US08755703B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image forming section, a fixing section, a mode switching section that selectively switches a fixing mode between a fast heating mode and a heat accumulation mode, a selecting section that selects the fast heating mode or heat accumulation mode based on the relationship between operation expressions F1+P1×N and W+F2+P2×N, where N is the number of sheets to process, F1 is the time from instruction of processing in fast heating mode to processing start, P1 is the per-sheet processing time in fast heating mode, W is the warm-up time for the heat accumulation mode, F2 is the time from instruction of processing in heat accumulation mode to processing start, and P2 is the per-sheet processing time in heat accumulation mode, and a switching controller that controls the mode switching section to switch to the fast heating or heat accumulation mode based on the selected mode.
US08755695B2
A burst transmission method and a receiver resetting method and apparatus in a Passive Optical Network (PON) are provided. A burst receiver resetting method in a PON includes: receiving a preamble sequence and synchronizing data; after synchronizing the data, continuing to receive the data, and matching a Burst Terminator (BT); and resetting a receiver after successfully matching the BT. Meanwhile, an apparatus for implementing the method and a corresponding burst data transmission method are provided. By using the burst receiver resetting method and apparatus in the PON and the corresponding burst transmission method at an Optical Network Unit (ONU) burst transmission end, a Reach Extender (RE) does not need to unpack upstream burst bandwidth allocation information carried in downstream data.
US08755691B2
A wavelength tunable device for use in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system comprising a display device for displaying at least one operating wavelength of the wavelength tunable device. The display device is electrically coupled to a control unit in the wavelength tunable device so as to display the tuned wavelength in real time. The wavelength tunable device may be, in exemplary embodiments, an optical transponder, wavelength division demultiplexer, or wavelength division multiplexer. In embodiments where the optical equipment has a plurality of tunable ports, the display device is adapted to display the operating wavelength of each tunable port.
US08755690B2
An optical network contains dispersion compensation modules with Fiber Bragg Gratings. A photo detector behind the Fiber Bragg Grating detects the not reflected rest of the gratings input signal and therefore the dispersion compensation modules input signal. This information is used to reduce the expenditure and to avoid errors of configuration or administration of the dispersion compensating subsystem of the optical network.
US08755686B2
The present invention discloses a method and device for processing an alarm in a ring optical transport network. The method comprises detecting alarm information in the ring network in real-time, and when generation of only an working ODUk alarm in the ring network is detected, performing a switching process of a 1+1 protection protocol on services carried on a working channel on which an alarm is generated; in the event that one working ODUk alarm has existed in the ring network, when generation of an alarm at a protection ODUk corresponding to the working ODUk on which the alarm has been generated is also detected, or when an optical multiplexed segment layer alarm is generated in the ring network, triggering a switching process of a channel shared protection protocol. The device comprises an alarm detection module and a switching triggering module.
US08755679B2
A liquid material vaporizer comprises a gas-liquid mixing section for mixing a liquid material and a carrier gas to generate a gas-liquid mixture, and a heating type vaporizing section for vaporizing the gas-liquid mixture from the gas-liquid mixing section and exhausting outside the gas generated by the vaporization with assistance of the carrier gas, wherein the vaporizing section is configured with an arrangement of one or a plurality of flat plates formed in a spiral shape by an inwardly twisting path. Such an arrangement provides an excellent liquid material vaporizer capable of, even if a liquid material composed of a plurality of materials having different boiling points is vaporized, preventing a residue from being generated, and performing the vaporization in a preferable manner.
US08755674B2
New content is recorded onto a recording medium. Whether the current free recording capacity of the recording medium is sufficient to record the new content is determined. When the current free recording capacity of the recording medium is sufficient, the new content onto the recording medium is recorded. When the current free recording capacity of the recording medium is insufficient, a notification regarding the current free recording capacity of the recording medium is sent over a network to an information processing terminal, an instruction transmitted over the network by the information processing terminal is received, and at least a portion of prior content recorded on the recording medium is processed based on the instruction.
US08755673B2
A movie editor converts a received movie into a proxy format, and creates a texture strip representing the frames of the movie. An editor can use the texture strip to edit the movie, rather than editing the movie directly. Deep tags and/or special effects can be defined for the texture strip using a graphical interface. The graphical interface enables movies to be combined into a playback product according to a control structure graphically presented in the graphical interface.
US08755660B1
An apparatus and method for compensating for mode-profile distortions caused by bending optical fibers having large mode areas. In various embodiments, the invention micro-structures the index of refraction in the core and surrounding areas of the inner cladding from the inner bend radius to the outer bend radius in a manner that compensates for the index changes that are otherwise induced in the index profile by the geometry and/or stresses to the fiber caused by the bending. Some embodiments of an apparatus and method include a fiber having a plurality of substantially parallel cores, the fiber including a straight section and a curved section; guiding signal light primarily in a second core in the straight section; guiding the signal light from the second core into a first core between the straight section and the curved section; and guiding the signal light primarily in the first core in the curved section.
US08755657B2
An optical switch having a housing and optical fibers connectable to a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned in a separator assembly and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to modify a light beam, and the device is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float.
US08755650B2
A light source is coupled to an input facet that directs light from the light source to a core layer of a waveguide and a gradient index material layer disposed beside the core layer along a portion of a propagation length of the waveguide. Light is launched from the light source into the input facet. In response, the gradient index material layer directs light to the core layer at least along the portion of the propagation length.
US08755649B2
An optical connector having a plurality of directional taps and connecting between a plurality of optical waveguides (e.g., such as a connector between a waveguide that is part of, or leads from, a seed laser and/or an initial optical-gain-fiber power amplifier, and a waveguide that is part of, or leads to, an output optical-gain-fiber power amplifier and/or a delivery fiber), wherein one of the directional taps extracts a small amount of the forward-traveling optical output signal from the seed laser or initial power amplifier (wherein this forward-tapped signal is optionally monitored using a sensor for the forward-tapped signal), and wherein another of the directional taps extracts at least some of any backward-traveling optical signal that may have been reflected (wherein this backward-tapped signal is optionally monitored using a sensor for the backward-tapped signal).
US08755648B1
A plasmonic phase modulator and a method of phase modulation employ modulation of surface plasmons. The plasmonic phase modulator includes a semiconductor substrate configured to provide a surface charge that forms a plasmonic channel at the substrate surface. The modulator further includes an electrode and an insulator between the electrode and the semiconductor substrate. The electrode is configured to provide an electric field that influences the surface charge. The electric field includes a bias field component and a modulation field component. The surface plasmon is supported within the plasmonic channel at an interface between the semiconductor substrate surface and the insulator. A phase of the surface plasmon in the plasmonic channel is modulated by changes in the electric field. The method includes propagating the surface plasmon in the plasmonic channel and varying the modulation field component to modulate the phase of the propagating surface plasmon.
US08755647B2
A frequency-chirped nano-antenna provides efficient sub-wavelength vertical emission from a dielectric waveguide. In one example, this nano-antenna includes a set of plasmonic dipoles on the opposite side of a SiYV4 waveguide from a ground plane. The resulting structure, which is less than half a wavelength long, emits a broadband beam (e.g., >300 nm) that can be coupled into an optical fiber. In some embodiments, a diffractive optical element with unevenly shaped regions of high- and low-index dielectric material collimates the broadband beam for higher coupling efficiency. In some cases, a negative lens element between the nano-antenna and the diffractive optical element accelerates the emitted beam's divergence (and improves coupling efficiency), allowing for more compact packaging. Like the diffractive optical element, the negative lens element includes unevenly shaped regions of high- and low-index dielectric material that can be designed to compensate for aberrations in the beam emitted by the nano-antenna.
US08755644B2
Method of fabricating a semiconductor die with a microlens associated therewith. More particularly, a method for fabricating a vertical channel guide optical via through a silicon substrate wherein the optical via can contain lens elements, a discrete index gradient guiding pillar and other embodiments. Also disclosed are means for transferring, coupling and or focusing light from an electronic-optical device on the top of a semiconductor substrate through the substrate to a waveguiding medium below the substrate. The high alignment accuracies afforded by standard semiconductor fabrication processes are exploited so as to obviate the need for active alignment of the optical coupling or light guiding elements.
US08755643B2
A fiber-optic sensor package (10) comprises a serial array of fiber-optic sensing coils (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) each of which is comprised in a respective fiber-optic sensor. Four (14, 16, 18, 22) of the coils are housed in a protective casing (24). One of the coils (22) is comprised in a fiber-optic electromagnetic field sensor. The other coils are comprised in respective fiber-optic geophones and/or hydrophones. A single package of the invention allows detection of both seismic and electromagnetic signals. An array of packages of the invention provides detection of both seismic and electromagnetic signal at a series of positions over a long distance or wide area, thus avoiding the need for two conventional arrays. A packages of the invention, and an array of such packages, require little or no electrical power input.
US08755638B2
An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines a type of a provided object, a resolution conversion unit that converts a resolution of the object determined by the determination unit as an image into a resolution of an output image, an object processing unit that performs a spatial frequency processing for the object after the resolution conversion by the resolution conversion unit depending on a ratio between a resolution of the object before the resolution conversion and a resolution of the output image, and a generating unit that generates the output image based on the object subjected to the spatial frequency processing in the object processing unit.
US08755632B2
Methods and systems for providing an aligned bank of images (e.g. for a panoramic display obtained by a scanning or moving camera) are disclosed that allow updating of the bank of images as new images are obtained; display of the original images stored in the bank as a mosaic according to any desired zoom; determination and display of the best mosaic view for a desired zoom; recall of the original images from the bank; and production of a mosaic that is free of accumulated stitching errors without imposing limitations on the way the camera scans. The methods and systems herein disclosed further have the ability to anchor the bank of images to the actual ground coordinates. The key to the method is inclusion of an iterative self-correcting procedure that reduces the accumulated errors as new images are added to the bank.
US08755627B2
A method for reducing specular reflection in an image. The method includes capturing a first exposure of a scan surface using a first of a plurality of light sources, capturing a second exposure of a scan surface using a second of a plurality of light sources, determining which pixels captured by the light sources are speckles, and replacing a value of at least one speckle in the image with a different pixel value.
US08755620B2
An image coding method comprising: obtaining current signals to be coded of each of the processing units of the image; generating a binary signal by performing binarization on each of the current signals to be coded; selecting a context for each of the current signals to be coded from among a plurality of contexts; performing arithmetic coding of the binary signal by using coded probability information associated with the context selected in the selecting; and updating the coded probability information based on the binary signal, wherein, in the selecting, the context for the current signal to be coded is selected, as a shared context, for a signal which is included in one of a plurality of processing units and has a size different from a size of the processing unit including the current signal to be coded.
US08755618B2
A method for coding a current block is disclosed. The method comprises an iterative step of decomposition into atoms of a first dictionary of a vector of data comprising at least reconstructed image data associated with pixels situated in a causal neighboring area of a current block.At each iteration, the step of decomposition into atoms comprises the following steps for: selecting a first atom in the first dictionary of atoms, applying a phase correlation between a patch associated with the first atom and a current residue vector, when the first atom is a textured atom, extracting from the patch at least the part most correlated with the residue vector, the extracted part forming a second atom, selecting from among the first atom and the second atom, the atom most correlated with the current residue vector, and updating the residue vector according to the selected atom.
US08755608B2
Provided is a marker generation device which has a measurement means, an invariant feature conversion means, a singular feature selection means, and a marker generation means. The measurement means measures a change in posture of an object in a background image on the basis of the image. The invariant feature conversion means indicates feature points extracted from the background image in an invariant feature space by means of a predetermined conversion process in accordance with the change in posture. The singular feature selection means selects, as a singular feature, a part in which the feature points are not indicated in the invariant feature space. The marker generation means generates a marker with the use of the singular feature.
US08755602B2
An electronic apparatus and method obtains an original image, converts the original image into gray level to determine a gray level distribution of the original image, and defines a fuzzy region and a flat region and a fuzzy region according to the gray level distribution and a binary threshold. The electronic apparatus and method compares the pixel gray values in the fuzzy region with pixel gray values in the flat region to re-define the pixel gray values in the fuzzy region according to the comparison and a formula, and binarizes the original image to output an binarized image.
US08755600B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for processing a digital image signal, and a recording medium having recorded thereon the method, in which an image including a subject is generated, a subject region is formed by detecting the subject from the image, the subject region is divided into at least two regions, histograms for the at least two regions are generated, respectively, and it is determined whether a light direction is side lighting by analyzing the histograms for the at least two regions.
US08755591B2
A method of classifying and collecting feature information of an area according to a robot's moving path, a robot controlled by area features, and a method and apparatus for composing a user interface using the area features are disclosed. The robot includes a plurality of sensor modules to collect feature information of a predetermined area along a moving path of the robot, and an analyzer to analyze the collected feature information of the predetermined area according to a predetermined reference range and to classify the collected feature information into a plurality of groups.
US08755589B2
Tools for determining belt wear are provided. Specifically, non-contact based systems and processes are described which enable a quick and accurate measurement of belt wear. Based on the measurements of belt wear, a wear condition for the belt can be determined. Information regarding the wear condition can then be used to determine an appropriate remedial measure for responding to the determined wear condition.
US08755578B1
Parameterization of incremental patterns of various categories is provided by a computer system. The computer system initially undergoes filtering of the incremental patterns under study. Transects are plotted in a predetermined direction to growth incremental bands, and converted into an anisotropic structure in a 2-D domain. The width of the incremental bands along transects are calculated in combination with the area of incremental bands between neighboring transects. The structure of the incremental bands along with the width and area of the incremental hands across a 2-D plane for different levels of noise are calculated. Noise is reduced by averaging width and area across the 2-D plane. Indices of adequacy of the model and structural anisotropy of the incremental patterns are calculated.
US08755573B2
A method of identifying a living being includes using a time-of-flight sensor to determine a location of a face of the living being. An image of an iris of the living being is produced dependent upon the location of the face as determined by the time-of-flight sensor. The produced image is processed to determine an identity of the living being.
US08755566B1
In an embodiment, a method for determining whether a residential unit is capable of receiving a line of sight (LOS) radio service from one or more radio transmitters providing line of sight radio service within a service area is provided. In another embodiment, a method for determining the placement of an antenna on a rooftop to receive LOS radio service is provided. In each embodiment, methods for creating a residential units data set for a service area including data representative of rooftops of residential units and their location is provided. In an embodiment, the residential units data set is based on light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data.
US08755564B1
A system, circuit, and methods for increasing speed of an asynchronous pulse processing based hyperspectral target detection algorithm are disclosed. Stored optimized filter coefficients are used to provide initial filter coefficients. The initial filter coefficients are optimized using an asynchronous pulse processor based hyperspectral detection algorithm to provide optimized filter coefficients, and the optimized filter coefficients are stored.
US08755559B1
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for GPS coordinate determination for images are described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to equipping an image with GPS coordinates where the image is uploaded onto a mapping site without GPS coordinates. The mapping site is able to equip the image with GPS coordinates by identifying a recognizable structure in the image and then comparing the recognizable structure with stored structures in the mapping site. The stored structures in the mapping site have GPS coordinates for each. The mapping site compares the recognizable structure of the image without GPS coordinates to a structure stored in the mapping site with GPS coordinates. The mapping site then tags the image without GPS coordinates with the GPS coordinates associated with the stored structure that matches the structure of the image.
US08755557B2
A loudspeaker diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a diaphragm portion; and an edge portion, which is molded integrally with the diaphragm portion and made of a material different from a material for the diaphragm portion, wherein: the diaphragm portion includes, at an outer peripheral end thereof, an outer wall portion provided upright in a direction substantially parallel to a vibrating direction of the diaphragm portion; an inner peripheral surface of the edge portion is bonded onto an outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion; and the outer wall portion has a height larger than a thickness of the diaphragm portion.
US08755549B2
The present patent application discloses a universal flexible in-the-ear hearing aid, comprising a front portion of the hearing aid, a middle portion of the hearing aid and a rear portion of the hearing aid, the front portion of the hearing aid including a speaker, the rear portion of the hearing aid including a main body, the middle portion of the hearing aid including the sound transmission device, the sound transmission device is a flexible or soft-connection device, a end of the soft-connection device connected to the front portion of the hearing aid, another end of the soft-connection device connected to the rear portion of the hearing aid.
US08755548B2
An ear mold, in cooperation with a receiving device which is placed in an ear canal. The ear mold includes a head of the ear mold and a sound transmission device which is connected with the head. The sound transmission device is used for connection with the speaker of the hearing aid. The head of the ear mold is integrated with the sound transmission device. An end of sound transmission device which is connected with the hearing aid is elastic. The part of the sound transmission device which is connected with the head of the ear mold is flexible.
US08755545B2
A hearing device includes a first filter configured for providing a first frequency part of an input signal of the hearing device, the first frequency part comprising a low pass filtered part, a second filter configured for providing a second frequency part of the input signal, the second frequency part comprising a high pass filtered part, a first synthesizing unit configured for generating a first synthetic signal from the first frequency part using a first model based on a first periodic function, and a combiner configured for combining the second frequency part with the first synthetic signal for provision of a combined signal.
US08755536B2
A device includes a microphone array fixed to the device. A signal processor produces an audio output using audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The signal processor aims the beamforming in a selected direction. An orientation sensor—such as a compass, an accelerometer, or an inertial sensor—is coupled to the signal processor. The orientation sensor detects a change in the orientation of the microphone array and provides an orientation signal to the signal processor for adjusting the aim of the beamforming to maintain the selected direction. The device may include a camera that captures an image. An image processor may identify an audio source in the image and provide a signal adjusting the selected direction to follow the audio source. The image processor may receive the orientation signal and adjust the image for changes in the orientation of the camera before tracking movement of the audio source.
US08755532B2
An audio circuit and associated method for enhanced intelligibility of audio content includes a first means for receiving reproduced audio content, a microphone for providing a microphone output signal in accordance with ambient noise, a second means for enabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is off, and disabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is on, and a signal processor, in communication with the first and second means. The signal processor applies a transfer function to the reproduced audio content for increasing gain to the reproduced audio content as a function of increasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and decreasing gain to the reproduced audio content signal as a function of decreasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and applies an equalization curve to the audio content to boost frequencies in a range that enhances consonant perception thus increasing speech intelligibility.
US08755524B2
A method of encrypting a motion picture file and a method of digital rights management using the same, wherein encryption method includes: extracting information on the location of at least one video sample, which is a real-time streaming unit, from meta-data of the motion picture file; extracting the video samples based on the location information; encrypting the extracted video samples, excluding a start code within a video sample header of each extracted video sample, based on predetermined encryption information; and producing an encrypted motion picture file by recombining the encrypted video samples. Since the file is encrypted in units of video object planes (VOPs) while maintaining an MEPG-4 file format, the encryption method can be easily applied to a completed file format and streaming service is also possible.
US08755523B2
A method for protecting digital content is described. The method includes receiving compressed encrypted digital content, determining an output format based, at least in part, on all of the following: a user-requested output format; received control information; and a rule determining whether a clear compressed output format is allowedand producing output from the compressed digital content based on a result of the determining, wherein, if the rule does not allow clear compressed output format, the compressed encrypted digital content is provided in a form which prevents production of clear compressed output in the producing step. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US08755517B2
The method for generic-point parallel elliptic curve scalar multiplication replaces the pre-computation overhead of conventional elliptic curve scalar multiplication by post-computations that can be parallelized. This greatly increases the speed and efficiency of scalar multiplication performed in elliptic curve cryptography. According to the method, when scalar multiplication is required, the scalar integer is partitioned into a plurality of partitions, and calculations in each partition are performed simultaneously or in parallel on separate processors using conventional binary protocols. The bit size of each partition is adjusted to balance the load between the processors, i.e., so that each processor performs substantially the same number of point operations. The resulting calculations from each partition are accumulated or summed to produce the point that is the product of the scalar multiplication.
US08755508B2
A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.
US08755506B2
An approach is disclosed for providing an integrated call and chat conferencing system. A first participant joins in a conference, wherein the first participant communicates over a voice session. The voice session is converted into a text stream and stored. A second participant joins in the conference, wherein the second participant communicates over a chat session. The stored converted text stream is presented to second participant.
US08755498B2
A communication terminal supporting direct dial-in service that can accurately establish polarities of station lines and prevent erroneous operation has a direct dial-in connection function of push-button method, and includes: a polarity determining circuit determining polarities of a pair of station lines; a primary acknowledgement signal transmitting circuit responsive to a reception of a call signal after the polarity determining circuit detected reversal of polarities of the station lines, for transmitting a primary acknowledgement signal to a line; an extension designation signal detecting circuit for detecting, after transmission of the primary acknowledgement signal by the primary acknowledgement signal transmitting circuit, reception of an extension designation signal from an exchange, and a polarity establishing circuit responsive to detection by the extension designation signal detecting circuit of the extension designation signal, for establishing polarities of the pair of station lines determined by the polarity determining circuit.
US08755497B2
A system for managing telephone messages played by a telephone includes an integrated telephone answering device configured to playback a plurality of outgoing messages. The system further includes a first memory section to store a default outgoing message and a second memory section to store one or more custom outgoing messages. The system further includes a handset operable to send outgoing messages for storage in the base unit and to send information related to outgoing messages for storage in a database of the base unit, the information including an outgoing message identifier associated with each outgoing message and a list of calling numbers associated with each outgoing message identifier. The system further includes a processor operable to receive an indication of a playback outgoing message request, to determine a calling party number associated with the outgoing message identifier, to retrieve an outgoing message identifier associated with the calling party number, and to send a signal to the integrated telephone answering device to playback an outgoing message associated with the outgoing message identifier.
