At least some interior constraint curves may be deactivated when inflating an N-sided patch generated from a 2D sketch, or when performing other surface deformation tasks. An inactive constraint is a passive curve that stays on the surface and that gets modified along with the surface when the surface is inflated, but that does not affect the surface itself. By changing parameters stored at the active constraints, embodiments may modify the surface and turn the inactive constraints from flat 2D curves into 3D space curves. The inactive constraints can be activated at any time when their 3D shape meets the user's expectations.
US08711149B2
A method of intuitively displaying values obtained from analyzing bio-medical images includes displaying a table of the values in a first pane of a graphical user interface. The table contains a user selectable row that includes a reference value and two numerical values. The reference value refers to an image of a tissue slice. The first numerical value is generated by performing image analysis on the image, and the second numerical value indicates a health state of the tissue. The image is displayed in a second pane of the graphical user interface in response to the user selecting the user selectable row. A graphical plot with a selectable symbol associated with the image is displayed in a third pane. The symbol has a position in the plot defined by the values. Alternatively, in response to the user selecting the selectable symbol, the image is displayed in the second pane.
US08711145B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for representing polarized light in computer models. A rendering pipeline receives three dimensional modeling data (e.g., geometric primitives) for rendering a two dimensional image are received. The modeling data includes data representing a light source The light energy from the simulated transmission of particles at each pixel of the two dimensional image is calculated for any particles transmitted in an adjoint direction from a specified view point back to the light source. The light energies from each pixel are summed to calculate the total light energy present at the specified view point. The total light energy can be forwarded to other modules in rendering pipeline to more accurately render the two dimensional image, such as, for example, representing polarized light in the two dimensional image.
US08711142B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art with respect to modeling a process having a visual representation and provide a method, system and computer program product for importing a visual representation of a process for use in an application. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented visual process model importation method can include identifying an arrangement of one or more visual objects in a visual process model, selecting associations between the visual objects and corresponding representative elements for a target process model, mapping the visual objects in the source model into the selected corresponding representative elements for the target process model, and producing the target process model for the visual process model using the mapping. The method subsequently can include providing the target process model as input to an application such as a simulation engine, a workflow engine or a visual collaboration and documentation system.
US08711141B2
For transforming a 2D image into a 3D image, or for transforming a 2D animation into a 3D animation, depths of the 2D image or the 2D animation are required and corrected by enhancing edges. Moreover, a 3D model is generated according to a corrected 2D depth map, and the 3D model is then filmed by virtual cameras to generate the 3D image or the 3D animation. While generating the 3D animation, key frames are selected for reducing processing time, and depths of unselected frames between the key frames are calculated by using interpolation.
US08711139B2
A stereoscopic display includes an image displayer. The image displayer includes a display that is configured to sequentially display a right-eye image and a left-eye image. The display includes a first region that includes first rows and a second region that includes second rows. A method of driving the stereoscopic display includes sequentially repeating: writing first image data to the second region when the first region is in an image displaying state; setting the second region to the image displaying state and the first region to an image not-displaying state after the image data is written to the second region; writing second image data to the first region when the second region is in the image displaying state; and setting the first region to the image displaying state and the second region to the image not-displaying state after the second image data is written to the first region.
US08711138B2
A pixel circuit for an electroluminescent element with a first storage capacitor formed overlapping a data line and which comprises a section where a semiconductor thin film constituting the switching transistor or the reset transistor extends, an insulating film, and a metal layer which is connected to the data line as a first terminal. A first terminal of a switching transistor and a first terminal of a reset transistor are connected to the second terminal of the first storage capacitor. The second terminal of the switching transistor is connected to a driving transistor. A second storage capacitor connects the control terminal and the first terminal of the switching transistor. The electroluminescent element is connected to the second terminal of the driving transistor through a light emission controlling transistor.
US08711135B2
A driving system of a display panel and a driving method thereof are provided, in which the display panel includes a plurality of pixel units, and the driving system includes a timing controller and a voltage generator. The timing controller is used for detecting data values of the pixel units, and calculating difference values between the data values of every two pixel units, in which the calculated pixel units are in successive rows. The timing controller obtains an aggregation value of absolute values of the difference values, and then provides a related control signal to the voltage generator according to whether the aggregation value reaches a threshold value. The voltage generator provides a common voltage or provides a compensation voltage to a common electrode according to content of the control signal.
US08711130B2
A position pointer is provided, which includes a housing having an opening, a rod disposed in the housing such that one end thereof projects from the opening, and a variable capacitor having a capacitance value which varies in response to pressure applied thereto through the rod. The capacitor includes a dielectric member having a first face portion opposite a second face portion, a first electrode section disposed on the first face portion of the dielectric member, a conductive member facing the second face portion of the dielectric member and forming a second electrode section when brought into contact with the second face portion of the dielectric member, and an elastic member coupled with the conductive member and adapted for biasing the conductive member away from the second face portion. A contact area between the conductive member and the second face portion varies depending on the pressure applied through the rod.
US08711129B2
A method and apparatus for minimizing mismatch effects between a compensation signal and an output signal generated by a touch surface device is disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a touch-sensitive panel having a sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a drive circuit for generating a sinusoidal drive signal provided to the sense node of the touch-sensitive panel; at least one non-touch-sensitive node within the touch-sensitive panel, for generating a sinusoidal compensation signal, wherein the sinusoidal compensation signal is summed with the output signal to provide a sinusoidal compensated output signal; and a sensing circuit for receiving the sinusoidal compensated output signal.
US08711123B2
The present invention relates to a resistive touchscreen for recognizing touch coordinates through a capacitor charging time constant, and more specifically, the invention comprises: an equal resistance line operating means for obtaining the same resistance line according to an (Rv+Ry+) value and the same resistance line according to an (Rv+Ry−) value by using the charge time constant after a charge time constant measuring means measures charge time constants of capacitors CconL and CconR; and a coordinate calculating means for obtaining intersecting points of the resistance lines, thereby perceiving the intersecting points as touch positions. According to the present invention, a conventional ADC (analog to digital converter) is not used because the touch positions can be perceived through the capacitor charging time constants, whereby the invention is advantageous for IC integration.
US08711122B2
A sensor apparatus includes: a sensor panel that includes an input operation surface and is configured to detect positional coordinates of a detection object that comes into contact with the input operation surface; a casing; and a pressure-sensitive sensor that includes a first electrode fixed on the sensor panel side, a second electrode fixed on the casing side, and an elastic member that is provided between the sensor panel and the casing and elastically supports the sensor panel with respect to the casing, includes, between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first area formed with a first capacitance and a second area formed with a second capacitance larger than the first capacitance, and is configured to detect a pressing force input to the input operation surface as a change in a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08711119B2
A display system includes a touch screen and a driving circuit. The touch screen includes touch sensors and a light source. A converter of the driving circuit receives an input voltage and provides a first output voltage to the light source according to a driving signal. A controller of the driving circuit converts the first output voltage to a second output voltage to drive the touch sensors, compares a voltage feedback signal indicating whether the second output voltage reaches a desired voltage level with a current feedback signal indicating whether a current through the light source reaches a desired current level, selects a feedback signal from the voltage feedback signal and the current feedback signal according to the comparison, and generates the driving signal to adjust the first output voltage according to the selected feedback signal.
US08711109B2
The present touch sensing technology enables detecting the position of touch between an object and a surface, and the direction of this object in three dimensions while touching the surface. Said object can be a user's finger, a pen, or the like, while said surface can be a touchpad, a touch screen, a computer mouse, a button of a computer keyboard, a 3D computer input device, or the like.
US08711097B2
An optical navigation device that can sense the movement of an object, such as a user's finger, so that the movement can control a feature of a consumer digital device such as a cursor on a display screen. The device includes a substrate to which an LED, reflector, and image sensor are attached. Light from the LED is directed by the elliptical reflector toward and through a window that is transparent to the light from the LED and then is reflected off of the user's finger back through the window, through a lens, and onto the image sensor. The reflector is positioned to direct light toward the window at an oblique angle, in the range of 65 to 70 degrees from an angle normal to the window. Further, the reflector is curved to gather light across a large solid angle in the vicinity of the LED. The curved shape of the reflector may be a portion of an ellipsoid and the LED may be located at one of the foci of the ellipsoid, with the window located at the other foci of the ellipsoid.
US08711095B2
System and method are disclosed for programming a user input device such as a computer mouse or computer keyboard. The user input device features memory for storing programming information associated with various user inputs, such as buttons or keys. The user may define macros, shortcuts, programs and other functions associated with any or all of user profiles so that the user may switch between various programmed data sets with ease.
US08711090B2
When a content output apparatus which can use a plurality of content providing devices switches from a first content providing device to a second content providing device and displays a content, a determination section predicts a start-up timing of starting to prepare for making a content of the second content providing device available on the basis of an operation input by a user, which is obtained by an input section. The switching section supplies power to a second device processing section on the basis of the predicted start-up timing.
US08711086B2
A method of manufacturing touch panel includes the steps of providing a backlight module having at least one extended wall portion formed therewith, so that a receiving space is enclosed in the extended wall portion; providing a liquid crystal display (LCD) layer and a capacitive sensing layer; providing a bonding layer to bond the LCD layer and the capacitive sensing layer to each other; and positioning the bonded LCD layer and capacitive sensing layer in the receiving space of the backlight module. Any extra amount of the bonding layer flowing out from between the bonded LCD layer and capacitive sensing layer forms an overflowed portion that is stopped by the extended wall portion from entering into the receiving space, so that time and labor costs for removing the overflowed portion in assembling the touch panel are saved and the production yield is increased.
US08711082B2
A method for driving a bistable display device is provided. The bistable display device has a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a timing controller and a source driver. The timing controller is configured to sequentially output control signals which correspond to a positive high voltage, a negative high voltage and a ground voltage respectively to the source driver. The source driver is configured to drive each pixel with the voltages corresponding to the control signals. The method comprises: providing only the positive high voltage or the ground voltage to one of two pixels in two adjacent rows of the same column if the source driver provides the positive high voltage to the other one when the source driver consecutively drives the two pixels.
US08711077B2
An LCD device is configured to drive a plurality of shift register units using two clock signals having different driving abilities. Each shift register unit may thus generate a stronger signal for triggering a next-stage shift register unit, thereby improving cold-start. When the LCD device has been activated over a predetermined period of time, the driving ability of the clock signal having higher driving ability is gradually lowered, thereby reducing power consumption.
US08711074B2
A high-speed flat panel display having a long lifetime. Thin film transistors in a pixel portion having a plurality of pixels are contacted differently from thin film transistors in driving circuit portions for driving the pixels, thereby enhancing luminance uniformity and reducing power consumption. The thin film transistors each have a channel region and a body contact region for applying a predetermined voltage to the channel region. At least one thin film transistor in the pixel portion is a source-body contact thin film transistor having the body contact region connected to one of source and drain electrodes so that the predetermined voltage can be provided to the channel region. Each thin film transistor in the driving circuit portion is a gate-body contact thin film transistor having the body contact region connected to the gate electrode so that a predetermined voltage can be provided to the channel region.
US08711067B2
Pixel interleaving configurations for use in high definition electronic sign displays where each and every scan line includes full red, green, and blue color representation to provide for high resolution electronic video sign displays.
US08711065B2
A TFT for controlling the amount of current flowing into a power supply line when an EL element does not emit light (electric discharge TFT) is provided in each pixel. When an EL driving TFT is turned ON to make an EL element emit light, the electric discharge TFT is turned OFF. On the other hand, the electric discharge TFT is turned ON when the EL driving TFT is turned OFF and no EL element emit light. Therefore variation of the difference in electric potential over the length of a power supply line depending on an image to be displayed is contained. Thus reduced is the difference in amount of current flowing into EL elements in adjacent pixels while the EL elements emit light, thereby avoiding crosstalk.
US08711058B2
A method displaying information for viewing by a user characterized by the steps of: peripherally displaying primary information (5) on a first focal plane (3), and displaying secondary information (6) on at least a second focal plane (2) to said primary information (5), wherein said secondary information (6) exhibits at least one characteristic capable of augmenting the effect of the primary information (5) on the viewer.
US08711057B2
A color LED display device without color separation comprises a substrate, a plurality of display units, a power supply unit, and a control unit. Each display unit comprises a driving chip, at least one red-light LED chip, at least one green-light LED chip, at least one blue-light LED chip, and a micro optical device assembly. The micro optical device assembly is disposed above the red-light, green-light and blue-light LED chips. When the control unit controls the display unit to emit light, the red-light, green-light and blue-light LED chips emit red, green and blue lights respectively and simultaneously. The red, green and blue lights pass through the micro optical device assembly, such that the light paths of the red, green and blue lights are changed and the three lights are combined on a two-dimensional plane. Therefore, the color separation phenomenon of the conventional color LED display device is solved.
US08711055B2
Disclosed is a printed circuit board, which includes an electromagnetic bandgap structure disposed around an antenna so as to prevent noise from being transmitted to the antenna. The printed circuit board includes an antenna, a circuit chip, a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of dielectric layers, a pair of transmission lines for transmitting a signal to the antenna, and an electromagnetic bandgap structure disposed between the antenna and the circuit chip and for preventing an electromagnetic wave from being transmitted from the circuit chip to the antenna.
US08711054B2
An electronic device with an embedded three-dimensional antenna is disclosed. The electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an embedded three-dimensional antenna. The embedded three-dimensional antenna includes a radiation element and a connection element. The connection element includes a first connection part and a second connection part. The first and second connection parts are coupled to the PCB, and utilized for transferring signals of the embedded three-dimensional antenna to the PCB. The first and second connection parts further clamp the PCB to attach the embedded three-dimensional antenna on the PCB.
US08711053B2
Provided is an antenna device, having a small and simple configuration, which reduces connection resistance in connections between a film antenna element and a power feeding unit. An antenna device comprises a nonconductive transparent film, which is an insulating substrate having a prescribed optical transmission factor, an antenna element that is formed, upon the transparent film, from transparent conductive material, which is a conductive material having a prescribed optical transmission factor, and a non-transparent conductive power feeding wire. The transparent film and the transparent conductive material are doubled over and pressed upon a portion of one side of the antenna element, which forms a square dipole antenna, such that the transparent conductive material is on the inside, and the power feeding wire is sandwiched therein. By being doubled over, the transparent conductive material has an overlap portion, the two sides whereof electrically connect to one other.
US08711052B2
An antenna support device for supporting an antenna is disclosed. The antenna support device includes a support arm, a holder mounted on the support arm, a first connecting member rotatably connected to the holder around a first axis, a second connecting member rotatably connected to the first connecting member around a second axis, and an antenna bracket fixed on the second connecting member, wherein the antenna is fixed on the antenna bracket.
US08711048B2
The invention provides a damage resistant antenna using a super-elastic flexible metallic material to form antenna radiating structures with a high damage threshold. The invention accounts for the electro-magnetic properties of the super-elastic flexible metallic material in the design of the shape and dimensions needed to form antenna radiating structures with consistent performance after repeated deploy, stow, and transport cycling of the antenna.
US08711044B2
An antenna arrangement including an antenna occupying at least a first plane; a conductive structure that is isolated from the antenna but is arranged to be parasitically fed by the antenna, the conductive structure having a slot and occupying at least a second plane different to but adjacent the first plane.
US08711038B2
The invention relates to methods and systems for accurate ranging and geo-locationing using coherent multicarrier (CM) signals and based on a high-resolution estimation of a receiver timing offset in a signal receiver that receives ranging CM signals. A transmitter transmits a ranging CM signal having a known subcarrier modulation pattern. The receiver samples the ranging CM signal it receives reflected back from an object or from the remote transmitter, and processes the sampled signal that preserves relative subcarrier phases using a high-resolution model channel response function to determine the receiver timing offset with resolution much better than the receiver sampling period. The receiver timing offset is used to determine a flight time for the ranging CM signal with high accuracy.
US08711035B1
Apparatus and methods determine the rotational position of a spinning object. A satellite positioning system can be used to determine the spatial position of an object, which in turn can be used to guide the object. However, when the object is spinning, such as an artillery shell, then the rotational orientation should be known in order to properly actuate the control surfaces, such as fins, which will also be spinning.
US08711032B2
A radio frequency ranging system is grounded in establishing and maintaining phase and frequency coherency of signals received by a slave unit from a master unit and retransmitted to the master unit by the slave unit. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, coherency is established through the use of a delta-sigma phase-lock loop, and maintained through the use, on both master and slave units, of thermally-insulated reference oscillators, which are highly stable over the short periods of time during which communications occur. A phase relationship counter is employed to keep track of the fractional time frames of the phase-lock loop as a function of the reference oscillator, thereby providing absolute phase information for an incoming burst on any channel, thereby enabling the system to almost instantaneously establish or reestablish the phase relationship of the local oscillator so that it synchronized with the reference oscillator.
US08711029B2
A process for filtering interferograms obtained from SAR images, acquired on the same area by synthetic aperture radars, comprising the following steps: a) acquiring a series of N radar images (Al . . . AN) by means of a SAR sensor on a same area with acquisition geometries such as to allow re-sampling of the data on a common grid; b) after re-sampling on a common grid, selecting a pixel from the common grid; c) calculating the coherence matrix of the selected pixel, that is estimating the complex coherence values for each possible pair of available images; d) maximizing, with respect of the source vector θ, here an unknown element, the functional: (formula) being R the operator which extracts the real part of a complex number, γnm the modulus of the element (n,m) of the coherence matrix, k a positive real number, φnm the phase of the element (n,m) of the coherence matrix, θn and θm the elements n and m of the unknown vector θ. Given that only phase differences appear in the functional T, the values of the unknown factor are estimated less an additive constant, which can be fixed by setting for example θ1=0, and the phase values θn thus obtained constitute the vector of the filtered phase values. T = { ∑ n = 1 N ∑ m = 1 N γ n m k · ⅇ ⅈϕ n m ⅇ - ⅈ ( θ n - θ m ) } ( I )
US08711020B2
An integrated-circuit, continuous-time, sigma-delta analogue-to-digital converter has a single-ended analogue input, a converter reference input, and a ground connection. The converter has a resistor-capacitor integrator arranged to receive the single-ended analogue input. The integrator comprises a differential amplifier. The converter also has a clocked comparator connected to an output from the integrator, and circuitry arranged so that reference inputs to the amplifier and to the comparator can be maintained at a common voltage derived from the converter reference input.
US08711014B2
Methods and devices for creating, compressing and searching a binary tree are provided by the present disclosure, which relates to the field of traffic classification. Binary tree compression includes: determining a number of a compression layer or a number of an intermediate node, compressing a binary tree according to the number of the compression layer or the number of the intermediate node to form at least one compression node, and creating a bitmap of the compression node. Therefore, the depth of the decision tree is reduced, the search speed is increased, rule expansion is avoided, and rule replication is reduced.
US08711010B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for automated notification systems. One representative method, among others, comprises the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing (MT); scheduling a notification communication; analyzing traffic flow predicament data associated with a travel plan of the MT; and rescheduling the notification communication, based upon the traffic flow predicament data. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer or other automated system that is programmed to perform the foregoing steps.
US08711007B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for displaying information about runways. A runway for an aircraft is identified when the aircraft is within a selected distance of the runway. A number of graphical indicators are displayed on a display in a flight deck. The number of graphical indicators corresponds to a number of features of the runway present in a field of view for an eye reference point in the flight deck.
US08711003B2
The disclosed system includes a first unit including at least one sensor. The first unit senses driving situations (characteristics) of a vehicle through the at least one sensor. Furthermore a second unit is configured to receive location-based information about the vehicle, and a control unit which includes an operation statistic unit calculates an acceptable range to be output by the first unit on a particular type of road based on the information detected by the sensing unit and the information received by the location second unit. The control unit also includes an abnormal driving determination unit which compares values sensed by the first unit with values calculated by the operation statistic unit to determine whether or not the vehicle is being driven in an abnormal state.
US08710993B2
Methods, devices, and kits are provided for mitigating single point failure of at least one device in an analyte monitoring system.
US08710992B2
A biological information monitoring system includes: a transmitter to which first channel information is allocated, the transmitter collecting biological information from a living body and outputting the biological information; a first receiver in which the first channel information is set, the first receiver receiving the biological information from the transmitter to which the first channel information is allocated, the first receiver outputting the biological information; a monitoring apparatus receiving the biological information from the first receiver and displaying the received biological information; a setting unit setting the first channel information in the first receiver; a second receiver in which second channel information is set; and a detector determining whether the first channel information is identical with the second channel information.
US08710984B2
Systems and methods are provided for device-free motion detection and presence detection within an area of interest. A plurality of nodes, configured to be arranged around the area of interest, form a wireless network. The plurality of nodes transmit wireless signals as radio waves and receive transmitted wireless signals. The received signal strength (RSS) of the transmitted wireless signals between the plurality of nodes are measured and a value is reported. A computing device receives the reported values for the measured RSS and tracks the reported values over time. The computing device processes the reported values using an aggregate disturbance calculation to detect motion and presence within the area of interest. The computing device may notify notification device of a detected disturbance within the area of interest.
US08710983B2
The present application describes a sensor network and method for monitoring and detecting intrusion activities in accordance with various illustrative embodiments. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first input from a first sensor at a first sensor node of a wireless ad hoc sensor network, and comparing the first input to a first predefined input threshold associated with an intrusion activity. The method also includes wirelessly communicating an indication of the intrusion activity to a gateway device via a second sensor node of the wireless ad hoc sensor network. The gateway device may include an interface between the wireless ad hoc sensor network and a user-interactive system configured to monitor the wireless ad hoc sensor network.
US08710967B2
In one example, information is presented to a user in a non-visual manner. In this example, a list of visually representable items defined by a beginning and at least one of dimension of time and space is accessed. Each of the visually representable items within the dimension is placed in one of a plurality of non-visual sensory categories. A non-visual sensory preview is rendered, in sequence for each item in the list, from the plurality of non-visual sensory categories.
US08710963B2
A receiver for receiving messages from a transmitter includes a controller and a driver stage for providing a supply voltage to the transmitter based on a control signal. The controller is configured to provide the control signal to compensate for changes of the supply voltage caused by a modulation of the current consumption of the transmitter, such that the supply voltage remains in a predefined range. Furthermore, the controller is configured to evaluate a series of succeeding values of the control signal to derive a message generated by the transmitter by modulating its current consumption.
US08710962B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for performing RFID reader updates. As an example, systems are described that include a server, an RFID reader, and a portable update device. The server is operable to provide an RFID reader update via a communication network. The RFID reader has an nfc interface. The portable update device is operable to receive the RFID reader update via the communication network, and to transfer the RFID reader update to the RFID reader via the nfc interface.
US08710959B2
Systems and methods for detecting states are disclosed. An information handling system may include a processor and a plurality of information handling resources communicatively coupled to the processor via the common control line. The processor may be configured to produce a first signal on a common control line. Each of the plurality of information handling resources may include a tag having a signal threshold, the tag configured to communicate a second signal via the common control line indicating the presence of the particular information handling resource in response to the first signal exceeding the signal threshold of the tag.
US08710954B2
The present invention discloses an active data tag device (100) which includes an expiration event generator (108), and a memory (106) which has tag data (116) stored therein. Upon the occurrence (614) of and expiration event, the tag disables access to the tag data.
US08710951B2
An operation controlling apparatus executing operation controlling for plural equipment connected therewith, including: an equipment management portion configured to manage a control command for each of plural numbers of control commands, for each of the plural numbers of equipments; a projector portion configured to project an image of each control item, for each of the plural numbers of equipments; a distance detector portion configured to detect distance from said projector portion to a projection surface, on which the projector portion project the image; and a controller portion configured to control the projector portion so as to change the control item to be projected by the projector portion, depending on the distance detected by the distance detector portion, and to bring the equipment of control target to execute the control command, which is managed by the equipment management portion, when execution of the control item projected is determined.
US08710950B2
A wireless control system includes a device for sending a wireless signal, a receiver for receiving the wireless signal, and circuitry for processing the wireless signal. The circuitry includes a learn mode in which a device is associated with the control signal to the exclusion of commands from other devices not associated with the circuitry. The device transmits a wireless signal redundantly over a plurality of frequencies. The control system may chooses a signal frequency and receiver combination to maintain a quality signal.
US08710949B2
The invention relates to a remote ignition system for a vehicle with a remote ignition control device for activating a remote ignition by providing a release signal, means for detecting a driver's intention to start driving, and an engine control device which comprises the following: a first evaluation unit for evaluating a signal which has been received from the remote ignition control device, a unit coupled to the first evaluation unit for starting of the engine in response to a release signal and for stopping the engine in response to a blocking signal, and a second evaluation unit for evaluating signals which have been received from the means for detecting the intention to start driving. The engine control device furthermore comprises a storage unit for storing the last signal evaluated by the first evaluation unit, and a test unit which is coupled to the second evaluation unit, to the storage unit, and to the unit for starting and stopping the engine and which is designed to read out the signal stored in the storage unit when the second evaluation unit has ascertained the intention to start driving and, if it is a release signal, to send a blocking signal to the unit for starting and stopping the engine and to modify the contents of the storage unit. The invention furthermore relates to a method for securing a remote ignition function.
US08710944B2
A superconducting magnetizer includes a thermal shield disposed within a vacuum chamber. A superconducting magnet is disposed within the thermal shield and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electric current supplied to the superconducting magnet. A heat transfer device comprising at least one of a thermal conduction device, and a heat pipe is disposed contacting the superconducting magnet. A cryocooler is coupled to the heat transfer device and configured to cool the superconducting magnet via the heat transfer device.
US08710943B2
An electromagnetic bandgap structure and a printed circuit board that can solve a mixed signal problem between an analog circuit and a digital circuit are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment, an electromagnetic bandgap structure is stacked with a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a metal plate, a second dielectric layer and a second metal layer, and an odd number of vias can be serially connected through a metal line between the first metal layer and the metal plate. This electromagnetic bandgap structure can have a small size and a low bandgap frequency.
US08710939B2
Disclosed is an oscillator circuit which compensates for external voltage supply, temperature, and a process, includes: a reference voltage generation unit configured to generate reference voltage Vbp stabilized against a change in external voltage supply VDD and temperature; a temperature compensation unit configured to generate first reference voltage PVREF, second reference voltage IVREF, and third reference voltage RX_VREF; an internal voltage supply generation unit configured to generate internal voltage supply VPPI stabilized against the change in external voltage supply VDD and temperature by receiving the first reference voltage PVREF; a current supply unit configured to generate compensation current RX_IREF in proportion to or in inverse proportion to temperature by receiving the second reference voltage IVREF; a process compensation unit configured to perform process compensation by controlling an amount of the compensation current RX_IREF; and an oscillation signal generation unit configured to generate oscillation signals.
US08710936B2
A system which starts up and shuts down a resonant oscillator circuit. During start up, the system operates a driving circuit, which is external to the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the driving circuit uses a first clock signal to control a first phase output of the resonant oscillator circuit. At the same time, the driving circuit uses a second clock signal to control a second phase output of the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the first and second clock signals have opposite phases. While the first and second phase outputs are being controlled, the system ramps up an input voltage, which is used to power the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the ramping takes place across multiple initial oscillation periods. During shut down, the system shuts down the resonant oscillator circuit by ramping down the input voltage. Next, the system clamps the first and second phase outputs to a fixed voltage.
US08710931B2
A piezoelectric device and a fabricating method thereof are provided. Variation of output frequency is suppressed by forming an organic resin to protect an IC chip that is mounted in a cavity of a container body, and damage that may occur to the IC chip during the mounting process is prevented. The piezoelectric device includes a container body, a crystal resonator, an IC chip and a cover body. A surface of the IC chip, which is a mounting surface for mounting to the container body, has bumps thereon for connecting to terminal pads of a circuit wiring pattern configured on a bottom surface of a bottom cavity of the container body, and the other surface of the IC chip has an insulating protective sheet adhered and fixed thereon.
US08710918B2
An electronic component includes a driver that outputs a signal to a reception apparatus; a storage device storing therein reflection information related to a reflected wave that returns to the driver when the signal is reflected back by the reception apparatus; a reflected wave detector that based on the reflection information, determines a measurement period for measuring the reflected wave and that based on the measurement period, measures an arrival time and a peak amplitude of the reflected wave; and a controller that based on the arrival time and the peak amplitude, extracts reflected-wave cancelling information for inhibiting effects of the reflected wave from the reception apparatus and that sets the extracted reflected-wave cancelling information in the driver.