US08755487B2
An X-ray imaging system includes first to third absorption gratings. Initially, the third absorption grating is disposed in a Z axis orthogonal to a detection surface of a FPD, and the position of the third absorption grating is adjusted in θx and θy directions based on a dose of X-rays having passed through the third absorption grating. Then, the first absorption grating is disposed in the Z axis so as to produce a moiré pattern. The position of the first absorption grating is adjusted in the θx and θy directions so that a frequency of the moiré pattern detected by the FPD becomes uniform. Then, the position of the first absorption grating is adjusted in a Z or θz direction so that the FPD loses the detection of the moiré pattern. After that, the second absorption grating is aligned in a like manner as the first absorption grating.
US08755476B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for antenna switching diversity comprising: identifying the start of an OFDM symbol period; switching from an original antenna to an alternative antenna; calculating a signal quality metric associated with the original antenna and the alternative antenna; and selecting either the original antenna or the alternative antenna for demodulation of a current OFDM symbol based on the calculated signal quality metric. In one aspect, the antenna switching diversity is based on either symbol rate switching or block rate switching, and a selection of one or the other is made.
US08755473B2
A mobile station measures at least one modulation attribute of at least one signal transmitted across a signaling path of a wireless link between the stations. Because the signal travels on the signaling path between the stations, rapid changes in the modulation attribute can be used to determine both (i) motions of the mobile station and (ii) changes in the base station or mobile station environments. The stations adjust at least one parameter affecting the performance of the wireless link to compensate for the rapid changes.
US08755471B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for autonomously detecting whether a reference signal within an OFDM signal transmitted by a remote transmitter is or is not muted for a given transmission time. Muting or puncturing may be applied to all or only a portion of the reference signal. The method, which may be carried out in an appropriately configured radio apparatus, includes receiving the OFDM signal and calculating a first comparison metric from signal samples of the OFDM signal corresponding to a first set of resource elements of the OFDM signal, and calculating a second comparison metric from signal samples of the OFDM signal corresponding to a second set of resource elements of the OFDM signal. The method continues with determining whether the reference signal is or is not muted for the given transmission time, by comparing the first and second comparison metrics, and foregoing or performing reference signal measurements responsive to determining that the reference signal is or is not muted.
US08755469B1
A method for operating a distributed multi-sensor system for spectrum mapping and signal exploitation. The method includes selecting a plurality of distributed sensors including at least one or more clusters of distributed sensors, sending a request to the plurality of distributed sensors to collect signal snapshot copies, routing the signal snapshot copies or information from the plurality of distributed sensors as inputs to at least one fusion module, processing all inputs before sending any next request to the plurality of distributed sensors, optimizing the one or more clusters of distributed sensors, combining multiple distributed signal inputs in the at least one fusion module, and making a global decision. A system for spectrum mapping and signal exploitation and a storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer code for implementing the method are also disclosed.
US08755463B2
Embodiments for processing signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving signals from at least two non-contiguous channels, where the at least two non-contiguous channels are within a predetermined bandwidth, and where each of the at least two non-contiguous channels has a center frequency. The method also includes utilizing an average of the center frequencies of the at least two non-contiguous channels to down convert the at least two non-contiguous channels to a combined intermediate frequency (IF) channel that has a center frequency that is an average of a difference between the center frequencies of the at least two non-contiguous channels. The method also includes down converting the combined IF channel to a combined channel at a baseband frequency. The method also includes recovering the at least two non-contiguous channels from the combined channel at a baseband frequency utilizing an upper sideband and lower sideband recovery mechanism.
US08755462B2
In a DOCSIS transmission network, it is necessary for an upstream receiver to estimate and correct for errors in the carrier frequency of the transmission based upon observations of a preamble sequence. This task is complicated by the fact that microreflections in the upstream channels cause intersymbol interference, which tends to bias the frequency estimation circuit. An economical, ISI-immune algorithm is provided for estimating the carrier frequency of upstream transmissions. The arrangement improves the reliability of the frequency estimates in the presence of ISI, thereby reducing the overhead and increasing the throughput of the upstream channels.
US08755445B2
A method of reproducing at least two digital video sequences. The method includes multiplexing a first digital video sequence with a second digital video sequence, pictures of the second digital video sequence are included in advance in a video stream and are associated with timing information such that a receiver will not decode and reproduce the pictures of the second digital video sequence. The method includes composing the at least two digital video sequences into the video stream in correspondence with a result of the multiplexing and subsequently including a sequence of dummy timing pictures into the video stream. The dummy timing pictures are inter-predicted and are coded by omitting any prediction error data.
US08755442B2
A method and apparatus for signal processing which enable data compression and recovery with high transmission efficiency are disclosed. Data coding and entropy coding are performed with correlation and grouping is used to increase coding efficiency. A method for signal processing according to this invention, the method includes decapsulating the signal received over an Internet protocol network, obtaining data coding identification information from the de-capsulated signal and data-decoding data according to a data coding scheme indicated by the data coding identification information, wherein the data coding scheme includes at least a pilot coding scheme, the pilot coding scheme decodes the data using a pilot reference value corresponding to a plurality of data and a pilot difference value, and the pilot difference value is generated using the data and the pilot reference value.
US08755439B2
Provided is a moving picture decoding apparatus including: a picture memory that stores previously decoded picture data of a picture including macroblocks and macroblock information described on a macroblock basis, in association therebetween; an error judging unit that judges presence or absence of an error for a current picture to be decoded; a picture data replacing unit that replaces, when an error is present, picture data of the current picture to be decoded with that of a previously decoded picture in the picture memory; and a macroblock information replacing unit that replaces macroblock information in association with the current picture to be decoded including an error with macroblock information stored in association with the previously decoded picture, or a macroblock information storage unit that stores information that indicates presence of the error for the current picture to be decoded in association therewith.
US08755426B1
For digital data transmitted using a vector signaling encoding, a rank-order equalizer cancels various channel noise such as inter-symbol interference. Further, rank-order units may be cascaded to achieve improved equalization over successive sample vector signals in a rank-order equalizer. Multiple rank-order equalizers further operate in parallel in a feed forward mode or in series in a feedback mode to provide a continuous vector signaling stream equalization.
US08755424B2
A radio transmitter for use with a coherent radio receiver comprising; transmission circuitry configured to transmit radio pulses in accordance with an underlying pulse transmission rate; receive circuitry configured to receive a message comprising an indication of a target transmit power of the radio transmitter; and power control circuitry configured to, in response to receiving said message, inhibit the transmission of selected radio pulses of the underlying pulse transmission rate so as to cause the transmission circuitry to transmit radio pulses at an effective pulse transmission rate having an average power in accordance with the target transmit power indication in the received message.
US08755418B2
Embodiments of silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus for gain medium crystal of a laser system are provided. For a disk-shaped crystal, the apparatus includes a silicon-based manifold and a silicon-based cover element. For a rectangular cuboid-shaped gain medium crystal, the apparatus includes a first silicon-based manifold, a second silicon-based manifold, and first and second conduit elements coupled between the first and second manifolds. For a right circular cylinder-shaped gain medium crystal, the apparatus includes a first silicon-based manifold, a second silicon-based manifold, and first and second conduit elements coupled between the first and second manifolds.
US08755410B2
An information processing apparatus includes the following elements. A generation unit generates a multiplexed video frame having a predetermined screen size. A dividing unit divides input audio data into audio data items each having samples for one frame period of the multiplexed video frame. A multiplexing unit multiplexes audio data items obtained by dividing each stream of input audio data and number-of-samples information representing the number of samples thereof. A processing unit processes audio data items multiplexed in a multiplexed video frame input from an input video port, and outputs from an output video port thereof a multiplexed video frame in which the resulting audio data items and the number-of-samples information thereof are multiplexed. An extraction unit extracts the audio data items multiplexed in the multiplexed video frame output from the processing unit in accordance with the number-of-samples information. A transmission unit outputs the extracted audio data items to outside.
US08755409B2
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at the network device, a message associated with an entity; determining that the message lacks at least one primary identification value used to identify the entity associated with the message; extracting at least one secondary identification value from the message; selecting a correlation rule of a plurality of correlation rules that matches the at least one secondary identification value, wherein each correlation rule of the plurality of correlation rules identifies a mapping between secondary identification values and primary identification values; identifying the at least one primary identification value based on the selected correlation; identifying the entity based on the at least one primary identification value.
US08755408B2
Embodiments of a system and method for wireless communication are provided. In certain embodiments, a plurality of fragments of a MAC management message is transmitted. Each fragment includes a sequence number indicating an order of the fragments, and at least one of the fragments includes a transaction ID identifying the MAC management message with respect to other messages.
US08755403B2
Systems and methods for reducing overhead by using block acknowledgment with an all polling technique while attempting to meet latency and QoS requirements. Each node transmits a number of packets upon receiving a polling message. The Access Point (AP) then replies with a Block Acknowledgement (BlockAck), which is combined with a subsequent polling message and contains a bitmap that indicates 1 for a successfully received packet and 0 for a failed reception.
US08755395B2
Systems and methods are disclosed which provide wireless communication systems implementing subsystems adapted for flexible deployment configurations and to resist the introduction of interference. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system configuration in which an ODU subsystem is coupled to an IDU subsystem using a fiber optic link. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ODU subsystem is adapted to provide conversion between digital and analog to thereby facilitate the use of a digital link between the ODU subsystem and a corresponding IDU subsystem. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of ODU subsystems configured according to the present invention to provide wireless communication coverage of a service area, such as to provide a wireless application termination system (WATS) hub for use in providing wireless communication links with respect to a plurality of subscriber units.
US08755393B2
In certain embodiments, facilitating communication of routing information includes receiving, at a shim, incoming messages communicating routing information from a first protocol point of one or more protocol points operating according to a routing protocol. The shim belongs to an internal region separate from an external region, and a transport layer is disposed between the shim and the protocol points. The incoming messages are processed and sent to siblings that belong to the internal region. Each sibling implements a state machine for the routing protocol. Outgoing messages are received from a first sibling. The outgoing messages are processed and sent to a second protocol point of the one or more protocol points.
US08755392B2
A system and method for establishing communications channels between and among peers in a peer-to-peer networking environment. Pipes may be used as communication channels for sending and receiving messages and other data between services or applications over input and output endpoints. Pipes may be asynchronous, unidirectional, stateless and unreliable. Bidirectional pipes may also be supported. Pipes may have ends that may be moved around and bound to different peers at different times. Point-to-point and propagate pipes may be supported. Pipes may connect peers that have a direct physical link and peers that do not have a direct link. Peers may communicate through pipes without knowing on which peer a pipe endpoint is bound. A message is sent to all peer endpoints currently connected (listening) to the pipe. The set of connected endpoints may be obtained from a pipe service using a pipe binding protocol.
US08755373B1
A system for automatically routing calls in a voice-over-packet (VOP) environment at a customer's premises without using a private branch exchange (PBX) is provided. One embodiment of the system includes a VOP-signal monitoring component that can monitor an incoming packet-based data stream to identify VOP data that is associated with one or more voice communications, a packet-identification component that can identify packets that make up a communications stream, a destination-determination component that can identify a first target device that should receive the packets identified to make up the communications stream; and a routing component that can direct the packets to the first target device.
US08755370B1
In one embodiment, a device comprises an input port for receiving network packets that are being communicated via a computer network. A processor is in communication with the input port. The processor is configured to facilitate dynamic monitoring and updating of port addresses assigned by at least one non-ALG PAT router so as to facilitate communication of packets that are exchanged between an inside user agent and an outside user agent in a manner that mitigates a likelihood of communication interruption during a VOIP session. An output port is in communication with the processor for transmitting packets via the computer network.
US08755369B2
A node synchronization apparatus in a wireless network system sets a fast Fourier transform (FFT) start point and requests a one-hop neighbor node to change its transmission time. The synchronization apparatus sets a signal receiving time and requests a one-hop neighbor node to change a receiving time. In this way, a node synchronizes signal transmission and signal reception.
US08755364B2
Method for managing mobility of a mobile device (MS) within a network using a proxy MIPv6 protocol comprising MAG and LMA logical functions, wherein MAG issues a PBU to bind the mobile device (MS) with the LMA, a LMA-time being initialized and maintained within the LMA and the method comprising a relative time synchronization procedure between LMA and all of the MAG connected to it, said procedure providing that each MAG sends a PBU with specific semantics to request the LMA-time, the PBU acknowledgement (PBU-Ack) sent by the LMA including such LMA-time, said LMA-time being further maintained within each MAG, the method further comprising a binding procedure in which all of the MAG insert in each PBU sent a timestamp including the current maintained LMA-time. Upon receipt of a LMA-timestamped PBU from a MAG, the LMA sends a successful PBU-Ack if no other MAG currently binds the mobile device (MS) with the LMA or if the timestamp is newer than the one received from the MAG currently binding the mobile device (MS); an out of date PBU-Ack if the timestamp is not newer than the one received from the MAG currently binding the mobile device (MS).
US08755362B2
Methods and apparatus supporting efficient paging in a wireless communications system supporting both access node based communications and peer to peer communications are described. Paging timing intervals are set aside in the timing structure such that multi-mode wireless terminals can monitor, e.g., in an infrastructure band, for pages from a base station whether the wireless terminal is operating in a base station attachment point mode or is operating in a peer to peer communications mode. Wireless terminals operating in a peer to peer mode, e.g., using a non-infrastructure band, suspends peer to peer communications during the paging intervals. The time periods, in which the wireless terminal checks pages are, in some embodiments, predetermined, so that both the wireless terminal and base station are synchronized on when a page should be delivered. This synchronization helps reduce the wastage of session time in the peer to peer sessions.
US08755354B2
In accordance with various embodiments, a Home Agent receives a registration request and sends a registration reply having a network mask extension including a network mask associated with the home address of the Mobile Node. Once the Mobile Node has obtained its network mask, it may send packets such as broadcast packets, as well as roam to its Home Agent. Additionally, in accordance with various embodiments, when a Home Agent receives a broadcast packet, it forwards the broadcast packet to a care-of address of the broadcast packet without duplicating the broadcast packet. Instead, the Foreign Agent obtains the subnet from the broadcast packet, identifies the Mobile Node(s) on that subnet, and duplicates the broadcast packet for transmission to the identified Mobile Node(s).
US08755353B2
A method of controlling a connection of a station to different access points (AP) in roaming, in which the station is connected to a first AP through identification of basic service set context (BSS context), includes the following steps: a) Obtain received signal strength indications (RSSI) between the station and each access point. b) Copy the BSS context of the first AP to a second AP when the RSSI between the station and the first AP is less than RSSI between the station and the second AP; and c) disconnect the station from the first AP, and automatically connect the station to the second AP which has the same BSS context.
US08755351B2
For monitoring a wireless line usage status more effectively, a mobile station extracts a synchronizing signal of each of frames received from a plurality of base stations and a known signal transmitted together with transmission data within a time slot in which the transmission data are included but not transmitted within a time slot in which the transmission data are not included. The mobile station then measures a reception power of the synchronizing signal and a reception power of the known signal for each base station. And the mobile station determines a usage status of a wireless line of each base station based on the reception power of the synchronizing signal and the reception power of the known signal.
US08755342B2
The disclosure relates to managing the video and audio streams of a video collaboration session in a communication network. Specifically, the streams of the video collaboration session are managed by primitive messages that are sent in-band with the data of the stream. These in-band primitives are then used to modify the wireless bearers or channels that are carrying the streams to a mobile device. The mechanism can dynamically adapt the wireless bearers based on the primitives to ensure characteristics such as Quality of Service and packet loss are within certain parameters while minimizing the resources used to provide the specified service.
US08755340B2
A wireless network, such as an LTE (“Long-Term Evolution”) network, may be configured to a receive an identifier associated with resource configurations in a wireless network. The identifier is mapped to a resource configuration in a plurality of resource configurations. The user equipment applies the resource configuration.
US08755333B2
Method and apparatus for computing a noise power estimate in a wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network are disclosed and may include calculating a noise power estimate for a downlink channel based on an orthogonal sequence generated for a transmitted signal. The orthogonal sequence may be generated based on a slot number of the transmitted signal and/or a transmit diversity mode used for the transmitted signal. A portion of a plurality of dedicated physical channel (DPCH) pilot bits for the downlink channel may be summed to generate an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. The generated I component and the generated Q component may be multiplied by the orthogonal sequence to generate at least one noise I component and at least one noise Q component.
US08755325B2
Provided is a communication system including a relay device that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, and a management server, the management server including a receiving unit that receives from each base station information about a communication terminal belonging to the base station and about the relay device, and a determination unit that determines, on the basis of the information received from each base station by the receiving unit, a relay device that is performing communication interfering with communication in an adjacent cell. When the relay device is determined as a relay device that is performing communication interfering with the communication in the adjacent cell, the relay device determines an interference avoidance control and executes the determined interference avoidance control.
US08755324B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods may be directed to operating wireless communication resources for a wireless communications system that includes a relay node and a base station. A backhaul link data rate may be identified for a first wireless link between the relay node and the base station. An access link data rate may be identified for a second wireless link between the relay node and a user equipment (UE). The allocation of available resources between the backhaul link and the access link may be adjusted or changed to optimize the allocation of resources.
US08755320B2
An apparatus configured to receive packets associated with a service and to communicate the packets to at least one user in a system enabling communication of multiple data streams in a transmission is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to assign packets of a data stream with a service identifier.
US08755317B2
Aspects of the present disclosure allow a mobile station (MS) to maintain data activity while performing handover operations within the WiMAX network and listening to a CDMA 1x paging cycle. According to aspects, the MS maintains timing of a base station (BS) in a first radio access technology (RAT) and a BS in a second RAT. The MS may determine an expected timing of a paging cycle in the second RAT and send a sleep request to the BS in the first RAT such that the sleep interval coincides with the timing of the paging cycle in the second RAT. The MS may perform operations to ensure a sleep interval, after performing handover operations, coincides with the timing of the paging cycle in the second RAT.
US08755311B2
An eNodeB in a TDD system (100), comprising first and second transmitters (408-411), a first receiver (302; 402-405), a control unit (306, 416), and means (305, 415) for diverting part of a transmitted signal from the first and second transmitters (408-411) to the first receiver (302; 402-405). The diverting means (305, 415) are connected to the transmitter part via a switch function (308, 418) and the transceiver also comprises a delay component (304, 404. The control unit (306, 416) activates the switch (308, 418) when the output power of the transmitted signals falls below a threshold, and the delay component (304, 404) delays so that the diverted signals are received by the receiver part (303; 402-405) at a predefined point in time. The transceiver (300) comprises a comparison unit (307, 417) for comparing the diverted signals from the first and second transmitters after reception through the first receiver.
US08755305B2
A wireless networking device adapter for provisioning a wireless network using new or existing track lighting. The adapter securely engages the track light channel and supports a commercially available wireless access point (WAP) device. A lock mechanism on the adapter prevents unexpected disengagement of the adapter from the track light channel, yet allows for operator removal. A power converter within the adapter powers the WAP device from the electrical power provided by the track light channel. Multiple adapters communicate to form a mesh network to improve wireless network fault tolerance, or may operate in a repeater mode configuration or some combination.
US08755297B2
System and method for collecting and analyzing information on application-level activity and other user information on a mobile data network. A platform non-intrusively and transparently monitors data activity on a mobile data network in real-time so that user-level information can be reported to an operator. The platform comprises a plurality of collectors, a data manager, and a report manager. The collectors communicate with network routers to almost all network data. The collectors inspect the data for IP addresses and correlate them to user mobile phone numbers. The data manager receives the data and augments it with information obtained by querying carrier information. The data manager stores the data and monitors it to see if it satisfies a set of defined real-time reports. The report manager then works with the data manager to develop and test new reports based on operator instructions for a specific report.
US08755289B2
A demarcation point unit connected between a home network backbone and an external network. The demarcation point unit includes a blocking filter and splitter. The blocking filter receives a home network signal from the home network backbone and an external signal from the external network. The blocking filter separates the home network signal from the external signal, and returns the home network signal back to the home network backbone. The splitter has an input and at least two outputs. The input of the splitter receives the home network signal from the blocking filter.
US08755249B2
Slowness dispersion characteristics of multiple possibly interfering signals in broadband acoustic waves as received by an array of two or more sensors are extracted without using a physical model. The problem of dispersion extraction is mapped to the problem of reconstructing signals having a sparse representation in an appropriately chosen over-complete dictionary of basis elements. A sparsity penalized signal reconstruction algorithm is described where the sparsity constraints are implemented by imposing a l1 norm type penalty. The candidate modes that are extracted are consolidated by means of a clustering algorithm to extract phase and group slowness estimates at a number of frequencies which are then used to reconstruct the desired dispersion curves. These estimates can be further refined by building time domain propagators when signals are known to be time compact, such as by using the continuous wavelet transform.