US08710915B2
An apparatus, includes a plurality of circuits each of which operates with a reference voltage, a constant current generator which generates a substantially constant current, and distributes the substantially constant current to each of the circuits, and a plurality of converters, each of the converters respectively corresponding to each of the circuits, each of which converts the substantially constant current to the reference voltage and respectively provides the reference voltage to each of the circuits.
US08710895B2
A level shift circuit is for converting a level of input signal which has a logic level at a first input electric potential and a logic level at a second input electric potential and generating an output signal which a logic level at a first output electric potential corresponding to the first input electric potential and logic level at a second output electric potential corresponding to the second input electric potential.
US08710889B1
A delay cell includes a feed-forward inverter and a feedback inverter. The feedback inverter is coupled to the feed-forward inverter. The feed-forward inverter has an input and an output. Similarly, the feedback inverter has an input and an output. A drive strength of the feed-forward inverter is larger than a drive strength of the feedback inverter such that a transition at the input of the feed-forward inverter propagates to the output of the feed-forward inverter.
US08710882B2
A calibration device and related method for a phase difference between data signal and clock signal are disclosed. An apparatus of the invention includes: an adjustable delay circuit for delaying at least one of a first input signal and a second input signal according to a delay control signal, and generating a first signal and a second signal; a phase detection circuit for detecting a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal to output a phase difference signal; a charge pump and a capacitor for outputting a control signal according to the phase difference signal; a comparison circuit for outputting a comparison result according to the control signal; and, a digital control circuit for outputting the delay control signal according to the comparison result.
US08710881B2
A PLL circuit according to the present invention includes a VCO that outputs an VCO signal having a frequency according to an input voltage, a loop filter that feeds a voltage according to an input current to the VCO, a phase comparator that outputs a phase difference pulse having a width according to a phase difference between a first input signal and a second input signal, a charge pump circuit that receives the phase difference pulse, and inputs the current to the loop filter, and a phase-difference-pulse stop unit that stops the input of the phase difference pulse to the charge pump circuit in a non-input state in which an REF signal (reference frequency signal) is not input. The first input signal is the REF signal itself or a signal obtained by dividing the frequency of the REF signal, and the second input signal is the VCO signal itself or a signal obtained by dividing the frequency of the VCO signal.
US08710879B2
An apparatus and method for multiplying frequency of a clock signal are provided, wherein the apparatus provides an initial oscillator signal, compares the initial oscillator signal with a reference signal to generate a first control signal, selectively outputs one of at least one lower threshold value and at least one upper threshold value from a threshold value generation circuit to a clock output circuit according to at least the first control signal, and updates an output clock signal through a digital and logical module processing the comparison of the initial oscillator signal and the selected one of the at least one upper and lower threshold values and the comparison of the initial oscillator signal and a low level signal.
US08710872B2
A driver circuit can be used to drive a semiconductor switch to an on-state or an off-state in accordance with a control signal. The operating voltage range of the control signal is represented by a reference voltage. And input stage receives the control signal and the reference voltage and generates a modified control signal. An output stage is coupled to the input stage and receives the modified control signal. The output stage is configured to provide a driver signal for driving the semiconductor switch on and off in accordance with the modified control signal. The input stage is configured to scale the control signal dependent on the level of the reference voltage, to compare the scaled control signal with at least one threshold value that is responsive to the reference voltage, and to generate the modified control signal dependent on the result of the comparison.
US08710868B2
A sense-amplifier monotizer includes an amplifier circuit and a keeper circuit. The amplifier circuit outputs a predetermined logic state while a clock signal is in a first phase, and samples a data signal and outputs at least one of the data signal and a complementary logic state of the data signal while the clock signal is in a second phase. A subsequent change of the data signal does not affect an output of the amplifier circuit once the data signal is sampled while the clock signal is in the second phase. The keeper circuit keeps a logic state of the sampled data signal once the data signal is sampled while the clock signal is in the second phase. The amplifier circuit may receive multiple data signals, and output a data signal selected by the select signal and/or a complementary value while the clock signal is in the second phase.
US08710864B2
A polymorphic systolic array framework that works in conjunction with an embedded microprocessor on an FPGA, that allows for dynamic and complimentary scaling of acceleration levels of two algorithms active concurrently on the FPGA. Use is made of systolic arrays and hardware-software co-design to obtain an efficient multi-application acceleration system. The flexible and simple framework allows hosting of a broader range of algorithms and extendable to more complex applications in the area of aerospace embedded systems.
US08710863B2
A processor includes a RISC CPU core; and a plurality of peripherals including one or more configurable logic cell peripherals. The configurable logic cell peripheral may be configured to allow real-time software access to internal configuration and signals paths of the processor. The configurable logic cell peripheral may have real-time configuration control.
US08710861B2
To suppress the number of clocks needed to adjust the impedance of an output buffer. A pull-up replica buffer is connected between a calibration terminal and power supply wiring, and is controlled in impedance by a DRZQP signal supplied from a counter. A pull-down replica buffer is connected between ground wiring and a connection node A, and is controlled in impedance by a DRZQN signal supplied from the counter. More specifically, the DRZQP signal and the DRZQN signal indicate count values. The impedances of the replica buffers are increased or decreased stepwise in proportion to the count values. The count values are updated according to a binary search method.
US08710859B2
Disclosed is a method for testing multi-chip stacked packages. Initially, one or more substrate-less chip cubes are provided, each consisting of a plurality of chips such as chips stacked together having vertically connected with TSV's where there is a stacked gap between two adjacent chips. Next, the substrate-less chip cubes are adhered onto an adhesive tape where the adhesive tape is attached inside an opening of a tape carrier. Then, a filling encapsulant is formed on the adhesive tape to completely fill the chip stacked gaps. Next, the tape carrier is fixed on a wafer testing carrier in a manner to allow the substrate-less chip cubes to be loaded into a wafer tester without releasing from the adhesive tape. Accordingly, the probers of the wafer tester can be utilized to probe testing electrodes of the substrate-less chip cubes so that it is easy to integrate this testing method in TSV fabrication processes.
US08710855B2
A probe card holding apparatus is provided and may be configured to hold a probe card in a test head. The probe card may include a clamp head formed at a center part of a back surface of the probe card, and a holding device provided at the test head and configured to engage with the clamp head.
US08710852B2
An apparatus for determining an initiation point of cement curing, with a vessel for containing at least a portion of freshly mixed cement, means for passing an electric signal through the cement, means for detecting an abrupt change in a dielectric or electric property of the cement as a result of the electric signal and a display unit for displaying the initiation point of polymerization of the cement from the abrupt change in the dielectric or electric property detected, the change in the dielectric or electric property being a phase shift in the electric signal passed through the cement or a change in capacitive properties of the cement or a change in resistivity of the cement.
US08710850B2
A system and method is provided for determining the existence of a ground fault connection within a vehicle. An electrical connector may be provided for electrically connecting the vehicle to an external Alternating Current (AC) power source. The electrical connector includes a three phase electrical connector configured to receive a corresponding input voltage signal on a phase, neutral, and earth connection. A controller being configured to determine whether a faulty earth connection exists between the vehicle and the AC power source the phase connection does not exceed the predetermined phase threshold when referenced to the earth connection and the neutral connection does not exceed the predetermined neutral threshold when referenced to the earth connection or the phase connection exceeds the predetermined phase threshold when referenced to the earth connection and the neutral connection exceeds the predetermined neutral threshold when referenced to the earth connection.
US08710841B2
Physiologic information can be received from a subject during a portion of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session using a sensing circuit of an implantable medical device (IMD). An indication of an active MRI scan can be received, and a time period to inhibit use of physiological information from the subject can be determined following the received indication of the active MRI scan.
US08710839B2
In MRI by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of RF signals induced by these spins in the presence of spatially-varying encoding magnetic fields, signal localization is performed through recombination of measurements obtained in parallel by each coil in an encircling array of RF receiver coils. Through the use of magnetic gradient fields that vary both as first-order and second-order Z2 spherical harmonics with position, radially-symmetric magnetic encoding fields are created that are complementary to the spatial variation of the encircling receiver coils. The resultant hybrid encoding functions comprised of spatially-varying coil profiles and gradient fields permits unambiguous localization of signal contributed by spins. Using hybrid encoding functions in which the gradient shapes are thusly tailored to the encircling array of coil profiles, images are acquired in less time than is achievable from a conventional acquisition employing only first-order gradient fields with an encircling coil array.
US08710837B2
For container-carried explosives or contraband in which the container is made of conductive material and can therefore constitute a Faraday cage, stimulated emissions due to nuclear quadrupole resonance are detected utilizing a terminated balanced transmission line and a directional coupler for the detection of explosives, contraband, narcotics and the like that exist in metal containers.
US08710834B2
The invention provides a drive coil and measurement probe comprising the drive coil. The measurement probes can be used, for example, in in-situ, non-destructive testing methods, also provided herein.
US08710829B2
A sheet coil type is provided in which a detection coil of two phases is disposed at a stator section and structured such that a coil of sine phase a coil of cosine phase are circumferentially arranged alternately on the same plane, wherein the distance between an excitation coil at a rotor section and the coil of sine phase at the stator section is identical to the distance between the excitation coil at the rotor section and the coil of cosine phase at the stator section, whereby the difference in amplitude between at a sine phase output and at a cosine phase output is eliminated.
US08710826B2
Systems and methods for sensing external magnetic fields in implantable medical devices are provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus for sensing magnetic fields. An apparatus embodiment includes a sensing circuit with at least one inductor having a magnetic core that saturates in the presence of a magnetic field having a prescribed flux density. The apparatus embodiment also includes an impedance measuring circuit connected to the sensing circuit. The impedance measuring circuit is adapted to measure impedance of the sensing circuit and to provide a signal when the impedance changes by a prescribed amount. According to an embodiment, the sensing circuit includes a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit. The impedance measuring circuit includes a transthoracic impedance measurement module (TIMM), according to an embodiment. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08710817B2
A power converter includes an input and an output. A regulation circuit is coupled between the power converter input and the power converter output. The regulation circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of the power converter output. The feedback signal has a first feedback state that represents a level at the power converter output that is above a threshold level and a second feedback state that represents a level at the power converter output that is below the threshold level. An oscillator is included in the regulation circuit that provides an oscillation signal that cycles between two states. The regulation circuit is coupled to be responsive to the oscillation signal and to a change between the first and second feedback states to enable or disable a flow of energy from the power converter input to the power converter output.
US08710815B2
The present invention discloses a voltage regulator, and a control circuit and a control method therefor. The method for controlling a voltage regulator comprises: receiving a dynamic voltage identification signal which instructs the voltage regulator to change its output voltage to a target voltage, and generating a compensation signal to shorten an interval for the output voltage of the voltage regulator to reach the target voltage.
US08710811B2
A voltage regulator includes an output drive device configured to provide an output voltage to an output terminal; an error amplifier configured to control the output drive device by taking into consideration a feedback signal from the output voltage; a first compensation unit configured to provide a first compensation signal to compensate an output signal of the error amplifier; and a second compensation unit configured to provide a second compensation signal to compensate an input signal of the error amplifier, wherein second compensation unit comprises at least two capacitors and at least one transistor configured to control the coupling of the two capacitors.
US08710809B2
A regulator structure includes a first differential amplifier having a first input coupled to a reference voltage node. A second differential amplifier has a first input coupled to the output of the first differential amplifier. A third differential amplifier has a first input coupled to the output of the first differential amplifier. A first pmos transistor has its gate coupled to the second differential amplifier output, and its drain coupled to a second input of each of the first and second differential amplifiers. A second pmos transistor has its gate coupled to the third differential amplifier output, and its drain configured to output a regulated voltage which is also a second input of the third differential amplifier. A circuit is configured to replicate the regulated voltage and couple the replicated regulated voltage to the drain of the first pmos transistor.
US08710805B2
An improved control circuit that is structured to energize another device such as a squib. A first portion of the circuit includes a first transistor and is structured to discharge at a first rate a first portion of a charge stored by a capacitor. Another portion of the circuit includes a second transistor and is structured to discharge a second portion of the charge subsequent to the discharge of the first portion of the charge and at a second rate greater than the first rate.
US08710798B2
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems relating to electric vehicle charging stations (“EVCS s”) or electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”) that are configured to provide parking meter functionality. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the basic process of connecting an electric vehicle to the power grid with an EVCS/EVSE for charging purposes by also providing a means of parking access control for vehicles parked near the EVCS/EVSE in spaces managed by the EVCS/EVSE. The parking meter system enables installers and/or operators of EVCSs/EVSE to reduce equipment costs by eliminating the need to have separate parking meters in addition to EVCS/EVSE. This can potentially lead to an increase in the number of EVCSs/EVSE that are installed and in the speed with which these EVCSs/EVSE are installed.
US08710790B2
A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and a control portion that controls amount of electricity generation at a time of starting the fuel cell, characterized in that the control portion has voltage drop control means for controlling speed of dropping a starting voltage of the fuel cell from an open-circuit voltage to a high-potential-avoiding voltage according to an initial voltage of the fuel cell and to a pre-determined threshold voltage that is lower than the high-potential-avoiding voltage, when the starting voltage of the fuel cell is dropped from the open-circuit voltage to the high-potential-avoiding voltage.
US08710788B2
The present invention relates to a drive apparatus and drive method for switching an energization mode when a voltage of a non-energized phase of a brushless motor crosses a threshold. In threshold learning, first, the brushless motor is stopped at an initial position. The brushless motor is then rotated by performing phase energization based on the energization mode from the stopped state. The voltage of the non-energized phase at an angular position of switching the energization mode is detected from a maximum value or a minimum value of the voltage of the non-energized phase during the rotation, and the threshold is learned based on the detected voltage. Alternatively, the brushless motor is positioned at the angular position of switching the energization mode by maintaining one energization mode, and then the energization mode is switched to the next energization mode. The voltage of the non-energized phase immediately after the switching to the energization mode is detected, and the detected voltage of the non-energized phase is learned as the threshold used to determine the timing of switching to the next energization mode.
US08710787B2
A servomotor control circuit for an air conditioner apparatus of a vehicle includes a drive control section for controlling drive of a servomotor so that the servomotor attains a target stop position, a rotation position change detection section for detecting a change in the rotation position of the servomotor, and an operation limit check section for checking, based on the change in the rotation position of the servomotor, whether the servomotor has attained the operation limit position. The drive control section stops drive of the servomotor without reception of a servomotor drive stop command produced from a main control apparatus, when the servomotor is determined as having attained the operation limit position.
US08710784B2
A system comprises a vehicle seating system including a seat and at least one powered seat adjustment actuator for altering the seating position formed by the seat. Additionally, the system includes a controller for receiving at least one signal based on at least one vehicle/user event. For reducing fatigue, the controller controls slow seat movement while the vehicle is moving, and changes slow movement between first and second slow movements based on the vehicle/user event(s).
US08710771B2
A remote directs illumination of an illumination source according to a duty cycle. The duty cycle defines a first portion of time power is provided from a battery and a second portion of time power is not provided. The remote monitors voltage output by the battery and adjusts the duty cycle to increase the duration of the first portion based on a decrease of the monitored voltage compared to a maximum voltage level. The remote may adjust the duty cycle in order to maintain a consistent illumination output level. In some implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle based on one or more threshold values. In other implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle directly based on the measured voltage. In still other implementations, the remote may not calculate the duty cycle directly but may instead reference a lookup table.
US08710760B2
A power supply apparatus for LED is provided. The power supply apparatus for LED includes a transformer, a first output unit, and a second output unit. The transformer includes a primary winding, a secondary winding receiving a power induced from the primary winding, and a tertiary winding receiving the power induced from the primary winding. The first output unit is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer, and outputs a first power current to an LED in a first operating condition. The second output unit is connected to the tertiary winding of the transformer, and outputs a second power current to the LED in a second operating condition. When the LED is connected to the power supply apparatus for LED, the power supply apparatus allows a current equal to or less than a predetermined current to flow in the LED, thereby protecting the LED from an overcurrent.
US08710759B1
Disclosed is an illumination controller for use with at least one LED module. The illumination controller includes an input, a control output, and a processor. The command input receives at least one illumination control packet. The control output pulse modulates a signal that powers an illumination level. The processor controls the control output in accordance with an illumination level parameter associated with a first illumination control packet received at the input and a scaling parameter associated with a second illumination control packet received at the input.
US08710755B2
The present invention discloses a light emitting device power supply circuit, a light emitting device driver circuit and a control method thereof. The light emitting device driver circuit is coupled to a tri-electrode AC switch (TRIAC) dimmer circuit, and it controls the brightness of a light emitting device circuit according a rectified dimming signal. The light emitting device driver circuit includes a power stage circuit and a light emitting device control circuit. The light emitting device control circuit generates a switch control signal. The power stage circuit operates at least one power switch thereof according to the switch control signal to generate a latching current for firing the TRIAC dimmer circuit, and the latching current is inputted to the light emitting device circuit.
US08710749B2
A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a light-emitting element, a first wiring, a driver circuit having a function of controlling the potential of the first wiring, a second wiring, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor. One of a source and a drain of the transistor is connected to the light-emitting element. With this structure, voltage applied between the source and the gate of the transistor can be corrected in anticipation of variations in threshold voltage, so that the current supplied to the light-emitting element can be corrected.
US08710740B2
A phosphor adhesive sheet includes a phosphor layer containing a phosphor and an adhesive layer laminated on one surface in a thickness direction of the phosphor layer. The adhesive layer is formed of a silicone resin composition having both thermoplastic and thermosetting properties.
US08710737B2
To improve the luminance of light emitted by a light-emitting device, the light-emitting device includes a base (1) that has an opening part (1p) constituted by a light-reflecting surface (1r) and a bottom surface (1u), a light-emitting chip (2) that is mounted on the bottom surface (1u) of the opening part (1p), a transparent member (3) that covers the light-emitting chip (2), and an optical member (4) that is disposed on the transparent member (3). The transparent member (3) is disposed on the bottom surface (1u) of the opening part (1p) in a state where the transparent member (3) is spaced away from the light-reflecting surface (1r) of the opening part (1p).
US08710731B2
A method of patterning a color conversion layer for an organic EL device is provided together with a method of manufacturing a multiple color emitting organic EL display using the patterning method. The patterning method includes forming the color conversion layer on a base having an organic layer and patterning the color conversion layer by carrying out a thermal cycle nano imprint technique.
US08710729B2
A field emission cathode device includes a cathode substrate, a gate electrode, a first dielectric layer, a cathode electrode, and an electron emission layer. The gate electrode is located on a surface of the cathode substrate. The first dielectric layer is located on a surface of the gate electrode and defines a first opening to expose part of the gate electrode. The cathode electrode is spaced from the gate electrode through the first dielectric layer defining a second opening in alignment with the first opening. A field emission display using the field emission cathode device is also related.
US08710720B2
A generator, a stator segment and a wind turbine are provided. The generator has a rotor and a stator. The stator includes stator segments attached to a circular holding structure. A stator segment has at least one first connection element being in engagement with at least one second connection element of the holding structure. The engagement is detachable in an axial direction and not detachable in a radial and a circumferential direction.
US08710719B2
Piezoelectric quasi-resonance linear motors based on acoustic standing waves with combined resonator
A piezoelectric device includes a piezoresonator body (3) having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing third and fourth surfaces. The device also includes at least one common electrode (8) disposed on the second surface (15) and electrodes (4a, 4b) disposed on the first surface (14) in pairs along a first longitudinal axis. The device further includes contact elements (5) disposed on the third (16) and the fourth (17) surfaces at contact locations along the first longitudinal axis and aligned between each pair of excitation electrodes. In the device, the piezoelectric body has a first order natural resonance frequency (v1) along a second longitudinal axis and an even order natural resonance frequency (v2) along the first longitudinal axis, where a percent difference between v1 and v2 is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 20%.
US08710714B2
A method and apparatus for packaging a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) piezoelectric device into a SAW tagging device for use in a harsh environment is provided. An exemplary SAW tagging device comprises a SAW piezoelectric device within a header container. The header container is electrically connected to an antenna system that comprises an antenna substrate, a dielectric disk that may operate as an antenna reflector in combination with a metal base. The antenna system, antenna substrate, dielectric disk and header container are all contained within a cavity in the metal base. The SAW tagging device is completely encased in a chemical, temperature and environmentally resistive and durable material that is transparent to the operating radio frequency of the SAW piezoelectric device contained therein. A grooved sleeve or ring is provided about the SAW tagging device and is compressible or crushable such that the SAW tagging device can be compression fitted into a borehole in an asset or object in need of being tagged.
US08710704B2
A performance venue having a dynamic load management system for use in managing loads. The system uses a dead man circuit as a means for determining the actual or anticipated dynamic load produced by moving loads, and then disables the system by opening the dead man circuit when too many loads are moved or selected to be moved. Preferably, the invention is embodied in a dead man circuit is pure hardware, and is free of software components. The invention also provides a method of controlling movement of loads in a performance venue having a plurality machines. In its basic form, the method comprises selecting at least one of the machines for movement, closing a dead man circuit, and opening the dead man circuit if the current in the dead man circuit falls outside a predetermined range.
US08710703B2
A fabric product includes a body having a skin made by interweaving a plurality of textile fabrics and a low powered activation arrangement which includes an electronic unit and one or more conductive threads extended underneath the skin of the body. The electronic unit includes a power source, an activation circuit which is a low powered activation circuit, and an operator. Each of the conductive threads has a proximal end portion electrically coupled with the activation circuit and a distal end portion which is extended to an outer surface of the skin of the body at a predetermined location thereof and is arranged in such a manner that when the distal end portion of the conductive thread is being contacted, the activation circuit is activated to actuate the operator.
US08710700B2
A method, device and computer program product for providing improved control of power or voltage oscillation damping in a power transmission system. The device includes a magnitude obtaining element configured to obtain an instantaneous magnitude of a signal representing a deviating oscillation in at least one element of the power transmission system, a slope investigating element configured to determine the rate of change of the signal, and a first processing block including an integrating element configured to integrate the instantaneous magnitudes with an integrating factor that is based on the determined rate of change. The first processing block is further configured to form a phase compensation angle based on the integrated instantaneous magnitude for use in a damping control signal generating unit in order to provide power or voltage oscillation damping of the system.
US08710695B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method may include receiving, at a first plug link device prong, a Powerline Communication (PLC) signal from a first main electrical line. The method may further include transferring the PLC signal from the first plug link device prong to a first plug link device electrical line. The method may also include passing the PLC signal from the first plug link device electrical line to a second plug link device electrical line. The method may also include transferring the PLC signal from the second plug link device electrical line to a second plug link device prong. The method may also include sending, from the second plug link device prong, the PLC signal to a second main electrical line.
US08710692B2
Wind farm and method of controlling operation of a wind farm. The wind farm including a plurality of wind power plants, each equipped in a same manner with a pivoted rotor structure and a control device for controlling the operation of the individual wind power plants. The control device is structured and arranged to synchronize the rotary motions of the rotor structures of at least some of the plurality of wind power plants.
US08710684B2
An apparatus includes an unbalanced mass unit configured to be rockable between front and rear unbalanced positions by virtue of the moment of inertia, a coupling shaft which rotatably extends through an upper segment of the unbalanced mass unit and which is coupled with an electricity generator, and a releasably retaining member releasably retaining the unbalanced mass unit at the rear unbalanced position. In response to a downward mechanical load, the releasably retaining member releases the unbalanced mass unit to allow the unbalanced mass unit to commence rocking so as to permit the coupling shaft to generate a rotating torque for conversion into electricity by the electricity generator.
US08710671B2
A multi-level integrated circuit, having a superposition of a first stack and a second stack of layers, and including a first row of electronic devices produced in the first stack, extending parallel to a first direction and fitting into a first volume with a substantially parallelepiped rectangle shape and having edges perpendicular to the first direction and with dimension H1; a second row of electronic devices produced in the second stack, extending parallel to the first direction and fitting into a second volume with a substantially parallelepiped rectangle shape and having edges perpendicular to the first direction and with dimension H2
US08710670B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a wafer substrate having an active side containing a contact; forming a through silicon via extending through the wafer substrate electrically connected to the contact having a via width; forming a first coupling feature extending from a top side of the through silicon via; and forming a second coupling feature on the side of the through silicon via opposite the first coupling feature.
US08710664B2
A chip scale package implements solder bars to form a connection between a chip and a trace, formed in a substrate, such as another chip or PCB. Solder bars are formed by depositing one or more solder layers into the socket, or optionally, depositing a base metal layer into the socket and applying the solder layer to the base metal layer. The geometry of a solder bars may be rectangular, square, or other regular or irregular geometry. Solder bars provide a greater utilization of the connectivity footprint and increase the electrical and thermal flow capacity. Solder bars also provide a robust connection.
US08710663B2
To provide a semiconductor device having a reduced size and thickness while suppressing deterioration in reliability. After a semiconductor wafer is ground at a back surface thereof with a grinding material into a predetermined thickness, the resulting semiconductor wafer is diced along a cutting region to obtain a plurality of semiconductor chips. While leaving grinding grooves on the back surface of each of the semiconductor chips, the semiconductor chip is placed on the upper surface of a die island via a conductive resin paste so as to face the back surface of the semiconductor chip and the upper surface of the die island each other. The die island has, on the upper surface thereof, a concave having a depth of from 3 μm to 10 μm from the edge of the concave to the bottom of the concave.
US08710662B2
A light-reflective anisotropic conductive paste is used as an anisotropic conductive paste when a light-emitting device is produced by flip-chip mounting a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode element (LED) on a wiring board. The light-reflective anisotropic conductive paste includes light-reflective insulating particles, in order to improve light emission efficiency without providing, in the LED, a light-reflecting layer that causes an increase in manufacturing cost. With the light-reflective anisotropic conductive paste, a reduction in bonding strength of the light-emitting element to the wiring board in a high-temperature environment can be suppressed, and a reduction in conduction reliability after a TCT can also be suppressed. In the light-reflective anisotropic conductive paste, conductive particles and the light-reflective insulating particles are dispersed in a thermosetting resin composition. The thermosetting resin composition contains an epoxy compound and a thermal catalyst-type curing agent.
US08710660B2
A device includes a first low-k dielectric layer, and a copper-containing via in the first low-k dielectric layer. The device further includes a second low-k dielectric layer over the first low-k dielectric layer, and an aluminum-containing metal line over and electrically coupled to the copper-containing via. The aluminum-containing metal line is in the second low-k dielectric layer.
US08710659B2
A semiconductor device includes an interlayer dielectric film, a passivation film, made of an insulating material, formed on the interlayer dielectric film, an uppermost wire, made of a material mainly composed of copper, formed between the surface of the interlayer dielectric film and the passivation film, and a wire covering film, made of a material mainly composed of aluminum, interposed between the passivation film and the surface of the uppermost wire for covering the surface of the uppermost wire.
US08710657B2
Semiconductor packages connecting a semiconductor chip to an external device by bumps are provided. The semiconductor packages may include a connection pad on a semiconductor chip, a connecting bump on and configured to be electrically connected to the connection pad and a supporting bump on the semiconductor chip and configured to be electrically isolated from the connection pad. The connection bump may include a first pillar and a first solder ball and the supporting bump may include a second pillar and a second solder ball. The semiconductor packages may further include a solder channel in the second pillar configured to allow a portion of the second solder ball to extend into the solder channel along a predetermined direction.
US08710651B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip that is bonded to one of the faces of the substrate via bumps, and has a device formation face facing the one of the faces, and a resin that fills the space between the device formation face of the semiconductor chip and the one of the faces of the substrate. The resin includes: a first resin that is formed in a formation region of bumps placed on the outermost circumference of the bumps, and is formed inside the formation region, and a second resin that is formed outside the first resin. The thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate is higher than the thermal expansion coefficient of the first resin. The thermal expansion coefficient of the second resin is higher than the thermal expansion coefficient of the first resin.
US08710650B2
Provided are semiconductor devices having through electrodes and methods of fabricating the same. The method includes providing a substrate including top and bottom surfaces facing each other, forming a hole and a gap extending from the top surface of the substrate toward the bottom surface of the substrate, the gap surrounding the hole and being shallower than the hole, filling the hole with an insulating material, forming a metal interconnection line on the top surface of the substrate on the insulating material, recessing the bottom surface of the substrate to expose the insulating material, removing the insulating material to expose the metal interconnection line via the hole, filling the hole with a conductive material to form a through electrode connected to the metal interconnection line, recessing the bottom surface of the substrate again to expose the gap, and forming a lower insulating layer on the bottom surface of the substrate.
US08710647B2
A semiconductor device includes a wiring board having connection pads thereon and a semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring board. The wiring board and the semiconductor chip are covered with a sealing portion. Conductive members are extended upward from the connection pads and are exposed from the sealing portion. Rewiring lines are connected to the exposed conductive members. Land portions are arranged on the sealing portion and are electrically connected to the conductive members through the rewiring lines.
US08710644B2
A semiconductor unit of certain aspects of the invention includes electrically conductive plates in the shape of the letter L, each consisting of a horizontally disposed leg portion and a vertically disposed flat body portion that is perpendicular to a cooling plate adhered to the bottom of the semiconductor unit. A pair of the vertically disposed flat body portions sandwiches a semiconductor chip. Owing to this construction, the heat generated in the semiconductor chip can be conducted away through the both surfaces of the chip, thus improving cooling performance. Since the heat is conducted away through the leg portions of the L-shaped electrically conductive plates a projected planar area occupied by the cooling plate required for cooling the semiconductor unit is reduced. Therefore, the size of the semiconductor unit can be reduced.
US08710640B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: mounting an integrated circuit over a package carrier; mounting a conductive connector over the package carrier; forming an encapsulation over the integrated circuit, the encapsulation having a recess exposing the conductive connector; and mounting a heat slug over the encapsulation, the heat slug having an opening with an opening width greater than a recess width of the recess, the opening exposing a portion of a top surface of the encapsulation.
US08710639B2
A wiring substrate in which a semiconductor element is built includes a semiconductor element; a peripheral insulating layer covering at least an outer circumferential side surface of this semiconductor element; and an upper surface-side wiring line provided on the upper surface side of the wiring substrate. The semiconductor element includes an internal terminal electrically connected to the upper surface-side wiring line on the upper surface side of the semiconductor element. This internal terminal includes a first conductive part exposed out of an insulating surface layer of the semiconductor element; an adhesion layer on this first conductive part; and a second conductive part on this adhesion layer. The adhesion layer covers an exposed surface of the first conductive part, and is formed on a portion of the insulating surface layer around the exposed surface of the first conductive part, and the adhesion layer extends around the outer side of an outer edge of this second conductive part so as to surround the second conductive part.
US08710630B2
Mechanisms for identifying orientation of a sawed die are provided. By making metal pattern in the corner stress relief region in one corner of the die different from the other corners, users can easily identify the orientation of the die.
US08710629B2
A semiconductor die has through silicon vias arranged to reduce warpage. The through silicon vias adjust the coefficient of thermal expansion of the semiconductor die, permit substrate deformation, and also relieve residual stress. The through silicon vias may be located in the edges and/or corners of the semiconductor die. The through silicon vias are stress relief vias that can be supplemented with round corner vias to reducing warpage of the semiconductor die.
US08710628B2
An embodiment of the present memory cell a first layer of a chosen conductivity type, and a second layer which includes ferroelectric semiconductor material of the opposite conductivity type, the layers forming a pn junction. The first layer may be a conjugated semiconductor polymer, or may also be of ferroelectric semiconductor material. The layers are provided between first and electrodes. In another embodiment, a single layer of a composite of conjugated semiconductor polymer and ferroelectric semiconductor material is provided between first and second electrodes. The various embodiments may be part of a memory array.
US08710627B2
An epitaxial layer is supported on top of a substrate. First and second body regions are formed within the epitaxial layer separated by a predetermined lateral distance. Trigger and source regions are formed within the epitaxial layer. A first source region is transversely adjacent the first body region between first and second trigger regions laterally adjacent the first source region and transversely adjacent the first body region. A second source region is located transversely adjacent the second body region between third and fourth trigger regions laterally adjacent the second source region and transversely adjacent the second body region. A third source region is laterally adjacent the fourth trigger region. The fourth trigger region is between the second and third source regions. An implant region within the fourth trigger region is laterally adjacent the third source region.
US08710625B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices or systems that include a composite thermal capacitor disposed in thermal communication with a hot spot of the device, methods of dissipating thermal energy in a device or system, and the like.
US08710619B2
To provide, in a semiconductor device formed on an SOI substrate and having a semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate surrounded, at the periphery of the element region thereof, with element isolation, a technology capable of preventing reliability deterioration attributed to the element isolation. Appearance of a hollow, which is formed upon filling of a deep trench with an insulating film, from the upper surface of the insulating film can be prevented by setting the trench width of the upper portion of the deep trench configuring trench isolation at less than 1.2 μm. Reduction in the breakdown voltage between adjacent element regions which may presumably occur due to a decrease in the trench width of the upper portion of the deep trench can be prevented by forming, on the upper portion of the deep trench, an LOCOS insulating film coupled to the insulating film filled in the deep trench.
US08710618B2
An integrated circuit (IC) package with a fibrous interface is provided. The package includes a substrate, a bond coat and a top coat. The substrate is configured to contain IC components and connections. The bond coat layer is configured to encapsulate the IC components. The top coat layer has at least a portion embedded in the bond coat layer. Moreover, the top coat layer includes a fibrous interface configured to provide security and strengthen the bond coat layer.
US08710617B2
In a region located between a collector electrode and a semiconductor substrate, there are a portion where a hollow region is located and a portion where no hollow region is located. Between the collector electrode and the portion where no hollow region is located in the semiconductor substrate, a floating silicon layer electrically isolated by insulating films is formed.
US08710615B2
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and an amorphous semi-insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate.
US08710613B2
A pickup device according to the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a charge holding portion configured to include a first semiconductor region, and a transfer portion configured to include a transfer gate electrode that controls a potential between the charge holding portion and a sense node. A second semiconductor region is disposed on a surface of a semiconductor region between the control electrode and the transfer gate electrode. A third semiconductor region is disposed below the second semiconductor region. An impurity concentration of the third semiconductor region is higher than the impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region.
US08710607B2
Methods and apparatus for packaging a backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor or a BSI sensor device with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) are disclosed. A bond pad array may be formed in a bond pad area of a BSI sensor where the bond pad array comprises a plurality of bond pads electrically interconnected, wherein each bond pad of the bond pad array is of a small size which can reduce the dishing effect of a big bond pad. The plurality of bond pads of a bond pad array may be interconnected at the same layer of the pad or at a different metal layer. The BSI sensor may be bonded to an ASIC in a face-to-face fashion where the bond pad arrays are aligned and bonded together.
US08710606B2
An optical sensor includes an impurity region for a photodiode and an angle limiting filter limiting the incidence angle of incidence light incident to a light receiving area of the photodiode, which are formed on a semiconductor substrate. The angle limiting filter is formed by at least a first plug corresponding to a first insulating layer and a second plug corresponding to a second insulating layer located in an upper layer of the first insulating layer. Between the first plug and the second plug, there is a gap area having a gap space that is equal to or less than λ/2.
US08710601B2
A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) structure is disclosed. The MEMS structure includes a backplate electrode and a 3D diaphragm electrode. The 3D diaphragm electrode has a composite structure so that a dielectric is disposed between two metal layers. The 3D diaphragm electrode is adjacent to the backplate electrode to form a variable capacitor together.
US08710598B2
A 3-D structure formed in a recess of a substrate delimited by walls, including a large number of rectangle parallelepipedic blades extending from the bottom of the recess to the substrate surface while being oriented perpendicularly to one another and formed in a pattern covering the whole surface of the recess, some blades being non-secant to one of the walls, each non-secant blade being connected to one of the walls by at least another perpendicular blade.
US08710593B2
A manufacturing method for a resistor integrated with a transistor having metal gate includes providing a substrate having a transistor, a transitional structure, and a dielectric layer covering the transistor and the transitional structure formed thereon, forming a recess in between two opposite polysilicon end portions in the transitional structure, forming a U-shaped resistance modulating layer and an insulating layer filling the recess, removing a dummy gate of the transistor and the polysilicon end portions of the transitional structure to form a gate trench and two terminal trenches respectively in the transistor and the transitional structure, and forming a metal gate in the gate trench and conductive terminals in the terminal trenches simultaneously.
US08710587B2
An LDMOS device includes a gate which is formed on and/over over a substrate; a source and a drain which are arranged to be separated from each other on both sides of the substrate with the gate interposed therebetween; and a field oxide film formed to have a step between the gate and the drain. The LDMOS device further includes a drift region formed of first conduction type impurity ions between the gate and the drain in the substrate; and at least one internal field ring formed in the drift region by selectively implanting a second conduction type impurity in accordance with the step of the field oxide film.
US08710583B2
A recessed access device having a gate electrode formed of two or more gate materials having different work functions may reduce the gate-induced drain leakage current losses from the recessed access device. The gate electrode may include a first gate material having a high work function disposed in a bottom portion of the recessed access device and a second gate material having a lower work function disposed over the first gate material and in an upper portion of the recessed access device.
US08710575B1
A semiconductor device is formed in a semiconductor substrate comprising a first main surface and includes a control gate disposed in a lower portion of a first trench formed in the first main surface, a floating gate disposed in the first trench above the control gate and insulated from the control gate, a source region of a first conductivity type, a body region of a second conductivity type, and a drain region of the first conductivity type.
US08710573B2
It is made possible to provide a memory device that can be made very small in size and have a high capacity while being able to effectively suppress short-channel effects. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a first insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer formed above the semiconductor substrate so that the first insulating film is interposed between the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor substrate; a NAND cell having a plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series, each of the memory cell transistors having a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer, a floating gate formed on the gate insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the floating gate, and a control gate formed on the second insulating film; a source region having an impurity diffusion layer formed in one side of the NAND cell; and a drain region having a metal electrode formed in the other side of the NAND cell.
US08710565B2
The method of the present invention comprises forming a word line crossing with an active region on a semiconductor substrate; forming a diffusion layer region; forming a first insulating film as high as a bit line to be formed; etching the first insulating film, while using, as a mask, a pattern having a linear aperture extending to the active region on the first insulating film so as to form a groove pattern for exposing the surface of the semiconductor substrate; embedding a conductive film in the groove pattern; forming a mask pattern passing over a portion, in which a bit contact is formed, on the first insulating film; and removing the first insulating film and the conductive layer until the upper layer insulating film of the word line is exposed, while using the mask pattern as a mask so as to isolate a bit contact from another contact.
US08710563B2
The present invention discloses an image sensor including photodiodes formed in a semiconductor substrate, a color filter array formed over the photodiodes, and microlenses formed on the color filter array. A first microlens, which may be any one of two adjacent microlenses, includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the first microlens is formed of a material different than a material of the upper portion of the first microlens.
US08710558B2
There is provided a photoelectric conversion apparatus which is characterized by comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions of a first conductivity type, and a plurality of semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type; and in that the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions of the first conductivity type and the plurality of semiconductor regions are alternately arranged, and a voltage controlling unit is further provided to change a width of a depletion layer formed in a semiconductor substrate by controlling a voltage to be applied to the semiconductor region of the second conductivity type provided between the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions of the first conductivity type.
US08710553B1
An integrated circuit includes a substrate. The substrate includes diffusion lines. The diffusion lines include impurities diffused into the substrate. A signal line layer includes first signal lines. A first metal layer includes second signal lines. The second signal lines include a first metallic material. A second metal layer includes third signal lines. The third signal lines include a second metallic material. First contacts connect the diffusion lines to (i) a first set of the second signal lines, or (ii) a first set of the third signal lines. Second contacts connect a first set of the first signal lines to a second set of the third signal lines. Each signal line in a first set of the second signal lines includes first portions and second portions. The first portions extend towards and are not connected to the second contacts. The first portions are not parallel to the second portions.
US08710545B2
An ESD module having a first portion (FP) and a second portion (SP) in a substrate is presented. The FP includes a FP well of a second polarity type and first and second FP contact regions. The first FP contact region is of a first polarity type and the second FP contact region is of a second polarity type. The SP includes a SP well of a first polarity type and first and second SP contact regions. The first SP contact region is of a first polarity type and the second SP contact region is of a second polarity type. An intermediate portion (IP) is disposed in the substrate between the FP and SP in the substrate. The IP includes a well of the second polarity type. The IP increases trigger current and holding voltage of the module to prevent latch up during normal device operation.
US08710544B2
The present invention discloses an isolated SCR ESD device, comprising: a substrate; a first well located in the substrate, which is floating and has a first conductivity type; a first high density doped region located in the first well and having a second conductivity type; a second well nearby the first well and having the second conductivity type; a second high density doped region located in the second well and having the second conductivity type; and a third high density doped region located in the second well and having the first conductivity type, wherein the first high density doped region is for electrical connection with a pad, and wherein the first well is not provided with a high density doped region having the first conductivity type for connection with the pad.
US08710537B2
A radiation-emitting semiconductor chip includes: a carrier and a semiconductor body with a semiconductor layer sequence including an active region that generates radiation, a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer; wherein the active region is arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; the first semiconductor layer is arranged on a side of the active region which faces away from the carrier; the semiconductor body comprises at least one recess which extends through the active region; the first semiconductor layer is electrically conductively connected to a first connection layer extending in the recess from the first semiconductor layer in a direction of the carrier; and the first connection layer is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer via a protective diode.
US08710521B2
An organic light emitting display device including a plurality of sub pixels, each of the sub pixels including an emissive layer between a pixel electrode and a counter electrode; and a partition wall defining regions of the plurality of sub pixels, wherein the partition wall is not located between at least one pair of adjacent sub pixels of the plurality of sub pixels.
US08710519B2
An alternating current (AC) white LED lighting device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The AC white LED lighting device consists of blue, violet or ultraviolet LED chips, blue afterglow luminescence materials A and yellow luminescence materials B. Wherein the weight ratio of the blue afterglow luminescence materials A to the yellow luminescence materials B is 10-70 wt %:30-90 wt %. Because of using afterglow luminescence materials, the light will be sustained when an excitation light source disappears, which can eliminate the influence of LED chips light output variation due to the AC fluctuation on the lighting device. And the problem of the heating of the chips also can be overcome. At the same time, the influence of temperature quenching effect and direction change of the AC current on the AC white LED lighting device is eliminated.
US08710509B2
A liquid crystal panel, comprising: an array substrate including: a display area, in which pixels disposed, wherein the pixel includes: a switching device; a lower electrode; an insulating layer formed on the lower electrode; an upper electrode, which has a plurality of slits to generate a fringe electric field; and a common signal line; a scanning line; a signal line crossing the scanning line; and a contact hole; and an opposite substrate, wherein one electrode of the upper electrode and the lower electrode is a pixel electrode connected to the switching element, and the other electrode thereof is a common electrode, wherein the signal line is disposed at every two pixels adjacent in a scanning line direction, wherein the contact hole is shared by the adjacent two pixels and is formed at an intervening region of the two adjacent pixels in which the signal line is not provided.
US08710506B2
A pixel structure including a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line and a power line substantially perpendicular to the first scan line and the second scan line, a reference signal line and an emission signal line substantially parallel with the first scan line and the second scan line, a common thin film transistor (C-TFT), a first pixel unit, and a second pixel unit is provided. The common thin film transistor has a common gate electrode, a common source electrode and a common drain electrode. The common gate electrode is electrically connected to the first scan line, the common drain electrode is electrically connected to the reference signal line. The first and the second pixel units respectively have a first TFT, a second TFT, a third TFT, a fourth TFT, a fifth TFT, a sixth TFT, a capacitor, and an emission device.
US08710496B2
Disclosed are an organic light emitting diode device and a method of fabricating the organic light emitting diode device capable of achieving high light extraction efficiency even without a high-cost and complicated process. The organic light emitting diode device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substrate; a phase change thin film layer formed on the substrate and formed of a phase change material changeable from an amorphous state to a crystalline state or from a crystalline state to an amorphous state; and an anode electrode layer, an organic light emitting layer and a cathode electrode layer which are sequentially formed on the phase change thin film layer.
US08710490B2
Semiconductor devices having germanium active layers with underlying parasitic leakage barrier layers are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a first buffer layer disposed above a substrate. A parasitic leakage barrier is disposed above the first buffer layer. A second buffer layer is disposed above the parasitic leakage barrier. A germanium active layer is disposed above the second buffer layer. A gate electrode stack is disposed above the germanium active layer. Source and drain regions are disposed above the parasitic leakage barrier, on either side of the gate electrode stack.
US08710489B2
To provide an epitaxial substrate for electronic devices, in which current flows in a lateral direction, which enables accurate measurement of the sheet resistance of HEMTs without contact, and to provide a method of efficiently producing the epitaxial substrate for electronic devices, the method characteristically includes the steps of forming a barrier layer against impurity diffusion on one surface of a high-resistance Si-single crystal substrate, forming a buffer as an insulating layer on the other surface of the high-resistance Si-single crystal substrate, producing an epitaxial substrate by epitaxially growing a plurality of III-nitride layers on the buffer to form a main laminate, and measuring resistance of the main laminate of the epitaxial substrate without contact.
US08710488B2
A first exemplary device has a substrate, a nanowire and a doped epitaxial layer surrounding the nanowire. The nanowire is configured to be both a channel to transmit wavelengths up to a selective wavelength. The first exemplary device may further have an active element to detect the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength transmitted through the nanowire. A second exemplary device has a substrate, a nanowire and one or more photogates surrounding the nanowire. The nanowire is configured to be both a channel to transmit wavelengths up to a selective wavelength. The second exemplary device may have an active element to detect the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength transmitted through the nanowire. The one or more photogates comprise an epitaxial layer.
US08710486B2
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip with a semiconductor body having a semiconductor layer sequence with an active region suitable for generating radiation is specified, wherein the semiconductor chip comprises a radiation-transmissive and electrically conductive contact layer arranged on a semiconductor body and electrically connected to an active region. The contact layer adjoins a barrier layer of the semiconductor layer sequence and a contact layer is applied to the semiconductor body having a structure. An electrode is arranged on the semiconductor body on a side of the active region facing away from the barrier layer and having a contact area, wherein the contact layer adjoins the barrier layer with its entire surface in a region of the barrier layer that is covered by the contact area of the electrode.
US08710484B2
A manufacturing method for manufacturing, with a simple process, a non-volatile memory apparatus having a stable memory performance includes: (a) forming a stacking-structure body above a substrate by alternately stacking conductive layers comprising a transition metal and interlayer insulating films comprising an insulating material; (b) forming a contact hole penetrating through the stacking-structure body to expose part of each of the conductive layers; (c) forming variable resistance layers by oxidizing the part of each of the conductive layers, the part being exposed in the contact hole, and each of the variable resistance layers having a resistance value that reversibly changes according to an application of an electric signal; and (d) forming a pillar electrode in the contact hole by embedding a conductive material in the contact hole, the pillar electrode being connected to each of the variable resistance layers.
US08710483B2
A memristive junction (400) can comprise a first electrode (102) and second electrode (104), with a memristive region (106) situated between them. The memristive region is configured to switch between two activation states via a switching voltage (118) applied between the electrodes. The activation state can be ascertained by application of a reading voltage between the first electrode and second electrode. The junction further comprises a rectifier region situated at an interface (420) between the first electrode and the memristive region, and comprising a layer (402) of temperature-responsive transition material that is substantially conductive at the switching voltage and substantially resistive at the reading voltage.
US08710480B2
A phase-change memory device with an improved current characteristic is provided. The phase-change memory device includes a metal word line, a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type being in contact with the metal word line, and an auxiliary diode layer being in contact with metal word line and the semiconductor layer.
US08710473B2
A droplet generation and detection device may include: a droplet generation unit for outputting a charged droplet; at least one droplet sensor including a magnetic circuit including a coil configured of an electrically conductive material, the magnetic circuit being disposed such that the charged droplet passes around the magnetic circuit, and a current detection unit for detecting current flowing in the coil and outputting a detection signal; and a signal processing circuit for detecting the charged droplet based on the detection signal.
US08710470B2
An infrared laser source system that combines laser emitters through an optical waveguide. Each emitter is coupled to a port of the optical waveguide and the waveguided signal is combined to provide a spatially combined laser source with a single common exit aperture. The materials used for waveguiding allow the propagation of wavelengths in the infrared. The system can be used for combining multiple laser emitters to increase the total output power and/or for combination of multiple emitters with different wavelength for increased spectral coverage out of the laser system.
US08710457B1
The process of the present application facilitates the production of electric energy by the excitation and capture of electrons from atoms, molecules and ions from ground or water sources, or any other form of matter that can be passed along the surface or through the electron extraction assembly. The electrons are captured, collected, isolated and controlled for distribution as electric energy. It is an energy efficient process for the capture of electrons and for the production of electric energy. These results are accomplished by the excitation and capture of electrons from the object particles by electrically charged components in an electric field. It can operate continuously without interruption. Through the subject process, electric energy can be supplied individually to each structure, community or demand location allowing independence from any other energy source. It can be scaled to accommodate the electric energy requirements of many implementations and utilizations that extend from the national power grid to portable units and units fitted to stationary or portable appliances, devices, apparatus and vehicles.
US08710452B2
A charged particle filter with an integrated energy filter, in which the charged particle emitter, the focusing electrodes, and the deflection electrodes are arranged round a straight axis. Where most energy filters used have a highly curved optical axis, and thus use parts with forms that are difficult to manufacture, the source according the invention uses electrodes surrounding a straight optical axis. A beam of charged particles can be deflected quite far from the axis showing respectable energy dispersion at an energy selecting slit without introducing coma or astigmatism that cannot be corrected, provided that some of the are formed as 120°/60°/120°/60°. Such electrodes can be attached to each other by gluing or brazing of ceramic, and then series of a highly concentric bores can be formed by, e.g., spark erosion.
US08710445B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating an activity distribution obtained in a moved target object by a beam that is generated by an irradiation device. Said apparatus comprises: a positron emission tomograph designed to record photons generated in the target object by the beam and generate measurement data representing points of origin of the photons; a movement detection device designed to generate a movement signal representing the movement of the target object; and an evaluation unit designed to associate the points of origin of the measured photons with positions in the target object with the help of the movement signal such that three-dimensional characteristics of the activity distribution actually generated in the target object can be evaluated by means of the photons generated by the beam. The invention further relates to an irradiation system and a method in which such an apparatus is used.
US08710443B2
A pyroelectric detector includes a substrate, a support member, a spacer member, and a pyroelectric detecting element. The spacer member supports the support member over the substrate with a cavity part being formed therebetween. The pyroelectric detecting element includes a first electrode mounted on the support member, a second electrode, and a pyroelectric body between the first and second electrodes. The support member includes an insulating layer, a first wiring layer disposed on a side of the second surface of the support member with respect to the insulating layer, and a first plug passing through the insulating layer at a position where the pyroelectric body and the first wiring layer overlap in plan view to connect the first wiring layer with the first electrode.
US08710441B2
Differential polarization imaging systems include an axicon configured to provide a displacement of ray bundles associated with different image patches. The displaced ray bundles are directed to antenna horns and orthomode transducers so as to provide outputs correspond to orthogonal linear states of polarization (SOPs). The outputs are directed to a differential radiometer so that Stokes parameter differences between image patches can be obtained. The ray bundle displacements can be selected to correspond to a mechanical spacing of antenna horns. In some examples, ray bundle displacement corresponds to a displacement less than the diffraction limit.
US08710433B2
A membrane comprising graphitized carbon black (GCB) with dual function for solid-phase extraction and surface-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (SPE/SALDI-MS) analysis is disclosed. Devices extraction comprising such membrane and methods utilizing such membranes are also disclosed.
US08710427B2
A sensor chip includes: a substrate that has a planar portion; and a diffraction grating, on which a target substance is placed, that includes a plurality of first protrusions periodically arranged in a period equal to or greater than 100 nm and equal to or less than 1000 nm in a first direction that is parallel to the planar portion, a plurality of base portions that is located between two of the first protrusions adjacent to each other and configures a base of the substrate, and a plurality of second protrusions that is formed on upper faces of the plurality of the first protrusions, has a surface formed from a metal, and is formed on the planar portion.
US08710421B2
A solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes a pixel cell having a photodiode, a charge detection unit, an amplification transistor, a transfer transistor which transfers a signal charge to the charge detection unit in accordance with a transfer control signal, and a reset transistor which resets the charge detection unit in accordance with a reset control signal; a signal processing circuit which receives a pixel reset potential of the charge detection unit, and a pixel signal potential corresponding to the signal charge transferred to the charge detection unit; a charge pump circuit which steps up or steps down a potential of at least one of the transfer control signal and the reset control signal in accordance with a driving clock signal; and a control logic circuit which causes the driving clock signal to be stopped during a pixel reading time period.
US08710414B2
The Sun, a giant laser, being 93 million miles from Earth, is the greatest point-source light in existence. The light-rays emanating from the Sun as photons traveling 93 million miles in distance, is a nearly-perfectly collimated light form. The intent of this invention is to capture those highly collimated light-ray photons and gently redirect them in several directions, while greatly compounding them, and keeping them in a highly parallel form to be delivered to the final destination. This invention is supported by a second source light, in which the Sun's location is replaced by the HID element in a newly invented form for capturing and compounding the light-rays. Compounding for both sources can be as great as desired.
US08710412B2
It is possible to generate image data of a biological tissue in a short time.A focus information generating device (2) receives a first reflected light beam (Lr1) split from a reflected light beam (Lr) and a second reflected light beam (Lr2) passing through a pin-hole plate (36). A signal processing unit (13) calculates a uniform reflectance (RE) representing a light amount ratio of the second reflected light beam (Lr2) to the first reflected light beam (Lr1) along with a sum signal (SS) and a difference signal (SD). An integrated control unit (11) detects a position (Z1) corresponding to a top surface (104A) of a cover glass (104) on the basis of the sum signal (SS) and the difference signal (SD) and detects a position (Z3) representing a biological tissue (102) on the basis of the sum signal (SS) and the uniform reflectance (RE). As a result, the integrated control unit (11) can calculate a cover distance (DM) from the top surface (104A) of the cover glass (104) to the biological tissue (102) in a pathology glass slide (100) on the basis of the positions (Z1) and (Z3).
US08710411B1
A method and system for determining an optimal missile intercept approach direction to maximize the probability of association between a remote sensor designated object and a corresponding missile seeker-observed object. The method and system calculates a distance metric between a remote sensor designated object and the corresponding missile seeker-observed object, and calculates the probability that the remote sensor designated object and the corresponding missile seeker-observed object have a smaller distance metric between them than between the remote sensor designated object and any other missile seeker-observed object.
US08710409B2
A home appliance that includes a power operated door includes a first sensor that is accessible to a user when the door is closed, and a second sensor that is accessible to the user when the door is open. The first sensor is used to cause the door to move from the closed position to the open position. The second sensor is used to cause the door to move from the open position to the closed position. The first sensor may be located on an exterior of the door and the second sensor may be located on an inner surface of the home appliance or on an inner surface of the door itself.
US08710407B2
A thermal treatment system for thermally treating objects includes a housing including a top surface, a basin recessed into the top surface and configured to contain a liquid medium, where the liquid medium thermally treats objects placed within the liquid medium, and a ramp structure disposed on the top surface of the housing. The ramp structure is configured to support at least one object such that a first end portion of the object is disposed within the liquid medium while a second end portion of the object is supported by the ramp structure outside of the liquid medium.
US08710405B2
A welding wire for austenitic stainless steel welding contains, in percent by mass, C: 0.005 through 0.05%, Si: 0.1 through 1.0%, Mn: 1.0 through 3.5%, Cr: 25.0 through 28.0%, Ni: 16.0 through 23.9%, Mo: 1.6 through 3.0%, Cu: 0.1 through 0.5%, Al: 0.001 through 0.02%, and N: more than 0.30 through 0.50%, limiting O to 0.03% or less, P to 0.03% or less, and S to 0.005% or less, and having a ratio of a Cr equivalent to Ni equivalent (Cr equivalent/Ni equivalent) within a range between 0.85 and 1.2 and a PI value of 35 or more, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities.
US08710403B2
A system for processing a multi-device panel, comprising a substrate having front and rear surfaces, a first array of device regions located on the front surface and a second array of device regions on the rear surface, by vector direct-write laser ablation, comprising a first processing station comprising a pair of opposedly-mounted processing heads, each processing head comprising a laser beam delivery apparatus comprising a laser beam scanner and a lens unit, and a distance measurement device, mounting device for mounting the panel between the processing heads of the first processing station such that the relative position of the panel and the first processing station can be adjusted so that the processing heads are brought into alignment with selected front-surface and rear-surface device regions to be processed, wherein each processing head is operable to make an estimate of the distance between the lens unit and the surface of the device region to be processed using the distance measurement device, control the focus the lens unit dependent on said estimate and vector direct-write the device region.