US08755247B2
The embodiments described herein provide memory devices. In one embodiment, a memory device includes bank control logic configured to generate a modified bank address signal and an active driver configured to provide a bank activate signal, receive an activate command signal, execute an activate command of the activate command signal at each one of a group of clock cycles, in which each one of the group of clock cycles is greater than one clock cycle, and receive the modified bank address signal, in which the modified bank address signal is high for at least a portion of each one of the group of clock cycles and the at least a portion of each one of the group of clock cycles is greater than one clock cycle.
US08755245B1
A decoder control makes use of controllable transfer gates, which effectively implement selectors, to implement required timing offsets for codes that have particular structure. For instance, such timing offsets are effective for LDPC codes with block off-diagonal structure, for instance, as described in the co-pending application. In some implementations, the memory architecture is formed of cells where each cell includes not only a storage element, by also control logic that combines a select signal and the write versus read signal. By co-locating this control logic in each memory cell, control logic and its associated signal distribution is reduced, thereby reducing circuit area and power consumption.
US08755242B2
A high voltage generating circuit includes first and second high voltage pump circuits and an oscillator. The oscillator is configured to output a first clock signal driving the first high voltage pump circuit and a second clock signal driving the second high voltage pump circuit. The oscillator includes a first delay circuit configured to output the second clock signal by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay time. The first delay circuit is configured to adjust the first delay time according to a period of the first clock signal.
US08755232B2
A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in series in the semiconductor body, such as a NAND string, having a plurality of word lines. A selected memory cell is programmed by hot carrier injection using a boosted channel potential to establish the heating field. Boosted channel hot carrier injection can be based on blocking flow of carriers between a first side of a selected cell and a second side of the selected cell in the NAND string, boosting by capacitive coupling the first semiconductor body region to a boosted voltage level, biasing the second semiconductor body region to a reference voltage level, applying a program potential greater than a hot carrier injection barrier level to the selected cell and enabling flow of carriers from the second semiconductor body region to the selected cell to cause generation of hot carriers.
US08755229B1
Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to programming an at least one flash memory cell using an at least one programming pulse with a new programming voltage having a level. The level is maintained in at least one page in a block of a flash memory controller memory, wherein the level varies as a function of a number of programming cycles applied to the at least one flash memory cell.
US08755223B2
A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
US08755200B2
A circuit arrangement includes a transformer, having primary windings and secondary windings, and a high voltage capacitor. A first switching circuit couples the high voltage capacitor to the primary windings. A first controller is operatively coupled to the switching circuit. A second switching circuit couples the secondary windings to an output port. A second controller is operatively coupled to the secondary windings. A high voltage generator is provided to charge the high voltage capacitor.
US08755197B1
A high-density low power computer cluster enables high bandwidth video streaming within a small physical footprint. A plurality of low power motherboards are densely arranged in a chassis compatible with a standard server rack. The motherboards are oriented vertically within the chassis and arranged into rows. Each motherboard serves as a node in live streaming network. External ports and indicators on the chassis enable convenient access and control of the motherboards from outside the chassis. Furthermore, a fan-based cooling system provides simultaneous cooling to the plurality of motherboards in the computing cluster.
US08755193B2
A method and system for providing a customized storage container includes a generally rectangular housing and at least one printed circuit board contained within the rectangular housing. The customized storage container encloses a first row of interconnector modules that are positioned adjacent to a first, open end of the rectangular housing. The customized storage container also encloses a second row of interconnector modules positioned adjacent to the first, open end of the rectangular housing. At least one air vent is positioned along a side of the rectangular housing and adjacent to a second, closed end of the rectangular housing. According to one exemplary embodiment, the storage container can comprise a single printed circuit board for supporting the first and second row of interconnector modules. In another exemplary embodiment, the storage container can comprise two printed circuit boards for supporting the first and second rows interconnector modules.
US08755191B2
A server system includes at least one blade server, wherein the blade server has at least one processor and memory modules, as well as a plug connector on an upper side or an underside of the blade server, a server frame with an opening on a first side of the server frame for accommodating the at least one blade server, wherein the server frame includes guidance means and a circuit board and a lifting device for guiding the at least one blade server in the lifting direction up to the circuit board, and at least one cooling fan assembly arranged inside the server frame.
US08755185B2
A semiconductor module includes an upper arm and a lower arm of an inverter circuit. The upper arm has a switching element and a rectifying device and the lower arm has a switching element and a rectifying device. The upper arm and the lower arm are laminated such that the switching elements overlap each other and the rectifying devices overlap each other. Refrigerant flow paths constituting cooling sections respectively extend along both sides in the lamination direction of the switching elements and the rectifying devices and are folded back at the rectifying device lamination section side.
US08755178B2
An exemplary frame assembly includes a mounting frame and a fixing frame which is detachably mounted inside the mounting frame. The fixing frame includes two opposite side plate and two latching assemblies. Each latching assembly includes two connecting arms, a main body and a handle. Each connecting arm includes a first section extends from a front end of a corresponding one of the first and second side plate a predetermined distance and coplanar with the corresponding one of the first and second side plate and a second section bent backwards from the first section and overlapping the first section. Each second section includes a first latching portion. The mounting frame includes two second latching portions. The two first latching portions of the two latching assemblies cooperate with the two second latching portions to lock the fixing frame to the mounting frame.
US08755167B2
There are provided a ceramic sheet product for a ceramic electronic component, a multilayer ceramic electronic component using the same, and a method of manufacturing the multilayer ceramic electronic component. The ceramic sheet product for a ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic layer; a metal layer formed on the ceramic layer; and metal nanostructures contacting the metal layer and protruding from the metal layer to an inner portion of the ceramic layer. With the multilayer ceramic electronic component using the ceramic sheet product for a ceramic electronic component, an interval between electrodes is reduced to thereby allow for the increase of capacitance, whereby a multilayer ceramic electronic component having high capacitance may be provided.
US08755162B2
A protection circuit includes a power supply, a resistor-capacitor (RC) parallel circuit, an inverter, first and second electronic switches. The RC parallel circuit is connected to the power supply through a first resistor. An input terminal of the inverter is connected to the power supply through the first resistor. A first terminal of the first electronic switch is connected to an output terminal of the inverter. A second terminal of the first electronic switch is grounded. A third terminal of the first electronic switch is connected to the power supply through a second resistor. A first terminal of the second electronic switch is connected to the third terminal of the first electronic switch. A second terminal of the second electronic switch is connected to an electronic device. A third terminal of the second electronic switch is connected to an output power supply.
US08755156B2
An integrated circuit protected against electrostatic discharges, including input/output pads and first and second power supply rails, and: a thyristor forward-connected between each input/output pad and the second rail, each thyristor including, between its anode gate and its anode, a resistor; between each thyristor and the first rail, a diode having its anode connected to the anode gate of the thyristor and having its cathode connected to the first rail via a resistor for adjusting the triggering; and a triggering device capable of conducting a current between the first and second rails when a positive overvoltage occurs between these rails.
US08755140B1
Synchronization technologies for disk drives are described. A described technique includes producing signals that include processing a waveform produced by a read head operated with respect to a recording medium including magnetic data positions arranged on tracks including first and second tracks; producing, based on the waveform, a servo detect pulse that indicates a detection of servo data on the first track; measuring a timing difference that is based on the servo detect pulse and a write pulse of a write clock signal; controlling an adjustment of a phase of the write clock signal based on the timing difference to align the write clock signal with at least a portion of the data positions; and controlling a write head to write to one or more data positions of the second track based on the write clock signal while a servo clock signal is servo locked on the first track.
US08755139B1
A system including a storage device, a channel module, a sampling module, a first phase module, and an adjustment module. The storage device includes servo sectors, and discontinuous media with bit islands. The channel module reads the servo sectors based on a servo clock to generate an analog signal. The sampling module samples the analog signal based on a servo clock signal to generate first samples, and based on a write clock signal to generate second samples. The first phase module estimates a phase of the write clock signal based on the first samples, and the second samples. The adjustment module adjusts the phase of the write clock signal based on the estimated phase of the write clock signal. The channel module, based on the write clock signal with the adjusted phase, writes data to the bit islands of the discontinuous media.
US08755132B2
A wide angle optical system including a first lens group of negative refractive power and a second lens group of positive refractive power arranged in the above-mentioned order from the object side. The second lens group includes a cemented doublet SU21; an aperture diaphragm; a lens SU22; and a biconvex lens L25 arranged in the above-mentioned order from the object side, and largest ones of air spaces on the axis being front and rear spaces of the aperture diaphragm except the back focal length. The wide angle optical system is divided into the first lens group and the second lens group at the second largest air space operating as a boundary.
US08755128B2
An image pickup lens includes a controller and a manipulator position detector configured to detect a position of a manipulator configured to accept a manipulation used to move the lens. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and a difference between the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid and the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is valid is equal or smaller than a threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and the difference is larger than the threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens corresponding to the manipulator's position detected by the manipulator position detector.
US08755122B2
A laser pulse stretching unit is described herein which has one or more nested optical delay paths. In addition, a method for using the laser pulse stretching unit is also described herein.
US08755117B2
A novel manufacturing method for a diffraction lens, whereby aperture and eccentricity effects can be suppressed and any multi-focusing effect can also be obtained in a more stable manner. A synchronous structure is set up where at least two reliefs whose first order diffracted lights give respective focal distances different from one another are set to overlap with each other in at least a part of an area in a radial direction of a diffraction lens, and with respect to every grating pitches of one relief having the maximum grating pitch among the reliefs set up in overlap, grating pitches of another relief are overlapped periodically; and the resulting relief pattern is formed on a surface of an optical material.
US08755116B2
In an optical assembly having a light source which provides two optically different light components with essentially planar wavefronts on an optical axis, wherein the light components differ at least in their wavelength; in the case of an objective lens which projects the two optically different light components into a projection space; and in the case of an optical component which is arranged on the optical axis and has an plane through which the wavefronts of the two light components pass and in which at least two different areas of the optical component with different dispersion behaviors n(λ) abut against one another in the lateral direction with respect to the optical axis; the optical component causes phase shifts of the wavefronts of the two light components, wherein the phase shift of the wavefronts of the one light component differs by at least one quarter of the wavelength of that light component between the two different areas, and wherein the phase shift of the wavefronts of the other light component does not differ between the two different areas, such that an intensity distribution of the one light component in the projection space by interference with itself differs from an intensity distribution of the other light component in the projection space.
US08755112B2
Devices and techniques are disclosed for amplifying a plurality of optical signals using a single pump laser coupled to a set of optical splitters arranged in a binary tree configuration for powering a plurality of fiber optical amplifying path circuits (FOAP circuits) each configured to amplify one of the plurality of optical signals, where each of the optical splitters at the leaves of the binary tree is coupled to one of the plurality of FOAP circuits to provide the power required to amplify the optical signal.
US08755111B2
An amplification optical fiber includes a core and a clad which covers the core. The core propagates light having a predetermined wavelength in at least an LP01 mode, an LP02 mode, and LP03 mode and, in the core, when the LP01 mode, the LP02 mode, and the LP03 mode are standardized by a power, in at least a part of a region where an intensity of at least one of the LP02mode and the LP03 mode is stronger than an intensity of the LP01 mode, an active element which stimulates and emits light having a predetermined wavelength is added with a higher concentration than that in at least a part of a region where the intensity of the LP01 mode is stronger than the intensities of the LP02 mode and the LP03 mode.
US08755107B2
In a laser processing system 400, a plurality of element patterns for creating a modulation pattern are prepared, and the modulation pattern is created from the element patterns according to a condition for forming the modified region for an object to be processed in order to form the modified region corresponding thereto. Laser light is modulated according to thus created modulation pattern, and the modified region is formed in the object by irradiation with the modulated laser light. Thus, according to the condition for forming the modified region corresponding to the object, the modulation pattern is created from the element patterns prepared beforehand.
US08755101B2
The present invention provides a method of producing a two-sided microstructured product and a registration structure that can be used for the method. The method comprises the steps of: (800) providing primary product features (80) at a first surface of a substrate sheet (50); (810) providing secondary product features (90) at an opposed surface; (820) registering the mutual alignment of the primary and secondary product features (80, 90) to estimate alignment parameters; and (830) aligning the provision of primary and secondary product features (80, 90). The registration structure comprises a registration-array of focusing elements (20) at a first surface and a registration-array of reference objects (30) at an opposed surface aligned with primary and secondary product features (80,90) that provides a holographic representation (10) of the reference objects (30) in order to estimate the alignment of product features (80,90).
US08755096B2
An image sensor unit has a light emitting module and a light guide that guides light emitted by the light emitting module to a bill, the light guide has an incident surface on which the light emitted by the light emitting module is incident, a reflection surface that reflects the light having entered the light guide through the incident surface, and an emission surface from which the light reflected by the reflection surface is emitted toward the bill, and the reflection surface is formed by a plurality of contiguous flat surfaces.
US08755095B2
An illuminating device capable of stably illuminating an irradiated object such as a document while suppressing light loss with a simply structure is provided.An LED array (71) and a reflective plate (73) are disposed sandwiching a slit (St) through which light reflected by a document MS passes and a light-guiding member (72) is disposed on the side of the LED array (71). The light-guiding member (72) includes a direct emission unit (77) disposed between an illumination range y centered on a document reading position and the LED array (71) and an indirect emission unit (78) disposed between the reflective plate (73) and the LED array (71), a light incidence face of the direct emission unit (77) and a light incidence face of the indirect emission unit (78) are disposed at mutually different position around the LED array (71), and the LED array (71) is disposed on a side of an interior angle formed by the light incidence faces.
US08755093B2
An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a reading unit, a moving unit, a moving speed control unit, a turn-ON time control unit. The light source irradiates light onto a document. The reading unit receives light reflected from the document, converts the received light into electrical charges, and accumulates the electrical charges as an image signal. The moving unit relatively moves the light source and the document. The moving speed control unit controls a moving speed of the moving unit in accordance with a reading mode of the image reading apparatus to control a reading speed in the reading unit. The turn-ON time control unit controls the light source to be turned off in a given period based on the reading mode when the reading unit accumulates the electric charges so as to prevent the electrical charges accumulated in the reading unit from reaching a saturation amount.
US08755084B2
An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether printing is designated to be performed using a transparent recording agent with respect to an area to be printed with a color recording agent having a density lower than a threshold among areas included in input image data, and a printing unit configured to perform printing by transferring the color recording agent and the transparent recording agent to a sheet and fixing the color recording agent and the transparent recording agent to the sheet by a single fixing process to form an image of the area if the determination unit determines that the printing is designated to be performed using the transparent recording agent with respect to the area to be printed with the color recording agent having the density lower than the threshold.
US08755081B2
Plural recording devices that are compatible with different commands are controlled. The host computer 11 has a compatible command acquisition unit 30 that gets compatible command information identifying the commands with which the printer P is compatible, and a printer driver execution unit 21. Based on compatible command information acquired by the compatible command acquisition unit 30, the printer driver execution unit 21 manages what commands are compatible with the printer P, and outputs compatible commands to control the printer P.
US08755080B2
A method of adjusting a level of liquid to be deposited on a print media includes providing an image processing system. Image data for a page of a print job and information regarding a printing system to be used to deposit the liquid on the print media during a printing operation is provided to the image processing system. The image data for the page of the print job is converted into a bitmap appropriate for analysis of risk of excessive inking related print defects using the image processing system. The overall risk score is determined to be acceptable or unacceptable. The bitmap is released for printing when the overall risk score is acceptable. The image data for the print job page is modified when the overall risk score is unacceptable.
US08755076B2
Provided are a wireless printing system and method based on wireless Local Area Network (LAN). A method of requesting a wireless printing, includes: requesting a printer that exists in a wireless LAN to perform a print job; and communicating with the printer according to a standard of the wireless LAN in order to transmit data regarding the print job to the printer. The method provides wireless direct printing suitable for a wireless LAN environment.
US08755073B2
An image processing system with an input connected to a network receives digital image data. A plurality of processors coupled to the input also receives the image data. Each of the plurality of processors simultaneously processes one of the multiple digital images and produces processed image data. An output interface coupled to the processors sequentially outputs the processed digital images.
US08755072B2
An image forming apparatus stores billing information depending on a formation and output of an image. The apparatus includes a page information acquiring unit that acquires page information written in PDL, a page information analysis unit that analyzes the page information and outputs a drawing command for performing the formation and output of the image for each of a plurality of regions divided from a unit page, a drawing information generating unit that generates drawing information for performing the formation and output of the image on the basis of the drawing command, a billing amount determining unit that judges whether an image to be drawn is contained in each of the divided regions and determines a billing amount for each divided region on the basis of the judgment result, and a billing information storage unit that stores information of the determined billing amount.
US08755071B2
A communication system includes a printing device, a terminal device, and another device. The printing device includes a communication interface that enables communication through at least two modes; an operating portion that accepts a mode-switch instruction; a printing portion that prints an image based on print data, and a processor. In a direct communication mode, the printing device communicates directly with the terminal device. In an indirect communication mode, the printing device communicates indirectly with the other device. The processor switches the communication mode from the indirect communication mode to the direct communication mode when the operating portion accepts the mode-switch instruction, and switches the communication mode from the direct communication mode to the indirect communication mode when the processor determines that the printing device has finished receiving print data. Communication between the printing and terminal devices includes transmitting the print data from the terminal device to the printing device.
US08755068B2
An image processing device including a communication interface unit; a user interface display unit which provides information to a user; a user interface input unit having a hardware key which receives an input from the user; a web-browser section which receives page data from a web server, structures a display screen on the user interface display unit based on the page data, and displays the display screen on the user interface display unit; a data analysis section which determines whether an operation on the hardware key is to be valid or invalid based on the page data; and a hardware-key control section which controls validity/invalidity of the operation on the hardware key based on the determination made by the data analysis section.
US08755062B2
An image forming apparatus includes a display section and a control unit. The display section is configured to display a plurality of picture segments. The control unit is configured to execute a display operation to display the plurality of picture segments. The plurality of picture segments correspond to a plurality of options corresponding to an image formation related function. The control unit executes a picture segment selection operation to select picture segments, of which number is equal to a predetermined display number, as normal picture segments among the plurality of picture segments. The control unit executes a prominent display operation to select picture segments, of which number is larger than the predetermined display number, as provisional picture segments among the plurality of picture segments and to allow the display section to prominently display the provisional picture segments during a predetermined prominent display time.
US08755054B2
A method of measuring a surface structure of a display device is provided. The display device includes first and second substrates, first and second patterned light-shielding layers, and first and second pixel units. The first patterned light-shielding layer disposed on a surface of the first substrate includes first openings. The second patterned light-shielding layer disposed on the surface of the first substrate includes second openings. The first pixel unit includes first and second protrusions. The first protrusion correspondingly covers the first openings and a portion of the first patterned light-shielding layer. The second protrusion is disposed on and directly contacted with the first and second patterned light-shielding layers. The second pixel unit includes a third protrusion correspondingly covering the second openings and a portion of the second patterned light-shielding layer, wherein sizes of the second openings are smaller than sizes of the first openings.
US08755053B2
Dimensions of a surface feature are determined by capturing an image of the surface feature and determining a scale associated with the image. Structured light may be projected onto the surface, such that the position of structured light in the captured image allows determination of scale. A non-planar surface may be unwrapped. The surface may alternatively be projected into a plane to correct for the scene being tilted with respect to the camera axis. A border of the surface feature may be input manually by a user. An apparatus and system for implementing the method are also disclosed.
US08755045B2
In one embodiment, a method for detecting design defects is provided. The method includes receiving design data of an integrated circuit (IC) on a wafer, measuring wafer topography across the wafer to obtain topography data, calculating a scanner moving average from the topography data and the design data to provide a scanner defocus map across the wafer, and determining a hotspot design defect from the scanner defocus map. A computer readable storage medium, and a system for detecting design defects are also provided.
US08755044B2
The illumination power density of a multi-spot inspection system is adjusted in response to detecting a large particle in the inspection path of an array of primary illumination spots. At least one low power, secondary illumination spot is located in the inspection path of an array of relatively high power primary illumination spots. Light scattered from the secondary illumination spot is collected and imaged onto one or more detectors without overheating the particle and damaging the wafer. Various embodiments and methods are presented to distinguish light scattered from secondary illumination spots. In response to determining the presence of a large particle in the inspection path of a primary illumination spot, a command is transmitted to an illumination power density attenuator to reduce the illumination power density of the primary illumination spot to a safe level before the primary illumination spot reaches the large particle.
US08755041B2
A pattern inspection apparatus is provided to compare images of regions, corresponding to each other, of patterns that are formed so as to be identical and judge that non-coincident portions in the images are defects. The pattern inspection apparatus is equipped with an image comparing section which plots individual pixels of an inspection subject image in a feature space and detects excessively deviated points in the feature space as defects. Defects can be detected correctly even when the same patterns in images have a brightness difference due to a difference in the thickness of a film formed on a wafer.
US08755031B2
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an optical raster element configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources located in a system pupil surface. The optical raster element has a plurality of light entrance facets, each being associated with one of the secondary light sources. A beam deflecting device includes a beam deflection array of reflective or transparent beam deflecting elements, each being configured to illuminate a spot on one of the light entrance facets at a position that is variable by changing a deflection angle produced by the beam deflecting element. A control unit is configured to control the beam deflection elements such that variable light patterns assembled from the spots can be formed on at least one of the plurality of light entrance facets.