US08710395B2
An automated method for cutting a plurality of hole features using a plasma arc torch system can be implemented on a computer numerical controller. The automated method can include the steps of: a) cutting a lead-in for a hole feature using a lead-in command speed based on a diameter of that hole feature and b) cutting a perimeter for the hole feature using a perimeter command speed greater than the corresponding lead-in command speed for the hole feature. The automated method can also include the step c) of repeating steps a) and b) for each additional hole feature having a same diameter or a different diameter.
US08710394B2
A method of controlling an indentation depth of an electrode into a metal substrate during formation of a weld includes selecting a weld force, current, duration, minimum indentation depth, and maximum indentation depth, contacting the substrate with the electrode to apply the force to the substrate, supplying the current to the electrode to initiate formation of the weld according to a first condition in which the depth is less than the minimum, a second condition in which the depth is greater than or equal to the minimum and less than or equal to the maximum, and a third condition in which the depth is greater than the maximum, and comparing the depth, minimum, and maximum. For the first condition, duration is changed. For the second condition, each of the force, current, and duration is maintained until the weld is substantially formed. For the third condition, current ceases to be supplied.
US08710393B2
By respectively abutting first and second outer diameter sections of a second metallic member against first and second inner diameter sections of a first metallic member, and energizing the first metallic member and the second metallic member using a pair of electrodes while pressurizing both metallic members in an axial direction thereof, a first junction where the first inner diameter section and the first outer diameter section are bonded and a second junction where the second inner diameter section and the second outer diameter section are bonded are formed between both metallic members, and a gap in which the metals do not come into contact with each other is formed between both junctions over a predetermined axial length. Accordingly, a high joint strength can be secured using less energy for bonding.
US08710379B2
A method and apparatus for checking the weighing one or more objects in a vibratory apparatus comprising the steps of accepting product into an in-line feeder to a discharge feeder without being weighed, determining an angle of decline of a fixed chute and a rotating chute based upon the flowing characteristics of the free flowing material being transferred, generating a sampling signal by a control system, the sampling signal causing the air cylinder to rotate the rotating chute in the position to capture the free flowing material and weighing the in-line sample for comparison purposes with the calculated weight.
US08710376B2
Various systems of an electronic device and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a routing assembly is provided that may not only route a cable along a circuit board, but that may also shield an electronic component or secure an electronic component to the circuit board. In some other embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for electrically coupling two components of an electronic device that may also be visually appealing in the context of other portions of the electronic device.
US08710361B2
Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The diaphragm is configured to decrease the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally expands and to increase the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally contracts. In some instances, the substrate is hollowed and the container is formed within this hollow. The container can have multiple openings, each sealed with a diaphragm. There can be multiple containers within the photovoltaic device.
US08710355B2
Photovoltaic cells, including silicon solar cells, and methods and compositions for making such photovoltaic cells are provided. A silicon substrate having p-type silicon base and an n-type silicon layer is provided with a silicon nitride layer, an exchange metal in contact with the silicon nitride layer, and a non-exchange metal in contact with the exchange metal. This assembly is fired to form a metal silicide contact on the silicon substrate, and a conductive metal electrode in contact with the metal silicide contact. The exchange metal is from nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and combinations thereof, and the non-exchange metal is from silver, copper, tin, bismuth, lead, antimony, arsenic, indium, zinc, germanium, gold, cadmium, beryllium, and combinations thereof.
US08710354B2
A solar cell may include a light sensitive molecule such as a hyperpolarizable molecule. In one example, a solar cell may include a layer of hyperpolarizable molecules disposed between a p-type electrode and an n-type electrode. In some cases, at least some of the hyperpolarizable molecules may include an electron donating group that is bonded or otherwise linked to the n-type electrode as well as an electron accepting group that is bonded or otherwise linked to the p-type electrode. In some instances, at least some of the hyperpolarizable molecules may include an electron donating group that is bonded or otherwise linked to the p-type electrode as well as an electron accepting group that is bonded or otherwise linked to the n-type electrode.
US08710338B2
An apparatus for tuning a stringed musical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a saddle configured for receivably engaging one of the ends of the string, a fastener extending through a support and into the saddle, and a lug received by the fastener in abutting relationship to the support and configured for rotational movement about the fastener to translate the fastener and the saddle to alter the length of the string.
US08710324B1
A novel maize variety designated X95C382 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95C382 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95C382 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95C382, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95C382. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95C382.
US08710320B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV294874. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV294874, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV294874 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV294874 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV294874.
US08710318B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH514730. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH514730, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH514730 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 CH514730.
US08710316B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH817100. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH817100, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH817100 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 CH817100.
US08710308B2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1013675 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL1013675 and its progeny, and methods of making CL1013675.
US08710303B2
The invention relates to the breeding of cucumbers, and especially to a new cucumber plant with a valuable new characteristic. This new characteristic leads to an improvement in the growth properties and so to a simplification and improvement of cucumber cultivation. Seeds according to the invention and methods for introducing the new characteristic into other cucumber plants are also covered. Self-pollination and cross-pollination of the plants according to the invention are described, as well as the production of doubled haploids from these plants.
US08710300B2
The present invention provides for the identification and use of EG261, homologs of EG261, orthologs of EG261, and paralogs of EG261. Modulation of the expression of EG261 in plants can alter pathogen tolerance and/or resistance e.g. expression of EG261 can confer soybeans with enhanced tolerance and/or resistance to soybean cyst nematodes.
US08710296B2
Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
US08710288B2
A process for converting an oxygenate-containing feedstock to a product comprising olefins comprises including in the oxygenate-containing feedstock an amount of ammonia. The presence of the ammonia increases the product's ratio of ethylene to propylene.
US08710279B2
Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted in via hydrogenolysis form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.
US08710273B2
Method for isomerisation of hop alpha-acids using heterogeneous alkaline earth metal based catalysts
The invention relates to a process for the production of iso-alpha-acids starting from hop alpha-acids in which an hop alpha-acid containing feed is contacted with a heterogeneous alkaline earth metal based catalyst, that essentially does not dissolve in the alpha-acid containing feed or in the iso-alpha-acid product phase, either in solvent-free conditions or in the presence of water, carbon dioxide, or an organic solvent or a mixture thereof. The resulting mixture is subjected to a temperature of at least 293 K, preferably under an inert atmosphere, for a time sufficient to effect high conversion of the alpha-acid reactant into the iso-alpha-acid product. The molar ratio of alpha-acid to earth alkaline metal (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) varies preferably between 0.2 and 20. After the isomerization process, the heterogeneous alkaline earth metal based catalyst can be quantitatively separated from the iso-alpha-acid product phase by liquid-solid separation techniques.
US08710267B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing methylenediphenyldiamine (MDA), comprising the following steps a) to c): a) converting formaldehyde and aniline to aminal b) removing water from the aminal obtained in step a) to establish a water content of 0 to 5% by weight based on the aminal, and c) adding an acidic catalyst to the aminal having a water content of 0 to 5% by weight, which comprises using formaldehyde in step a) in the form of highly concentrated formaldehyde with a CH2O content of >50% by weight and preparing the formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation from methanol.
US08710252B2
The present invention relates to enantiomeric forms of hepoxilin analogs of Formula I-VIII, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, a method for the separation of said enantiomeric forms of hepoxilin analogs comprising applying said hepoxilin to a chiral phase HPLC column and eluting said hepoxilin with an alkane and alcohol solvent mixture. Said enantiomeric forms of hepoxilin analogs of Formula I-VIII were found to be useful in controlling the biological effects of PPAR mediated transcriptional control for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, thromboxane-mediated diseases and for modulating intracellular calcium concentration.
US08710248B2
A method of reducing tumor cell growth, the method including administering an effective amount of a compound having the formula:
US08710246B2
A compound is provided of the formula wherein each u is independently selected from 0 and 1; each R2 and R4 is independently selected from carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminoalkyl, (amino)(carboxy)alkyl and (amino)(carboxy)alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08710245B2
Provided herein are multicyclic compounds, methods of their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of their use. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or management of various neurological disorders, including but not limited to, psychosis and schizophrenia.
US08710239B2
A process for preparing the S or R enantiomer of a compound of formula A, the process comprising subjecting a compound of formula B to asymmetric hydrogenation in the presence of a chiral catalyst and a source of hydrogen, wherein X is CH2, oxygen or sulphur; R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and signify hydrogens, halogens, alkyl, alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylamino or dialkylamino group; and R4 is alkyl or aryl, wherein the term alkyl means hydrocarbon chains, straight or branched, containing from one to six carbon atoms, optionally substituted by aryl, alkoxy, halogen, alkoxycarbonyl or hydroxycarbonyl groups; the term aryl means a phenyl or naphthyl group, optionally substituted by alkyloxy, halogen or nitro group; and the term halogen means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
US08710228B2
The invention relates to 6-substituted isoquinoline derivatives of the formula (I) useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with Rho-kinase and/or Rho-kinase mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase, and compositions containing such compounds.
US08710226B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing morphinane analogues of formula 1 wherein the substituents R1, R2, R2a, R3, R4, R5 and Y have the meanings as defined in the specifications.
US08710211B2
Methods for processing polynucleotide-containing biological samples, and materials for capturing polynucleotide molecules such as RNA and/or DNA from such samples. The RNA and/or DNA is captured by polyamindoamine (PAMAM (Generation 0)) bound to a surface, such as the surface of magnetic particles. The methods and materials have high efficiency of binding RNA and of DNA, and of release, and thereby permit quantitative determinations.
US08710207B2
The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to compositions, organisms, systems, and methods for expressing a gene product in a plant using a expression control sequence (ECS) operable in monocots and/or dicots. For example, (i) an isolated nucleic acid may comprise an ECS (e.g., a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter) and, optionally, an exogenous nucleic acid (ExNA) operably linked to the ECS; (ii) an expression vector may comprise an ECS; an ExNA; and, optionally, a 3′ termination sequence, wherein the ECS has promoter activity sufficient to express the ExNA in at least one monocot and at least one dicot; (iii) a microorganism, plant cell, or plant may comprise an isolated nucleic acid; (iv) a method for constitutively expressing an ExNA in a plant (e.g., a monocot and/or a dicot) may comprise, contacting an expression vector with the cytosol of a cell of the plant, wherein the expression vector comprises the ExNA and an ECS operable to drive expression of the ExNA; and/or (v) a method of directing constitutive expression of a nucleic acid in a plant (e.g., a monocot and/or a dicot) may comprise transforming the plant with an expression nucleic acid comprising an ECS, an ExNA, and a 3′ termination sequence.
US08710203B2
Antibodies that interact with interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) are described. Methods of treating IL-1 mediated diseases by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of antibodies to IL-1R1 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of IL-1R1 in a sample using antibodies to IL-1R1 are described.
US08710197B2
The present disclosure provides an effective method for the refolding of denatured proteins in solution so that properly folded, biologically active protein in solution is recovered in high yield. The refolding takes place at pressures between about 0.25 kbar to about 3.5 kbar, advantageously at about 1.5 kbar to about 3 kbar. Typically a chaotropic agent is present at a concentration which is not effective for denaturing protein at atmospheric pressure, and optionally, oxidation-reduction reagents can be incorporated in the refolding solution so that native intramolecular disulfide bonds can be formed where that is desired. The method is applicable to substantially all proteins, especially after solubilization and/or denaturation of insoluble protein aggregates, inclusion bodies, or abnormal oligomeric (soluble) aggregates.
US08710194B2
The present invention relates to a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) able to recognize an epitope of the extracellular domain of CD99 human protein. The single-chain variable fragment is able to recognize and specifically and selectively bind the epitope of the extracellular domain of CD99 human protein expressed on Ewing sarcoma cells. The fragment can thus be used for the diagnosis and 10 treatment of Ewing sarcoma.
US08710191B2
Provided are antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to CCR2, specifically human CCR2, and that may function to inhibit CCR2. Anti-CCR2 antibodies include those which bind to the first and/or second extracellular loops of CCR2. Also provided are human anti-CCR2 antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof. Isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-CCR2 antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins are provided. Methods of making human anti-CCR2 antibodies or antigen-binding portions, compositions comprising these antibodies or antigen-binding portions, methods of using the antibodies and antigen-binding portions, and compositions for diagnosis and treatment are provided. Also provided are gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light immunoglobulin molecules that comprise the human anti-CCR2 antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof.
US08710190B2
A method of identifying an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell in a sample which may contain such cells, the method comprising identifying the cell or cells within the sample that express podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) on their surface. A method of isolating an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell from a sample containing such cells, the method comprising isolating the cell or cells within the sample that express PODXL on their surface. Typically, the methods use an antibody which binds to PODXL. Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells isolated by the method may be useful in cell therapy. Also, in particular, compositions of cells differentiated from a human embryonic stem cell but which composition has been depleted of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells are provided which are useful in cell therapy.
US08710187B2
The present invention relates to binding proteins specific for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A), in particular to recombinant binding proteins comprising a polyethylene glycol moiety and a binding domain, which inhibits VEGF-Axxx (wherein xxx denotes the amino acid length of the VEGF-A mature protein) binding to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Examples of such recombinant binding proteins are proteins which comprise an ankyrin repeat domain with the desired binding specificity, and a polyethylene glycol moiety. The binding proteins are useful in the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions, e.g. eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
US08710180B2
The present application provides biligand and triligand protein-catalyzed capture (PCC) agents that specifically bind VEGF, as well as the use of these capture agents as detection, diagnosis, and treatment agents.
US08710178B2
The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds, which are useful as cysteine protease inhibitors. Also provided are novel intermediates and methods of preparing the compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The compounds and compositions are useful in methods of treating or preventing one or more diseases associated with cysteine protease activity, particularly those associated with calpain activity.
US08710173B2
The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membrane with high permeances and high selectivities for gas separations and particularly for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The polyimide membranes have CO2 permeability of 50 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 15 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation. The polyimide membranes have UV cross-linkable functional groups and can be used for the preparation of UV cross-linked polyimide membranes having CO2 permeability of 20 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 35 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.
US08710162B2
Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
US08710159B2
Disclosed are polyfunctional sulfur-containing epoxies and compositions containing polyfunctional sulfur-containing epoxies. The polyfunctional sulfur-containing epoxies may be used as a curing agent and combined with polythioethers and/or polysulfides used to provide high elongation sealants useful in aerospace applications.
US08710153B2
Mechanisms for coating surfaces of materials, the resulting coated materials, and solutions for use in material-coating processes are described. Triblock molecule components may be selected for desired properties. When applied in solution to a material, the molecules self-assemble into similarly oriented micro- or nanostructures coating the surface of the material. Various molecule properties can be tailored to produce a range of desirable surface coating properties. The surface coating may optionally be self cleaning if selected to be appropriately hydrophobic, allowing water and particulates to roll off of the surface with minimal friction.
US08710151B2
It is to provide a polymer having a high antistatic function, a high solubility to solvent and high compatibility to a formulation, and an antistatic agent, curable composition or a water repellent and oil repellent comprising the polymer. It is a linear block polymer, block star polymer or block graft polymer in which at least one block is a block wherein an anion and a counter cation form an onium salt on the polymer chain side, and a composition comprising the same. It is preferred that a linear block polymer has a number average molecular weight of 20000 or less, and a block star polymer and block graft polymer has a number average molecular weight of 10000 or more.
US08710145B2
Provided is a plant-derived resin composite material which has a sufficiently fast crystallization rate and excellent moldability and heat resistance by using a thermoplastic resin composition containing a plant-derived thermoplastic resin and an organic crystal nucleating agent which is composed of one or more low molecular weight compounds comprising at least two polar groups in the molecule, a spacing between any two of the polar groups being 34±4 angstroms.
US08710144B2
The invention describes powders for use in the production of spatial structures, i.e. molded bodies, using layer build-up methods, as well as methods for their efficient production. The powders have the special feature that they have good flow behavior, for one thing, and at the same time, have such a composition that the molded body that can be produced with the powder, using rapid prototyping, has significantly improved mechanical and/or thermal properties. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the powder has a first component that is present in the form of essentially spherical powder particles, which is formed by a matrix material, and at least one further component in the form of stiffening and/or reinforcing fibers, which are preferably embedded in the matrix material.
US08710104B2
The present application relates to compositions and methods for treating a proliferative disorder by administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition of a dual kinase inhibitor. Catecholic butanes cane serve as dual kinase inhibitors for purposes of methods described herein. Subjects can be further treated by co-administering an EGFR inhibitor. The present application also relates to analyzing a sample with respect to levels of IGF-1R and EGFR and comparing levels of IGF-1R and EGFR to a control. Patients can be selected for treatment with a catecholic butane based on the assessment; optionally, patients can be further treated with an EGFR inhibitor, an IGF-1R inhibitor, or both.
US08710101B2
New co-crystal of agomelatine composed of: agomelatine, or N-[2-(7-methoxy-1-naphthyl)ethyl]acetamide of formula (I) and an organic acid. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating disorders of the melatoninergic system.
US08710099B2
The present invention provides a method of treating cancer using the sodium salt of a benzoic acid derivative, alone or in combination with standard treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
US08710089B2
The present invention provides novel triazole derivatives as ghrelin analogue ligands of growth hormone secretagogue receptors according to formula (I) that are useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions in mammals, preferably humans, that are mediated by GHS receptors. The present invention further provides GHS receptor antagonists and agonists that can be used for modulation of these receptors and are useful for treating above conditions, in particular growth retardation, cachexia, short-, medium- and/or long term regulation of energy balance; short-, medium- and/or long term regulation (stimulation and/or inhibition) of food intake; adipogenesis, adiposity and/or obesity; body weight gain and/or reduction; diabetes, diabetes type I, diabetes type II, tumor cell proliferation; inflammation, inflammatory effects, gastric postoperative ileus, postoperative ileus and/or gastrectomy (ghrelin replacement therapy).
US08710088B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions as well as to the use of the active substances contained therein for preparing a pharmaceutical or a diagnostic composition for the treatment or diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders or amyloid diseases.
US08710078B2
The present invention relates to crystalline solvates of 6-(Piperidin-4-yloxy)-2H-isoquinolin-1-one hydrochloride, processes for their preparation and the use thereof.
US08710076B2
The present invention is directed to 2,5-disubstituted piperidine amide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08710072B2
This invention relates to novel morphinan compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering a σ1 receptor agonist that also has NMDA antagonist activity.
US08710066B2
Provided is an aqueous composition contained in a container, maintaining an excellent water-evaporation-inhibiting effect even when an alkali metal salt or the like is contained in the aqueous composition, and having excellent long-term stability. The aqueous composition contained in a container includes the following components (A) to (D): (A) a polyoxyethylene alkyl or alkenyl ether having an alkyl or alkenyl group having 20 to 24 carbon atoms and an average molar number of ethylene oxide added of 1.5 to 4, (B) a water-soluble polymer, (C) a nonionic surfactant having an ethylene oxide group (but excluding component (A)), and (D) water.
US08710064B2
Provided is a compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or stereoisomer thereof: wherein Ar represents R5, R6, R7, R8, R1′, R2′, R3′, R4′, R5′, R6′, R7′, R8′ independently represent H, OH, F, Cl, Br, C1 to C6 alkyl group, C1 to C6 alkoxy group, C2 to C6 alkenyl group, C2 to C6 alkenoxy group, C2 to C6 alkynyl group, C2 to C6 alkynoxy group, amine group, mono- or di-substituted amino group, cyclic C1 to C5 alkylamino group, imidazolyl group, morpholino group, piperazinyl group, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy or halo; and X represents NH, O or S. The present invention also provides a composition comprising the compound of formula I. The compound and the composition in accordance with the present invention are effective on treating or alleviating a disease or disorder, such as malignant glioma.
US08710055B2
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (I) wherein the groups R2 to R4, A, X and m are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterised by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, pharmaceutical preparations which contain compounds of this kind and their use as medicaments.
US08710049B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are agonists, partial agonists and modulators of the NPY Y4 receptor and may be used for the treatment and prophylaxis of various diseases and conditions.
US08710048B2
Benzoxazole and benzothiazole compounds and the stereoisomers, tautomers, solvates, oxides, esters, and prodrugs thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. Compositions of the compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and uses of the compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent are also disclosed. The embodiments are useful for inhibiting cellular proliferation, inhibiting the growth and/or metathesis of tumors, treating or preventing cancer, treating or preventing degenerating bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and/or inhibiting molecules such as CSF-1R.
US08710024B2
The present invention provides a double-stranded RNA which inhibits replication of influenza B viruses by RNA interference, in which the double-stranded RNA comprises an RNA having 19 to 25 nucleotides homologous with a part of an mRNA transcribed from a genomic RNA of the influenza B viruses and an antisense RNA thereof.
US08710023B2
Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of C-reactive protein. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding C-reactive protein. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of C-reactive protein expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of C-reactive protein are provided.
US08710019B2
The invention relates to topical pharmaceutical compositions and methods related to Borrelia burgdorferi toxins, in particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and in particular for the prevention of Lyme disease.
US08710017B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for in vivo and in vitro targeting. A large number of targeting peptides directed towards human organs, tissues or cell types are disclosed. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to gene therapy vectors. A novel class of gene therapy vectors is disclosed. Certain of the disclosed peptides have therapeutic use for inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pregnancy or inducing weight loss. Methods of identifying novel targeting peptides in humans, as well as identifying endogenous receptor-ligand pairs are disclosed. Methods of identifying novel infectious agents that are causal for human disease states are also disclosed. A novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis is further disclosed.
US08710007B2
Methods are described for preventing or reducing ischemia and/or systemic inflammatory response in a patient such as perioperative blood loss and/or systemic inflammatory response in a patient subjected to cardiothoracic surgery, e.g. coronary artery bypass grafting and other surgical procedures, especially when such procedures involve extra-corporeal circulation, such as cardiopulmonary bypass.
US08709990B2
Formulations comprising (A) at least one compound selected from aminocarboxylates and polyaminocarboxylates, (B) at least one homopolymer or copolymer of ethyleneimine, (C) sodium citrate and (D) at least one compound selected from alkali metal percarbonate, alkali metal perborate and alkali metal persulfate.
US08709989B2
The lubricating oil composition of the present invention comprises at least one species of aromatic constituent selected from the following (a1) to (a5): (a1) a lubricating base oil comprising a polycyclic aromatic content of 0.01% by mass or more based on the total amount of base oil (a2) a lubricating base oil comprising a total aromatic content of 20 to 100% by mass based on the total amount of base oil (a3) an aromatic solvent (a4) at least one species of polycyclic aromatic compound selected from alkyl naphthalene and compounds having three or more aromatic rings, and (a5) an aromatic compound having a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and an organic molybdenum compound.
US08709982B2
The invention relates to the use of quaternary polyamines having formula (I) for the recovery of oil from reservoirs formula (I), wherein n>=1 R1 represents H, CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R2 represents H2CHOHCH2, CH2, CH2CH═CH2 R3 represents CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R4 represents CH2, CH2CH═CH2 when R2 and R4 are allyl group, they can jointly form aliphatic cyclic structures, the ratio between the carbon atoms and nitrogen atoms (C/N) ranges from 2 to 30.
US08709979B2
Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a MgB2 superconducting wire and the MgB2 superconducting wire prepared thereby. The method comprising rolling a raw powder by using a powder rolling method. According to the method of the present invention has an effect of increasing an effective area where superconducting current can flow by improvement of the connectivity of a MgB2 superconducting powder and achievement of high density through a powder rolling process, and maintaining an uniform current value even in a large length because of the improvement of the connectivity.
US08709978B2
Herbicide composition containing at least one herbicide from the family of phenoxyalkanoic acids in acid form and/or a benzoic acid derivative, and at least one solvent or oil, characterized in that the composition includes at least one surfactant and contains from 0 to 5% by mass of water.
US08709974B2
A thermosensitive recording medium including a support, and a thermosensitive recording layer containing a leuco dye and a developer, and formed on a surface of the support, wherein the thermosensitive recording medium comprises at least any one of diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone and 3-iodo-2-propynyl-butyl-carbamate.
US08709972B2
Enhanced methods for preparing activated carbons have been discovered. In order to form an activated carbon, a carbon precursor material is coated with a phosphorus based chemical solution and physically activated. An activated carbon may also be formed by coating a green carbon precursor with a chemical solution that chemically reacts with carbon, carbonizing the resulting material, and physically activating the material during at least a portion of the carbonizing step. An activated carbon may also be formed by milling a carbon material to a predetermined particle size, then activating the milled particles. In another enhancement, an activated carbon is formed by coating a carbon or carbon precursor with nanoparticles, carbonizing if the carbon is a carbon precursor, then catalytically activating in air and an inert gas, and physically activating in steam or carbon dioxide. An activated carbon may also be formed by physically activating a previously chemically activated carbon.
US08709967B2
A wire catalyst for hydrogenation reaction and/or dehydrogenation reaction comprises a metallic core and an oxide surface layer covering at least part of the surface thereof. The metallic core is electrically conductive so that the metallic core itself can generate heat by directly passing an electric current therethrough or electromagnetic induction. The oxide surface layer is made of an oxide of a metallic element constituting the metallic core. The oxide surface layer is provided with a porous structure having pores opening at the surface of the oxide surface layer. The catalytic material is supported in the pores of the oxide surface layer. When a shaped wire catalyst is manufactured, the shaping into a specific shape is made before the oxide surface layer having the porous structure is formed and the catalytic material is supported thereon.
US08709962B2
Provided is an anti-reductive high-frequency ceramic dielectric material sintered at low temperature and matched with copper internal electrode, which can be used for producing multi-layer ceramic capacitor with a copper internal electrode. The ceramic dielectric material consists of main crystalline phase, modifying additive and sintering flux. The formula of the main crystalline phase is MgxBa(1-x)ZrySi(1-y)O3, wherein 0.8≦x≦0.95, 0.05≦y≦0.2. The modifying additive is one or more of MnO2, CaO, Li2O, Bi2O3 and TiO2, and the sintering flux is one or more of B2O3, SiO2, ZnO, CuO, K2O and BaO. The ceramic dielectric material meets the requirements of COG characteristics by EIA standard, has such characteristics as uniform particle size distribution, high dispersiveness, optimized molding process, eco-friendliness and excellent dielectric properties.
US08709960B2
Provided here is a method of producing a monolithic body from a porous matrix, comprising: (i) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a first reactant; (ii) contacting the porous matrix with an infiltrating medium that carries at least a second reactant; (iii) allowing the infiltrating medium to infiltrate at least a portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (iv) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix, thereby producing a monolithic body, wherein the monolithic body does not comprise barium titanate.
US08709958B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a solid-state image pickup element, including: a semiconductor layer having a photodiode, photoelectric conversion being carried out in the photodiode; a silicon oxide film formed on the semiconductor layer in a region having at least the photodiode by using plasma; and a film formed on the silicon oxide film and having negative fixed charges.
US08709954B2
A wafer recycling method comprises varying a temperature and pressure conditions to remove a first semiconductor layer deposited on a wafer, removing a remaining semiconductor layer on the wafer through a chemical or physical process, and washing the wafer.
US08709952B2
Provided is an etching method capable of etching even a silicon film that is included in a multi-layered structure by using a resist film or an organic film as a mask, and also capable of integrally etching the silicon film and a silicon oxide film disposed under the silicon film. The etching method which etches the multi-layered structure including the silicon oxide film and the silicon film formed on the silicon oxide film, includes: integrally etching the silicon film and the silicon oxide film included in the multi-layered structure by using a resist film or an organic film as an etching mask and using an etching gas containing a CH2F2 gas as an etching gas, when the silicon film and the silicon oxide film in the multi-layered structure are etched.
US08709948B2
Apparatus and methods for filling through silicon vias (TSV's) with copper having an intervening tungsten layer between the copper plug and the silicon are disclosed. Methods are useful for Damascene processing, with or without a TSV feature. The tungsten layer serves as a diffusion barrier, a seed layer for copper electrofill and a means of reducing CTE-induced stresses between copper and silicon. Adhesion of the tungsten layer to the silicon and of the copper layer to the tungsten is described.
US08709944B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is described. The method comprises performing a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) pre-treatment and/or post-treatment of at least a portion of a silicon-containing substrate during formation of a silicide region.
US08709942B2
In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, a substrate is provided including an interlayer dielectric layer and first and second hard mask patterns sequentially stacked thereon. A first trench is provided in the interlayer dielectric layer through the second hard mask pattern and the first hard mask pattern. A filler material is provided on the interlayer dielectric layer and the second hard mask pattern to fill the first trench. An upper portion of the second hard mask pattern is exposed by partially removing the filler material. The second hard mask pattern is removed, and remaining filler material is removed from the first trench. A wiring is formed by filling the first trench with a conductive material.
US08709929B2
Semiconductor devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices are provided, including semiconductor devices that comprise one or more diffusion regions in a semiconductor, the one or more diffusion regions being adjacent to a gate formed adjacent to a surface of the semiconductor (e.g., a semiconductor substrate). The one or more diffusion regions comprise a first width at a depth below the surface of the semiconductor and a second width near the surface of the semiconductor, the second width of the one or more diffusion regions being less than about 40% greater than the first width.
US08709927B2
Methods of implanting dopant ions in a substrate include depositing a sacrificial material on a substrate. Dopant ions are implanted into the substrate while sputtering the sacrificial material, without substantially sputtering the substrate. Substantially no sacrificial material remains on the substrate after the implanting of the dopant ions. Some methods include forming a sacrificial material over a substrate and implanting dopant ions into the substrate while removing substantially all the sacrificial material from the substrate. Substantially no sputtering of the substrate occurs during the implanting of the dopant ions. Methods of doping a substrate include implanting dopant ions into a substrate having a sacrificial material thereon and sputtering the sacrificial material while implanting the dopant ions without substantially sputtering the substrate. Substantially no sacrificial material remains on the substrate after implanting the dopant ions.
US08709912B2
Even when a substrate for treatment is joined with a supporting substrate having an outer shape larger than that of the substrate for treatment, with a photothermal conversion layer and an adhesive layer interposed, and the surface of the substrate for treatment on the side opposite this joined surface is treated, the occurrence of a defective external appearance on the treatment surface of the substrate for treatment is prevented.An adhesive layer 4 is formed on one surface of a substrate for treatment 3, a photothermal conversion layer 2 is formed on one surface of a supporting substrate 1 having a surface with an outer shape larger than that of the surface of the substrate for treatment, and the substrate for treatment 3 is bonded onto the surface of the photothermal conversion layer 2 with the adhesive layer 4 interposed, to obtain a layered member. This layered member is placed on a spin chuck 9 in a chamber 8 of a spin coater device, an alkaline aqueous solution 11 is dropped onto a portion 2a of the photothermal conversion layer 2 which protrudes from the substrate for treatment, and thereafter cleaning is performed on this portion using a high-pressure cleaning nozzle 12. Then, grinding, wet treatment, or similar treatment is performed on the surface of the substrate for treatment 3, to manufacture a semiconductor device.
US08709907B2
A method for manufacturing a TiN/Ta2O5/TiN capacitor, including the steps of forming a Ta2O5 layer on a TiN support by a plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition method, or PEALD; and submitting the obtained structure to an N2O plasma for a duration sufficient to oxidize the Ta2O5 layer without oxidizing the TiN support.
US08709902B2
In complex semiconductor devices, the profiling of the deep drain and source regions may be accomplished individually for N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors without requiring any additional process steps by using a sacrificial spacer element as an etch mask and as an implantation mask for incorporating the drain and source dopant species for deep drain and source areas for one type of transistor. On the other hand, the usual main spacer may be used for the incorporation of the deep drain and source regions of the other type of transistor.
US08709901B1
The present invention relates to a method of forming an isolation structure, in which, a trench is formed in a substrate through a hard mask, and deposition, etch back, deposition, planarization, and etch back are performed in the order to form an isolation material layer of the isolation structure after the hard mask is removed. A silicon layer may be formed to cover the trench and original surface of the substrate before the former deposition, or to cover a part of the trench and original surface of the substrate after the former etch back and before the later deposition, to serve as a stop layer for the planarization process. Voids existing within the isolation material layer can be exposed or removed by partially etching the isolation material layer by the former etch back. The later deposition can be performed with a less aspect ratio to avoid forming voids.
US08709885B2
A method of manufacturing Schottky diodes in a CMOS process includes forming wells, including first wells (16) for forming CMOS devices and second wells (18) for forming Schottky devices. Then, transistors are formed in the first wells, the second wells protected with a protection layer (20) and suicide contacts (40) formed to source and drain regions in the first wells. The protection layer is then removed, a Schottky material deposited and etched away except in a contact region in each second well to form a Schottky contact between the Schottky material (74) and each second well (18).
US08709883B2
A first implant is performed into a substrate to form a well in which a plurality of transistors will be formed. Each transistor of a first subset of the plurality of transistors to be formed has a width that satisfies a predetermined width constraint and each transistor of a second subset has a width that does not satisfy the constraint. A second implant is performed at locations in the well in which transistors of the first subset will be formed and not at locations in the well in which transistors of the second subset will be formed. The transistors are formed, wherein a channel region of each transistor of the first subset is formed in a portion of the substrate which received the second implant and a channel region of each transistor of the second subset is formed in a portion of the substrate which did not receive the second implant.
US08709882B2
A precision resistor is formed with a controllable resistance to compensate for variations that occur with temperature. An embodiment includes forming a resistive semiconductive element having a width and a length on a substrate, patterning an electrically conductive line across the width of the resistive semiconductive element, but electrically isolated therefrom, and forming a depletion channel in the resistive semiconductive element under the electrically conductive line to control the resistance value of the resistive semiconductive element. The design enables dynamic adjustment of the resistance, thereby improving the reliability of the resistor or allowing for resistance modification during final packaging.
US08709881B2
A substrate is provided that has a metallic layer on a substrate surface of a substrate. A film made of a two dimensional (2-D) material, such as graphene, is deposited on a metallic surface of the metallic layer. The metallic layer is dewet and/or removed to provide the film on the substrate surface.
US08709879B2
A semiconductor package includes a substrate having an insulation layer. The insulation layer has a first region having a first surface roughness and a second region having a second surface roughness. A semiconductor chip is mounted in the first region, and an underfill resin solution is filled into the space between the semiconductor chip and the insulation layer. The roughness of the second region prevents the underfill resin from flowing out from the semiconductor chip to thereby reduce a size of the semiconductor package.
US08709878B2
A method of packaging imager devices and optics modules is disclosed which includes positioning an imager device and an optics module in each of a plurality of openings in a carrier body, introducing an encapsulant material into each of the openings in the carrier body and cutting the carrier body to singulate the plurality of imager devices and optics modules into individual units, each of which comprise an imager device and an optics module. A device is also disclosed which includes an imager device comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements and an optics module coupled to the imager device, the optics module comprising at least one lens that, when the optics module is coupled to the imager device, is positioned a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the plurality of photosensitive elements.
US08709877B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming an integrated circuit device having a device contact surface, a device lateral side, and a device backside opposite the device contact surface; forming a device shell, having a shell lip, contiguous with the device backside and the device lateral side, the shell lip adjacent to and coplanar with the device contact surface; attaching a substrate to the integrated circuit device, the device shell between the integrated circuit device and the substrate; and forming an encapsulation on the substrate and covering the integrated circuit device and the device shell.
US08709876B2
An electronic device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a substrate, a plurality of conducting lines formed on a first conducting material that is disposed on the substrate, and a layer of a second conducting material disposed on the plurality of conducting lines. The conducting lines include a top face and a side face. The layer of the second conducting material includes a first thickness disposed on each of the top faces and a second thickness disposed on each of the side faces. To this end, the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
US08709874B2
A conductive carrier having a first surface and a second surface is provided. The conductive trace layer is formed on the second surface of the conductive carrier. A conductive stud layer is formed on the conductive trace layer. A dielectric layer is formed on the conductive layer to encapsulate the conductive trace layer and the conductive stud layer. The conductive stud layer is exposed. A plating conductive layer is formed to envelop the conductive carrier, the dielectric layer and the exposed end of the conductive stud layer. A cavity is formed on the conductive carrier, wherein the conductive trace layer and the dielectric layer are exposed in the cavity. A surface finishing is formed on at least an exposed portion of the conductive stud layer. The plating conductive layer is removed.
US08709873B2
A method of manufacture of a leadless integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate; patterning a die attach pad on the substrate; forming a tiered plated pad array around the die attach pad; mounting an integrated circuit die on the die attach pad; coupling an electrical interconnect between the integrated circuit die and the tiered plated pad array; forming a molded package body on the integrated circuit die, the electrical interconnects, and the tiered plated pad array; and exposing a contact pad layer by removing the substrate.
US08709870B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) package is disclosed comprising: (a) removing oxides from side surfaces of terminals of the IC package; (b) substantially covering an underside of the terminals of the IC package; and (c) forming a solder coating on the side surfaces of terminals of the IC packages while covering the underside of the terminals of the IC package. The solder coating on the side surfaces of the terminals protects the terminals from oxidation due to aging and subsequent processes. Additionally, the solder coating on the side surfaces of the terminals substantially improves the solderability of the IC package to printed circuit boards (PCBs) or other mountings. This further facilitates the inspection of the solder attachment using less expensive and complicated methods.
US08709865B2
A packaging substrate having a through-holed interposer embedded therein and a fabrication method of the packaging substrate are provided, where the packaging substrate includes: a molding layer having opposite first and second surfaces; a through-holed interposer embedded in the molding layer and flush with the second surface; a redistribution-layer structure embedded in the molding layer and disposed on the through-holed interposer and having a plurality of electrode pads exposed from the first surface of the molding layer; and a built-up structure disposed on the second surface of the molding layer and electrically connected to the through-holed interposer.
US08709860B2
The object is to improve the conversion efficiency of a photoelectric conversion device. This object can be achieved by a photoelectric conversion device including an electrode and a semiconductor layer which is provided on one main surface of the electrode and contains a I-III-VI group compound semiconductor, wherein the semiconductor layer includes a connection layer that is located at a position on the one main surface side of the electrode and has a tendency that, the closer to the one main surface, the greater a quotient obtained by dividing an amount of substance of a I-B group element by an amount of substance of a III-B group element becomes.
US08709856B2
In particular embodiments, a method is described for forming photovoltaic devices that includes providing a substrate suitable for use in a photovoltaic device, depositing a conductive contact layer over the substrate, depositing a salt solution over the surface of the conductive contact layer, the solution comprising a volatile solvent and an alkali metal salt solute, and depositing a semiconducting absorber layer over the solute residue left by the evaporated solvent.
US08709848B2
MEMS devices (40) using etched cavities (42) are desirably formed using multiple etching steps. Preliminary cavities (20) formed by locally anisotropic etching to nearly the final depth have irregular (46) sidewalls (44) and steep and/or inconsistent sidewall (44) to bottom (54) intersection angles (48). This leads to less than desired cavity diaphragm (26) burst strengths. Final cavities (42) with smooth sidewalls (50), smaller and consistent sidewall (50) to bottom (54) intersection angles (58), and having more than doubled cavity diaphragm (26) burst strengths are obtained by treating the preliminary cavities (20) with TMAH etchant, preferably relatively dilute TMAH etchant. In a preferred embodiment, a cleaning step is performed between the etching step and the TMAH treatment step to remove any anisotropic etching by-products present on the preliminary cavities' (20) initial sidewalls (44). The multi-step cavity etching procedure is especially useful for forming robust MEMS pressure sensors, but is applicable to any type of MEMS device.
US08709845B2
Solid state lighting (“SSL”) devices with cellular arrays and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a light emitting diode includes a semiconductor material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The semiconductor material has an aperture extending into the semiconductor material from the first surface. The light emitting diode also includes an active region in direct contact with the semiconductor material, and at least a portion of the active region is in the aperture of the semiconductor material.
US08709843B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor capable of improving the crystallinity and the surface state of the nitride semiconductor crystal formed on top of a high-temperature AlN buffer layer. An AlN buffer layer is formed on top of a growth substrate, and then nitride semiconductor crystals are grown on top of the AlN buffer layer. In a stage of manufacturing the nitride semiconductor, the crystal of the AlN buffer layer is grown at a high temperature of 900° C. or higher. In addition, an Al-source material of the AlN buffer layer is started to be supplied first to a reaction chamber and continues to be supplied without interruption, and then a N-source material is supplied intermittently.
US08709842B2
An LED package includes a substrate, an LED chip arranged on the substrate, and a light transmission layer arranged on a light output path of the LED chip. The substrate includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated and electrically insulated from the first electrode. The LED chip is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the substrate. The light transmission layer comprises two parallel transparent plates and a fluorescent layer sandwiched between the two transparent plates. The LED package further includes a transparent encapsulation layer sealing the LED chip therein, and in one embodiment, the light transmission layer is located on the encapsulation layer and in another embodiment, the encapsulation layer also seals the light transmission layer therein. A method for manufacturing the LED package is also provided.
US08709840B2
A light-emitting device package uses a metal layer as a reflective region and includes a light-emitting device chip and an electrode pad that are disposed on an insulating layer. In addition, the electrode pad and an electrode pattern of a printed circuit board are connected to each other by an electrode pattern formed of conductive ink. A method of manufacturing a light-emitting device package includes forming an insulating layer on a metal layer, and bonding a light-emitting device chip and an electrode pad on the insulating layer. The electrode pad and a printed circuit board are connected to each other by conductive ink.
US08709838B2
There is provided a method for preparing a β-SiAlON phosphor capable of be controlled to show characteristics such as high brightness and desired particle size distribution. The method for preparing a β-SiAlON phosphor represented by Formula: Si(6-x)AlxOyN(8-y):Lnz (wherein, Ln is a rare earth element, and the following requirements are satisfied: 0
US08709835B2
A method for manufacturing the LEDs is disclosed, whereby the light extraction efficiency of the device can be enhanced by forming patterns on a top surface of a substrate, a light emitting structure is formed on the top surface of the substrate formed with the patterns, the substrate is removed from the light emitting structure, and patterns corresponding to those formed on top surface of the substrate are formed on the surface of the light emitting structure.
US08709832B2
A chip on film (COF) package and a method for manufacturing same are provided. The COF package comprises a base film, a semiconductor chip mounted on the base film, a signal-inputting portion mounted on the base film, a first passive element mounted on the base film and comprising first and second terminals and a first signal line formed on the base film and connecting the first passive element to the semiconductor chip, wherein the first signal line comprises a connection pad connected to the first terminal of the first passive element and a first test line connected to the signal-inputting portion.
US08709824B2
The present invention concerns a contamination barrier 5 that permits an efficient and reproducible processing of a high number of samples with the prevention of contamination of aqueous solutions 3 in open and/or automated systems, especially in the ppm range, in that it comprises at least one water immiscible hydrocarbon compound. In addition a method for the prevention of contamination during the processing of aqueous solutions 3 in open and/or automated systems is disclosed.
US08709822B2
An assembly determines an analyte concentration in a sample of body fluid. The assembly includes a test sensor having a fluid-receiving area for receiving a sample of body fluid, where the fluid-receiving area contains a reagent that produces a measurable reaction with an analyte in the sample. The assembly also includes a meter having a port or opening configured to receive the test sensor; a measurement system configured to determine a measurement of the reaction between the reagent and the analyte; and a temperature-measuring system configured to determine a measurement of the test-sensor temperature when the test sensor is received into the opening. The meter determines a concentration of the analyte in the sample according to the measurement of the reaction and the measurement of the test-sensor temperature.
US08709820B2
A concentration measuring apparatus for hydrogen sulfide includes an absorbing liquid that can absorb gaseous hydrogen sulfide as sulfide ion; a hollow fiber membrane contactor that contacts a gas flow with a flow of the absorbing liquid through a membrane, so that the absorbing liquid absorbs gaseous hydrogen sulfide in the gas flow as sulfide ion; a pump for a first channel that feeds the absorbing liquid to the hollow fiber membrane contactor; an oxidizer that exothermically reacts with sulfide ion; a pump for a second channel that feeds the oxidizer to the absorbing liquid; a first thermometer that measures a temperature of the absorbing liquid before the sulfide ion that the absorbing liquid has absorbed exothermically reacts with the oxidizer; and a second thermometer that measures the temperature of the absorbing liquid after the sulfide ion that the absorbing liquid has absorbed exothermically reacts with the oxidizer.
US08709814B2
In a computer-controlled, automated method, a nucleic acid amplification procedure is performed within a prescribed incubation temperature range within an instrument that comprises at least one thermal element situated at a first location of the instrument and an amplification incubator situated at a second, spaced-apart location of the instrument. A receptacle and its contents are exposed to the thermal element for a predetermined period of time at the first location, such that the temperature of the contents of the receptacle is adjusted to approximate the incubation temperature. The receptacle is then moved from the first location and into the amplification incubator, and, in the amplification incubator, a nucleic acid contained in the contents of the receptacle is subjected to the nucleic acid amplification procedure.
US08709794B2
A method of manufacturing a column reactor for producing nitrate nitrogen as an inorganic nutrient from an organic material including: filling a container with a carrier comprising rockwool, vermiculite, pearlite, zeolite, sand, glass, ceramic, urethane, nylon, melamine resin, cedar chips, bog moss, filter paper or agar; adding thereto microorganisms capable of conducting a multiple parallel mineralization by mineralization of an organic material to produce nitrate nitrogen; subsequently adding 0.01 to 20 g in terms of dry weight of an organic material with respect to 1 L of the carrier, the organic material comprising fish-based soluble fertilizer, fish flour, oil cake, raw garbage, corn steep liquor, rice bran, soybean flour, plant residue, milk, powdered milk or livestock manure; and leaving the resultant material at rest until nitrate nitrogen starts to be produced in an effluent during a washing of the carrier by addition of water to discharge the effluent from the carrier.
US08709779B2
The characterization of a new strain of human rhinovirus of genetic group C (HRV-C) as well as methods and kits for detecting the presence of HRV-C by PCR amplification are provided.
US08709776B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08709774B2
A nucleic acid sequence, including an isolated, purified or recombinant nucleic acid sequence, includes: (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide encompassed by the present invention, namely, a PLC-zeta; PLCζ amino acid sequence, capable of triggering calcium oscillations in oocytes; (b) a sequence substantially homologous to or that hybridizes to sequence (a) under stringent conditions; (c) a sequence substantially homologous to or that hybridizes to the sequences (a) or (b) but for degeneracy of the genetic code; and (d) an oligonucleotide specific for any of the sequences (a), (b) or (c) above.
US08709767B2
A process for the enzymatic reduction of an enoate (1) wherein the C═C bond of the enoate (1) is stereoselectively hydrogenated in the presence of an enoate-reductase and an oxidizable co-substrate (2) in a system which is free of NAD(P)H, in which A is a ketone radical (—CRO), an aldehyde radical (—CHO), a carboxyl radical (—COOR), with R═H or optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl radical, R1, R2 and R3 are independently of one another H, —O—C1-C6-alkyl, —O—W with W=a hydroxyl protecting group, C1-C6-alkyl, which can be substituted, C2-C6-alkenyl, carboxyl, or an optionally substituted carbo- or heterocyclic, aromatic or nonaromatic radical, or one of R1, R2 and R3 is a —OH radical, or R1 is linked to R3 so as to become part of a 4-8-membered cycle, or R1 is linked to R so as to become part of a 4-8-membered cycle, with the proviso that R1, R2 and R3 may not be identical.
US08709756B2
Methods are provided for the synthesis and secretion of recombinant hetero-multimeric proteins in mating competent yeast. A first expression vector is transformed into a first haploid cell; and a second expression vector is transformed into a second haploid cell. The transformed haploid cells, each individually synthesizing a non-identical polypeptide, are identified and then genetically crossed or fused. The resulting diploid strains are utilized to produce and secrete fully assembled and biologically functional hetero-multimeric protein.
US08709752B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a dipeptide or a dipeptide derivative using a phosphate donor, a substance selected from the group consisting of adenosine-5′-monophosphate, adenosine-5′-diphosphate and adenosine-5′-triphosphate, one or more kinds of amino acids or amino acid derivatives, and as enzyme sources, a protein having polyphosphate kinase activity, or a culture of cells having the ability to produce the protein or a treated matter of the culture, and a protein having the activity to ATP-dependently form the dipeptide or dipeptide derivative from one or more kinds of amino acids or amino acid derivatives, or a culture of cells having the ability to produce the protein or a treated matter of the culture.
US08709734B2
The invention relates to the identification of Humanin and derivatives thereof as ligands of the GPR1 GPCR (G-protein coupled receptor). The invention encompasses the use of the interaction of GPR1 polypeptides and Humanin polypeptides as the basis of screening assays for agents that modulate the activity of the GPR1 receptor. The invention also encompasses diagnostic assays based upon the GPR1/Humanin polypeptide interaction, as well as kits for performing diagnostic and screening assays.
US08709723B2
Genome-wide analysis of copy number changes in breast and colorectal tumors used approaches that can reliably detect homozygous deletions and amplifications. The number of genes altered by major copy number changes—deletion of all copies or amplification of at least twelve copies per cell—averaged thirteen per tumor. These data were integrated with previous mutation analysis of the Reference Sequence genes in these same tumor types to identify genes and cellular pathways affected by both copy number changes and point alterations. Pathways enriched for genetic alterations include those controlling cell adhesion, intracellular signaling, DNA topological change, and cell cycle control. These analysis provide an integrated view of copy number and sequencing alterations on a genome-wide scale and identify genes and pathways that are useful for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
US08709718B1
A method of predicting a lung cancer patient's response to FGFR inhibitors is disclosed herein, particularly in patients with squamous cell lung cancer.
US08709699B2
A resist composition having a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (I), a resin being insoluble or poorly soluble in alkali aqueous solution, but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid and not including the structural unit represented by the formula (I), and an acid generator represented by the formula (II), wherein R1, A1, A13, A14, X12, Q1, Q2, L1, ring W, Rf1 and Rf2, n and Z+ are defined in the specification.
US08709694B2
A polyurethane resin which is an addition polymer, includes an isocyanate compound containing at least a compound having two or more isocyanate groups; and an alcohol compound containing rosin diol represented by Formula (1): wherein in Formula (1), R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, L1, L2, and L3 each independently represent a carbonyl group, an ester group, an ether group, a sulfonyl group, a chain alkylene group which may have a substituent, a cyclic alkylene group which may have a substituent, an arylene group which may have a substituent, and a divalent linking group selected from a group consisting of combinations of the above-described groups, wherein L1 and L2 or L1 and L3 may form a ring together, and A1 and A2 represent a rosin ester group.
US08709691B2
A toner for developing an electrostatic charge image includes an aliphatic polyester resin and a polyester resin having a repeating unit derived from rosin diol.
US08709690B2
A photoreceptor comprising an undercoat layer between a conductive support and a photosensitive layer, wherein the undercoat layer contains at least metal oxide microparticles coated with anhydrous silicon dioxide and a first binder resin, the photosensitive layer is a monolayered photosensitive layer containing at least a charge generation material and a charge transport material or a multilayered photosensitive layer formed of a charge generation layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport material stacked in this order or in an inverse order, and the charge generation material contains a crystal type oxotitanylphthalocyanine having peaks in an X-ray diffraction spectrum with Cu—Kα characteristic X-rays (0.15418 nm) at Bragg angles (2θ±0.2°) of 7.3°, 9.4°, 9.6°, 11.6°, 13.3°, 17.9°, 24.1° and 27.2°, in which a peak bundle formed by overlapping the peaks at 9.4° and 9.6° is a largest peak, and the peak at 27.2° is a second largest peak; and an X-type metal-free phthalocyanine having peaks in the X-ray diffraction spectrum at Bragg angles (2θ±0.2°) of 7.5°, 9.1°, 16.7°, 17.3° and 22.3°.
US08709687B2
A pattern from a patterning device is applied to a substrate by a lithographic apparatus. The applied pattern includes product features and metrology targets. The metrology targets include large targets and small targets which are for measuring overlay. Some of the smaller targets are distributed at locations between the larger targets, while other small targets are placed at the same locations as a large target. By comparing values measured using a small target and large target at the same location, parameter values measured using all the small targets can be corrected for better accuracy. The large targets can be located primarily within scribe lanes while the small targets are distributed within product areas.
US08709681B2
A relative density of a light-shielding film made of MoSi, which is given by relative density=(actual density/theoretical density)×100, is obtained using a density (actual density) calculated by an XRR method and a theoretical density obtained from a material composition. By obtaining a dense film having a relative density greater than 94%, the thickness of an alterated layer, caused by exposure light, at a surface of the MoSi film can be made not more than 2.0 nm so that the dimensional change of a transfer pattern can be made small.
US08709666B2
A microbial fuel cell comprising a cathode module, an anode module, a means for feeding source water to the anode module, and a means for feeling air to the source water after said anode module, wherein the source water is introduced in the anode module and discharged at the cathode module, a membrane is not used to transfer electrons, and the source water does not flow through a layer between the cathode and anode modules, such as glass wool or beads.
US08709659B2
A composition for use in an electrochemical cell is disclosed wherein the composition includes a clean metal substantially free of impurities and a layer of protective material in contact with the clean metal, wherein the protective material comprises a protective metal component, a multi-component material, a multi-layered component or a combination thereof. Further disclosed is an electrochemical cell including a metal film comprising a clean metal substantially free of impurities. The electrochemical cell may further include an electrolyte and a layer of protective material disposed between the electrolyte and the metal film, wherein the protective material comprises a protective metal component, a multi-component material, a multi-layered component or a combination thereof. A process for manufacturing an electrode is further disclosed including preparing a metal film comprising a clean metal substantially free of impurities and depositing a layer of protective material on to the metal film, wherein the protective material comprises a protective metal component, a multi-component material, a multi-layered component or a combination thereof.
US08709653B2
The present invention relates to a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, which includes a silicon-based composite having a silicon oxide of the form SiOX where x≦1.5 and at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, P, Li, Ge, Al, and V, and a carbonaceous material. The negative active material of the present invention can improve the cycle-life and high-rate charge/discharge characteristics of a rechargeable lithium battery.
US08709641B2
A microporous membrane comprising layers, wherein at least one layer comprises a first polymer having a Tm in the range of 115.0° C. to 130.0° C. and an Mw of from 5.0×103 to 4.0×105, and the membrane has a shutdown temperature≦130.5° C. and a rupture temperature≧170.0° C.
US08709640B2
The invention relates to polyolefin membranes and membrane precursors comprising polyethylene and polypropylene. The polyolefin membrane can be a microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a first microporous layer and at least one second microporous layers where the first and second layers contain polypropylene and polyethylene, and the amount of polyethylene in the first layer is at least about 80 wt. % and the amount of polyethylene in the second layer is at least about 50 wt. %. The amount of polyethylene is higher in the first microporous layer than in the second microporous layer, and the total amount of the polyethylene in the first and second microporous layers is at least about 61 wt. %, based on the weight of the multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane.
US08709634B2
In a battery loading and unloading mechanism, a battery formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped and having an almost square main surface is loaded and unloaded to and from a device. The battery is formed with projecting portions at longitudinal both ends of a back surface thereof and along the back surface, whereby the battery can be prevented from being erroneously inserted into the device. The projecting portion has an inclined surface acutely inclined with respect to the back surface, and when the battery is unloaded from the device, unloading of the battery from the device is accelerated by the inclined surface undergoing contact pressure of the retaining means. The device is formed with a notched portion which is adapted to expose the other projecting portion of the battery when the battery is loaded, thereby facilitating unloading of the battery.
US08709630B2
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly capable of being charged and discharged; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap assembly, the cap assembly including a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case, and a vent member in the cap plate, the vent member being configured to open at a predetermined internal pressure, a terminal exposed to an outer side of the cap plate; a lower insulating member, the lower insulating member insulating the terminal and the cap plate at a lower side of the cap plate; and a channel member between the electrode assembly and the cap plate and forming a space, the channel member being fixed to the lower insulating member.
US08709623B2
Disclosed is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure disposed in a battery case together with an electrolyte in a sealed state, the battery case being provided at an upper end thereof with a first electrode terminal, a second electrode terminal, and a pair of fastening grooves, a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit board (PCB) having a protection circuit formed thereon, connection members A and B connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal, respectively, and a safety element, an insulative mounting member, and an electrically insulative top cap.
US08709604B2
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.