US08755017B2
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a liquid crystal display comprising: a first substrate including a base substrate and films formed on the base substrate; a second substrate, the periphery of the first substrate and the periphery of the second substrate being bonded together with use of a sealant; and a liquid crystal layer, filled in a closed space which is located between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the closed space includes an active region and a dummy region, and a total thickness of the film formed in correspondence to the active region is smaller than a total thickness of the film formed in correspondence to the dummy region. Embodiments of the disclosed technology also provide an electronic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display.
US08755014B2
A thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display panel includes: a substrate; and a first electrode portion disposed on the substrate, the first electrode portion having two pairs of main edges facing each other and a first cutout oblique to the main edges, wherein the main edges include first and second edges, the first electrode portion has an oblique edge substantially parallel to the first cutout, the oblique connecting the first edge and the second edge, the first edge includes a first portion extending from the oblique edge to an end of the first cutout, and the oblique edge is substantially equal to or longer than a half of the first portion of the first edge.
US08755010B2
An electronic device may have a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display may have multiple layers of material such as a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. An opaque masking layer may be formed on a display layer such as the color filter layer. In an inactive portion of the display, the opaque masking layer may form a rectangular ring that serves as a border region surrounding a rectangular active portion of the display. In the active portion of the display, the opaque masking layer may be patterned to from an opaque matrix that separates color filter elements in an array of color filter elements. The opaque masking layer and color filter elements may be formed from polymers such as photoresist. The opaque masking layer may include a black pigment such as carbon black. Color filter elements and opaque masking material may include multiple sublayers.
US08755008B2
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display and a polarizing plate used in the same. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell and a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate respectively provided on each side of the liquid crystal cell. The first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate each includes a polyvinyl alcohol polarizing film and protective films provided on both sides of the polyvinyl alcohol polarizing film, the protective films that are provided on surfaces opposite to the liquid crystal cell the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate each has the vapor transmissivity of 100 g/m Day or less, and the protective films that are provided on surfaces abutting the liquid crystal cell of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate each has the vapor transmissivity of more than 1,500 g/m Day. When the protective films that are provided on surfaces opposite to the liquid crystal cell of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate each has a UV absorption ability, the protective films that are provided on surfaces abutting the liquid crystal cell of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate each has the vapor transmissivity of more than 200 g/m Day.
US08755006B2
A back plate includes an inner part, a bottom part, an outer part, a folded part and a fastener. The bottom part is connected to the inner part for providing a container space. The outer part is opposite the inner part. The folded part is connected with the outer part and the inner part. The fastener is disposed on the outer part. A method for manufacturing the back plate is also disclosed herein.
US08755005B2
A backlight includes a waveguide with a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned in cavities in the back surface in a center region of the waveguide. The back surface of the waveguide can be tapered from the center region to the edges so that the edges are thinner than the center region. Additionally, with the light emitting diodes in the center region of the waveguide, as opposed to along the edges, the bezel may be eliminated or at least minimized in height, e.g., 1 mm or less. Additionally, multiple waveguides may be used and configured in a “V” shape to minimize the bezel.
US08755004B2
A diffusion sheet adapted to minimize brightness difference between lights progressing in its oblique directions is discussed. The diffusion sheet according to an embodiment includes: a base film; a first diffusion material layer formed on an upper surface of the base film and configured to have a haze range of about 10˜40%; and a second diffusion material layer formed on a lower surface of the base film.
US08755001B2
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel having a substrate to which an optical sheet is affixed, a protective plate disposed so that the optical sheet intervenes between the protective plate and the substrate and so that a predetermined space is formed between the protective plate and the optical sheet, a spacer disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the protective plate, and a resin layer in a region enclosed by the spacer that is polymerized after filling. The area of the substrate is greater than the area of the optical sheet. The spacer has a frame shape corresponding to the outer shape of the optical sheet. And the spacer is located on edges of the optical sheet such that inner end faces of the spacer are located inward relative to outer end faces of the optical sheet.
US08754998B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate divided into a pixel part and first and second pad parts, a gate electrode and a gate line formed at the pixel part, an active pattern formed over the gate electrode with a first insulation film interposed therebetween, and having a width smaller than the gate electrode, an ohmic-contact layer formed on source and drain regions of the active pattern, source and drain electrodes formed over the gate electrode and electrically connected with the source and drain regions via the ohmic-contact layer, a data line formed on the pixel part and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a pixel electrode formed at the pixel region and electrically connected with the drain electrode, a second insulation film formed on the first substrate, and a second substrate attached to the first substrate.
US08754995B2
A liquid-crystal display includes scan lines arranged on a substrate and also functioning as a gate of a thin-film transistor, a main line arranged between the scan lines, source lines arranged in a direction intersecting the scan lines, a picture-element electrode arranged between the source lines and between the scan lines, a storage capacitor formed with the main line, an insulation layer, and an intermediate electrode, a drain line connected to a drain of the thin-film transistor and the intermediate electrode. The main line includes a first transparent electrode and a first metallic line, which is formed on the first transparent electrode, is narrower and has a lower resistance than the first transparent electrode. The drain line includes a second transparent electrode and a second metallic line which is narrower and has a lower resistance than the second transparent electrode. The intermediate electrode is formed by extending the second transparent electrode.
US08754987B2
A display device includes a display component coupled to a signal generating unit with a single trace. The signal generating unit generates a first signal. A processing unit, connected to the display component and the single trace, receives the first signal through the single trace and generates a first type control signal, a second type control signal, and a third type control signal according to the first signal. The processing unit generates and controls an on-screen display menu displayed by the display component according to status of the display device and the received first signal as one of the first type control signal, the second type control signal, and the third type control signal.
US08754985B2
A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.
US08754979B2
The focus adjustment device is characterized by comprising: a driver 231 that drives a focus adjustment optical system 213 to change a focus status; a focus detector 170 that detects evaluation values with respect to contrast of images to perform focus detection for a optical system; an obtaining unit 170 that obtains a maximum driving speed among speeds with which the focus adjustment optical system is able to be driven; and a controller 170 that causes the driver to perform a first driving operation in which the focus adjustment optical system is driven within a certain range and with a certain speed or to perform a second driving operation which is different from the first driving operation, wherein the controller compares the maximum driving speed and a first driving speed as a driving speed for the focus adjustment optical system during the first driving operation with each other when a peak of the evaluation values fails to be detected within the certain range as a result of performing the first driving operation, and determines based on obtained comparison result whether or not to cause the driver to perform the second driving operation subsequently to the first driving operation.
US08754978B2
A semiconductor device includes a pair of sensor units each of which includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a signal holding unit and a transfer unit, and outputs a signal held by the signal holding unit, comprising a control unit including a detector unit, wherein when one of the pair of sensor units operates in a first mode, the other operates in a second mode, the detector unit detects that the output has reached a predetermined value after the one starting a signal transfer, the one ends the signal transfer in response to the detection and determines the held signal, the control unit generates a control signal after that, and the other in the second mode accumulates generated charges and starts a signal transfer in accordance with the control signal, then ends the signal transfer and determines the held signal.
US08754975B2
A digital video camera performs a method to improve the image quality of captured images in a video image stream. The method includes capturing a first subset of images, outputting the images of the first subset of images as the video image stream, moving an image sensor and/or a lens of the digital video camera from a respective normal position to a respective test position before capturing an image of a second subset of images. The digital video camera captures a second subset of images interspersed with the first subset of images, compares image quality of the first subset of images with an image of the second subset of images, and determines if the image of the second subset of images exhibits improved image quality as compared with the image of the first subset of images. If so, an image quality improvement operation is initiated.
US08754973B2
A solid-state imaging device includes unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, and reads a pixel signal from the unit pixels selected for each of the rows. The device includes: column signal lines provided for the columns of the unit pixels; amplifying transistors included in the unit pixels and each outputting the pixel signal; correlated double sampling units provided for the columns of the unit pixels and each performing correlated double sampling on a reset component of the pixel signal and on a data component including the reset component and a signal component of the pixel signal so as to sample the signal component; and low-pass filters each (i) inserted in the column signal line between an output terminal of the amplifying transistor and the correlated double sampling unit or (ii) included in the correlated double sampling unit.
US08754970B2
A solid-state image capture device including: a pixel having a photoelectric conversion element and first to fourth switch elements; a reference-signal generator that generates a reference signal; and an analog-to-digital converter that generates a digital signal corresponding to an analog signal output by the pixel, by using a comparator having first and second input terminals. The second switch element is turned on to reset a voltage of the predetermined connection point, the fourth switch element is turned on while a connection degree of the second switch element is in an intermediate state between an on state and an off state to cause the first and second input terminals to reach a same potential, and the second switch element is not turned on and at least one of the first and third switch elements is turned on to cause the analog-to-digital converter to perform conversion into a digital signal.
US08754969B2
In a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of focus detection pixels, each focus detection pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, the photoelectric conversion element having a light receiving surface, and a plurality of wiring layers to read a signal supplied by the photoelectric conversion element, the photoelectric conversion apparatus further includes a light shielding film covering a part of the photoelectric conversion element and having the lower surface positioned closer to a plane, which includes a light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion element and which is parallel to the light receiving surface, than a lower surface of the lowermost one of the plurality of wiring layers.
US08754966B2
Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including: a storage section configured to store a correction matrix correcting crosstalk generated by a light or electron leak from an adjacent pixel existing among a plurality of pixels for receiving light in an imaging device; and a processing section configured to carry out processing to apply the correction matrix stored in the storage section to an image signal generated by the imaging device for each of the pixels.
US08754964B2
Among defective pixels of an image sensor, defective pixels which need to be corrected are determined depending on the type and defect level for individual defective pixels and on image capturing conditions. Depending on the types of the defective pixels, the correspondences between the image capturing conditions and the defect levels of the defective pixels to be corrected are prepared in advance, thereby carrying out appropriate defective pixel correction in view of the fact that the dependence of the abnormal signal output level on the image capturing conditions differs depending on the type of defective pixel.
US08754958B2
A white balance adjusting apparatus and method generate a display image by performing display image signal processing to an input image, specify an area of the display image, output at least two sample images by applying at least two types of correction gains to the area of the display image, and apply the correction gain that is applied to one of the at least two sample images to the input image. Accordingly, a white subject does not have to be searched for to adjust white balance, and an image having a color sensitivity desired by the user can be obtained by performing white balance on colors other than white.
US08754955B2
An interface circuit for an image receiving apparatus is disclosed. The interface circuit includes a plurality of signal transporting units, and each of the signal transporting units has a first signal receiving terminal and a second signal receiving terminal for receiving a first input signal and a second input signal respectively. Each of the signal transporting units compares the first input signal and the second input signal to generate a compare result. Each of the signal transporting units outputs the first input signal and the second input signal and/or the compare result according to a setting mode.
US08754953B2
A digital camera system providing an extended focus range, comprising: a program memory storing instructions to implement a method for capturing a focused digital image. The method includes: setting an optical system F/# to a first F/#; capturing an evaluation image of the scene; analyzing the evaluation image to determine whether a subject is acceptably focused; if the subject is acceptably focused setting a capture F/# to be equal to the first F/#, otherwise the optical system F/# is iteratively increased until the subject is determined to be acceptably focused, or until a maximum F/# is reached; determining a capture F/# responsive to the F/# where the subject is acceptably focused; setting the optical system to use the capture F/#; capturing an archival image of the scene using the image sensor; and storing the captured archival image in a storage memory.
US08754951B2
Performing data processing more effectively for camera shake correction is desirable. Movement of an image-capturing device is compensated on the basis of displacement velocity of the image-capturing device detected by a displacement velocity detector and position regarding a focus adjustment member of the image-capturing device detected by a position detector. An input data format converter converts the displacement velocity detected at the displacement velocity detector from fixed-point format to floating-point format and converts the detected position of the focus member to floating-point data. Furthermore, a gyro filter uses data processing in floating-point format to calculate displacement data for a required amount the image-capturing device is to be displaced and a Hall filter uses data processing in floating-point format to generate drive data for the focus adjustment member. Then, the drive data in floating-point format from the Hall filter is converted to drive data in fixed-point format.
US08754949B2
A shake measurement system (1) is an apparatus for measuring the amount of shake of a camera (2), and comprises a first shake amount acquisition section, a second shake amount acquisition section, and a third shake amount acquisition section. The first shake amount acquisition section uses image processing to acquire the amount of shake of the camera (2) as a first shake amount. The second shake amount acquisition section acquires the amount of shake of the camera (2) as a second shake amount by a different method from that of the first shake amount acquisition section. The third shake amount acquisition section acquires the amount of translational shake of the camera (2) on the basis of the first shake amount and the second shake amount.
US08754940B2
Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring using a movable video device. The video device is movable to a plurality of positions definable by three dimensions. In an example method, the video device is moved to one of the plurality of positions. Within the video device, video data is acquired at the one of the plurality of positions. Further, within the video device, the acquired video data is processed using a processing algorithm that is configured according to a predetermined profile associated with the one of the plurality of positions. The result of the processing is sent to an external receiving device.
US08754938B2
A solder printing inspection apparatus for inspection of solder printed on a circuit board has a multiplicity of lands for mounting of electronic components. The apparatus includes an irradiation unit for irradiating a light on the circuit board, an imaging unit for imaging the circuit board irradiated by the light, a solder bridge detection unit for detecting a solder bridge connecting two of the lands based on an image data imaged by the imaging unit, a distance calculation unit for calculating a bridge distance as distance between two lands contacting the solder bridge or solder bridging regions or solder detection frames corresponding to the two lands contacting the solder bridge, and a distance determination unit for determination of whether or not the bridge distance is within a permissible range.
US08754923B2
There is provided an image capturing apparatus able to be draped onto a stand. The apparatus includes an image capture module for capturing at least one image; and a flexible cable originating from the image capture module for connection of the image capture module to a host. The flexible cable may be for supporting the image capture module at a desired position when the image capturing apparatus is draped onto the stand. Advantageously, locating the image capture module at the desired position enables a user to look at a lens of the image capture module in a manner where a recipient of an image of the user views the user looking directly at the recipient during a video conference session. There are also provided methods for enabling a user to appear to be looking directly at a recipient of an image of the user during a video conferencing session.
US08754922B2
Supporting a plurality of videoconferencing streams in a videoconference. The method may include receiving the plurality of videoconferencing streams and may include decoding a first videoconferencing stream of the plurality of videoconferencing streams. The method may also include selecting, for decoding, a second videoconferencing stream of the plurality of videoconferencing streams. The second videoconferencing stream may not be the first videoconferencing stream. The method may further include decoding, in response to said selecting, the second videoconferencing stream of the plurality of videoconferencing streams.
US08754921B2
A storage stores data of charging electric potentials at two or more points on a surface of an image carrier, and coordinates thereof expressed using a main-scanning position and a sub-scanning position thereof. A determination unit determines a correction value of a light power from the data of charging electric potentials at two or more points and coordinates thereof that have been read out from the storage unit. The correction value is applied to the light source so as to reduce the charging electric potential or the charging electric potential unevenness of coordinates on the surface of the image carrier. A correction unit uses the determined charging electric potential or correction value to correct the light power of the light source so as to mitigate an influence of charging unevenness at each set of coordinates.
US08754916B2
A label printer is provided. The label printer comprises a stationary housing (100) and a side cover (200) which are rotationally connected; a mechanism set is fixed in the stationary housing; at least two fixed shafts are set between a first side plate (800) and a second side plate (801) of the printer module frame; a pinch plate (5) used to support the second side plate is rotationally installed at the side of the mechanism base; a printer set (10,2,1) between the first side plate and the second side plate. The label printer in the invention is convenient to change or assemble the consumable.
US08754910B2
A control device includes a processor and a control button. The control button includes a key and an analog sensor coupled to the processor. The key is configured to be moved in a first direction and a second direction, which is substantially opposite from the first direction. The analog sensor is configured to detect an amount of movement of the key in the first direction and the second direction and send a control signal to the processor to indicate the amount of movement. Based on the control signal, the processor is configured to control zoom of a graphical object displayed on a computer monitor at a rate that is based on the amount of movement.
US08754909B2
A method and system render rasterized data by receiving non-rasterized page description language data and a corresponding transformation matrix representing transformation operations to be performed. The non-rasterized page description language data is rasterizing to create rasterized data. The corresponding transformation matrix is decomposed into a plurality of individual transformation operation matrices and a discrete transformation operation value, from a corresponding individual transformation operation matrix, is generated for each transformation operation to be performed upon the rasterized data. The transformation operations are performed upon the rasterized data based upon the generated discrete transformation operation values.
US08754903B2
A flat panel display, which can save manufacturing costs and allow various types of dither masks to be applied, and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The flat panel display includes a look-up table (LUT) storing one dither mask, which is used to algorithmically generate additional dither masks. The dither masks are applied to image data to improve image quality.
US08754898B1
Methods and apparatuses are described for application broadcasting. For one embodiment, pixel data being broadcast from a moderator to one or more participants is divided into tiles. Display data is generated for each tile. Each display data segment (segment) contains the pixel data for the tile, and also contains a tile identifier. The segments are periodically evaluated. If the pixel data has changed, the segment is replaced with the most recent segment corresponding to that tile. A time indicator is also included within each segment for each tile indicating the time at which the segment was updated. A participant DPS requests data from the server and provides the time indicator for the last segment it received. The server then transmits the current segment for each tile that has been updated subsequently. This allows presentation at the participant's DPS of the most current version of the moderator's display screen.
US08754897B2
A silicon chip of a monolithic construction for use in implementing a multiple core graphics processing and display subsystem in a computing system having a CPU, a system memory, an operating system (OS), a CPU bus, and a display device with a display surface. The computing system supports (i) one or more software applications for issuing graphics commands, (ii) one or more graphics libraries for storing data used to implement said graphics commands. The silicon chip comprises multiple graphic pipeline cores, a partial frame buffer for buffering pixels corresponding to image fragments, a routing center, control unit, and a display interface, for displaying composited images on the display surface of the computing system.
US08754895B2
The present invention related to processing image frames through a pipeline of effects by breaking the image frames into multiple blocks of image data. The example method includes generating a plurality of blocks from each frame, processing each block through a pipeline of effects in a predefined consecutive order, and aggregating the processed blocks to produce an output frame by combining the primary pixels from each processed block. The pipeline of effects may be distributed over a plurality of processing nodes, and each effect may process a block, provided as input to the node. Each processing node may independently process a block using an effect.
US08754894B2
A multi-user computer network, in which graphics performance of client machines running graphics-based applications is optimized using an automated Internet-based graphics application profile management system. The automated Internet-based graphics application profile management system includes an Internet-based communication server, operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, and to a central database server, through an application server. The central database server stores graphic application profiles (GAPs) for different graphics-based applications that are capable of running on the client machines. The graphics application profiles are stored in a profile database in the multi-GPU graphics rendering subsystem of each client machine. The Internet-based communication server communicates with each client machine over the Internet, and automatically programs updated graphics application profiles (GAPs) in the profile database of each client machine. This allows for the graphics performance of each client machine to be optimized during the run-time of the graphics-based applications.
US08754893B2
A method and apparatus employing selectable hardware accelerators in a data driven architecture are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of processing elements (PEs). A plurality of hardware accelerators are coupled to a selection unit. A register is coupled to the selection unit and the plurality of processing elements. In one embodiment, the register includes a plurality of general purpose registers (GPR), which are accessible by the plurality of processing elements, as well as the plurality of hardware accelerators. In one embodiment, at least one of the GPRs includes a bit to enable a processing element to enable access a selected hardware accelerator via the selection unit.
US08754890B2
A computer-readable medium, computer-implemented method, and system for generating a user interface is provided. One or more data presence indicators are generated which allows users to locate data on a graph displayed in the user interface by indicating where data is present, even when the data itself is not visible in the user interface. The system can modify the format of the data presence indicator depending on the location of the data. In one embodiment of the invention, the system can update the data presence indicators in response to a user modification of the magnification or scroll position of the user interface.
US08754889B2
Cursor synchronization in a plurality of graphs. A plurality of graphs may be displayed. Each graph may visually represent data and may include at least two axis. User input may be received specifying a value of a first axis of a first graph of the plurality of graphs. The method may determine if the first axis in the first graph corresponds to a first axis of a second graph in response to the user input. A visual indication may be indicated at a second value in the second graph in response to determining that the first axis in the first graph corresponds to the first axis of the second graph. The second value may correspond to the first value.
US08754882B2
Compensate for the variations of threshold voltage of a driving transistor. During the period of the reference signal voltage Vref being set to the signal line DTC, voltage between the gate and source of the driving transistor 10C is made equal to or greater than the threshold voltage of the driving transistor 10C, and the difference in voltage of the reference signal voltage Vref and the reference power supply voltage Vref_r is charged to the retentive capacitance 10B. At the same time, the voltage of the source of the said driving transistor 10C is set to the reference power supply voltage Vref_r to make the voltage applied to the light emitting element 10E equal to or lower than its threshold voltage, a voltage corresponding to the threshold voltage of the driving transistor 10C is held in the retentive capacitance 10B. During a period of time when a display signal voltage is set to the signal line DTC, the sampling transistor 10A is conducting, so as to sample the signal voltage, and this signal voltage is superposed on the threshold voltage held in the retentive capacitance.
US08754876B2
Disclosed herein is a display device including: a plurality of pixel circuits; a power source line connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of pixel circuits; and an output buffer circuit for supplying currents to corresponding ones of the plurality of pixel circuits by alternately applying a first potential applied to a first power source supply terminal, and a second potential applied to a second power source supply terminal to the power source line. The output buffer includes a variable resistance circuit connected to a path between the first power source supply terminal and the power source line, the variable resistance circuit serving to change a resistance value thereof in accordance with a magnitude of a total sum of the currents.
US08754872B2
In embodiments of capacitive touch controls lockout, a computing device includes a touch-screen display for user interaction, and includes one or more capacitive touch controls for user selection as a device input to initiate a device action. The computing device also includes a lockout service that is implemented to disable one or more of the capacitive touch controls based on user interaction with the touch-screen display.
US08754871B2
The present invention provides a capacitive touch sensing device and a scanning method thereof. The present invention divides a scanning procedure of an electrode matrix into two stages. First, it scans broadly for determining whether the potential signal of at least one driving line of the electrode matrix is changed or not. After that, the present invention is only directed to the driving line which the potential signal is changed to scan in detail, to determine whether the potential signal of each coupling node on the driving line is changed or not. Therefore, the present invention can achieve the purpose of improving sensing efficiency of the capacitive touch sensing device.
US08754867B2
The use of multiple stimulation frequencies and phases to generate an image of touch on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. Each of a plurality of sense channels can be coupled to a column in a touch sensor panel and can have multiple mixers. Each mixer in the sense channel can utilize a circuit capable generating a demodulation frequency of a particular frequency. At each of multiple steps, various phases of selected frequencies can be used to simultaneously stimulate the rows of the touch sensor panel, and the multiple mixers in each sense channel can be configured to demodulate the signal received from the column connected to each sense channel using the selected frequencies. After all steps have been completed, the demodulated signals from the multiple mixers can be used in calculations to determine an image of touch for the touch sensor panel at each frequency.
US08754851B2
Techniques for interacting with an electronic display board are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a remote controller includes a laser generator, several motion sensors, a Micro Central Unit has data process capability and memory inside to store programs and a transceiver or a transmitter. A laser beam from the laser generator facilitates a writing movement on the electronic data board, the motion sensors detect the movement of the remote controller, and the MCU calculate the sensor data to derive the movement, the transmitter transmits the movement from the controller to the electronic data board. In accordance of the detected movement, the movement of the remote controller corresponding to the laser is electronically represented on the electronic display board.
US08754850B2
An information processing apparatus includes a sensor for generating a sensor output signal responsive to the three-dimensional coordinate position of a detection target in a monitor space by detecting a capacitance in the monitor space, and outputting the sensor output signal, a position detector for detecting the three-dimensional coordinate position of the detection target in the monitor space from the sensor output signal of the sensor, a storage unit for storing coordinate information identifying a three-dimensional space region set in the monitor space, a determining unit for determining whether the three-dimensional coordinate position of the detection target in the monitor space is contained in the three-dimensional set space region, based on the three-dimensional coordinate position of the detection target detected by the position detector and the coordinate information stored on the storage, and an output unit for outputting determination results of the determining unit.
US08754849B2
An information input device includes: an applying element having a ring shape so that an finger of a user is inserted into the applying element; a receiving element having a ring shape so that an finger of a user is inserted into the receiving element and disposed adjacent to the applying element in an extending direction of a center line of the applying element; a signal generating element generating and transmitting a waveform signal to the apply element so that the applying element outputs a measurement signal; and a signal extracting element extracting a signal relating to a posture of the finger from a reception signal, which is output from the receiving element based on the measurement signal received by the receiving element.
US08754848B2
Information is presented to a user based on a current state of an end-user device (e.g., a mobile phone). In one embodiment, a method includes: detecting, via a user device, a predefined user motion of a user (e.g., a flick of a trackball or gesture on a touch screen); determining a current state of the user device based on at least one characteristic; and in response to detecting the user motion, presenting, via a display of the user device, information (e.g., a person profile) to the user based on the current state.
US08754836B2
A driving circuit for driving a liquid crystal display device having a plurality of gate lines, data lines and switch elements connected to the gate and data lines includes a data driver for applying a plurality of data signals to the date lines, a gate driver for applying a plurality of gate signals to the gate lines, a timing controller for providing a plurality of control signals to the data and gate drivers, a power supply for generating a power voltage, and a discharging circuit for applying a first signal and a second signal to the gate driver in accordance with the power voltage.
US08754835B2
A display device includes: a liquid crystal display panel; and a driver circuit that drives the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal layer, pixel electrodes provided in a region facing the liquid crystal layer and which apply a voltage thereto, and a phase difference layer and a polarizing plate each provided on a side, relative to the liquid crystal layer, which ambient light enters. Each of the pixel electrodes includes a plurality of partial electrodes, and the driver circuit selects one or more partial electrodes from the partial electrodes to which a constant voltage is to be applied in accordance with an image signal. The constant voltage causes the liquid crystal display panel to be in a white state. The driver circuit performs gray-scale display by modulating lighting area of each pixel at a frame rate of less than 60 Hz.
US08754832B2
A system and method for accenting regions of a layer including a lighting system including a plurality of light sources operable to emit polychromatic light and a layer having two or more regions configured to diffusively scatter light within a wavelength range while absorbing light not within the wavelength range. The regions may be configured to represent recognizable characters or images, and may form a sequence. The lighting system may highlight the regions individually or simultaneously. The layer may be attachable to a surface and may further include non-highlighted regions. The system may also include appliqués applied to a surface and a cover layer transparent to certain wavelengths of light that the appliqués scatter.
US08754826B2
An antenna device that includes an antenna having a single feed and a shunt circuit. The shunt circuit includes a first shunt matching circuit causing impedance, viewed from a main path connecting the antenna and a radio frequency circuit, to be substantially infinite with respect to all frequency ranges handled by the antenna, and a second shunt matching circuit providing a predetermined impedance characteristic with respect to a first subset of the frequency ranges handled by the antenna. Each of the first and second shunt matching circuits are selectively connected to the main path, and a selection controller of the antenna device controls selection of which of the first and second shunt matching circuits are connected to the main path.
US08754825B2
A method includes, during transmission and/or reception of a radio frequency signal, detecting an impedance associated with an antenna connected with a matching network; algorithmically determining a reactance value of at least one reactive element that forms a part of the matching network in accordance with the detected impedance and at least one parameter including at least one of a currently used radio frequency, at least one user/device factor, at least one radio frequency offset value, and at least one predetermined constant; and setting the value of the at least one reactive element to match the determined value.
US08754813B2
An apparatus for protecting a human body from electromagnetic waves includes: a radiator including an antenna; and a periodic structure that is combined with the radiator to form a radiation unit and has a plurality of unit cells periodically arranged, wherein each of the unit cells of the periodic structure contains a ground layer; an electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) board formed on the ground layer and serving as a dielectric spacer; and an EBG pattern made of metal and formed on the EBG board.
US08754805B2
Method and apparatus are provided for image based positioning comprising capturing a first image with an image capturing device. Wherein said first image includes at least one object. Moving the platform and capturing a second image with the image capturing device. The second image including the at least one object. Capturing in the first image an image of a surface; capturing in the second image a second image of the surface. Processing the plurality of images of the object and the surface using a combined feature based process and surface tracking process to track the location of the surface. Finally, determining the location of the platform by processing the combined feature based process and surface based process.
US08754792B2
A system and method combine an entropy coding algorithm like Huffman or arithmetic coding with a fixed length coding scheme and can improve the compression performance in a fixed rate compression scheme. The fixed length code assigns codes with a fixed length to symbols that have the highest probability of occurrence. Therefore, fixed length coding is used if all symbols in the sequence are from the set of symbols that have the highest probability values. Otherwise an entropy coding algorithm (e.g. Huffman coding) is used to encode quantized symbols.
US08754786B2
A method of operating an aircraft comprising a cockpit with a flight deck having at least one flight display, a pilot's seat facing the flight deck, and a synthetic vision system producing a synthetic image for displaying on the at least one flight display.
US08754777B1
Systems and methods display data relevant to a user's trip along an inferred route and destination of a user device. First, the method receives a current device location from the device. Next, historical route and destination data of users that traveled through the current device location is retrieved. Determining a most likely route and destination of the user is determined. Points of interest along the inferred route are retrieved. The points of interest and the inferred route are transmitted to the device. Furthermore, a module calculates whether there is enough extant battery capacity to sustain the inferred route to the inferred destination.
US08754772B2
A non-contact vital sign sensing system including a vital sign sensing module and at least one body movement interference cancellation module is provided. The vital sign sensing module and the at least one body movement interference cancellation module are under a self-injection locking (SIL) mode. The vital sign sensing module senses an isotropic vital sign of a body. A mutual injection locking (MIL) mode is achieved between the vital sign sensing module and the at least one body movement interference cancellation module to sense the anisotropic body movement signal and to cancel the body movement interference.
US08754767B2
A geographic localization system and method, which is able to accurately calculate its current location anywhere in the world based on the processing of information received from at least one of several wireless sources available at the moment, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, etc and from available positioning means such as GPS.
US08754754B2
The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for wireless management of articles. The method is implemented by a master RFID tag. The method includes transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag and receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal. Each of the first RFID response signals comprises an identifier associated with an article. The method further includes maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag and comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record. Finally, the method further includes transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a master RFID tag comprising a first communication unit, a memory unit, a processing unit and a second communication unit.
US08754753B2
The selection of at least one back-modulation element of an electromagnetic transponder from among a plurality of resistive and/or capacitive modulation elements of the load of an oscillating circuit of the transponder, including selecting the modulation element(s) according to a binary message received from a read/write terminal.
US08754748B2
A wireless scanning system for obtaining data related to items includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to interrogate RFID tags and obtain tag data from interrogated RFID tags, and a mobile wireless device that is incapable of interrogating RFID tags. The system uses a device RFID tag in close proximity to the mobile wireless device, where the device RFID tag is configured to convey data that identifies the mobile wireless device when interrogated by the RFID reader. When the mobile wireless device is within close proximity to an item of interest having a corresponding item RFID tag, the RFID reader interrogates the device RFID tag and the item RFID tag. Thereafter, the RFID reader routes the item tag data in a manner destined for the mobile wireless device. This system enables the mobile wireless device to obtain the item tag data even though the mobile wireless device has no native RFID reader capabilities.
US08754746B2
Operating a game controller to identify a user by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing of the at least partially processed touch pad input to identify the user via pattern recognition. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by identifying at least one finger orientation, at least one finger spacing, at least one finger width, a plurality of finger knuckle/joint locations, and/or a plurality of finger lengths based upon the touch pad input.
US08754743B2
An electronic device that includes an interface that connects to a charging apparatus and exchanges authentication information with a server via a network. The electronic device also includes a control unit that controls charging of a battery of the electronic device based on power received from the charging apparatus. Upon completion of the charging operation, the interface of the electronic device transmits information for calculating a tax based on the charging operation to the server.
US08754736B2
Disclosed is an inductor structure. The inductor structure includes a base material, at least one bottom spiral conductor disposed on the base material, a middle spiral conductor disposed on the bottom spiral conductor, a top spiral conductor disposed on the middle spiral conductor, and dielectric material separating the bottom, middle and top spiral conductors. The at least one bottom spiral conductor is connected electrically in parallel to the middle spiral conductor and the middle spiral conductor is connected electrically in series to the top spiral conductor. The top spiral conductor is thicker, narrower and less tightly wound than the middle spiral conductor and the bottom spiral conductor.
US08754716B2
A ring oscillator includes (2N+1) inverting delay circuit cells, and each delay circuit cell has an input port and an output port, where N is an integer larger than zero. Each of these (2N+1) inverting delay circuit cells receives a control voltage, and all of the (2N+1) inverting delay circuit cells are electrically connected with each other in series. Furthermore, the input port of one of the (2N+1) inverting delay circuit cells is electrically connected with the output port of an adjacent delay circuit cell of the (2N+1) inverting delay circuit cells.
US08754701B2
An interleaved filter circuit has a delay element configured to receive an input signal. An interleaved output buffer has a first input which receives the input signal and a second input which receives the output of the delay element. An output of the interleaved output buffer is driven when the first input and the second input are at a same logic level.
US08754699B2
A filter is implemented as cascaded stages, and in at least one stage all resistances are implemented as double-sampled switched-capacitor circuits. In a variation, at least one resistance is implemented as a double-sampled switched-capacitor T-network. In a variation, in an integrator stage, a resistance is implemented as a transconductance, and the cutoff frequency of the integrator stage scales with a switching frequency of a DC-DC voltage converter.
US08754695B2
Buffers, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods for adjusting drive strength of a buffer are disclosed. In an example apparatus, the buffer includes a driver. The driver includes a pull-up circuit coupled to a supply voltage node and an output node, and also includes a pull-down circuit coupled to a reference voltage node and the output node. A drive adjust circuit is coupled to at least one of the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit, with the drive adjust circuit configured to receive a feedback signal and, based at least in part on the feedback signal, adjust a current conducted through the at least one of the pull-up and pull-down circuits.
US08754693B2
A nonvolatile latch circuit is provided. In the latch circuit, a transistor in which a channel region is formed with an oxide semiconductor, which is a wide band gap semiconductor, is included, and data is stored in a node formed by one terminal of a capacitor and one of a source and a drain of the transistor, and is brought into a floating state when the transistor is turned off. After that, even when charge stored in the node is insufficient at time of restoring the data, charge is supplied by feedback; therefore, time necessary for restoring the data can be shortened and even when the power supply is restarted in the state of storing data, the data can be restored at high speed.
US08754692B2
A dual edge triggered flip flop can pass data values on a clock rising or falling edge. The dual edge triggered flip flop can be operated at half the clock speed of a single edge triggered flip flop and produce substantially the same throughput. The dual edge triggered flip flop may use less power than a single edge triggered flip flop due at least in part to the construction of an intermediate gate as a data interlock gate. The dual edge triggered flip flop may contain a plurality of master nodes, and is soft error hardened compared to a single edge triggered flip flop.
US08754685B1
A circuit includes a delay line and a delay locked loop. The circuit is configured to receive a delay parameter and a clock signal. The delay locked loop is configured to generate a pair of control codes based on a frequency of the clock signal and a frequency of an oscillator of the delay locked loop. The delay locked loop is configured to determine a difference between the frequency of the clock signal and the frequency of the oscillator based on a phase of an output of the oscillator and a phase of the clock signal after the output of the oscillator and the clock signal are aligned. The delay line is configured to receive an input signal and generate an output signal delayed from the input signal by a time delay that corresponds to a delay line control code calculated from the pair of control codes and the delay parameter.
US08754684B1
A delay-locked loop (DLL) involves a pulse generating circuit that generates first and second pulses from an input clock signal. The second pulse is generated one clock signal period later than the first pulse. The first pulse is supplied to the input of a delay line. An edge of a delayed version of the first pulse as output from the delay line is phase-aligned with respect to a corresponding edge of the undelayed second pulse such that the DLL locks. The sending of pulses through the delay line of the DLL rather than clock signals having more edges per unit time helps reduce DLL aliasing problems and reduces the amount of switching in the delay line, thereby reducing power. consumption. A compact segmented delay line construction allows an input signal of arbitrary wave shape to be delayed by a fraction of the clock signal period.
US08754681B2
An improved approach is described for implementing a clock management system. A multi-part phase locked loop circuit is provided to handle the different clock needs of the circuit, where each of the phase locked loops within the multi-part phase locked loop circuit may feed a clock output to one or more divider circuits. The divider circuits may be dedicated to specific components. For example, a SoC PLL may generate a clock output to a SoC divider that is dedicated to providing a clock to content address memory (CAM) components. This approach allows the clock management system to efficiently generate clock signals with variable levels of frequencies, even for complicated circuits having many different functional portions and components.
US08754677B2
An input/output (I/O) driver is disclosed that employs a compensation circuit to limit the voltages across devices of the driver from exceeding a defined threshold to allow lower voltage devices to implement the operation of the driver. In particular, the driver employs a pull-up circuit including first and second switching devices coupled between a first voltage rail and an output of the driver. The driver employs a pull-down circuit including third and fourth switching devices coupled between the output and a second voltage rail. The I/O driver employs a compensation circuit configured to apply a compensation voltage to the node between the first and second switching devices and to the node between the third and fourth switching devices at the appropriate times to maintain the respective voltages across the second and third switching devices at or below a defined threshold, such as a reliability limit, during the operation of the driver.
US08754676B2
A high voltage waveform is generated that is similar to a low voltage input waveform. The high voltage waveform is a series of pulses that are applied directly to the device. An error signal controls the frequency, magnitude, and duration of the pulses. A feedback signal derived from the high voltage waveform is compared with the input waveform to produce the error signal.
US08754667B2
A transition delay test is conducted such that an internal circuit that is a test object circuit in a semiconductor device is divided into a plurality of circuit blocks and a determination test is conducted while changing concurrently operating circuit blocks, a power supply noise generated during conduction of the determination test is detected, a suitable circuit scale on which the transition delay test can be normally conducted without being affected by the influence of the power supply noise is determined based on the result of the determination test and the detected power supply noise, and clocks to be supplied to the circuit blocks are controlled based on the determination result to limit the number of the concurrently operating circuit blocks.
US08754665B2
A dual-stage fixture for a circuit tester includes a slide plate that can be slid between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, an upper stripper plate is spring-loaded, and a full set of test probes, including both long-stroke and short-stroke probes, can contact the circuit board or UUT (unit under test). In the second position, the upper stripper plate becomes fixed in position, and only the long-stroke probes can contact the circuit board. The fixed positioning of the upper stripper plate prevents the short-stroke probes from contacting the circuit board even when there is unbalanced loading of probe pressure between the top and bottom of the circuit board, thereby preventing transient signals from interfering with testing. In addition, a vacuum is applied in this position during a non-powered test.
US08754663B2
A circuit for simulating an electrical load at a terminal of a test circuit having at least one first switch and at least one second switch includes a third switch connected to the first switch of the test circuit via a first external connection point. A fourth switch is connected to the second switch of the test circuit via a second external connection point. The first switch and the second switch are connected via a shared, first internal connection point to the terminal of the test circuit and the third switch and the fourth switch are connected via a shared, second internal connection point such that that the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch form an H-bridge circuit. A voltage source is configured to provide the first and second external connection points with a supply voltage. A controllable voltage source is connected in a transverse bridge branch between the terminal and the second internal connection point. An inductance is active in the transverse bridge branch. A current-control unit is operable on the controllable voltage source so as to adjust, to a predetermined setpoint current, an actual current flowing over the terminal of the test circuit and over the transverse bridge branch.
US08754658B1
A method for controlling an amplitude of an incoming light is provided. The method includes attenuating a portion of the incoming light within a first band having a tunable peak attenuation wavelength using a tunable filter; passing a portion of the incoming light from the tunable filter within a second band using a fixed filter; and controlling the amplitude of the incoming light by tuning the peak attenuation wavelength of the tunable filter.
US08754654B2
A power supply device includes battery units. Each unit includes a battery block, a voltage detector, a power supply circuit, and a disconnection detector. The block includes serially-connected battery cells. The voltage detector detects the cell voltages through voltage detection lines. The power supply circuit supplies power from the block to the voltage detector. The voltage detector is powered by electric power from the block. The disconnection detector detects disconnection of the lines based on the detected cell voltages. An unbalance resistor is connected to one of the blocks to increase power consumption of this block. Thus, a current flows in the line that is connected to a node between this block and an adjacent block connected next to this block.
US08754646B2
A method is provided for acquiring multiple NMR response signal data in rapid succession for averaging NMR spectral data from a sample. The fluid sample is placed in a capillary that extends through the magnetic field of the NMR spectrometer, including through the center of the magnetic field to place a segment of the sample in the magnetic center. After the sample fluid, initially magnetized by the magnetic field, is activated to emit an NMR pulse signal, the fluid in the capillary is advanced rapidly to put another pre-magnetized segment of the sample fluid in the fluid center, acquiring an NRM pulse signal, and continuing the cycle until a desired number of NMR response data signals from the sample have been acquired. Those response data from multiple acquisitions are then averaged.
US08754645B2
In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and apparatus for spatially resolved determination of at least one MR parameter that influences an MR signal detected in an MR measurement of a region of an examination subject, first complex image data and second complex image data, respectively acquired with different acquisition coils and at different echo times in an echo imaging sequence, are provided to a processor. The different image data sets have complex image points that correspond with each other with regard to the imaged volume element of the examination subject. The MR parameter is determined in the processor for at least a portion of these image points by determination of an image point vector respectively for the first and second echo times and by combining the image point vectors to at least partially compensate echo time-independent phase or magnitude portions in the acquired image data.
US08754644B2
Apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the imaging system generating a magnetic imaging field in an imaging region (5), the apparatus including at least one coil for at least one of transmitting, receiving or transceiving an electromagnetic field, a field component (4) (such as a coil or a shield) and a drive (6) coupled to the field component for moving the field component (4) relative to the imaging region (5) to thereby modify the electromagnetic field during imaging process. The same concept can also be applied to nuclear imaging or nuclear spectroscopy apparatus.