US08709601B2
Copolymers and methods using the copolymers control the stability, the homogeneity of mixtures and the chargeability of a nanoparticle. A block copolymer-nanoparticle composition includes first, second and third block units that each include repeating units of respective monomers. The monomer of the first block unit includes a binding group that binds to the nanoparticle. The monomer of the second block unit includes a hydrophobic moiety that provides steric stabilization of the nanoparticle and homogeneity of mixtures of the copolymer-nanoparticle composition in a non-polar medium. The monomer of the third block unit includes a chargeable group that imparts a charge to the nanoparticle. An order of the respective block units in the copolymer and the number of repeating units of the monomer in the respective block units control the stability, the homogeneity of mixtures and the charge of the nanoparticle.
US08709590B2
A hot-press cushion material is a complex comprising paper formed of a fiber material and a rubber impregnated in the paper, and the volume ratio between the fiber material and the rubber is within a range of 1/1.5 to 1/7.5, and the void ratio in the complex is within a range of 60 to 90%.
US08709589B2
A white polyester film has a high level of whiteness, reflectivity, lightness, or thermal dimensional stability, and a surface light source that is produced with the white polyester film and has a high level of brightness characteristics. The white polyester film includes a white polyester layer (W layer) containing a polyester resin component (A) and a component (B) incompatible with the resin component (A) and having voids inside, wherein the incompatible component (B) is a cyclic-olefin resin (b) having a glass transition temperature of 110° C. or more, and the content Z of the cyclic-olefin resin (b) in the white polyester layer (W layer) is from 5% by weight to 50% by weight, based on the amount of the white polyester layer (W layer). The surface light source is produced therewith.
US08709584B2
An aircraft floor system includes a composite panel which generally includes an inboard layer, an inboard interlock layer, a core layer, an outboard interlock layer and an outboard layer. The advanced sandwich core material may include K-Cor™ or X-Cor™ which is pinned through at least one ply of dry composite reinforcement to provide a mechanical lock between the pins and an inboard and outboard interlock layer. Bonding of the locked-in ply with the inboard and outboard results in improved structural performance and damage tolerance.
US08709583B2
The invention concerns a cutting tool comprising a main body and a multi-layer coating applied thereto. To provide improved cutting tools which have increased resistance to comb cracking, tribochemical wear and cratering caused thereby the main body comprises a hard metal which includes 5 to 8% by weight of Co, 0 to 2% by weight of TaC, 0 to 1% by weight of NbC and 89 to 95% by weight of WC with a mean grain size of 1 to 5 μm, and the coating has a first layer of TiAlN having a layer thickness of 1 to 5 μm, and a second layer of aluminum oxide having a layer thickness of 1 to 4 μm, wherein the coating further additionally includes on the second layer of aluminum oxide n alternately mutually superposedly applied layers of TiAlN and layers of aluminum oxide respectively having a layer thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 μm, wherein n relates to each individual layer and is an even number of 0 to 10, and wherein the total layer thickness of the coating is 2 to 16 μm and the coating is produced in the PVD process.
US08709574B2
A carpet backing composition that includes a frothable aqueous composition and a froth aid. The frothable aqueous composition includes a polymeric binder, and the froth aid includes a polypropylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol ether, or a combination thereof. The froth aid has a weight average molecular weight of 130 to 2000. The carpet backing composition can be used to prepare a carpet product.
US08709570B2
A near-field optical disk having surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SPASER) is provided. The near-field optical disk having SPASER includes a transparent substrate, a first transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the transparent substrate, a SPASER thin film layer formed on the first transparent dielectric thin film layer, a second transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the SPASER thin film layer, a recording thin film layer formed on the second transparent dielectric thin film layer, and a third transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the recording thin film layer.
US08709569B2
An optical recording medium includes: a substrate; an information recording layer formed on the substrate for recording and reproducing an information signal by irradiation with light; and a light transmission layer formed on the information recording layer and transmitting the light, the storage elastic modulus of the light transmission layer at −5° C. being within a range of 1500 MPa or less.
US08709557B2
Provided is an article comprising a helically wound ribbon forming a tubular support core, the ribbon having first and second edges wherein adjacent first and second edges comprise one or more bonds along the length of the tubular support core; wherein the strength of the one or more bonds varies along the length of the tubular support core.
US08709552B2
The resin composition of the present invention is a resin composition characterized by including (a) a polyimide, a polybenzoxazole, a polyimide precursor or a polybenzoxazole precursor, (b) 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, or 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, and (c) a thermal cross-linking agent having a specific structure. By the use of the resin composition of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the transmittance in the visible region of a cured film while maintaining the transmittance of a resin film before curing.
US08709550B2
In a process for manufacturing a coated steel sheet such as a coated electromagnetic steel sheet using a water-based coating liquid containing an organic resin, to perform steps subsequent to an annealing step continuously at high speed without causing appearance defects such as coating unevenness; to provide an electromagnetic steel sheet having an insulating film thereon, in which properties of the film are satisfactory, superior weldability and punchability can be obtained without deteriorating the space factor, and the satisfactory film properties can be maintained even if the electromagnetic steel sheet having the insulating film thereon is temper-rolled. A coating liquid is applied onto an untreated steel sheet. The applied liquid is heated on the side close to the steel sheet in such a manner that the time elapsed until the steel sheet temperature is increased to 100° C. after the application is completed is 10 seconds or less, thereby drying the coating liquid. The steel sheet temperature is further increased to a predetermined temperature, thereby forming a coating film. When insulating films for electromagnetic steel sheets are formed, the coating liquid preferably further contains a water based inorganic component.
US08709545B2
A hybrid coating including a mixture of an organosilane component, a metal alkoxide component and a surfactant component. A method for coating a substrate including cleaning a substrate surface, treating the surface with oxygen plasma, applying an adhesion promoter to the surface, then applying a hybrid coating to the surface and curing the hybrid coating. A method for making a hybrid coating includes preparing a mixture comprising an organosilane, a metal alkoxide and a surfactant, heating the mixture; and filtering the mixture.
US08709519B1
A spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut. The spigot is comprised of a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween. The coconut having a partially inserted spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position with a grommet provided as an insertion stop for the spigot. An optional air vent is provided to aid in fluid flow from the spigot.
US08709508B2
Compositions and methods for alleviating an allergy condition while also reducing a drying effect of an allergy medication or another anti-mucosal composition. In some embodiments, a nasal solution for alleviating an allergy condition may comprise an anti-mucosal composition in an amount effective for treating an allergy condition and at least one of xylitol and xylose in an amount effective for reducing nasal dryness caused by the anti-mucosal composition.
US08709505B2
A therapeutic rinse for treating a sore throat including a self heating container having a reservoir. The self heating container is capable of reaching a temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit when activated. The therapeutic rinse includes a liquid composition having sodium chloride, water, an antibiotic, and a variety of vitamins, minerals and herbs stored in the reservoir of the self heating container. During use, the self heating container is activated and the liquid composition is heated inside the reservoir to about 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
US08709504B2
An apoptosis inductor is formed of an anthocyanin-containing extract obtained from a potato containing anthocyanine in the skin and flesh thereof. The potato is a potato of cultivated species, such as Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena L. and S. phureja Juz. et Buk., or of hybrid species based on the cultivated species.
US08709501B1
A composition and method of use for treating wounds of mammals comprising an effective amount of the plant extracts Calendula officinalis and sublimed sulfur in a topical pharmaceutical carrier and or tea tree oil. The unique combination of these active plant extracts treats any type of wound effectively and immediately by increasing granulation at the site of the wound, promoting metabolism of proteins and collagen, inducing new cell growth, stopping bleeding, minimizing pain, and providing anti-bacterial activity. The present invention also provides a calendula composition to be administered orally to a mammal to alleviate EIPH or bleeding. The present invention also provides a calendula composition to alleviate the negative effects of inflammation due to stress, to treat muscle pulls and joints, to improve the eating regimen of high performance mammals, to treat mastitis, anhydrosis, and treat or prevent an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum of a mammalian patient.
US08709495B2
Electrolytic acid or alkaline water having a NMR half line width using 17O of from about 45 to less than 51 Hz, and an oxide reduction potential of from −1000 to +200 mV, or from +600 to +1300 mV, topical compositions that contain such water, uses for such water to hydrate skin, deliver drugs and treat various skin and mucosal conditions, and methods and apparatus for manufacturing the water.
US08709489B2
The invention provides emulsion compositions that include a hydrophobic compound and an arylboronic acid. An exemplary emulsion comprises a hydrophobic polymer and a halogenated arylboronic acid. Use of an arylboronic acid provides the emulsion with exceptional stability. The stability provides advantages for the formation of articles formed from the emulsion, including microparticles, as well as other implantable or injectable medical articles having polymeric matrices.
US08709481B2
A system for controlled release of an active principle, includes at least (a) a degradable polymer matrix which produces acid compounds and (b) at least one acid-sensitive complex of an active principle having at least one electrostatic charge and a complexing polyelectrolyte partner of opposite charge which complexes with the active principle. A method for preparation of such a system is described. The release of the active principle (7P) is prolonged over 18 days (ternary system PMLA/7P/PLAGA) in comparison to binary systems (7P/PLAGA) and (PMLA/7P).
US08709479B2
The present invention relates to a fentanyl coated tablet and to the method for the preparation thereof.
US08709467B2
This invention is in the field of controlled elution devices for therapeutic delivery. There exists a need for a stand-alone capable device for the localized and extended delivery of a therapeutic. This need is overcome by the present invention having an exemplary embodiment comprised of a microfilm base (12), a reservoir of a therapeutic (14) disposed about the microfilm base (12) and a top layer (24) that is (i) a plurality of laminated layers (24) of para-xylyelne polymer and/or (ii) para-xylyelne polymer endowed with oxidatively functionalized para-xyele units. The thicknesses of the device is optimally in the range of about 10 to about 200 microns. The device is usable for the localized release of broad spectrum therapeutics for interventional and preventative medicine.
US08709453B2
A cosmetic product includes a vegetable oil blend having an iodine value of 20-80 and including a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and a fatty acid. The vegetable oil blend can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. The vegetable oil blend moisturizes human skin, provides a protective barrier to dirt and weather, acts as an emollient, and may promote healing of cracked, dry or otherwise damaged skin.
US08709450B2
The invention is a cellulose derivative wherein some of the carboxyl groups of the cellulose derivative carboxymethylcellulose are replaced with —CO—NH—X—CO—Y—Z, and a hydrogel of the same. In the formula, X is a C1-10 divalent hydrocarbon group, Y is a divalent group derived from polyalkylene oxide having oxygen atoms at both ends, and Z is a C1-24 hydrocarbon group or —CO—R4, where R4 is a C1-23 hydrocarbon group. The hydrogel has excellent viscoelasticity and can be injected into prescribed sites with injecting devices such as syringes, and it can thus be utilized as a medical gel or adhesion barrier.
US08709442B2
The present invention relates to recombinant RNA virus templates derived from and applicable to negative strand naturally non-segmented viruses, including the families Bornaviridae, Filoviridae, and Paramyxoviridae, and methods for generating such recombinant RNA virus templates, wherein the templates are generated from two or more recombinant RNA molecules. The invention relates to the use of segmented recombinant RNA virus templates for naturally non-segmented RNA viruses to express heterologous gene products in appropriate host cell systems and/or to construct recombinant viruses taken from that family and that express, package, and/or present the heterologous gene product. The invention includes the expression products and recombinant and chimeric viruses thus prepared and vaccine and therapeutic formulations comprising the recombinant RNA viruses.
US08709434B2
Phycobilins are disclosed to have prodrug activity as inhibitors of NADPH oxidase activity and are disclosed to be useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of medical conditions associated with or linked to an NADPH oxidase activity. Compositions containing phycobilins are described which facilitate the administration of phycobilins.
US08709417B2
Agonists to ICOS in combination with a blocking agent to a T cell inhibitory receptor (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-I, etc.) are demonstrated herein to be useful for the treatment of tumors.
US08709406B2
The present invention generally relates to the field of treating oxidative stress disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that elevates the intracellular levels of glutathone or intracelluar levels of at least one Phase II detoxification enzyme in animal tissue. The present invention also relates to the field of protecting a subject from oxidative stress disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that elevates the intracellular levels of glutathone or intracelluar levels of at least one Phase II detoxification enzyme in the subject. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition useful for the treatment of oxidative stress disorders.
US08709405B2
Disclosed are fragments of oncofetal antigen, otherwise known as immature laminin receptor protein that specifically stimulate one T cell subclass. The fragments may be formulated into compositions for potentiating T cell-mediated responses in mammalian cancer patients. They also have therapeutic uses in vitro.
US08709402B2
The invention is directed to substantially purified amnion-derived cell populations, compositions comprising the substantially purified amnion-derived cell populations, and to methods of creating such substantially purified amnion-derived cell populations, as well as methods of use. The invention is further directed to antibodies, in particular, monoclonal antibodies, that bind to amnion-derived cells or, alternatively, to one or more amnion-derived cell surface protein markers. The invention is further directed to methods for producing the antibodies, methods for using the antibodies, and kits comprising the antibodies.
US08709396B2
The invention is a method for attracting mosquitoes by producing a volatilized acid by combining an acid precursor with water to produce the humidified vapor acid attractant, preferably hydrogen chloride. The humidified volatilized acid can be further combined with carbon dioxide, or carbon dioxide can be simultaneously produced to attract mosquitoes. The acid precursor can be a hydrate of ferric chloride, such as ferric chloride hexahydrate. The acid precursor can be impregnated in a carrier, and can be combined with water through exposure to water vapor in the atmosphere, the intentional addition of water, or water produced by a chemical reaction.
US08709390B2
This invention relates to non-uniformly substituted (“blocky”) hydroxyethylcelluloses (HECs) and derivatives thereof that exhibit associative behavior in both neat solutions and in filled systems. The HECs and derivatives thereof exhibit unique and highly desirable rheology and are more efficient in thickening aqueous systems than prior art HEC products. These blocky HECs can be distinguished from prior art and commercial HEC products by having an unsubstituted anhydroglucose trimer ratio (U3R) greater than 0.21 and the hydroxyethyl molar substitution greater than about 1.3 and less than about 5. This invention also relates to processes for making blocky HEC and uses thereof in functional systems.
US08709382B2
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of 18F- or 19F-labeled molecules of use in PET, SPECT and/or MR imaging. Preferably, the 18F or 19F is conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a complex with a group IIIA metal and binding of the complex to a bifunctional chelating agent, which may then be directly or indirectly attached to the targeting molecule. In other embodiments, the 18F or 19F labeled moiety may comprise a targetable construct used in combination with a bispecific antibody to target a disease-associated antigen. The disclosed methods and compositions allow the simple and reproducible labeling of molecules at very high efficiency and specific activity in 30 minutes or less. In preferred embodiments, the bifunctional chelating agent bound to 18F- or 19F-metal complex may be conjugated to the molecule to be labeled at a reduced temperature, e.g. room temperature.
US08709379B2
Formulations of neutral retinoids, in particular fenretinide (HPR) in the form of lipid nanoparticles, solid dispersions and emulsions are disclosed. These compositions are used to treat diseases that are amenable to treatment by HPR, such as neoplastic diseases by achieving higher and more prolonged concentrations of HPR in the subject. The key steps for preparing lipid nanovesicles of HPR include mixing and sonication, sterile filtration, without or without lyophilization for long-term stable storage, and employ processes and materials that are scalable from the laboratory to the manufacturing level. The formulation are suitable for injection into human or animal patients without causing allergic or hypersensitivity responses by avoiding chemical surfactants and animal sources of phospholipids in their manufacture.
US08709367B2
In one embodiment, a system for recovering carbon dioxide can comprises: a reaction chamber having a first pressure and comprising a gas stream inlet; a phase-changing liquid sorbent, wherein the liquid sorbent is chemical reactive with carbon dioxide to form a solid material; a regeneration unit to decompose the solid material to released carbon dioxide gas and regenerated liquid sorbent; and a dry transport mechanism configured to transport the solid material from the reaction chamber at the first pressure to the regeneration unit at a second higher pressure. In one embodiment, a method of recovering carbon dioxide from a gas stream, comprises: chemically reacting carbon dioxide with a pure amine compound liquid sorbent to form a solid material; without adding a carrier fluid, dry pressurizing and transporting the solid material, to a regeneration unit; and heating the solid material in the regeneration unit to provide a substantially thermal reaction to decompose the solid material to carbon dioxide gas and regenerated liquid sorbent.
US08709352B2
The disclosure provides a humidity indicator and a method for fabricating the same. The humidity indicator includes a substrate, and a composite disposed on a predetermined region of the substrate. The composite includes a hydrophilic polymer and a Ni-containing compound. The humidity indicators of the disclosure are reusable, halide-free, and cobalt-free, meeting the requirement of environmental friendliness.
US08709351B2
A continuous feed discharge surface treater for treating web materials has a discharge chamber where ionization of a process gas occurs defined and contained by one or more rollers. Enhanced chemical coronas and plasmas are achieved by limiting depletion of the gas chemistry from the discharge chamber and dilution or contamination from mixing with drawn in ambient air. Atmospheric coronas can also be achieved in which minimal or no ozone is exhausted from the treater. Various roller and electrode assemblies, including both fixed and rolling electrodes, can be employed.
US08709345B2
To reduce measurement time, it may be considered to quicken reaction or speed up analytic determination. In existing analyzing devices, photometry is performed, typically, about every 15 seconds, so that it has not been possible to secure satisfactory reproducibility. Namely, reducing the measurement time and securing reproducibility have not been compatible. It has therefore been desired to increase the number of times of measurements performed in a short period of time. A cell disk is controlled to stop at a position for photometry during the time after a sample and a reagent are mixed and before measurement is finished and, while the cell disk is stopped, photometry is performed once or plural times thereby increasing the total number of times of measurements.
US08709344B2
A system is disclosed for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium. The system includes a plurality of racks. The racks have a plurality of receptacles, each of which is adapted for holding a specimen container. The racks include a first rack oriented in a first direction and a second rack oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. The system also includes a rotating turret having a frame holding the racks. The frame is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotating turret operates to rotate the racks about the axis to an access position, e.g., where a user may access the specimen containers. The system also includes an agitation assembly coupled to the racks. The agitation assembly rocks the racks back and forth thereby agitating specimen containers held by the racks. In one configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument detecting whether a microbiological agent is present in the specimen container. In another configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument identifying or characterizing the microbiological agent.
US08709338B2
The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface by applying highly propagating ultrasonic energy to said surface, the method comprises immersing at least a portion of the surface into a fluid, wherein said fluid is in contact with an highly propagating ultrasonic energy emitting assembly; and emitting highly propagating ultrasonic energy from the assembly into the fluid to generate cavitation at the surface thereby cleaning said surface.
US08709333B2
The present invention includes injecting a molten resin into a main cavity, which has on its one end a pressure port provided with a floating core and on its other end a first outlet, and a branch cavity, which communicates with the main cavity and has on its end a second outlet allowed to open and close, injecting a pressurized fluid through the pressure port after the injection of the molten resin, and moving the floating core to the first outlet side, and, at the same time, extruding the molten resin from the first outlet to form a main pipe hollow, and opening the second outlet after the main pipe hollow reaches a portion at which the branch cavity communicates with the main cavity, and extruding the molten resin by the pressurized fluid from the second outlet to form the branch pipe hollow.
US08709318B2
An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having a specially designed backup or forming collar. The backup collar has an outer contact surface which forms an undulating pattern when viewed in cross section. The undulating surface reduces the contact area between the outer contact surface of the collar and the lip region of a plastic pipe being belled, thereby lowering the coefficient of friction that exists between the pipe lip region and the collar.
US08709315B2
Provided is a process for making thermoplastic polymer pellets. The process has the following steps: (a) melting a thermoplastic polymer to form a polymer melt; (b) extruding the melt through a die to form a substantially continuous molten polymer extrudate wherein the die has a contact surface bearing a polymer coating having a surface energy of less than 25 mN/m at 20° C.; (c) cooling the extrudate to form a cooled extrudate; and (d) pelletizing the cooled extrudate to form a plurality of polymer pellets. Provided is also a polymer pellet shipping system and a stable thermoplastic polymer pellet.
US08709310B2
A method and formulation for preparing spray dried vancomycin. In various embodiment, the formulation includes vancomycin HC1 (10-20%) and one or more of the following PEG (0-5%), mannitol (0-5%), ethanol (0-10%), and a citrate buffer. Spray dried vancomycin has favorable reconstitution times and water content.
US08709299B2
The present invention pertains to an electrode layer comprising a porous film made of oxide semiconductor fine particles sensitized with certain methin dyes. Moreover the present invention pertains to a photoelectric conversion device comprising said electrode layer, a dye sensitized solar cell comprising said photoelectric conversion device and to novel methin dyes.
US08709298B2
A compound of the general formula (I) AaMbPcOd (I) in which the variables are each defined as follows: M is at least one transition metal selected from Co, Ni, Mn, Fe and Cr, A is Li or LixNa1-x where x is in the range from 0.2 to 1.0, a is in the range from 3.5 to 4.5, b is in the range from 0.8 to 1.2, c is in the range from 1.8 to 2.2 and d is in the range from 7.2 to 8.8.
US08709296B2
With respect to the metal colloid of the present invention, metal colloidal particles capable of forming a metal colloid by dispersing in either or both of an aqueous dispersion medium and a nonaqueous dispersion medium in a predetermined proportion while mixing, comprise metal particles and a protective agent coordination-modified on the surface of the particles, the protective agent having a carbon skeleton containing either or both of sulfur and oxygen in the molecule, and having a structure of being coordination-modified on the surface of the metal particles using an atom or an atomic group of either or both of sulfur and oxygen as an anchor, wherein the protective agent has one, or two or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkoxysilyl group, silanol group and hydroxyalkyl group in a molecular structure.
US08709292B2
A carbon nanotube-polymer composite includes a polymer continuous phase having at least a first polymer, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the polymer continuous phase. The carbon nanotubes are non-functionalized nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are between 0.05 and 40 weight % of the composite. At least 98% of the carbon nanotubes are not involved in nanotube bundles.
US08709289B2
Disclosed is a conductive composition which can be used to form an aqueous conductive ink with increased conductivity. A film of the dry ink having a thickness of 5 microns or less has a surface roughness of less than 1.5 times the surface roughness of a cellulosic-based substrate which it coats. The aqueous conductive composition contains conductive particles, preferably silver, an anionic wetting agent and a styrene-acrylic copolymer. The composition is highly conductive and requires reduced drying energy. In addition, it may be applied to low cost substrates by high speed printing processes.
US08709278B2
A polishing composition that allows polishing speed to be increased and surface roughness to be reduced is provided. The polishing composition according to the present invention includes a compound including at least an oxyethylene group or an oxypropylene group in a block polyether represented by the following general formula (1), a basic compound, and abrasives: >N—R—N< (1) where R represents an alkylene group expressed as CnH2n and “n” is an integer not less than 1.
US08709277B2
This disclosure relates to an etching composition containing about 60% to about 95% of at least one sulfonic acid; about 0.005% to about 0.04% of chloride anion; about 0.03% to about 0.27% of bromide anion; about 0.1% to about 20% of nitrate or nitrosyl ion; and about 3% to about 37% of water.
US08709273B2
An amorphous carbon having sulfonate group introduced therein is provided which is characterized in that chemical shifts of a condensed aromatic carbon 6-membered ring and a condensed aromatic carbon 6-membered ring having sulfonate group bonded thereto are detected in a 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and that at least a diffraction peak of carbon (002) face whose half-value width (2θ) is in the range of 5 to 30° is detected in powder X-ray diffractometry, and which exhibits proton conductivity. This sulfonated amorphous carbon is very useful as a proton conductor material or solid acid catalyst because it excels in proton conductivity, acid catalytic activity, thermal stability and chemical stability and can be produced at low cost.
US08709271B2
The invention relates to a method for the laser marking of a support having a body and a cover sheet. A laser beam is used to etch the body of the support through the thickness of the cover sheet. The support is laminated either during or after the laser marking in order to reduce or prevent deformations in the cover sheet resulting from etching.
US08709269B2
A method and a system for obtaining an image of a cross section of a specimen, the method includes: milling the specimen so as to expose a cross section of the specimen, in which the cross section comprises at least one first portion made of a first material and at least one second portion made of a second material; smoothing the cross section; performing gas assisted etching of the cross section so as generate a topography difference between the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion of the cross section; coating the cross section with a thin layer of conductive material; and obtaining an image of the cross section; wherein the milling, smoothing, performing, coating and obtaining are performed while the specimen is placed in a vacuum chamber.
US08709250B2
Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field and/or acoustic energy to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary.
US08709241B2
A control unit for a softening device, comprising a primary inlet for untreated water, a primary outlet for blended water, a sensor for determining the water hardness of the untreated water WHraw, or the blended water WHblend, a secondary outlet, a secondary inlet, a bypass line, a blending means which can be automatically adjusted for mixing a blended water flow Vblend(t) from a first partial flow (V(t)part1soft of the secondary inlet and a second partial flow V(t)part2raw of the bypass line, and an electronic control means, wherein the control means is designed to readjust the adjustment position of the blending means by means of the determined water hardness in such a fashion that the water hardness in the blended water flow Vblend(t) is adjusted to a predetermined desired value, enables partial softening of water on the basis of fully automatic blending, thereby utilizing already existing softening devices.
US08709235B2
Process for increasing mixing in a fluidized bed. A slide, which may be in the form of a tube or trough, transports particles from an upper zone downward to a lower zone at a different horizontal position, thereby changing the horizontal position of the particle and creating lateral mixing in the fluidized bed. Increased mixing may improve efficiency for an apparatus using a fluidized bed. For example, increased lateral mixing in a regenerator may increase temperature and oxygen mixing and reduce stagnation to improve efficiency. A slide may be relatively unobtrusive, inexpensive, and simple for a retrofit or design modification and may improve combustion efficiency at high rates by enhancing the lateral blending of spent and regenerated catalyst.
US08709229B2
A method of operating a hybrid sulfur electrolyzer to generate hydrogen is provided that includes the steps of providing an anolyte with a concentration of sulfur dioxide, and applying a current. During steady state generation of hydrogen a plot of applied current density versus concentration of sulfur dioxide is below a boundary line. The boundary line may be linear and extend through the origin of the graph with a slope of 0.001 in which the current density is measured in mA/cm2 and the concentration of sulfur dioxide is measured in moles of sulfur dioxide per liter of anolyte.
US08709225B2
The present invention relates generally to the deionization of liquids through the use of electrodeionization methods and apparatuses. The apparatuses may be configured to minimize the fouling of the electrode chambers and to provide continuous regeneration of the ion exchange materials. The apparatuses may be configured according to the desired levels of deionization for anions, cations, or both. Finally, methods are presented for various uses of the apparatuses.
US08709223B2
The invention relates to electrodes for electrochemical analysis comprising: —an insulating surface; —carbon nanotubes situated on the insulating surface at a density of at least 0.1 μmCNT Um−2; and —an electrically conducting material in electrical contact with the carbon nanotubes; wherein the carbon nanotubes cover an area of no more than about 5.0% of the insulating surface. Methods of making such electrodes and assay devices or kits with such electrodes, are also provided.
US08709221B1
An embodiment of a system and method provides a current regulating device that controls or regulates the current provided to electrolysis chambers that produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. One embodiment of the current regulating device uses the temperature of the fluid in the electrolysis chambers to control the widths of the pulses delivered to the electrolysis chambers to regulate production. Another embodiment of the current regulating device regulates and limits the average current delivered to the electrolysis chambers by adjusting the pulse widths, according to the current demanded during each conduction pulse.
US08709218B2
A vacuum processing apparatus includes an evacuatable vacuum chamber, a substrate holder which is provided in the vacuum chamber, has a substrate chuck surface vertically facing down, and includes an electrostatic chuck mechanism which electrostatically chucks a substrate, a substrate support member which is provided in the vacuum chamber to keep the substrate parallel to the substrate chuck surface and support the substrate in an orientation that allows the substrate chuck surface to chuck the substrate, and a moving mechanism which moves at least one of the substrate holder and the substrate supported by the substrate support member so as to bring the substrate and the substrate holder into contact with each other, thereby causing the substrate holder to chuck the substrate.
US08709216B2
A fresh water recovery system includes a solar heated evaporator and a heat exchanger operating in a waste heat recovery mode for recovering fresh water from a salt water supply.
US08709204B1
A wood pulping process includes producing weak black liquor and cooling the liquor as well as recovering heat therefrom by directing the weak black liquor through a spray film evaporator. A feed or condensate is directed into the spray film evaporator and the feed or condensate is sprayed onto the outer surfaces of a bundle of tubes. This results in the feed or the condensate being vaporized and producing a vapor that can be utilized as a heat source for other processes in a pulp mill.
US08709202B2
Components of a plasma processing apparatus includes a backing member with gas passages attached to an upper electrode with gas passages. To compensate for the differences in coefficient of thermal expansion between the metallic backing member and upper electrode, the gas passages are positioned and sized such that they are misaligned at ambient temperature and substantially concentric at an elevated processing temperature. Non-uniform shear stresses can be generated in the elastomeric bonding material, due to the thermal expansion. Shear stresses can either be accommodated by applying an elastomeric bonding material of varying thickness or using a backing member comprising of multiple pieces.
US08709201B2
A method for gluing components is provided, forming an adhesive layer which is capable of functioning, at least in a temperature range of ≧100° C. to ≦160° C., wherein the adhesive layer is obtained from a curable reactive resin system. The reactive resin system includes an epoxy resin component and polymer particles dispersed in the epoxy resin component, the dispersed polymer particles furthermore including addition-crosslinked silicone elastomer. Also provided is the use of a reactive resin system for gluing piezoelectric ceramics and/or permanent magnets including rare earth elements and a component configuration including a piezoelectric ceramic, an impedance matching layer and an adhesive layer in contact with the piezoelectric ceramic and the impedance matching layer.
US08709200B2
A method provides an adhesive strip to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. The adhesive strip has a layer of olefin polymer with a density between 0.86 g/cm3 and 0.91 g/cm3 and a crystallite melting point of at least 105° C. The adhesive strip is applied onto a metal surface, and the strip is heated such that the layer is molten, thereby forming a corrosion protection layer for the metal surface.
US08709192B2
The invention relates to a protective cover sheet comprising a low birefringence protective polymer film and a layer that promotes adhesion to poly(vinyl alcohol), the protective cover sheet comprising at least one functional layer containing a UV-absorbing polymer.
US08709191B2
A nonwoven composite that exhibits latent elastic properties is provided. The composite is formed from a multi-layered, elastic film laminated to a nonwoven web facing. Latent elasticity is imparted to the composite through the use of at least one base layer that contains a thermoplastic elastomer and at least one skin layer that contains a propylene/α-olefin copolymer. During formation, the film is stretched in one or more directions to orient the elastomer chains. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the oriented state of the chains may be held in place by the relatively stiff semi-crystalline domains of the propylene/α-olefin copolymer. The stretched elastic film may subsequently be relaxed and bonded to a nonwoven web facing to form the composite. The composite may be later activated (e.g., heated at or above the softening point of the copolymer) to soften the crystalline domains and allow the chains to return to their unoriented state. This causes the film to retract, which forms buckles in the nonwoven facing. In this manner, the resulting composite becomes elastic in that it has the ability to stretch and recover due to the “latent” buckle formation in the nonwoven facing.
US08709187B2
A method of continuously forming heated conduit includes performing a tape for winding onto a spiral pipeline former. At least one conductor is positioned adjacent to the centerline of and parallel with a thin polymer ribbon. The ribbon is folded in half to encapsulate the conductors. The folded ribbon is thermally welded to itself. The folded, welded, ribbon is passed through a creaser, which forms a crease midway across the folded ribbon. The creased pre-formed ribbon is formed into a conduit in a continuous process on a spiral pipeline former.
US08709179B2
A process of irradiation Sn containing Pb-free solder to mitigate whisker formation and growth thereon is provided. The use of gamma radiation such as cobalt-60 has been applied to a substrate of Sn on copper has been found to change the morphology of the crystalline whisker growth to a more truncated hillock pattern. The change in morphology greatly reduces the tendency of whiskers to contribute to electrical short-circuits being used as a Pb-free solder system on a copper substrate.
US08709165B2
Improved removal of ion-implanted photoresist in a single wafer front-end wet processing station is achieved by dissolving gaseous ozone into relatively cool inorganic acid, dispensing the acid ozone mixture onto a wafer, and rapidly heating the surface of the wafer to a temperature at least 30° C. higher than the temperature of the acid ozone mixture.
US08709164B2
Methods are provided for making a treatment composition by loading active components into a high pressure vessel and pressurizing the high pressure vessel with carbon dioxide to reach a pressure within the high pressure vessel of about 400 pounds per square inch to about 1,070 pounds per square inch. The active components can include a protein denaturant and a surfactant, and optionally an acaricide. In one particular embodiment, this method can be used to clean a substrate, by loading the substrate into the high pressure vessel prior to pressurizing with carbon dioxide. Methods are also provided for treating a substrate to clean it from dust mites by delivering dry ice particles to the substrate, and vacuuming the substrate. Treatment compositions are also generally provided.
US08709163B2
Provided is a method of descaling a mask that quickly and effectively removes a material attached to the mask. The method includes: directing a laser beam onto a material attached to the mask; and removing the material attached to the mask.
US08709160B2
A deposition apparatus includes a coating chamber and a coating zone within the coating chamber for coating work pieces. A heating source heats the coating zone, and a thermal hood within the coating chamber is located adjacent to the coating zone for controlling a temperature of the coating zone.
US08709158B2
Thermal management of film deposition processes. In one aspect, a deposition system includes a vacuum chamber defining an evacuated interior volume, a deposition source disposed within the interior volume, a substrate holder disposed within the interior volume and arranged to hold a substrate with a first surface of the substrate facing the deposition source and a second surface of the substrate disposed facing away from the deposition source, and a heat sink disposed to have a first side of the heat sink in radiative thermal contact with the second surface of the substrate held by the substrate holder, the first side of the heat sink comprising a collection of features having a longitudinal dimension that is four or more times larger than a lateral dimension between the features, the features thereby dimensioned and aligned to reflect, multiple times in succession, radiative thermal emissions of the second surface of the substrate.
US08709150B2
The present invention provides a composition and a process for the preparation of chemical activated cold setting fly ash building construction materials. The chemical activator is an alkaline aqueous solution of 11.2 to 13.6 in pH and 1.25 to 1.40 gm/cc in density which contains admixtures of different concentrations of hydroxyl, sulfate, acetate and chloride bearing chemical salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and aluminum in water medium. The reaction of chemical activator solution and the mineral constituents of fly ash mix develop binding property. The binding matrix of chemical activated fly ash mix is mostly hydrous silica and silicate group of phases which on setting under atmospheric condition attains strength suitable for building construction application. Utilization of fly ash of any source by weight ranges from 80 to 99% in manufacture of building materials including heat and acid resistance and toxic waste disposal products.
US08709148B2
Particles colored with at least one colorant, where the colored glass particles are glass platelets with an average diameter of 1 to 500 μm and the colorants at least include at least one of metallic nanoparticles and metal oxides. The glass platelets are planar and the colorants are present in a concentration from 1% to 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the colored glass platelets. The disclosure further relates to a method to a method for producing the colored glass particles and to the use thereof.
US08709136B2
A process for separating a first gas, for example CO2, from a feed gas mixture comprising the first gas and a second gas, for example H2, in five or more adsorption beds each containing an adsorbent selective for the first gas. The process comprises subjecting each of the adsorption beds to a repetitive cycle comprising, in sequence, (a) a feed step, (b) a rinse step, (c) a pressure decreasing equalization step, (d) a blowdown step, (e) an evacuation step, (f) a pressure increasing equalization step, and (g) a repressurization step. The feed gas mixture may be a reformate from a steam-hydrocarbon reforming process.
US08709133B2
The invention concerns carbon molecular sieve membranes (“CMS membranes”), and more particularly the use of such membranes in gas separation. In particular, the present disclosure concerns an advantageous method for producing CMS membranes with desired selectivity and permeability properties. By controlling and selecting the oxygen concentration in the pyrolysis atmosphere used to produce CMS membranes, membrane selectivity and permeability can be adjusted. Additionally, oxygen concentration can be used in conjunction with pyrolysis temperature to further produce tuned or optimized CMS membranes.
US08709127B2
Platinum particles have been formed as porous, hollow tubular dendrites by using silver dendrite particles in a galvanic replacement reaction conducted in an aqueous solution of a platinum compound. The dendritic platinum particles have been found useful as catalysts and particularly useful as a hydrogen-oxidation electrocatalyst and/or an oxygen-reduction catalyst in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
US08709125B2
A method of forming monodispersed metal nanowires comprising: forming a reaction mixture including a metal salt, a capping agent and a quaternary ammonium chloride in a reducing solvent at a first temperature; and forming metal nanowires by reducing the metal salt in the reaction mixture.
US08709124B2
There is provided a novel sintered sliding member superior in thermal resistance, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. The sintered sliding member of the present invention includes 7.7-30.3% Cu, 2.0-20.0% Sn and 0.3-7.0% boron nitride by mass, with a remainder composed of Ni and unavoidable impurities. The sintered sliding member may further include 0.1-3.0% C or 0.1-0.7% P. A porosity of the sintered sliding member is 5-25%.
US08709118B2
Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.
US08709116B2
A filter device (10), especially an air filter for an internal combustion engine, includes a main filter element (22) arranged in a filter housing (12). The main filter element is flown through by a fluid to be filtered. The main filter element (22) is a multi-bellows filter having nested filter bellows (32, 34). Between the filter bellows (32, 34) a flow space (44) for the fluid is formed communicating with an end face of the main filter element (22), wherein each one of the filter bellows (32, 34) is embodied as a star-shaped filter with filter folds arranged in a star shape. On at least one end face of the main filter element (22) there is a seal (36) between one of the filter bellows (32, 34) and the filter housing (12). The main filter element (22) is forced seal-tightly against the filter housing (12) by a lateral insert (38) insertable into a housing receptacle (66) of the filter housing (12), or the main filter element (22) is seal-tightly forced by means of a locking device (74) against the filter housing (12), or the main filter element (22) is sealed by means of a two-component synthetic seal (36, 96, 98) relative to the filter housing (12,104).
US08709103B2
A sublimation transfer ink to be discharged by an ink jet process contains water, a sublimation dye, and a trehalose-based compound. The amount of the trehalose-based compound in the sublimation transfer ink is preferably in the range of 3% by mass to 20% by mass, both inclusive.
US08709099B2
A method for treating a stained fabric using a package is disclosed. The package can have a backing layer having a second side and a pouch layer joined thereto to form a pouch. A fluid pervious contact substrate can be joined to a first side of the backing layer. The pouch can contain a stain treatment fluid. The method comprises bending the backing layer, dispensing the stain treatment fluid to the fluid pervious contact substrate through a portion of the backing layer; gripping the backing layer and rubbing the stained fabric with the contact substrate.
US08709092B2
A variety of options for for fracture fixation after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty. The ability to pre-engineer fracture fixation contingent solutions into femoral or tibial components provides a distinct clinical advantage in the planning and execution for periprosthetic fracture fixation. Methods and apparatus include targeting devices allowing for intimate association of fixed angle locking screws in pre-drilled holes in an existing prosthetic, femoral nail, or other components including additional fixation components. Such apparatus and methods further include alignment devices and other components to allow for ease of repair of periprosthetic fractures utilizing the pre-engineered solutions.
US08709084B2
A spinal disc implant delivery device includes a blocking component having opposed distal and proximal ends. The proximal end of the blocking component includes an anchor member configured and adapted for movement between an undeployed position in which the anchor member can pass into and out of an opening in a disc annulus, and a deployed position in which the anchor member anchors the blocking component to the opening of the disc annulus. In the deployed position, the anchor member is configured to prevent extrusion of implant material from the opening of the disc annuls. An implant delivery needle is located radially within the blocking component and has opposed proximal and distal ends. The needle is configured to deliver implant material from the distal end thereof to an interior of a disc annulus.
US08709083B2
The present invention provides an intervertebral implant for implantation in a treated area of an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies of a spine. The implant includes a spacer portion having an inferior and superior surface, wherein the inferior and superior surfaces each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area, and the inferior and superior surfaces define a through-hole extending through the spacer body. The present invention further provides screw holes extending from a side portion to the inferior and superior surfaces of the spacer portion and a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion through a coupling means, wherein the plate portion contains screws holes for receiving screws. A screw back out prevention mechanism adapted on the plate portion and prevents the back out of screws from the screw holes.
US08709078B1
An improved prosthesis and method for stimulating vision nerves to obtain a vision sensation that is useful for the patient that has lost vision due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and other diseases. The present invention utilizes infrared light to cause action potentials in the retinal nerves similar to those which result from rods and cones stimulated by visible light in healthy retinas. In some embodiments, the invention provides a pathway or “image pipe” for transmitting a stimulation pattern of infrared light from an external stimulator array through the eye and focusing the stimulation pattern of infrared light on the retina, especially the fovea. Some embodiments provide improved resolution down to a group of nerves, or even the individual nerve level, with sufficient energy density so as to cause a desired action potential.
US08709074B2
A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.
US08709069B2
A vascular graft with trim lines is described, the trim lines providing a guide for precision shaping of the cuff. The trim lines may be printed or otherwise disposed on a surface of the cuff or included on a template designed for disposition over the cuff. The trim lines may also be disposed on a side of a pocket into which the cuff is positioned for trimming. Also described is an apparatus and method for precise trimming of a vascular graft.
US08709067B2
The present invention provides, in a first aspect a bifurcated stent for use in juxtaposition with an angelogical bifurcation. The bifurcated stent comprises a proximal portion adapted to be disposed within a blood vessel in juxtaposition with a bifurcation, a first distal stent portion adapted to extend across the bifurcation into one of the branched blood vessels, and a second distal stent portion adapted to allow blood to flow from the proximal portion into the other branch blood vessel. The invention also embraces a bifurcated prosthesis including such a bifurcated stent and a tubular graft layer formed from a biocompatible fabric in juxtaposition with the stent. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a stent connection for joining two stents one to the other to define a continuous lumen through the two stents. Said stent connection comprises a first stent including a male engaging portion which can be compressed radially inwardly and a second stent including a female cooperating portion. Said male engaging portion can be entered into the female cooperating portion in a radially compressed state and thereafter caused or allowed to expand in the female cooperating portion to join the two stents together.
US08709064B2
An introducer assembly (60) is provided with a dilator tip (40) which has at least one portion (46) which is asymmetric in transverse cross-section, preferably being flattened or oval. A dilator tip (40) which is asymmetric over at least a part of its length gives the tip different flexure characteristics in different radial directions (54, 56). This provides advantages in trackability of the dilator tip (40) and thus of the introducer assembly (60) as well as providing for self-orientation of the dilator tip (40), useful in orienting medical devices or treatment tools.
US08709062B2
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongate shaft including a first tubular member and a second tubular member. A balloon may be coupled to the shaft. A first member may be coupled to the first tubular member and positioned within the balloon. A second member may be coupled to the first tubular member and positioned within the balloon. A medical implant may be coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the balloon.
US08709060B2
A trigger wire release mechanism is disclosed that includes a control member for selectively releasing a trigger wire (22, 44) from a prosthesis retaining device. The control member includes an elongate body member (36) and a guide member (24, 25, 93, 94) slidably disposed on the elongate body member. The trigger wire 1 (22, 44) includes a distal end coupled to the prosthesis retaining device and a proximal end coupled to the guide member. The guide member (24, 25, 93, 94) can be moved from a distal end of the elongate body (36) to a proximal end of the elongate body, thereby disengaging the trigger wire (22, 44) from the retaining device. The control member may include a locking mechanism (120) for limiting the axial position of the guide member (24, 25, 93, 94) along the elongate body member (36). A prosthesis control member (81) is also disclosed. The prosthesis control member (81) is adapted to control the position of the prosthesis during deployment.
US08709055B2
A composite bone implant. In some embodiments, one or more features are provided, such as markers for passageways, axial engagement of bone screws, sliding support of bone screws and/or a cannulated channel for a guide wire.
US08709054B2
A system for performing surgical repair of the spine includes a distractor and a permanently implanted bone plate system. A surgical repair methodology is also disclosed that employs an implanted bone plate system with a substantially void internal volume which is attached to adjacent vertebrae subsequent to the distraction and adjustment of curvature of the vertebrae and prior to the excision of disc and/or end plate tissue through the bone plate. The device further facilitates the subsequent delivery of an interbody repair device for the purpose of either fusion or dynamic stabilization, such as by disc arthroplasty. The plate may be permanently implanted, such as when a fusion between the attached vertebral bodies is desired, but it need not be permanently implanted.
US08709050B2
An apparatus (10) includes a fastener (16) engageable with a bone portion to connect a longitudinal member (12) to the bone portion. A housing (40) has a first passage (42) configured to receive the longitudinal member (12) and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. The fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). A longitudinal axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to a longitudinal axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) of the housing (40) is engageable with the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A member (70) applies a force to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing (40) and permit manual movement of the fastener (16) relative to the housing (40) against the force when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer (60). A clamping mechanism (90) clamps the longitudinal member (12), the spacer (60), and the housing (40) to the fastener (16) to prevent movement of the fastener relative to the housing.
US08709049B2
A fastener assembly including an existing polyaxial pedicle screw that has been previously installed in a spinal structure, the polyaxial pedicle screw including a polyaxial head to which a prosthetic member is secured, a fastening portion fastened to the polyaxial head over the prosthetic member, and a connector element that extends from the fastening portion, the connector element being connected to another spinal structure.
US08709046B2
Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.
US08709039B2
Materials and Methods for reducing or preventing bleeding and associated side effects during and after percutaneous medical procedures.
US08709038B2
A hemostatic insert is provided for closing a puncture site in a blood vessel wall. The insert includes an expandable hemostatic member comprising a biocompatible water soluble gel configured to expand from a compressed state when exposed to body fluid and seal the puncture site in the blood vessel wall. A control layer surrounds the hemostatic member and delays expansion of the hemostatic member.
US08709026B2
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical suture needle assembly is provided including an elongate tube defining a lumen through at least a portion of a length thereof; and a wound treatment material contained within the lumen of the suture structure. The present disclosure further provides for methods of using the surgical suture needle assembly in anastomotic procedures and the like.
US08709024B2
The present disclosure is directed to devices for approximating body vessels and method for performing the same. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the device includes an inner member, an outer member having a lumen dimensioned to receive the inner member, an expandable anchor for engaging the a first body vessel, and a joining member for engagement between the first body vessel and the second body vessel.
US08709018B2
A device for inserting a non-balloon gastrostomic device through an opening in the wall of the abdomen and stomach or other viscera of a patient is provided. The insertion device comprises a body, a stylus, and a trigger device being adapted to selectively maintain a selected position of the stylus relative to the body without the use of an external force. A method of inserting the gastrostomic device utilizing the insertion tool is also provided. In addition or alternatively, a gastrostomic device is provided including a hollow tube member and an enlarged resiliently deformable tip at one end of the tube member. The deformable tip is deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration, each configuration having a cross-sectional area. In addition or alternatively, a method is provided for forming the gastrostomic device using a disposable core.
US08709013B2
A drill bit has a cylindrical proximal end coupled to a driving device with a central axis of rotation about which the proximal end rotates. A distal portion of the drill bit is a cutting device attached to the proximal end in such a way that it extends outside the periphery of the proximal end for a distance less than the entirety of the circumference of the proximal end. A guide wire extends through a passageway in the bit and is provided to create a pilot hole before the distal portion enlarges that hole. With this configuration of the cutting device, it is possible to position the cutting device in the distal portion in a direction facing away from the medial femoral condyle so that the proximal end of the drill bit can slide past the medial femoral condyle, with its axis of rotation much closer to that condyle than would be the case in prior art drill bits.
US08709005B2
A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of cryogen delivery tubes that spiral around a longitudinal axis thereof; and a diffuser having a plurality of branches, each of the branches supplying received cryogen to a respective one of the delivery tubes. The cryogen delivery tubes, where they spiral, are spaced from each other and in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft.
US08708999B2
Packaging including a coiled and optionally prelubricated catheter, its distal end insertable into the urethra, a slidable hygienic sheath, a proximal catheter end for voiding urine from the distal end through the assembly to the proximal end. Mutually rotatable elements providing for withdrawal of the catheter from its coiled state to an extended state, and retraction of the catheter back to its coiled state. Methods of extending the catheter, inserting it into the urethra, and voiding urine through the catheter, without requiring complete removal from the catheter packaging. A kit including automatic extrusion of the catheter's distal end upon package opening, and a water pouch for hydrophilic lubrication, and sanitary wipes for reducing the likelihood of infection. A catheter within a flexible and optionally coiled tube, a slidable hygienic sheath covering a catheter's distal end that can move along the length of the catheter during insertion.
US08708991B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for use when a hypodermic needle, partially protruding from a limb, is to be withdrawn fully from the limb to leave a puncture wound. The apparatus comprises an absorber, a receiver and, optionally, a strap. The absorber includes a medium which is able to absorb blood. In use, the absorber is placed in overlying, abutting relation to the needle prior to withdrawal of the needle from the limb. Following withdrawal of the needle from the limb, absorber is urged against the puncture wound to promote hemostasis. The receiver in use, is releasably connected to the absorber. The strap can be coupled to the receiver to define, in use and in combination with the apparatus, a tourniquet. The absorber can be disposable and the strap and receiver can be reusable.
US08708988B2
The present disclosure provides an absorbent article including an absorbent core and at least one barrier structure having a fluid shrinkable string attached thereto, wherein insult of the fluid shrinkable string by the user causes deformation of the peripheral edge of the barrier structure in the z-direction forming a leakage barrier between the user and the peripheral edge of the barrier structure.
US08708987B2
A body fitment for an ostomy appliance comprises an adhesive wafer including a moldable region shapable by the user. A removable release liner covering an external adhesive surface of the wafer is configured to permit molding of the moldable region by manually manipulating the adhesive through the release liner, and/or with removable segments. In an alternative form, an interior release liner is removable through the entrance aperture of the wafer, by pulling on a grip portion that protrudes through the entrance aperture. In an alternative form, an ostomy pouch includes a finger pocket in a front pouch wall, for permitting insertion of a finger tip for molding the moldable region of an adhesive wafer that is secured around a stomal aperture in a rear pouch wall.
US08708986B2
A catheter for collecting fluid such as blood from a vessel such as a coronary sinus of a patient has an elongated, flexible tubular portion and an annular sealing member spaced from a distal end of the tubular member. A proximal end of the tubular member is adapted to be connected to a source of suction for applying suction to a collection lumen of the tubular member. The distal end is placed in a blood vessel with the sealing member spaced from opposing surface of the vessel in an absence of a suction applied to the collection lumen. Suction is applied to the collection lumen in an amount sufficient to draw blood from the vessel through the fluid inlet and into the collection lumen and further sufficient to urge the opposing surface of the vessel to migrate into sealing engagement with the sealing member.
US08708985B2
An apparatus for evacuating material from a surgical site, the apparatus including a housing and a filter media, and being operably coupled to a vacuum source. The housing includes a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer side wall, together defining an inner cavity of the housing. The housing further includes an access opening in fluid communication with the inner cavity and one or more ingress apertures in fluid communication with the access opening. The filter media is positioned in or adjacent to the inner cavity such that a flow of fluid through the ingress apertures is moved through the filter media.
US08708984B2
Manifold structures, systems, and methods are disclosed that include using longitudinal members and one or more shaped projections to cause microstrain at a tissue site. In one instance a manifold structure includes a plurality of spaced longitudinal members and at least one shaped projection coupled to at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members for creating a microstrain at a tissue site. The at least one shaped projection includes a columnar member having a distal end and includes an enlarged member positioned at the distal end of the columnar member. The columnar member has a first outer diameter (D1) and the enlarged member has a second outer diameter (D2). The second outer diameter of the enlarged member is greater than the first outer diameter of the columnar member (D2>D1). Other systems, methods, and structures are presented.
US08708982B2
A method and apparatus for protecting and treating wounds are provided. A housing is adapted to be adhesively secured over the wound of an injured or infected person. The housing has an opening for access to the wound, and is further provided with inlet and outlet ports for the application of therapeutic materials. There is particularly provided a program for a closed looped system for such wound care. Additionally, the invention provides for a protective and treating cover for the eye, which can be either opaque or translucent. Additionally, a mechanism for accurately depositing eye drops without risking injury to the eye is also provided.
US08708975B2
A syringe comprising a first coding feature for mechanical interaction with a second coding feature of an auto-injector device is provided. The first coding feature is designed such that the syringe is only mountable in an auto-injector device having a second coding feature mating the first coding feature. Furthermore, an auto-injector device having a housing, wherein a syringe can be mounted, and a set of at least two auto-injector devices and syringes are provided.
US08708973B2
The present invention relates to a medical delivery device comprising a housing (10); a medicament container (16) arranged to be placed in said housing; a stopper (18) movable within said container; a medicament dispensing means attachable to said housing and to said container through which medicament can be expelled; characterized in that the device further comprises a power unit (22) comprising a cover (24), a volute spring (26) arranged within said cover, and a pressure member (28) having a pressure pad (30) in contact with the stopper, a guide rod (34) extending into the volute spring and an annular ledge (32) in contact with the edges of the volute spring; activation means (36) mechanically connected to the cover and to the housing; and a spring locking means mechanically connected to said activation means, wherein said spring locking means (39) comprises a deformable ring-shaped member having (40) an inner diameter somewhat larger than the annular ledge, such that said ring-shaped member presents an oval shape when it is in contact with the annular ledge for locking the volute spring in a tensioned state.
US08708971B2
A portable medicament dispensing device having a mechanism which is not susceptible to jamming for dispensing the medication to a user. The device employs a coupling for coupling the relative motion between reciprocating body members housing the ancillary components and a barrel plunger associated with the syringe. One embodiment provides a pivoting coupling whereas an alternate uses a rack and pinion system. The advantage of simplifying such mechanisms results in a structure which has smooth unencumbered motion with fewer parts to avoid mechanical jamming during use.
US08708965B2
A scalable parallel injector array has a support structure for holding injector tubes in a spatial pattern in order to enable delivery of fluidic materials simultaneously to a group of specific target areas in the brain or a body part. Each injector is individually connectible at one end to a displacement-controlled pump and is designed at the other end to be inserted into the brain or body part. The injector tubes are connected to the pump by fluid-filled tubing. The spatial pattern is patient- and/or application-customizable, and the length of the injector tubes is customizable in order to more precisely reach individual target areas. A clamping device may be used to attach the injector array to a stereotaxic arm or other support structure. The action of the pump permits controlled simultaneous delivery of the fluidic materials to the target areas.
US08708960B2
An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. The processing logic includes a primary microprocessor configured to execute one or more primary applications written in a first computer language; and a safety microprocessor configured to execute one or more safety applications written in a second computer language.
US08708949B2
An apparatus for insufflating a body cavity with an insufflation gas comprising an insufflation device for delivering the insufflation gas to the body cavity. To detect possibly critical states in the body cavity, the apparatus is designed to withdraw a measuring gas from the body cavity. A measuring device having a gas sensor serves for measuring an additional substance contained in the measuring gas in addition to the insufflation gas and for outputting a measuring signal as a function of the additional substance.
US08708941B2
A hip orthosis having a flexible waist band for conforming to the waist of a user can be attached at any position on the exterior of the waist band with adjustments in a vertical circumferential and rotational position for connecting a hip support unit at a desired position to maintain the head of a femur into the acetabulum of a user. The hip support unit is connected to a hinge member and an extension unit that is secured at a lower portion of the thigh wherein a thigh support unit can be adjusted so that a three point force system can be applied to the user.
US08708936B2
The therapeutic system provides an oscillatory, pivoting table for applying motion-induced therapeutic sensory stimuli to a user. Further, therapeutic audio and visual output may be provided to the user during the application of the therapeutic sensory stimuli. The therapeutic system includes a base having an upper vertex. A tabletop is pivotally mounted to the upper vertex of the base, and the upper surface of the tabletop is adapted for supporting the user. At least one piston is provided, with the lower end thereof being mounted within the base, and the upper end thereof being pivotally mounted to a lower surface of the tabletop in order to pivot the table with respect to the base in a controlled, oscillatory manner. Oscillation of the table at a user-controlled frequency and angle induces the therapeutic sensory stimuli in the user.
US08708928B2
A biopsy apparatus includes a driver assembly to be grasped by a user and a disposable biopsy probe assembly for releasable attachment to the driver assembly. The driver assembly includes a first vacuum path having a first one-way valve configured and arranged to permit a negative pressure fluid flow toward a vacuum source and to prevent a positive pressure fluid flow away from the vacuum source. The disposable biopsy probe assembly includes a second vacuum path having a second one-way valve configured and arranged to permit the negative pressure fluid flow from a sample basket and to redundantly prevent the positive pressure fluid flow toward the sample basket. In some embodiments, a fluid management tank may be fluidically interposed in the second vacuum path to prevent a flow of residual biopsy biological material from the sample basket to the vacuum source.