US08754632B2
An integrated circuit in which a power terminal, a ground terminal, an input terminal and an internal circuit are formed, has a unidirectional circuit of a direction from the input terminal to the power terminal, the unidirectional circuit being provided between the input terminal and the power terminal; and a power state determination circuit which detects whether the power terminal is connected to an external power source or not to output a power open detection signal. And the unidirectional circuit includes a first transistor in which a voltage of the power terminal is applied to a gate, and a second transistor connected to the first transistor in series, and a voltage of the external power source is input to the input terminal.
US08754625B2
A converter according to one embodiment converts an AC voltage to a regulated output current provided to a DC load of a Z-type configuration. A filter capacitor is provided to average current flowing through the load. The converter includes a rectifier network for rectifying the AC voltage and for providing a rectified voltage, and a smoothing capacitor for smoothing the rectified voltage. The converter includes a hysteretic current mode controller which controls a switching transistor based on sensed voltage and sensed current provided through an inductor coupled in series with the load. The transistor is turned on when current reaches a low valley level and is turned off when the current reaches a peak level. Operation toggles in this manner while a sensed voltage is above a predetermined level. A valley fill network may be provided to keep sensed voltage from falling below the predetermined minimum level.
US08754622B2
An automatic voltage compensation circuit in a voltage regulator compensates the output voltage for a voltage drop along lines leading to a remote load. A load capacitor is connected across the load for providing a low impedance across the load during a test phase of the regulator. In one embodiment, during the test phase, the load current is changed up or down a small percentage (e.g., 10%). As a result, the regulator voltage changes due only to the line resistance since the load is bypassed by the load capacitor. The voltage drop at full load current is then derived by detecting the change in regulator output voltage (a fractional voltage drop) and multiplying it. The normal mode is resumed, and the derived voltage drop is added to the regulator output by either compensating the feedback loop or by adding the voltage drop to the output of the regulator.
US08754620B2
Described herein are principles for designing and operating a voltage regulator that will function stably and accurately without an external capacitance for all or a wide range of load circuits and characteristics of load circuits. In accordance with some of these principles, a voltage regulator is disclosed having multiple feedback loops, each responding to transients with different speeds, that operate in parallel to adjust an output current of the regulator in response to variations in the output current/voltage due to, for example, variations in a supply voltage and/or variations in a load current. In this way, a voltage regulator can respond quickly to variations in the output current/voltage and can avoid entering an unstable state.
US08754611B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that adaptively charges a battery, wherein the battery is a lithium-ion battery which includes a transport-limiting electrode governed by diffusion, an electrolyte separator and a non-transport-limiting electrode. During operation, the system determines a lithium surface concentration at an interface between the transport-limiting electrode and the electrolyte separator based on a diffusion time for lithium in the transport-limiting electrode. Next, the system calculates a charging current or a charging voltage for the battery based on the determined lithium surface concentration. Finally, the system applies the charging current or the charging voltage to the battery.
US08754608B2
Provided are a system and a method for inductive charging of an electronic device, including: a charging pad including a first coil which generates a magnetic field when power is applied; and an electronic device which includes a second coil and charges a battery using an induced current induced in the second coil as the first coil generates the magnetic field, wherein the charging pad performs data communication with the electronic device and moves the electronic device so that the maximum charging value is induced in the second coil. Data communication between the charging pad and the electronic device is fed back in real time, so that the electronic device can be disposed at a position where optimal charging efficiency can be exhibited.
US08754604B2
Embodiments of the invention comprise a multi-input range box driven by multiple electric drives. Range shifting involves momentarily increasing the current through all but a given motor, to a level that will carry the entire load, comprising specified constant power. Simultaneously, torque of the given motor is reduced to zero. The given motor is then disconnected from supplying power, is synchronized to the input speed of the new speed range, and is then engaged for the new range. The above sequence is then repeated for each remaining motors, in turn. The motor current is re-equalized for all of the motors, after all the motors have been connected to provide power at the new range. Thus, there is no interruption in power flow during a range shift, and the motors are always used to deliver power, rather than to serve as a brake.
US08754600B2
In a method and a device for identifying a reversing operation in an electric actuating unit of a vehicle, once a trapped object is detected, the rotational direction of the electromotive drive is commutated. Sequential pulse interval counter values, derived from a sensor system or data derived from the values is or are written to a ring buffer store and compared with pre-defined reference data patterns. If a match is found, the counter reading of the position counter is corrected in accordance with the pre-defined reference data pattern. This ensures that the counter reading of the position counter is correct even after a reversing operation.
US08754598B2
A motor drive apparatus that can be used to drive a wide range of brushless motors without any limit to a magnetic pole number of a rotor magnet. One rotational period T of the rotor magnet is obtained, and one period S of the sine wave drive signal according to a mathematical expression of S=T/(n/2). The one period S of the sine wave drive signal is updated at intervals of one period of the output signal from one magnetic pole detecting element among the three magnetic pole detecting elements.
US08754596B2
A DC high voltage source may include a capacitor stack having a first electrode that can be brought to a first potential, a second electrode arranged concentrically with the first electrode and which can be brought to a second potential different from the first potential, at least one intermediate electrode arranged concentrically between the first and second electrodes and which can be brought to an intermediate potential between the first and second potentials, a switching device for charging the capacitor stack, to which switching device the electrodes of the capacitor stack are connected and which is configured such that upon operation of the switching device the electrodes of the capacitor stack arranged concentrically with respect to each other can be brought to increasing potential levels, wherein the switching device comprises electron tubes, e.g., controllable electron tubes. A particle accelerator comprising such a DC high voltage source is also provided.
US08754586B2
An LED illumination system includes a DC power supply, at least two LED illumination lamp sets and at least two power circuits corresponding to the LED illumination lamp sets. The DC power supply provides sufficient electric power for the LED illumination lamp sets and is connected to the LED illumination lamp sets via the power circuits. The invention supplies electric power required by the LED illumination lamp sets via a single DC power supply without an extra DC power supply, hence the cost is lower. Moreover, the DC power supply is located remote from the LED illumination lamp sets, hence high temperature generated by the DC power supply does not affect lighting and lifespan of the LED illumination lamp sets. The hazard of electric shock by inadvertently touching the AC power source while replacing lamps in the LED illumination lamp sets can also be avoided to improve safety.
US08754581B2
An arrangement wherein a plurality of LED strings are driven with a balanced drive signal, i.e. a drive signal wherein the positive side and negative side are of equal energy over time, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the drive signal is balanced responsive to a capacitor provided between a switching network and a driving transformer. Balance of current between various LED strings is provided by a balancing transformer.
US08754579B2
The present invention provides a light emitting diode (LED) driving device as a semiconductor device, which comprises: a direct current/direct current (DC/DC) controller, for controlling an output segment that is used to generate an output voltage from an input voltage and supply the output voltage to an LED; an output current driver, for generating an output current of the LED; and an LED short-circuit detection circuit, for monitoring a cathode voltage of the LED to perform an LED short-circuit detection, wherein the LED short-circuit detection circuit controls whether an action is performed or not according to a short-circuit detection enable signal input from outside the LED driving device.
US08754577B2
An EL display device capable of reducing an average film resistance of an anode in an EL device as well as displaying an image with high definition, and electrical equipment including such an EL display device are provided. A light-shielding metal film (109) is provided on an anode (108) so as to conceal gaps between the pixels. Thus, an average film resistance of the anode (108) in the EL device is reduced. Furthermore, light leakage from the gaps between the pixels can be prevented, resulting in an image display with high definition.
US08754576B2
One embodiment relates to a mercury-free low-pressure lamp having a bulb. The bulb includes an emissive material and one or more phosphors. The emissive material includes at least one of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, wherein when the bulb is in a non-operational state, the emissive material condenses into a liquid or solid, and when the bulb is in an operational state the emissive material forms an emitter, the emitter in combination with one or more gases generate photons when excited by an electrical discharge. The one or more phosphors are configured to convert at least a portion of the photons to other visible wavelengths.
US08754571B2
A two-axis inertial positioner comprises a cascaded stack of orthogonal actuators mounted on a base and a platform frictionally mounted to the top surface of one of the actuators. An alignment cartridge overlies the platform and a clamp block overlies the alignment cartridge. Ball and groove bearings are provided between the platform, alignment cartridge and clamp block to provide two axes of motion corresponding to the two operational axes of the actuators.
US08754565B2
The stator is formed by a pack (10) of stacked magnetic laminations (12), each of which has a central opening (14) and a plurality of peripheral holes (18), in such a way that the overlapping of identically shaped holes (18) in the laminations (12) defines respective passages through the pack (10). The faces of the laminations (12) are substantially flat and retaining means are associated with the holes (18) in an end lamination (12a) of the pack (10), these means protruding into the openings of the respective holes (18) in the end lamination (12a) without interfering with the other laminations (12) of the pack (10).The corresponding production process provides for: inserting a pin (22) into each of the passages through the pack (10) at the end of which the retaining means are located, these means retaining the pin (22) and keeping the pack (10) close-packed; subjecting the close-packed pack (10) to heat treatment; releasing the pins (22) from the grip of the retaining means; and extracting them from the corresponding passages.
US08754544B2
An Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) for an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for servicing a load is disclosed. The UPS system has at least one of a first UPS group and a second separate and independent UPS group, each of the first and second UPS groups having a master UPS. The ISM has a processing circuit and a storage medium, readable by the processing circuit, storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for: assigning the first UPS group the role of master group and the second UPS group the role of slave group; and, passing phase information relating to the master group to the slave group, thereby enabling the master UPS of the slave group to effect synchronization with the master group.
US08754543B2
The invention relates to power networks, and in particular to a battery energy source arrangement and voltage source converter system in such network. The battery energy source arrangement includes battery energy storage, having one or more parallel-connected battery strings and a mechanism for connecting a voltage of the battery strings to a load. The battery energy source arrangement further includes battery string voltage adapter devices connected in series with respective ones of the one or more battery strings wherein the battery string voltage adapter devices are designed to handle only a fraction of the voltage handled by the battery strings.
US08754523B2
A surface-mounted electronic component including balls bonded to its front surface and, on the front surface, a protective resin layer having a thickness smaller than the ball height, wherein grooves extend in the resin layer between balls of the chip.
US08754518B1
A semiconductor device includes a package substrate having a plurality of conductive elements, each of the conductive elements including a conductive trace and a bond finger positioned at an end of the conductive trace. The bond fingers can be arranged on the package substrate in at least three groups. A first group of the three groups can include a first number of the bond fingers. A third group of the three groups can include a third number of the bond fingers. A second group of the three groups can include an intermediate number of the bond fingers. The intermediate number is between the first and the third numbers. Spacing between the conductive elements along the length of the conductive elements is approximately the same.
US08754517B2
Disclosed herein is a double side cooling power semiconductor module including: a first cooler having a concave part formed in one surface thereof in a thickness direction; a first semiconductor chip mounted on the concave part of the first cooler; a second cooler having one surface and the other surface and formed on one surface of the first cooler so that one surface thereof contacts the first semiconductor chip; a circuit board formed on the other surface of the second cooler; a second semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit board; and a flexible substrate having a circuit layer electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips to each other.
US08754514B2
A multi-chip wafer level package comprises three stacked semiconductor dies. A first semiconductor die is embedded in a first photo-sensitive material layer. A second semiconductor die is stacked on top of the first semiconductor die wherein the second semiconductor die is face-to-face coupled to the first semiconductor die. A third semiconductor die is back-to-back attached to the second semiconductor die. Both the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die are embedded in a second photo-sensitive material layer. The multi-chip wafer level package further comprises a plurality of through assembly vias formed in the first photo-sensitive material layer and the second photo-sensitive material layer.
US08754513B1
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a lead frame for accommodating a semiconductor die. The lead frame includes a die attach pad, a first plurality of conductive finger ends, and a second plurality of conductive finger ends. The first plurality of conductive finger ends are arranged within a first elongated region. This first elongated region is located along the first edge of the die attach pad. The second plurality of conductive finger ends is arranged within a second elongated region. The second elongated region has an end adjacent to an end of the first elongated region. The second elongated region is positioned at an angle that is greater than ninety degrees from the first elongated region.
US08754510B2
A conduction path includes a first conduction path forming plate (11) made of a first metal and having a through hole (13), and a second conduction path forming plate (15) made of a second metal and having a press-fit portion (17) press-fitted into the through hole. A wall surface of the through hole and a side surface of the press-fit portion forms an inclined bonding surface (18) inclined relative to a normal line of an overlap surface of the first conduction path forming plate and the second conduction path forming plate, and a bonding portion (25) formed by metal flow is formed in a region located in a periphery of the inclined bonding surface.
US08754506B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that includes a semiconductor substrate comprising a first surface having one or more integrated circuit devices formed thereon and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein one or more vias are formed through the semiconductor substrate to couple the first surface with the second surface. The apparatus may further include a redistribution layer coupled with the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the one or more vias couple the redistribution layer with the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. Other embodiments including, for example, associated packages and methods may be described and/or claimed.
US08754505B2
A method of producing a heterostructure by bonding at least one first substrate having a first thermal expansion coefficient onto a second substrate having a second thermal expansion coefficient, with the first thermal expansion coefficient being different from the second thermal expansion coefficient. Prior to bonding, trenches are formed in one of the two substrates from the bonding surface of the substrate. The trenches are filled with a material having a third thermal expansion coefficient lying between the first and second thermal expansion coefficients.
US08754495B1
A method of fabricating a photodiode array having different photodiode structures includes providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second diode areas including a bottom substrate portion doped with a first doping type, an intrinsic layer, and a top silicon layer doped with a second doping type. The second diode areas are implanted with the second doping type. A dopant concentration in the surface of the second diode areas is at least three times higher than in the first diode areas. The top silicon layer is thermally oxidized to form a thermal silicon oxide layer to provide a bottom Anti-Reflective Coating (ARC) layer. The second diode areas grow thermal silicon oxide thicker as compared to the first diode areas. A top ARC layer is deposited on the bottom ARC layer. First PDs are provided in the first diode areas and second PDs provided in the second diode areas.
US08754494B2
According to one embodiment, a solid-state image sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of pixels are arranged, a transparent substrate including a first through via provided in an opening formed in advance to extend through, an adhesive including a second through via connected to the first through via and configured to bond the semiconductor substrate and the transparent substrate while exposing the pixels, and an imaging lens unit arranged on the transparent substrate.
US08754492B2
An entry slit panel for a push-broom hyperspectral camera is formed at least partly from a silicon wafer on which at least one companion sensor is fabricated, whereby the companion sensor is co-planar with the slit and detects light imaged on the panel but not on the slit. In embodiments, the companion sensor is a panchromatic sensor or a sensor that detects light outside the wavelength range of the camera. At least a region of the wafer is back-thinned to a thickness appropriate for a diffraction slit. The slit can be etched or laser cut through the thinned region, or formed between the wafer and another wafer or a conventional blade. The wafer can be back-coated or metalized to ensure its opacity across the camera's wavelength range. The companion sensor can be located relative to the slit to detect scene features immediately before or after the hyperspectral camera.
US08754491B2
An apparatus is provided for bidirectional writing. A stack includes a reference layer on a tunnel barrier, the tunnel barrier on a free layer, and the free layer on a metal spacer. The apparatus includes an insulating magnet. A Peltier material is thermally coupled to the insulating magnet and the stack. When the Peltier/insulating magnet interface is cooled, the insulating magnet is configured to transfer a spin torque to rotate a magnetization of the free layer in a first direction. When the Peltier/insulating magnet interface is heated, the insulating magnet is configured to transfer the spin torque to rotate the magnetization of the free layer in a second direction.
US08754488B2
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method (e.g., to fabricate a semiconductor device having a borderless contact) including: forming a first gate structure on a substrate; depositing an interlevel dielectric over the first gate structure; planarizing the interlevel dielectric to expose a top surface of the first gate structure; removing at least a portion of the first gate structure; forming a second gate structure in place of the first gate structure; forming a contact area for the borderless contact by removing a portion of the interlevel dielectric; and forming the borderless contact by filling the contact area with a metal-containing material.
US08754486B2
A method includes forming an ESD diode including performing an epitaxy growth to form an epitaxy region comprising silicon and substantially free from germanium. The epitaxy region is doped with a p-type impurity to form a p-type region, wherein the p-type region forms an anode of the ESD diode.
US08754485B2
A 3-dimensional (3-D) non-volatile memory device includes a first channel protruding from a substrate, a selection gate formed on sidewalls of the first channel and in an L shape, and a gate insulating layer interposed between the first channel and the selection gate and surrounding the first channel. A method of manufacturing a 3-D non-volatile memory device includes forming first channels protruding from a substrate, forming a first gate insulating layer surrounding the first channels, and forming first selection gates having an L shape on sidewalls of the first channels on which the first gate insulating layers are formed.
US08754482B2
A semiconductor device and its manufacturing method are provided. The semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor substrate of a first semiconductor material, a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate, a crystal lattice dislocation line in a channel under the gate structure for generating channel stress, wherein the crystal lattice dislocation line being at an angle to the channel.
US08754481B2
An SGT-based static memory cell which is a six-transistor SRAM cell includes an SGT driver transistor including a first gate electrode surrounding a first gate insulating film and composed of at least a metal; an SGT selection transistor including a second gate electrode surrounding a second gate insulating film and composed of at least a metal; an SGT load transistor including a third gate electrode surrounding a third gate insulating film and composed of at least a metal; and a gate wire connected to the second gate electrode. An island-shaped semiconductor layer of the driver transistor has a peripheral length that is less than twice that of an island-shaped semiconductor layer of the selection transistor. A voltage applied to the second gate electrode is lower than a voltage applied to a first-conductivity-type high-concentration semiconductor layer on the upper part of the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the selection transistor.
US08754480B2
A power transistor and a power converter are disclosed that may improve the on-resistance and corresponding silicon area of a power transistor. The power transistor may comprise a drain, a source, and a channel therebetween divided into a plurality of transistor stripes, the plurality of transistor stripes being grouped in a plurality of different groups. The power transistor may further comprise a first top metal associated with one of the drain and the source, and a second top metal associated with the other of the drain and the source. The second top metal includes at least one portion that is coupled to different groups of transistor stripes. A related method for determining a layout topology of a power transistor is also disclosed.
US08754467B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region; a plurality of stacked structures each of which is disposed on the semiconductor region and has a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, an upper insulating layer, and a control electrode stacked sequentially; an element isolation insulating layer disposed on side faces of the plurality of stacked structures; and a source-drain region disposed on the semiconductor region and among the plurality of stacked structures. The element isolation insulating layer includes at least one of SiO2, SiN, and SiON, the upper insulating layer is an oxide containing at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of a rare earth metal, Y, Zr, and Hf, and Si, and respective lengths Lcharge, Ltop, and Lgate of the charge storage layer, the upper insulating layer, and the control electrode in a channel length direction satisfy the relation “Lcharge
US08754462B2
A semiconductor device includes a first electrode electrically connected to an upper surface of a semiconductor element, a first internal electrode electrically connected to a lower surface of the semiconductor element and having a plurality of first comb finger portions and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first comb finger portions together, a second electrode electrically connected to the first internal electrode, a second internal electrode electrically connected to a lower surface of the first electrode and having a plurality of second comb finger portions and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second comb finger portions together, the plurality of second comb finger portions being interdigitated with but not in contact with the plurality of first comb finger portions, and a lower dielectric filling the space between the plurality of first comb finger portions and the plurality of second comb finger portions.
US08754460B2
An MRAM bit (10) includes a free magnetic region (15), a fixed magnetic region (17) comprising an antiferromagnetic material, and a tunneling barrier (16) comprising a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region (15) and the fixed magnetic region (17). The MRAM bit (10) avoids a pinning layer by comprising a fixed magnetic region exhibiting a well-defined high Hflop using a combination of high Hk (uniaxial anisotropy), high Hsat (saturation field), and ideal soft magnetic properties exhibiting well-defined easy and hard axes.
US08754446B2
The invention is directed to a structure and method of forming a structure having a sealed gate oxide layer. The structure includes a gate oxide layer formed on a substrate and a gate formed on the gate oxide layer. The structure further includes a material abutting walls of the gate and formed within an undercut underneath the gate to protect regions of the gate oxide layer exposed by the undercut. Source and drain regions are isolated from the gate by the material.
US08754445B2
A layer in which the potential level difference normally unrequired for device operation is generated is positively inserted in a device structure. The potential level difference has such a function that even if a semiconductor having a small bandgap is exposed on a mesa side surface, a potential drop amount of the portion is suppressed, and a leakage current inconvenient for device operation can be reduced. This effect can be commonly obtained for a heterostructure bipolar transistor, a photodiode, an electroabsorption modulator, and so on. In the photodiode, since the leakage current is alleviated, the device size can be reduced, so that in addition to improvement of operating speed with a reduction in series resistance, it is advantageous that the device can be densely disposed in an array.
US08754441B2
The semiconductor light-emitting device (11) of the present invention includes a substrate (1); a laminate semiconductor layer (15) comprised of an n-type semiconductor layer (3) formed on the substrate (1), a light-emitting layer (4) laminated on the n-type semiconductor layer (3) and a p-type semiconductor layer (5) laminated on the light-emitting layer (4); a concavo-convex part (33) for improving a light extraction efficiency, which is formed on all or a part of a top surface (15a) of the laminate semiconductor layer (15); a high-concentration p-type semiconductor layer (8) having a higher dopant concentration than that of the p-type semiconductor layer (5), which is laminated on a convex part (33a) that constitutes the concavo-convex part (33) of the laminate semiconductor layer (15); and a translucent current diffusion layer (20) laminated on at least the high-concentration p-type semiconductor layer (8).
US08754433B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a switch element provided in a surface area of a semiconductor substrate, a contact plug with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a function element provided on the upper surface of the contact plug. The lower surface of the contact plug is connected to the switch element. The upper surface of the contact plug has a maximum roughness of 0.2 nm or less.
US08754431B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes first and second electrode layers, a and second semiconductor layers, a light emitting layer and a first intermediate layer. The first electrode layer has a metal portion having through-holes. The second electrode layer is stacked with the first electrode layer along a stacked direction, and light-reflective. The first semiconductor layer is provided between the first and second electrode layers, and has a first conductivity type. The second semiconductor layer is provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second electrode layer, and has a second conductivity type. The light emitting layer is provided between the first and second semiconductor layers. The first intermediate layer is provided between the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode layer, transmissive to light emitted from the light emitting layer, and includes first contact portions and a first non-contact portion.
US08754421B2
Forming an alignment mark on a semiconductor structure using an optical lithography to form a metal alignment mark on a substrate of the structure, using the formed metal alignment mark to form a first feature of a semiconductor device being formed on the substrate using optical lithography, and using the formed metal alignment mark to form a second, different feature for the semiconductor using electron beam lithography. In one embodiment, the first feature is an ohmic contact, the second feature is a Schottky contact, the metal alignment mark is a refractory metal or a refractory metal compound having an atomic weight greater than 60 such as TaN and the semiconductor device is a GaN semiconductor device. A semiconductor structure having a metal alignment mark on a zero layer of the structure, the metal alignment mark is a TaN and the semiconductor is GaN.
US08754415B2
The present disclosure relates to a high light transmittance in-plan switching liquid crystal display device and a method for manufacturing the same. The liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; a gate line disposed in horizontal direction on the substrate; a gate insulating layer covering the gate line; a data line disposed in vertical direction on the gate insulating layer; an additional insulating layer on the data line having same size and shape with the data line; a passivation layer covering the additional insulating layer; and a common electrode overlapping with the data line on the passivation layer. According to the present disclosure, the failure due to the parasitic capacitance and the load for driving the display panel are reduced and it is possible to make large and high definition display panel.
US08754410B2
An array substrate includes a gate line on a substrate including a pixel region, the gate line extending in one direction; a gate electrode in the pixel region and extending from the gate line; a gate insulating layer on the gate line and the gate electrode; a data line on the gate insulating layer and crossing the gate line to define the pixel region; an oxide semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer and having three ends, the oxide semiconductor layer corresponding to the gate electrode; an etch stopper on the oxide semiconductor layer to expose the three ends of the oxide semiconductor layer; a source electrode contacting two ends of the three ends of the oxide semiconductor layer and extending from the data line; and a drain electrode contacting one end of the three ends of the oxide semiconductor layer and spaced apart from the source electrode.
US08754407B2
Disclosed is a gas barrier film which has both high gas barrier performance and high cracking (bending) resistance. Specifically disclosed is a gas barrier film which comprises, on a substrate in the following order, at least one silanol-containing layer and at least one gas barrier layer that contains silicon atoms and hydrogen atoms. The gas barrier film is characterized in that the relative SiOH ion strength in the central part of the silanol-containing layer in the film thickness direction as detected by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (Tof-SIMS) is 0.02-1.0 when the relative Si ion strength is taken as 1. Also disclosed is an organic photoelectric conversion element which comprises the gas barrier film.
US08754405B2
An organic electroluminescence device includes a cathode, a stacked structure provided on the cathode and including an organic layer that includes an organic light emitting layer, and a transparent anode provided on the stacked structure, The transparent anode includes a metal oxide and a conductive polymer.
US08754397B2
The carbon nanotube-based electronic and photonic devices are disclosed. The devices are united by the same technology as well as similar elements for their fabrication. The devices consist of the vertically grown semiconductor nanotube having two Schottky barriers at the nanotube ends and one Schottky barrier at the middle of the nanotube. Depending on the Schottky barrier heights and bias arrangements, the disclosed devices can operate either as transistors, CNT MESFET and CNT Hot Electron Transistor, or as a CNT Photon Emitter.
US08754394B2
A variable resistive memory device includes a bit line, a word line, first electrodes and second electrodes, which are respectively arrayed in different directions, wherein a unit cell including a variable resistive material layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode is located at every intersection between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08754390B2
A method is provided for generating measurement parameters for a particle sample in a particle analyzer. The method includes, interrogating the particle sample with a triggering interrogator and one or more secondary interrogators respectively positioned along a length of an interrogation area, generating respective pulses based upon the interrogation of a first particle from the particle sample, determining a primary pulse detection window based upon a triggering pulse, determining a search interval to find a secondary pulse based upon factors including the primary pulse detection window and a laser delay, adjusting the search interval for laser delay variation dynamically based on the interrogation of the first particle, identifying the secondary pulse in the adjusted search interval, and processing the secondary pulse to determine a peak value of the secondary pulse. Corresponding apparatus are also provided.
US08754387B2
A radioactive material handling assembly (10) includes an outer housing (12) and an inner cell (14). The inner cell defines a radioactive material containment/handling chamber (16) and is removably mountable inside the outer housing. Handling means is operable from outside the inner cell to handle radioactive materials located in the containment/handling chamber. At least one of the outer housing and the inner cell is predominantly of a shielding material which is opaque to radioactivity.
US08754386B2
There are provided a leaf row (5C) in which a plurality of leaf plates (5L) are arranged in the thickness direction of the row (5C) in such a way that respective end faces (EL) of the leaf plates (5L) are trued up, and a leaf plate drive mechanism (5D) that drives each of the plurality of leaf plates (5L) in such a way that the end face (EL) approaches or departs from a beam axis (XB). In each of the leaf plates (5L), a facing side (PL) facing a leaf plate that is adjacent to that leaf plate in the thickness direction is formed of a plane (Psa) including a first axis (Asa) on the beam axis (XB); the leaf plate drive mechanism (5D) drives the leaf plate (5L) along a circumferential orbit (OL) around the second axis (Asb), on the beam axis (XB), that is perpendicular to the beam axis (XB) and the first axis (Asa).
US08754384B1
Described is a system and method for in situ sample preparation and imaging. The system includes a multi-axis stage 100 having a bulk stage 110 and a grid stage 150 with various degrees of freedom to allow for sample preparation. In some embodiments, a focused ion beam system is used to prepare a lamella on the bulk stage 110. The lamella can then be transferred to the grid stage 150 from the bulk stage 110 without needing to move the multi-axis stage 100 from the focused ion beam system.
US08754381B2
The present invention provides a method for inspecting UV illuminance in multi-level UV bake furnace for TFT-LCD manufacturing process and a pickup assembly device for performing the method. The method for inspecting UV illuminance in multi-level UV bake furnace for TFT-LCD manufacturing process includes the following steps: Step 1: providing a multi-level bake furnace for TFT-LCD manufacturing process, a pickup device, an inspection control system, and a sensor for inspecting UV illuminance; Step 2: mounting the sensor on the pickup device; Step 3: connecting the inspection control system and the sensor with communication; Step 4: operating the pickup device to bring the sensor to a site in a level of the multi-level UV bake furnace where inspection of UV illuminance is to be made; and Step 5: sensor collecting data and transmitting the data so collected to the inspection control system to thereby realize inspection. The pickup assembly device includes a pickup device and a sensor mounted to the pickup device.
US08754373B2
A pyroelectric element includes a pyroelectric substrate; a light-receiving section composed of a front-side electrode, a back-side electrode, and a light-receiving portion; and a light-receiving section composed of a front-side electrode, a back-side electrode, and a light-receiving portion. Since the pyroelectric substrate warps in a cavity-facing region opposite a cavity, the light-receiving area of the light-receiving sections is greater than that in the case where there is no warp. It is thus possible to improve detection sensitivity of the pyroelectric element without making the size of the pyroelectric element larger than that in the case where there is no warp.
US08754370B1
A sheathless interface for coupling capillary electrophoresis (CE) with mass spectrometry is disclosed. The sheathless interface includes a separation capillary for performing CE separation and an emitter capillary for electrospray ionization. A portion of the emitter capillary is porous or, alternatively, is coated to form an electrically conductive surface. A section of the emitter capillary is disposed within the separation capillary, forming a joint. A metal tube, containing a conductive liquid, encloses the joint.
US08754369B2
A measuring method including the steps of providing a chamber, drawing a vacuum in the chamber, placing a sample into the chamber, heating the sample to desorb a target species from the sample, passing a carrier gas through the chamber, the carrier gas mixing with the desorbed target species to form a mixture, and analyzing the mixture.
US08754357B2
A pixel includes a photo-sensitive element for generating charges in response to incident radiation. A transfer gate is positioned between the photo-sensitive element and a sense node for controlling transfer of charges to the sense node. A reset switch is connected to the sense node for resetting the sense node to a predetermined voltage. A first buffer amplifier has an input connected to the sense node and an output connected to a sample stage operable to sample a value of the sense node. A second buffer amplifier has an input connected to the sample stage. Control circuitry operates the reset switch and causes the sample stage to sample the sense node while the photo-sensitive element is exposed to radiation. An array of pixels is synchronously exposed to radiation. Sampled values for a first exposure period can be read while the photo-sensitive element is exposed for a second exposure period.
US08754353B2
Disclosed herein is a solar cell system including: a plurality of power generation panels that differ in the range of wavelengths of light they absorb from each other and convert light into power; a voltage detection section adapted to detect the voltage of power generated by each of the plurality of power generation panels; a reproduction section adapted to compare the voltages of the plurality of power generation panels detected by the voltage detection section so as to reproduce an audio or music signal appropriate to the comparison result; and an output section adapted to output audio or music reproduced by the reproduction section.
US08754351B2
An induction cooking system with an induction heating system, a cooktop, and cool touch cookware that has a target layer that is heated by induction. An absolute cookware temperature is directly sensed at one or more locations of the cookware. A relative cookware temperature can be determined based on the value of an electrical variable of a circuit that includes the target layer. The cookware can include a layer of thermal insulation directly below and spaced from the target layer by a gap. The insulation and gap act as the major heat insulating elements to keep the outer surface of the cookware cool. The cooktop can be cooled by placing a cooling chamber just below the cooktop and drawing air through the cooling chamber. The induction coil can be located in the cooling chamber.
US08754349B2
A method of operating a plasma arc torch system includes placing a work piece to be cut on a table of the plasma arc torch system, wherein at least a portion of the work piece has a planer surface facing away from the table. A plasma arc torch is positioned adjacent the planer surface of the work piece using a positioning apparatus, wherein the positioning apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom about which it can move the plasma arc torch relative the work piece for cutting the work piece on the table. The method further includes angling the torch relative the planer surface of the work piece such that the torch is held at an angle of between about 1 and about 4 degrees from perpendicular with the planer surface to back burn a produced kerf such that a kerf edge is perpendicular relative the planer surface of the work piece. Additionally, the planer surface of the work piece is calculated by contacting the work piece with the torch at least three times.
US08754347B2
A resistance spot welder includes: a motor, having a shaft; a cylindrical casing; a hollow guide rod, inserted into the casing, and adapted to be moved linearly for moving a first electrode tip facing a second electrode tip provided at a gun arm; a ball nut, fixed in an inner circumference of the guide rod; a ball screw, fitted through the ball nut; a coupling, including a first fastening portion into which the shaft of the motor is inserted and a second fastening portion into which the ball screw is inserted and which is opposite to the first fastening portion; and a bearing, fitted between an outer circumference of the first fastening portion and an inner circumference of the casing. The guide rod is moved between a first point which is a motor side and a second point which is an electrode tip side. When the guide rod is positioned at the first point, the guide rod accommodates at least a part of the second fastening portion.
US08754340B2
Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are described. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. A multiple function switch may be incorporated in a cable associated with an earpiece arranged to be interfaced with a portable electronic device.
US08754336B2
A wiring board includes: wiring layers; insulating layers disposed between the wiring layers; and external connection pads respectively including surface plated layers, for connecting to an external circuit. In each of the external connection pads in one face of the wiring board, an outer peripheral edge of the external connection pad is retracted from an outer peripheral edge of the surface plated layer toward a center of the external connection pad.
US08754332B2
Provided is a flexible substrate wherein a connection portion between the flexible substrate and an electric circuit board meets requirements of narrow wiring pitch and low resistance at the connection portion. An electric circuit structure, which has the flexible substrate and the electric circuit board to which the flexible substrate is connected, is also provided. A wiring pattern (22) is formed on a flexible base film (21), a connection terminal (25) connected electrically to an electrode terminal of another electric circuit board is arranged at an end portion of the wiring pattern (22), and the connection terminal (25) includes wide connection terminals (25b, 25c) having a terminal width extending across plural lines of the wiring pattern (22).
US08754331B2
Disclosed is an exemplary strain relief device. The strain relief device includes a tubular body having a central bore, a plurality of cable passages disposed around the central bore, and a plug to block the central bore and secure the one or more telecommunication drop cables in the cable passages. the central bore defines a longitudinal axis and an interior surface of the tubular body. The central bore has a perimeter that is larger than a perimeter of each of the plurality of cable passages.
US08754323B2
A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided, wherein it can be produced by a relatively easy and simple process and ensures high conversion efficiency even in cases where the thickness of the porous semiconductor layer is increased. The dye-sensitized solar cell 10 includes, in the interior of or on the conductive-substrate-side surface of the porous semiconductor layer 16, conductive metal film 20, such as a film of tungsten, having a large number of randomly located penetrations 24. Penetrations 24 of the conductive metal film 20 are formed by forming a fine-particle layer on the surface of the porous semiconductor layer, forming a conductive metal film on the surface of the fine-particle layer, and making the fine-particle layer disappear by heating or solvent-cleaning.
US08754321B2
A thermoelectric segment and a method for fabricating. The fabricating includes forming structures by depositing thin-film metal-semiconductor multilayers on substrates and depositing metal layers on the multilayers, joining metal bonding layers to form dual structures with combined bonding layers; and removing at least one of the substrates; and using the dual structure to form a thermoelectric segments. The method can include dicing the dual structures before or after removing the substrates. The method can include depositing additional bonding layers and joining dual structures to make thermoelectric segments of different thicknesses. Each multilayer can be about 5-10 μm thick. Each bonding layer can be about 1-2 μm thick. The bonding layers can be made of a material having high thermal and electrical conductivity. The multilayers can be (Hf,Zr,Ti,W)N/(Sc,Y,La,Ga,In,Al)N superlattice layers. Metal nitride layers can be deposited between each of the bonding layers and multilayers.
US08754320B2
A composite material with tailored anisotropic electrical and thermal conductivities is described. A material consists of a matrix material containing inclusions with anisotropic geometrical shapes. The inclusions are arranged in layers oriented perpendicular to the principal direction of electrical and thermal energy flow in the material. The shapes of the inclusions are such that they represent strong or weak barriers to energy flow depending on whether the major axis of the inclusions are parallel to or antiparallel to the flow direction.
US08754312B2
A neck for a string instrument is provided with a shape that varies along the length of the neck to facilitate an appropriate hand posture at various longitudinal positions on the neck. The neck has a heel end for receiving a body of a string instrument, a head end relative to the heel end, and a fingerboard surface. Adjacent the fingerboard surface, the bass side of the neck is chamfered, relative to the treble side of the neck, from an intermediate position between the heel end and the head end of the neck toward the heel end of the neck, for accommodating a user's thumb when fretting in an upper register portion of the neck.
US08754295B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035590. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035590. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035590 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035590 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08754294B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP52003 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP52003, cells from soybean variety XBP52003, plants of soybean XBP52003, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP52003. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP52003 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP52003, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP52003, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP52003. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP52003 are further provided.
US08754284B2
The present invention relates to a method of deactivating an explosive composition in order to render the composition safe. The present invention also relates to a cartridge that contains an explosive composition and that is adapted to achieve deactivation of the explosive composition in the event that it is not detonated as intended during use.
US08754280B2
The present invention provides a method for start-up of an Oxygenate-to-Olefins process, which process comprises the steps: a) providing an oxygenate-comprising feedstock to an Oxygenate-to-Olefins reaction zone and contacting the feedstock with a zeolite-comprising catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 450 to 700° C. ° C., to obtain an reaction product containing olefins; b) separating the reaction product obtained in step a) in at least a product fraction containing ethylene and/or propylene and a product fraction containing C4+ olefins; c) recycling at least part of the C4+ olefins in the product fraction containing C4+ olefins to the Oxygenate-to-Olefins reaction zone in step (a), characterized in that upon start-up the oxygenate-comprising feedstock initially comprises a first amount of externally supplied tert-alkyl ether and subsequently the amount of externally supplied tert-alkyl ether in the oxygenate-comprising feedstock is reduced.
US08754278B2
A aromatic alkylation catalyst, processes for producing the catalyst, and aromatic alkylation processes employing the catalysts are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a UZM-8 zeolite and nitrogen, and the catalyst has a nitrogen to zeolite aluminum molar ratio of at least about 0.015. In an exemplary alkylation process, the catalyst provides improved product yield.
US08754277B2
The present invention provides a process for preparing ethylene and/or propylene, comprising the steps of providing a hydrocarbon stream, comprising C4+ normal olefins and C4+ iso-olefins; converting C4+ isoolefins to tert-alkyl ether and separating the ethers from the hydrocarbon stream; isomersing the C4+ normal olefins to iso-olefins and converting C4+ isoolefins to tert-alkyl ether and separating the ethers from the hydrocarbon stream; converting the obtained tert-alkyl ether to ethylene and propylene by contacting the tert-alkyl ether with a molecular sieve-comprising catalyst and retrieving an olefinic product.
US08754261B2
The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of O-desmethyl venlafaxine (ODV) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein it comprises (i) provision of spiro-venlafaxine compound as intermediate; (ii) conversion of spiro-venlafaxine intermediate into ODV free base in a one-pot process; and (iii) optionally conversion ODV free base into pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The present invention further relates to novel processes for the preparation of crystalline salts of ODV-succinate and ODV-oxalate.
US08754258B2
The present invention discloses a novel form of ferric organic compounds, including a form of ferric citrate, which are soluble over a wider range of pH, and which have a large active surface area. The ferric organic compounds of the present invention can be delivered effectively by oral route with better delivery to treat patients suffering from hyperphosphatemia, metabolic acidosis and other disorders responsive to ferric organic compound therapy.
US08754254B2
A process for purifying crude terephthalic acid comprising a contaminant at a first concentration, the process comprising contacting the crude terephthalic acid with a solvent comprising an ionic liquid at purifying conditions to produce a solid terephthalic acid product having a second concentration of the contaminant lower than the first concentration.
US08754253B2
An process to obtain a mixture of lower carboxylic acid mono, di and triesters, from raw glycerin, a by-product of the process to obtain biodiesel, a transesterification of vegetable raw material with lower alcohols is described. Also described is a process to obtain triacetin or a mixture of mono-, di- and triacetin from that raw glycerin, without prior purification.
US08754246B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a process for separating phases of a mixture including a liquid aqueous phase, a liquid organic phase, and a solid phase and extracting at least an oxirane from the liquid aqueous phase with an extraction solvent.
US08754240B2
The present invention relates to a chemical process for the manufacture of a compound of Formula II
US08754237B2
In recognition of the need to develop novel therapeutic agents and efficient methods for the synthesis thereof, the present invention provides novel bifunctional, trifunctional, or multifunctional compounds for inhibiting histone deacetylases, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives thereof. The present invention further provides methods for treating disorders regulated by histone deacetylase activity (e.g., proliferative diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, protozoal infections, hair loss, etc.) comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an inventive compound to a subject in need thereof. The present invention also provides methods for preparing compounds of the invention.
US08754234B2
The present invention provides chiral 2-(benzylsulfinyl)thiazole derivatives and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]thiazole derivatives of the formula (I) and their salts processes for their preparation and their use as herbicides and plant growth regulators, in particular as herbicides for the selective control of harmful plants in crops of useful plants.
US08754220B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) which are M1 receptor positive allosteric modulators and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the M1 receptor is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain or sleep disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and to the use of the compounds and compositions in the treatment of diseases mediated by the M1 receptor.
US08754217B2
The present invention relates to the Nalmefene hydrochloride dihydrate, methods of manufacturing Nalmefene hydrochloride dihydrate, a pharmaceutical composition comprising Nalmefene hydrochloride dihydrate and a method of treatment comprising administering Nalmefene hydrochloride dihydrate.
US08754215B2
The present disclosure describes a novel, cost-effective process for preparation of a 4-oxo-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino-[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives. Specifically, it discloses a process for the preparation of the anthelmintic drug praziquantel through the use of a novel intermediate, 2-[(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)benzyl amino]-N-phenethylacetamide. This present disclosure also describes a novel crystalline form of 4-oxo-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline.
US08754199B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated TANGO 228 nucleic acid molecules, which encode secreted proteins with homology to the rat MCA-32 protein, isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated TANGO 240 nucleic acid molecules, which encode secreted proteins with homology to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis hypothetical protein Rv0712, and isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated TANGO 243 nucleic acid molecules, which encode proteins with homology to human PLAP (phospholipase A2-activating protein).The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US08754193B2
A family of GFP scaffolds capable of accommodating two proximal, randomized binding loops is disclosed. GFP-based binders binding with nanomolar affinity are developed from a library of these GFP scaffolds.