US08708923B2
A wearable system for monitoring a plurality of physiological signals is provided. The wearable system includes at least one sensor producing the physiological signals associated with a patient. A processor unit receives the physiological signals from the at least one sensor. The processor unit analyzes the physiological signals to determine the occurrence of a triggered event and produces at least one output signal identifying the triggered event. A transmission unit receives the at least one output signal and prepares for transmission of the at least one output signal.
US08708920B2
Existing monitors for apnea miss many serious events because they do not adequately distinguish the heart signal in chest impedance from the respiratory signal. Described herein is a respiratory monitoring system and method for improved detection and response to apnea, particularly in a NICU setting but also useful in a home setting. This method filters from the chest impedance the part of the impedance that is caused by the beating of the heart in a human subject, and then identifies in real time significant silence in the filtered chest impedance signal, including determining the probability of apnea. If the probability of apnea exceeds a threshold value, the apneic subject can be stimulated using automated interactions such as a vibrating mattress or air blower.
US08708919B1
In accordance with the present disclosure, a method for sensing vital signs of a victim includes positioning a transmitter pod near a victim. The transmitter pod transmits a source signal. A reflected signal is created by reflecting the source signal off the victim. The source signal is directly received by a receiver that is remote from the victim and the transmitter pod. The receiver also receives the reflected signal, which is compared with the source signal. At least one vital sign is determined based on this comparison, and this vital sign is displayed. The vital sign may be the victim's heart rate or respiration rate.
US08708918B1
A monitoring device (20) and method (200) for monitoring the health of a user is disclosed herein. The monitoring device (20) is preferably an article (25), an optical sensor (30), a circuitry assembly (35) a display member (40) and a control component (43). The monitoring device (20) preferably displays the following information about the user: pulse rate; calories expended by the user of a pre-set time period; target zones of activity; time; and distance traveled.
US08708914B2
A computer-implemented system and method for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements using a validation embedded segmentation method. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery by embedding anatomic information; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using edge flow, labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery.
US08708912B2
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an unit 7 for forming time series tomographic images on the basis of a reflection echo signals received by ultrasound probe 2, an unit 8 for obtaining the elasticities of body tissue on the basis of the reflection echo signals and forming elasticity images on times series, an unit 9 for forming a superimposition image on time series by superposing the tomographic image on the elasticity image, an unit 43 for inputting an instruction for controlling superimposition image formation, and an unit 10 for displaying the superimposition image. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a freezing control portion (7, 8) for outputting an image, as a frozen image, selected in response to a freezing instruction for freezing the display operation on time series of any of the tomographic image or the elasticity image input into the input unit to the superimposition image forming unit.
US08708902B2
A system for implementing a procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to generate a graphical user interface on a display. The interface depicts an image of the tissue. The unit is further configured to receive one or more inputs regarding target locations on the tissue for diagnosis or treatment. The electronic control unit identifies a catheter for use in the procedure and determines configurations for a distal end of the catheter at each target location. The unit superimposes representations of the distal end of the catheter having the determined configurations on the image of the tissue at the target locations. The unit may also generate control signals to guide the distal end of the catheter to the target locations and to assume the determined configurations at each location.
US08708900B2
In various embodiments, there is provided an LED drive circuit and a method for using the same. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to an LED drive circuit for pulse oximeters. In an embodiment, the LED drive circuit includes a current mirror configured to provide drive current to an LED of a sensor. Additionally, the method includes providing current to first and second current mirrors, wherein the first and second current mirrors are configured to control first and second light sources.
US08708892B2
An endoscope including: two bending portions, a bending amount calculator, a setting portion, a determination portion, and a controller, configured as such: Upon bending of the distal bending portion, the bending amount calculator calculates the bending amount of the distal bending portion. If the determination portion finds if the bending calculated exceeds a first set threshold set by the setting portion, the controller continuously outputs a signal to drive the proximal bending portion to bend in the same direction as the distal bending portion. When subsequently the determination portion finds that the bending calculated is less than a second threshold less than the absolute value of the first threshold, and which is also set by the setting portion, the controller outputs a signal to return the proximal bending section to its initial predetermined position.
US08708883B2
A system for monitoring the physiological conditions of a plurality of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The system includes a plurality of microenvironments, a plurality of environmental sensors to detect a first environmental condition in the microenvironments, and a plurality of external environmental sensors to detect a second environmental condition in the NICU. The system also includes a central processor that compares signals from the environmental sensors to signals from the external environmental sensors and determines a correlation between the first environmental condition and the second environmental condition. A method of monitoring the conditions of a plurality of infants is also disclosed.
US08708873B2
An apparatus and method provide an elastic resistance to a free-range of motion of a user. A cord running through a pulley and connected at either end to handles permits assisted resistance control (ARC) and a leverage advantage. In ARC, release by an anchor hand, still maintaining a load, may provide consistent or reduced force on the other, active, hand. One bodily member, such as a hand, may selectively halt and move as an “anchor” member, thereby simultaneously exercising itself and exerting control over another “active” bodily member operating in a “free range of motion.” Thereby, motion of the active hand may continue throughout a range desirable for a physical therapy regimen, a sporting activity, a work activity, or the like, without excessive stress or strain on joints due to a mismatch of position and load.
US08708861B2
An electric power tool includes a motor; a speed reducer for transferring a rotational power of the motor at a reduced speed; and a reduction ratio changing unit for changing a reduction ratio of the speed reducer. The speed reduction mechanism includes an axially slidable changeover member and a gear member, the changeover member being engaged with or disengaged from the gear member depending on an axial slide position thereof. The reduction ratio changing unit includes a shift actuator for axially sliding the changeover member, a driving state detector for detecting a driving state of the motor, a slide position detector for detecting a slide position of the changeover member and a controller for driving the shift actuator and for temporarily decreasing or increasing a rotational power of the motor depending on detection results of the driving state detector and the slide position detector, respectively.
US08708857B2
A drive unit, such as a rear drive unit, for a motor vehicle, such as an all-wheel drive motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to two drive shafts, of which one drive shaft serves for driving the one wheel and the other drive shaft serves for driving the other wheel of a motor vehicle. Also provided is a transmission operationally connected to the drive shafts, through which a drive torque acting on the input of the transmission can be divided or is divided into at least two output torques and through which the output torque of the transmission acting on the one drive shaft is reversible or is reversed in its operation direction relative to the output torque of the transmission acting on the other drive shaft.
US08708856B2
The present invention relates to a continuously variable transmission apparatus, which is characterized by comprising: an input shaft transferred with torque inputted from the outside; a plurality of driven gears which are arranged around the circumference of the input shaft as a certain phase difference and transferred with the power from the input shaft; a variable cam of which the turning radius can be varied by an external load; a variable input link which is coupled to and transferred with the torque of the input haft and allows the rotation thereof; a one-way clutch which is transferred undirectionally with the bidirectional torque to be transferred to the driven gears, respectively, and rotates the driven gears in one direction; a plurality of cam shafts which contact the one-way direction clutch internally or externally; and a plurality of output links, each of which one end revolves together with the variable cam around the center of rotation of the variable input link and the other ends of which are coupled to the cam shafts respectively and allow swiveling thereof.
US08708850B2
A link plate for a transmission chain composed of a plurality of link plates flexibly connected to one another has a guide-contacting edge for direct sliding contact with a chain guide. The guide-contacting edge is composed of a plurality of surface portions in alternating relationship with a plurality of grooves along the direction of chain travel.
US08708847B2
A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder. The casing includes a plurality of panels having edge areas joined to each other with bonds, and the edge areas project toward an exterior of the ball. The bladder is located within the casing. In another aspect, the casing includes a first panel and a second panel that each have an exterior surface facing outward and an opposite interior surface facing inward. The interior surface of the first panel is bonded to the interior surface of the second panel to form a seam that joins the first panel and the second panel together. A method of manufacturing the casing may include forming thermal bonds between the panels.
US08708846B2
A grip for a piece of sporting equipment has a unitary body formed from a relatively flexible material. The grip includes a pair of gripping surfaces comprising a plurality of slots for receiving a users fingers. The gripping surfaces are offset to ensure that the user properly grips the piece of sporting equipment to maximize power and control of the equipment. By maintaining proper positioning from setup through follow through of a swing, proper energy transfer from the large muscles of the user's body to the equipment is accomplished. Impact-based injuries and repetitive injuries are minimized, and pain associated with certain swings is minimized. The grip may be formed from an impression of a user's grip, from which a grip mold is formed. The grip mold is positioned around the handle of an actual bat, filled with urethane, and allowed to cure into the disclosed grip.
US08708842B2
An elegantly simple training apparatus that helps soccer players quantify, and improve, their kicking skills. The soccer training apparatus includes a cage having a base, and at least one hand railing connected to the base. The base has a front portion and a rear portion with a ball moveably affixed, or tethered, to the front portion of the base by an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism may include, or be connected to, a force measuring mechanism that measures the force exerted on the ball after a user kicks the ball. The soccer training apparatus may also include a force display unit that displays that force to the user. The hand railing may extend over the base rear portion and may have a resistance band attached, that may exert a force on a user's kicking foot during a kick.
US08708836B1
A golf club head (40) with a face component (50), an aft body (70), and an aerodynamic hosel (50) is disclosed herein. The hosel (50) has one or more joints (80, 85, 87) around which pieces or segments of the hosel (50) may be rotated or pivoted to modify the way in which a shaft is oriented with respect to the club head (40) when the hosel (50) is rigidly affixed to the club head (40). The present invention may be used to modify the loft, lie, and/or face angle parameters of the golf club head.
US08708833B2
A method for measuring behavior of a head of a golf club and of a ball includes obtaining two-dimensional data of three or more marks on a face surface at two points in time before impact; identifying three-dimensional positions of the marks on the two points in time from the two-dimensional data; identifying behavior of the face surface of the three-dimensional position of each mark at the two points in time; identifying time of a contact of the face surface with the ball; estimating behavior of the head at the time of contact of the face surface with the ball; obtaining two-dimensional data of the ball at the two points in time; identifying three-dimensional position and posture of the ball at the two points in time; and estimating a behavior value of the ball from the three-dimensional position and posture of the ball.
US08708826B2
A Controlled Access Switch (CAS) that can act as an 802.1x supplicant. The system implements server based software that uses SNMP and a database to insure that only secured non-802.1x capable devices are allowed access. The CAS allows an organization to use the CAS as a front end to non-802.1x capable devices such as printers and faxes and become the Supplicant in the 802.1x system. It then secures its ingress ports in coordination with the CAS Control Program running on a central site server.
US08708821B2
A method of interactive game play is provided wherein a seemingly magical wand toy is provided for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys, a master system and/or to actuate various play effects within a play environment. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/received radio frequency communications protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magical interactive play experience.
US08708815B2
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for gaming. A method includes the steps of displaying a set of objects and a set of prizes to a player, the number of objects and prizes being the same; receiving at least one object selection instruction from a player, each object selection resulting in one of the set of prizes becoming unavailable to the player; displaying to the player an award for ending the game that the player can accept or reject; if an award acceptance instruction is received from the player, granting the player the displayed award, or, if an award rejection instruction is received from the player, receiving at least one further object selection instruction, each further object selection instruction resulting in a further prize becoming unavailable to the player; and repeating the previous two steps until either an acceptance instruction is received or a last of the objects remains.
US08708813B2
A network game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses, a game server and a network. In the game apparatuses whose players are acquainted with each other, each-other's profile IDs are registered via a game server, and the contents of the registration are managed by the game server. A game apparatus having a released version game program performs a communication game inviting request on the game server while a game apparatus having its trial version game program performs a communication game participating request on the game server. If the game apparatuses are game apparatuses whose each-other's profile IDs are registered, the game server permits a connection to execute a communication game between these game apparatuses.
US08708812B2
Game rating systems and related methods for using game ratings are disclosed herein. According to one method, the game rating system is used to assist a player in selecting a game for play on a gaming machine having one or more games. In this method, a game rating icon is presented on the gaming machine. The game rating icon corresponds to and represents a unique game style of each game on the gaming machine. The gaming machine receives player input select a game style, and a game having the selected game style is presented to the player for game play.
US08708808B2
Methods and systems for gaming are provided. A transpiring of a collective element in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game is determined where the collective element is shared by two or more players of the entertainment portion of the hybrid, and where the hybrid game includes a gambling game portion and the entertainment game portion. A wager is triggered in the gambling game portion of the hybrid game based on the transpiring of the collective element in the entertainment game portion of the hybrid game. A real world credit gambling game result is distributed in the gambling game portion of the hybrid game between the two or more players. The distribution may be made on the basis of various parameters of the use of the shared collective element by the players. In addition, an allocation of an amount of a real world credit for the wager may also be based on various parameters of the players use of the shared collective element.
US08708805B2
A gaming system is provided. The gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas. The gaming system may incorporate a user profile feature according to which certain information regarding users of the system may be maintained. Such information can include, without limitation, information relating to preferences, finances, activities participated in by the users, and trends and habits of the users.
US08708804B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a collection game including at least one customizable collector. The gaming system displays a field including a plurality of different obstacles and a plurality of awards, provides a player with a collector, and enables the player to associate an item with the collector. The item is associated with one of the obstacles such that the item enables the collector to overcome that obstacle. The gaming system enables the player to position the collector within the field, and displays the collector moving within the field. If the collector intersects with an award, the gaming system accumulates that award. If the collector intersects an obstacle, and if the item associated with the displayed collector does not enable the displayed collector to overcome that obstacle, the gaming system ends the play of the collection game with respect to the collector.
US08708799B2
A game machine has a back side display unit composed of reels for displaying back patterns, and a front side display unit composed of transparent EL panels for displaying overlapping patterns overlapping with the back patterns. The back side display unit and the front side display unit are disposed not to produce blind spot regions of the back patterns. The game machine can provide various overlapping patterns with good visibility and a high game selection capability to a player.
US08708798B2
Systems described herein include wagering game machines having a cabinet memory mounted or affixed to a cabinet or cabinet component. The cabinet memory provides configuration data and manufacturing data for the cabinet and cabinet components. The configuration data may be used during operation of the wagering game machine to properly configure the components and operation of the wagering game machine.
US08708794B2
A gaming system providing a progressive link includes a game controller arranged to facilitate play of a game by a player in association with a progressive link, the progressive link including a progressive award; and an incremental award stored in a memory, the incremental award associated with and funded apart from the progressive award associated with the progressive link. The game controller is to award the progressive award plus the incremental award to a player based on a criterion established by an operator associated with the progressive link.
US08708793B1
This embodiment of our Modified Blackjack Game Method provides predetermined rules that allow a player to compete against other players on a table, and against the “house” on an electronic video gaming device, in much the same way as the traditional game of blackjack has always been played throughout history, except that it also provides predetermined rules that cause one suit to subtract from player totals instead of adding to them. It also provides predetermined rules that describe winning hands that are not used in other forms of blackjack, as well as providing predetermined rules for comparing negative value hands with positive values hands. These predetermined rules present unexpected challenges to, and require new winning strategies from, even the most experienced player. Further features will be described and become apparent in the detailed description in the specification.
US08708792B2
A card game in which players compete against a dealer to obtain a poker hand and a 31-point blackjack hand that beats the dealer without busting by exceeding 31 points.
US08708784B2
A method for processing poultry suspended by the feet from a conveyor hook is provided. The method and apparatus allow the quality of the poultry to be classified and graded in a simpler and more effective manner to realize higher yields or an extra added value. In one exemplary embodiment a processing apparatus for a foot of the poultry is provided that includes a foot pad inspection apparatus.
US08708757B2
An electrical contact including an elongated contact body that has a compliant tail, a mating beam, and a channel section extending between the compliant tail and the mating beam. The channel section has a base wall and sidewalls that extend from the base wall. The base wall and the sidewalls extend around a central longitudinal axis to define a flow channel. The channel section includes a flow-limiting feature that is configured to impede capillary flow of a plating solution along the channel section from the compliant tail to the mating beam.
US08708754B2
A RJ plug connector includes a plug body with a base section and a plurality of conductive contacts received in the base section. The base section defines a front mating face and a rear cavity. A latch with a lead-in is form on the top face to locking with a socket connector. The RJ connector further defines an optical fiber module which is incorporated with the latch adjacent to the lead-in and has a coupling interface at a front face of the latch. It not only can insure large capacity and high rate data transmission, but also can extend data transmission distance without loss.
US08708752B2
A cable assembly (100), includes: a case (2) having a receiving room (25); two paralleled printed circuit boards (3) received into the receiving room; a terminal module 4 disposed in the receiving room and electrically connected with two front portions of two printed circuit boards and a clip (1) assembled to the terminal module. The terminal module has an upper terminal unit (41) and a lower terminal unit (42) assembled with each other in a back-to back manner and clamped with each other by the clip.
US08708749B2
A high-speed interface connector is used for connecting a cable or a memory card each having a differential transmission system signal pin arrangement including a pair of differential transmission signaling pins that are adjacent to each other and two stable potential pins provided on both sides of the pair of differential transmission signaling pins, the two stable potential pins having potentials different from each other. The connector includes: a first and a second contact terminals for differential transmission respectively connected to the pair of differential transmission signaling pins; and a third and a fourth contact terminals provided on both sides of the first and the second contact terminal, the third contact terminal adjacent to the first contact terminal being connected to one of the two stable potential pins, and the fourth contact terminal adjacent to the second contact terminal having a potential identical to that of the third contact terminal.
US08708747B2
A mobile electric contact includes: a casing (51) in which there is mounted a mobile piston (58) providing an electrical connection and/or disconnection, a split sleeve (52) including a base (53) terminated by at least two lips (54), the piston being mounted slidingly between the two lips (54) of the split sleeve, characterized in that the casing (51) includes a first cavity (512) within which there is fixed the split sleeve (52), and a second cavity (511) within which there is placed a device (56) for shifting the mobile piston.
US08708740B2
A novel method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for a waterproof connector assembly apparatus, adapted to provide electromagnetic interface connectivity between a communications accessory device and a two-way radio. The waterproof connector assembly apparatus comprises a circuit board member, affixing means for at least one pin, a rigid chassis member adapted for mounting the circuit board member, a flexible overmold, and an affixing member adapted to affix the waterproof connector assembly apparatus to the two-way radio.
US08708731B2
The invention relates to a plug assembly (1), a socket (2, 2′) and a plug with a plug member (3, 3′), wherein the socket (2, 2′) is shaped with a hollow receiving section (4) for receiving the plug member (3, 3′) in a mating direction (M). In order to latch or unlatch the plug assembly (1) the hollow receiving section (4) comprises at least one actuating zone (36), which can be deformed perpendicular to the mating direction (M), resulting in a movement of a latching element (9) of the receiving section (4). For improving the handling of the plug assembly (1), especially while connecting, the present invention provides that the socket (2, 2′) comprises supporting elements (29, 30, 31), which rest on an outer wall guiding section (13) of the plug member (3, 3′), assuring that only a proper deformation of the actuating zone (38, 39) occurs while mating the plug and the socket.
US08708719B2
A terminal fitting (T) includes a terminal main body (10) with a tab (11) at a front end part and a wire connecting portion (13) at a rear end part, and a shell (30) provided on the terminal main body (10) to be relatively displaceable between a protecting position for surrounding the tab (11) and an exposing position located behind the protecting position for exposing the tab (11). If the shell (30) is displaced to the protecting position, the tab (11) is protected from the interference of an external matter and the like, wherefore deformation, breakage and the like of the tab (11) can be prevented. Further, if the shell (30) is displaced to the exposing position to expose the tab (11), a mating terminal and the tab (11) can be connected.
US08708705B1
An individual can be presented with information which could provide such individual with an improved understanding of how people with different personality types and levels of consciousness could perceive and address disruptive events. This presentation of information can be in the form of a computer game in which a player can guide an avatar through increasing levels of consciousness, observing how the avatar perceives and addresses disruptive events at each level. Such a computer game can include multiple avatars representing different personality types, and can be configured so that the player would use avatars representing each personality type in the course of completing the game.
US08708703B2
An improved method of teaching mathematics which enables students to take an active and enjoyable role in their own learning via an interactive puzzle is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, each of the ten digits, zero through nine, is “hidden” within one of ten value positions (52). Students must deduce the value of each position by forming sums, differences, products, and/or quotients of the positions. Freedom of selection of positions and operations provides for individualized approaches to puzzle solutions, and the interplay of values and operations promotes number sense. Mathematical reasoning is intrinsic to the puzzle. Programmable settings (72) allow the teacher to modify the puzzle, including substituting more challenging values in place of the digits (98), supplying more complex functions (106) in place of the four elementary arithmetic operations, and adjusting the format of the answers.
US08708701B2
Vibrating dental devices and accessories are provided, including a unique snap fit dental plate and vibrator connection; risers for adjusting the thickness of a dental plate; a pointer or wand that can be clamped onto a dental plate to reach even severely misaligned teeth; a cushioned dental plate having a non-Newtonian fluid therein that allows conformation of the cushion to the dentition, but hardens on use to allow the transmission of vibration to the teeth. Accessories such as carrying cases and docking stations are also provided.
US08708700B2
A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.
US08708696B2
Combustor. The combustor includes an axially symmetric tube along with means for introducing fuel and air into the tube. A swirler is disposed within the tube to impart rotation in a first direction to the air/fuel mixture. A plurality of holes downstream of the swirler are disposed around the tube and offset at an angle relative to an inward normal to the tube wall. Air is injected through the offset holes to impart rotation to the air/fuel mixture in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A combustion chamber having a diameter larger than that of the tube receives and burns the air/fuel mixture from the tube.
US08708691B2
A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a temperature control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A resin transfer system delivers resin from a resin source to the tooling dies to allow resin transfer molding. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.
US08708690B2
A blow valve comprises at least one blow valve body, an environmentally controlled first receiving space constructed in the blow valve body and having at least one entry opening and at least one exit opening for receiving and conveying an operating gas, and a second receiving space constructed in the blow valve body for the guidance of a pressure distribution member such as, for example, a piston element. A sealing component prevents exchange of gas between the first receiving space and the second receiving space and is arranged between the first and second receiving spaces. The sealing component has a stationary part for fixing to the blow valve body and a movable part for changing the flow rate of the operating gas, wherein the setting member is surrounded in part by the sealing component and is coupled to the movable portion in order to move it.
US08708689B2
Tooling and methods for co-molding a body with two different materials. An internal die assembly comprising at least two parts allows for placement of a component and co-molding of the body around the component and then removal of the internal die assembly without disturbing the body.
US08708687B2
Apparatus for making micro-textured webs. The apparatus comprises a pair of mated forming structures having a first forming structure, a second forming structure, and a deformation zone; wherein at least the first forming structure comprises voids, and wherein at least the second forming structure comprises protrusions wherein at least one protrusion has center-to-center spacings of less than about 800 microns with at least three of its adjacent protrusions. The voids of the first forming structure are engagable with the protrusions of the second forming structure at an engagement position to form a micro-textured web. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pair of counter-rotating rollers wherein the first roller comprises grooves having a length, wherein the length of the grooves are oriented at an angle different from the machine direction.
US08708686B2
A clamping device for a two-platen injection molding machine, includes a movable mold platen, a stationary mold platen, and a tie bar connected therebetween, with the movable mold platen being movable along the tie bar. The clamping device further includes a connecting structure that is used to detachably connect an elongating tie bar to an end of the tie bar. The tie bar can be elongated as desired and re-machining the whole tie bar is dispensed with, therefore the tie bar can be elongated conveniently, the productivity is increased and the product cost is lowered.
US08708682B2
A method for repairing gas turbine components, in particular gas turbine blades, including at least the following steps: a) preparing a gas turbine component to be repaired; b) removing a damaged portion from the gas turbine component to be repaired, thereby forming a plane separation surface; c) placing the gas turbine component at least partly in a process chamber in such a way that the plane separation surface extends approximately horizontally within the process chamber; d) filling the process chamber with a metal powder that is bonding-compatible with the material of the gas turbine component to be repaired, namely up to the level of the separation surface; e) building up the removed portion on the separation surface by depositing metal powder in layers onto the separation surface and by fusing the metal powder, which has been deposited in layers onto the separation surface, to the separation surface.
US08708680B2
An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers includes a transport device on which a plurality of blow molding stations are arranged. Each of these blow molding stations comprises a blow mold inside which a plastic preform can be shaped into a plastic container. The apparatus includes a clean chamber inside which the plastic preforms can be transported. The region of the transport device in which the blow molding stations are arranged is arranged in the clean chamber and at least one further region of the transport device is arranged outside the clean chamber.
US08708676B1
A variable output assembly including a hydraulic pump disposed on a pump running surface located on a center section, end cap or other hydraulic mounting member. The pump may be a gerotor or other rotatable pump body. A support member is disposed between the pump running surface and the pump and includes a pump support surface having openings to permit fluid communication between the support member and the pump running surface. The support member is movable between neutral and a plurality of positions corresponding to forward and reverse directions of the output. In forward and reverse positions, the support member permits fluid communication between the pump and a first porting system, and in the neutral position the support member permits fluid communication between the pump and a sump through the support surface openings and a second porting system.
US08708674B2
A modular compressor assembly comprises a common motor assembly, an impeller, a blower housing and an engagement mechanism. The common motor assembly includes a stator housing containing a stator assembly and having a rotor magnet rotatably disposed therewithin. The impeller is mounted to and rotatable with the rotor magnet. The blower housing is selectable from among a plurality of blower housings each having a different cross-sectional geometry. The engagement mechanism is formed on the stator housing and/or the blower housing and allows interchangeable mounting of different blower housing configurations to the common motor assembly in order to achieve varying flow characteristics of the compressor assembly.
US08708671B2
An improved apparatus and method are provided, for pumping fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation or reservoir, through use of a cranked rod pumping (CRP) apparatus for imparting reciprocating substantially vertical motion to a rod of a sucker-rod pump having a pump stroke. The CRP apparatus includes a motor driven cranked mechanical actuator arrangement. The cranked mechanical actuator arrangement includes a substantially vertically moveable member attached to the rod of the sucker-rod pump for imparting and controlling vertical motion of the rod of the sucker-rod pump. The actuator arrangement may include pneumatic counterbalancing.
US08708663B1
A fugitive gas capture system includes a variable volume gas storage assembly (e.g., a bag) that expands and deflates between a first position and a second position, respectively, where the positions influence control of a switch coupled to a throttle on a gas engine that powers a compressor or coupled to a valve input to a gas booster compressor. The compressor is coupled to an output pipeline to provide the compressed gas in liquid or gas form to a pipeline under consistent pressure. Alternatively, the compressed gas may be on-site in a separator, in a heater treater, for various controls, as engine fuel, or with any other energy source employed on site, e.g., electric power from offgas vapors used to generate on-site electricity.
US08708662B2
A linear compressor for adjusting a variable rate of a cooling capacity is provided. The linear compressor may include a fixed member having a compression space formed therein, a movable member linearly reciprocated in the fixed member to compress a refrigerant drawn into the compression space, one or more springs provided to elastically support the movable member in the motion direction of the movable member, a motor unit including a motor connected to the movable member to linearly reciprocate the movable member in the axial direction and a capacitor connected in series to the motor, and a motor control unit controlling an AC voltage applied to the motor to adjust a variable rate of a cooling capacity by the reciprocation of the movable member.
US08708661B2
A compression device includes a controller to control an operating speed of a compressor based on a detected level of oil in an oil storage area. During a speed-change operation, the controller controls acceleration of the compressor to maintain the oil level within a predetermined range when the oil level is detected to be outside the predetermined range.
US08708658B2
A gas turbine engine component includes a blade section having an inner end and an outer end, a shroud section at the outer end, and a platform at the inner end. A protective coating is disposed on the shroud, where the blade section is substantially free of the protective coating. The protective coating may also be disposed on the platform.
US08708657B2
A rotor disc 2 is provided with blade receiving recesses 40 at its outer periphery. The disc 2 has an internal cavity 34 for conveying cooling air to blades 4 retained in the recesses 40. Each blade-receiving recess 40 intersects the cavity 34 to provide communication between the cavity 34 and the recesses 40. The disc 2 may be made from separate disc components 12, 14 which define the cavity 34 between them.