US08754184B2
A prepolymer mixture for preparing a polyurethane elastomer, the mixture comprising an isocyanate terminated prepolymer and a nitrogen-containing organic salt. The nitrogen-containing organic salt may be selected from the group consisting of an ammonium salt, an imidazolium salt, a pyridinium salt, a pyrrolidinium salt, a piperidinium salt, and a morpholinium salt.
US08754178B2
A resin composition of the present invention includes a maleimide derivative (A) represented by a general formula (1) and a bis-maleimide compound (B) represented by a general formula (2). In the general formula (1), R1 represents a straight chain or branched alkylene group having 1 or more carbon atoms, R2 represents a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 5 or more carbon atoms, and the sum of carbon atoms of R1 and R2 is 10 or less. In the general formula (2), X1 represents —O—, —COO—, or —OCOO—, R3 represents a straight chain or branched alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R4 represents a straight chain or branched alkylene group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and m is an integer of 1 or more and 50 or less.
US08754177B2
The invention relates to a polymerization process, the polymerization process includes contacting a cyclic bridged metallocene catalyst represented by the following formula: LA(A)LBMQn wherein A is a divalent group bound to each of LA and LB; each of LA and LB are bound to M, and each Q is bound to M; LA and LB are independently selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl ligands and substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands; A is a divalent bridging group comprising a heterocyclic ring comprising from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and one silyl, thus forming a 4 to 7 member divalent ring; M is a Group 4, 5, or 6 transition metal; Q is independently a halogen, a hydride, or a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein n is 1 or 2; with an activator, and optionally a support, to form an activated catalyst and, subsequently, contacting the activated catalyst with ethylene and optionally, at least one C3-C8 alpha olefin comonomer.
US08754173B2
The present invention relates to a process for the continuous production of polymer mixtures comprising: a) from 10 to 80% by weight of a biodegradable polyester (Q) composed of aliphatic or aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and of aliphatic dihydroxy compounds, and b) from 20 to 90% by weight of one or more polymers (T) selected from the group consisting of: polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polypropylene carbonate, polyglycolide, aliphatic polyester, cellulose acetate, and polyhydroxyalkanoate, where i) a mixture composed of the aliphatic dihydroxy compounds, of the aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and, if appropriate, of further comonomers (component C) is mixed, without addition of any catalyst, to give a paste or, as an alternative, the liquid esters of the dicarboxylic acids are fed into the system, as also are the dihydroxy compound and, if appropriate, further comonomers, without addition of any catalyst, and in a first stage this mixture, together with the entire amount or with a portion of the catalyst, is continuously esterified or transesterified; ii) in a second stage, the transesterification or, respectively, esterification product obtained in i) is continuously precondensed to an intrinsic viscosity of from 20 to 70 cm3/g to DIN 53728; iii) in a third stage, the product obtainable from ii) is continuously polycondensed as far as an intrinsic viscosity of from 60 to 170 cm3/g to DIN 53728, and iv) in a fourth stage, the product obtainable from iii) (polyester Q) is continuously mixed with the polymer T, and v) if appropriate, in a fifth stage, the polymer mixture obtainable from iv) is continuously reacted in a polyaddition reaction with a chain extender D as far as an intrinsic viscosity of from 150 to 320 cm3/g to DIN 53728.
US08754166B2
A multilayer paint system wherein each layer of paint uses the same activator and the same mixing ratio of film-forming binder to activator. The paint system herein is particularly useful for automotive refinishing applications.
US08754164B2
A rubber composition for the manufacture of tires, based on one or more diene elastomers, on one or more reinforcing fillers and on a vulcanization system, characterized in that the said vulcanization system comprises one or more 1,2,4-triazine compounds of formula:
US08754158B2
The present invention has its object to provide a high performance studless tire for a passenger vehicle which has both good braking force and high handling stability on ice or snow. The studless tire for a passenger vehicle comprises a tread having a total sulfur content of 0.7% by mass or less and having a crosslink density of 2.0×10−5 mol/cm3 or higher.
US08754156B2
A new method for producing a thioester group-containing organosilicon compound by a convenient reaction with dramatically improved workability generating reduced byproduct is provided. The method comprises reacting an organosilicon compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and mercapto group with a carboxylic anhydride. Also provided are an organosilicon compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group, a thioester group, and carboxyl group in the same molecule capable of remarkably reducing hysteresis loss of the cured rubber composition; a compounding agent for rubber containing such organosilicon compound; a rubber composition prepared by blending such compounding agent for rubber; and a tire produced by using the cured rubber composition are also provided.
US08754154B2
The present invention relates to phosphorus-containing triazine compounds of the formula (I) and (III) and to the polymers obtainable from the water-eliminating polycondensation of a compound of the formula (II), and to the use thereof as flame retardants. [(A-H)+]m[Mm+(HPO42−)m] (III-1), [(A-H)+]m[Mm+(P2O74−)m/2] (III-2).
US08754152B2
A reinforced polymer composite, and more particularly, a wool reinforced polymer composite is provided. The composition includes wool fibers combined with a polymer to form a reinforced polymeric matrix having at least one of improved Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D-256) or improved Tensile Strength (ASTM D-1708) as compared to the polymer without the fibers.
US08754134B2
Disclosed are compositions that include treated biodiesel glycerin. The disclosed compositions may be utilized as soil-amendments for controlling pests, weeds and for enhancing growth of plants. The biodiesel glycerin utilized in the disclosed compositions may be treated by one or more steps including neutralization, heating, refluxing, condensing, and distilling.
US08754130B2
A biocidal composition comprising 2,2-dibromomalonamide and an isothiazolinone-based biocide, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems.
US08754127B2
Disclosed herein are compounds that may be specific to PPAR and/or EGF receptors, and methods of making and using same.
US08754118B2
[Object] A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a cardiovascular disease is provided.[Means for Resolution] An atropisomer of a compound represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein R1 is a C1-C3 alkyl group or a hydroxy-C1-C3 alkyl group; and R2 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkoxy group).
US08754108B2
Lyophilized pantoprazole preparations which are obtainable by freeze-drying of an aqueous solution of pantoprazole, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and/or a suitable salt thereof, and sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate are disclosed. The preparations have advantageous properties when reconstituted for injection.
US08754099B2
Beta-carboline derivatives of structural formula I are selective antagonists of the somatostatin subtype receptor 3 (SSTR3) and are useful for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and of conditions that are often associated with this disease, including hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, and hypertension. The compounds are also useful for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
US08754093B2
Etravirine (TMC125) nicotinamide co-crystal, its preparation, and use in the treatment of HIV infection.
US08754088B2
The present invention provides compositions comprising sucralose and 4-amino-5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2(1H)-one or salts, solvates, and/or esters thereof and methods of making the compositions by spray drying. The present invention also provides ingestible compositions comprising compositions of the present invention and methods of making such foods. The present invention also includes a process of preparing 2-amino-thiophene derivatives, which are key intermediates for preparing 4-amino-5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2(1H)-one.
US08754087B2
The present invention relates to a method for the treatment or prevention of atrial fibrillation and/or atrial flutter comprising coadministration of a synergistically therapeutic amount of dronedarone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or salts thereof and a synergistically therapeutic amount of ranolazine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or salts thereof. Also provided are methods for modulating ventricular and atrial rhythm and rate. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical formulations that are suitable for such combined administration.
US08754072B2
The present invention relates to novel polymorphic forms of 8-fluoro-2-{4-[(methylamino)methyl]phenyl}-1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-azepino[5,4,3-cd]indol-6-one, and to processes for their preparation. Such polymorphic forms may be a component of a pharmaceutical composition and may be used to treat a mammalian disease condition mediated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity including the disease condition such as cancer.
US08754069B2
Compounds of Formula I: that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors. These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
US08754067B2
This invention discloses 22-haloacetoxy-homopregnacalciferol analogs and specifically 22-bromoacetoxy-homopregnacalciferol and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits relatively little calcemic activity and does not promote cellular differentiation off HL-60 leukemia cells, but rather kills the cells. This cell death activity is found in small cell lung carcinoma also, but not in prostate cancer cells. This compound thus causes specific cell death in the absence of changes in calcium levels and without general toxicity in an animal. Therefore it might serve as a useful therapy for treatment of some forms of cancer, such as leukemia and lung cancer.
US08754065B2
A hemifumarate form of 9-[(R)-2-[[(S)-[[(S)-1-(isopropoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amino]phenoxyphosphinyl]methoxy]propyl]adenine (tenofovir alafenamide), and antiviral therapy using tenofovir alafenamide hemifumarate (e.g., anti-HIV and anti-HBV therapies).
US08754062B2
The present disclosure provides, inter alia, formulation compositions comprising modified nucleic acid molecules which may encode a protein, a protein precursor, or a partially or fully processed form of the protein or a protein precursor. The formulation composition may further include a modified nucleic acid molecule and a delivery agent. The present invention further provides nucleic acids useful for encoding polypeptides capable of modulating a cell's function and/or activity.
US08754048B2
Disclosed is a Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin with an improved expression efficiency on a cell membrane. Specifically disclosed is a modified Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin protein. The protein is modified to contain an N-terminal region of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channel rhodopsin-1 at the N-terminal of the Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin protein, wherein the N-terminal region is involved in cell membrane-localized expression and contains no transmembrane domain of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channel rhodopsin-1.
US08754046B2
The present invention discloses the identification and isolation of novel MHC class II epitopes derived from the cancer antigen, NY ESO-1. The novel MHC class II epitopes from NY-EsO-1 are recognized by CD4+ T lymphocytes in an HLA class II restricted manner, in particular HLA-DR or HLA-DP restricted. The products of the gene are promising candidates for immunotherapeutic strategies for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of patients with cancer.
US08754036B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a substance which is able to be an active ingredient for the improvement of dysfunction caused by nerve damage. An improving agent for dysfunction due to nerve damage of the present invention as a means for resolution thereof is characterized in that it comprises an endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase type enzyme which hydrolyzes an N-acetylglucosamide bond in a keratan sulfate backbone as an active ingredient. When the improving agent of the present invention is administered, clinical improvement is achieved in motor neuron dysfunction and sensory neuron dysfunction such as neuropathic pain represented by a pain caused by allodynia and hyperalgesic reaction of the object to be treated.
US08754033B2
Disclosed herein are transglutaminase peptide inhibitors which have inhibitory activity against transglutaminase, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of them as an active ingredient. The inhibitors or the composition is useful in the prevention and treatment of various diseases caused by aberrant transglutaminase activation, including inflammatory diseases and cancers. Also, methods for treating various inflammatory diseases and cancers and for preparing mutant peptides capable of inhibiting transglutaminase are also disclosed.
US08754021B2
A cleaning composition and process for cleaning post-chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) residue and contaminants from a microelectronic device having said residue and contaminants thereon. The cleaning compositions are substantially devoid of amine and ammonium-containing compounds, e.g., quaternary ammonium bases. The composition achieves highly efficacious cleaning of the post-CMP residue and contaminant material from the surface of the microelectronic device without compromising the low-k dielectric material or the copper interconnect material.
US08754016B2
The lubricating base oil of the invention is characterized by having an urea adduct value of not greater than 4% by mass and a viscosity index of 100 or greater. The process for production of a lubricating base oil according to the invention is characterized by comprising a step of hydrocracking/hydroisomerization of a stock oil containing normal paraffins, until the obtained treatment product has an urea adduct value of not greater than 4% by mass and a viscosity index of 100 or greater. A lubricating oil composition according to the invention is characterized by comprising the lubricating base oil of the invention.
US08754012B2
The present invention relates to methods of screening for expression of a soluble candidate protein within an expression library of candidate proteins. The method involves fusing each candidate protein in the library to a peptide substrate and identifying cells that express soluble candidate protein by detecting enzymatic modification of the peptide substrate.
US08754008B2
The present invention relates to benzoxazinones of the general formula (I) wherein the variables are defined according to the description, processes and intermediates for preparing the benzoxazinones of the formula (I), compositions comprising them and their use as herbicides, i.e. for controlling harmful plants, and also a method for controlling unwanted vegetation which comprises allowing a herbicidal effective amount of at least one benzoxazinones of the formula (I) to act on plants, their seed and/or their habitat.
US08754005B2
The present disclosure relates to a color-changing composition and to a substrate having the color-changing compositions disposed thereon. The color-changing composition includes a leuco dye, a color-developer and a desensitizer. The color-changing composition changes from a colorless or largely colorless composition to color upon being wetted with an aqueous liquid. The color-changing composition remains colorless or largely colorless prior to exposure to high relative humidity conditions.
US08753999B2
A catalyst for selective oxidation of hydrocarbons relative to carbon monoxide includes a mixed oxide based on the compound Ce0.1-0.5Ti0.2-0.8Cr0.1-0.5Ox, wherein x is (the total of the valences of the metals)/2. Preferably, the mixed oxide is fixed as a coating on a molded body or less than 0.5 wt. % precious metal is doped to the mixed oxide. Oxidizable exhaust-gas components are oxidized for exhaust-gas purification by a mixed oxide based on the compound Ce0.1-0.5Ti0.2-0.8Cr0.1-0.5Ox as the catalyst. Preferably, hydrocarbons are preferentially oxidized relative to carbon monoxides or nitrogen oxides. For producing an oxidation catalyst for internal combustion engines, a mixed oxide made of cerium oxide, titanium oxide, chromium oxide, and optionally other metal oxides is fixed to a metallic or oxide or carbide, high temperature-stable molded body or an oxide ceramic, wherein the oxide ceramic is fixed to a molded body. Preferably, here the molded body is a wire mesh or a honeycomb structure, or the oxide ceramic on which the mixed oxide is fixed is a wash coat. Within a combustion chamber and an exhaust-gas pipe or exhaust-gas return pipe connected to this combustion chamber, a mixed oxide is fixed based on cerium oxide, titanium oxide, and chromium oxide as an oxidation catalyst.
US08753989B2
High tensile stress in a deposited layer, such as a silicon nitride layer, may be achieved utilizing one or more techniques employed either alone or in combination. In one embodiment, a silicon nitride film having high tensile stress may be formed by depositing the silicon nitride film in the presence of a porogen. The deposited silicon nitride film may be exposed to at least one treatment selected from a plasma or ultraviolet radiation to liberate the porogen. The silicon nitride film may be densified such that a pore resulting from liberation of the porogen is reduced in size, and Si—N bonds in the silicon nitride film are strained to impart a tensile stress in the silicon nitride film. In another embodiment, tensile stress in a silicon nitride film may be enhanced by depositing a silicon nitride film in the presence of a nitrogen-containing plasma at a temperature of less than about 400° C., and exposing the deposited silicon nitride film to ultraviolet radiation.
US08753986B2
A deposition for producing a porous organosilica glass film comprising: introducing into a vacuum chamber gaseous reagents including one precursor of an organosilane or an organosiloxane, and a porogen distinct from the precursor, wherein the porogen is aromatic in nature; applying energy to the gaseous reagents in the chamber to induce reaction of the gaseous reagents to deposit a film, containing the porogen; and removing substantially all of the organic material by UV radiation to provide the porous film with pores and a dielectric constant less than 2.6.
US08753983B2
A method includes providing a silicon-containing die and providing a heat sink having a palladium layer over a first surface of the heat sink. A first gold layer is located over one of a first surface of the die or the palladium layer. The silicon-containing die is bonded to the heat sink, where bonding includes joining the silicon-containing die and the heat sink such that the first gold layer and the palladium layer are between the first surface of the silicon-containing die and the first surface of the heat sink, and heating the first gold layer and the palladium layer to form a die attach layer between the first surface of the silicon-containing die and the first surface of the heat sink, the die attach layer comprising a gold interface layer having a plurality of intermetallic precipitates, each of the plurality of intermetallic precipitates comprising palladium, gold, and silicon.
US08753977B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes dry etching an interlayer insulating layer provided on a foundation layer by using a mask having a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings arranged more closely than the first openings to form simultaneously a first hole reaching the foundation layer under each of the first openings and a second hole reaching the foundation layer under the second openings. The first hole reaches the foundation layer without contacting any other first holes. After starting of the dry etching, a plurality of holes are formed under each of the plurality of second openings, and with the progress of the dry etching, the plurality of holes are connected with each other at least at their upper parts including their open ends to form the second hole having an opening area larger than an opening area of the first hole.
US08753966B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided, the method includes forming a plug conductive layer over an entire surface of a substrate, etching the plug conductive layer to form landing plugs, etching the substrate between the landing plugs to form a trench, forming a gate insulation layer over a surface of the trench and forming a buried gate partially filling the trench over the gate insulation layer.
US08753962B2
When a mixed gas of trichlorosilane and dichlorosilane is used as source gas, a silicon layer is epitaxially grown on a surface of a silicon wafer within a temperature range of 1000 to 1100° C., preferably, 1040 to 1080° C. When dichlorosilane is used as source gas, a silicon layer is epitaxially grown on a surface of a silicon wafer within a temperature range of 900 to 1150° C., preferably, 1000 to 1150° C. According to this, a silicon epitaxial wafer, which has low haze level, excellent flatness (edge roll-off), and reduced orientation dependence of epitaxial growth rate, and is capable of responding to the higher integration of semiconductor devices, can be obtained, and this epitaxial wafer can be used widely in production of semiconductor devices.
US08753955B2
A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes forming trenches in a substrate defining device isolation regions therein and active regions therebetween. The trenches and the active regions therebetween extend into first and second device regions of the substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed in the trenches between the active regions in the first device region, and an insulating layer is formed to substantially fill the trenches between the active regions in the second device region. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer in the trenches in the first device region is selectively removed to define gap regions extending along the trenches between the active regions in the first device region, while substantially maintaining the insulating layer in the trenches between the active regions in the second device region. Related methods and devices are also discussed.
US08753954B2
A semiconductor device containing a cylindrical shaped capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same is presented. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of storage nodes and a support pattern. The plurality of storage nodes is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The support pattern is fixed to adjacent storage nodes in which the support pattern has a flowable insulation layer buried within the support pattern. The buried flowable insulation layer direct contacts adjacent storage nodes.
US08753946B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
US08753941B1
An integrated circuit with a LV transistor and a high performance asymmetric transistor. A power amplifier integrated circuit with a core transistor and a high performance asymmetric transistor. A method of forming an integrated circuit with a core transistor and a high performance asymmetric transistor. A method of forming a power amplifier integrated circuit with an nmos core transistor and an nmos high performance asymmetric transistor, a resistor, and an inductor.
US08753934B2
Various embodiment integrate embedded dynamic random access memory with fin field effect transistors. In one embodiment, a first fin structure and at least a second fin structure are formed on a substrate. A deep trench area is formed between the first and second fin structures. A high-k metal gate is formed within the deep trench area. The high-k metal gate includes a high-k dielectric layer and a metal layer. A polysilicon material is deposited within the deep trench area adjacent to the metal layer. The high-k metal gate and the polysilicon material are recessed and etched to an area below a top surface of a substrate insulator layer. A poly strap is formed in the deep trench area. The poly strap is dimensioned to be below a top surface of the first and second fin structures. The first and second fin structures are electrically coupled to the poly strap.
US08753933B2
Methods of selectively forming a conductive material and methods of forming metal conductive structures are disclosed. An organic material may be patterned to expose regions of an underlying material. The underlying material may be exposed to a precursor gas, such as a platinum precursor gas, that reacts with the underlying material without reacting with the remaining portions of the organic material located over the underlying material. The precursor gas may be used in an atomic layer deposition process, during which the precursor gas may selectively react with the underlying material to form a conductive structure, but not react with the organic material. The conductive structures may be used, for example, as a mask for patterning during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.
US08753931B2
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first gate structure and a second gate structure over a substrate. The first and second gate structures each include a high-k dielectric layer located over the substrate, a capping layer located over the high-k dielectric layer, an N-type work function metal layer located over the capping layer, and a polysilicon layer located over the N-type work function metal layer. The method includes forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate, the first gate structure, and the second gate structure. The method includes polishing the ILD layer until a surface of the ILD layer is substantially co-planar with surfaces of the first gate structure and the second gate structure. The method includes replacing portions of the second gate structure with a metal gate. A silicidation process is then performed to the semiconductor device.
US08753921B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a step of sputtering a target (100A). The target (100A) includes a plurality of target tiles (11A) located while having a gap therebetween; a backing plate (15A) for supporting the plurality of target tiles (11A); and a bonding member (17A) provided between the backing plate (15A) and the plurality of target tiles (11A). The plurality of target tiles (11A) each contain In, Ga and Zn. When the target (100A) is seen in a direction normal thereto from the side on which the plurality of target tiles (11A) are located, the plurality of target tiles (11A) are each smaller than an insulating substrate (1), and the bonding member (17A) cannot be seen through the gap.
US08753920B2
Provided is a precursor composition for an oxide semiconductor. The precursor composition for the oxide semiconductor includes a metal complex compound formed by a metal ion and an organic ligand, wherein the precursor composition is represented by the following Formula 1. MAn (Formula 1) Herein, M is a metal ion, A is an organic ligand which includes α-substituted carboxylate, and n is a natural number.
US08753918B2
A method of forming a solar cell including: providing a semiconductor body including at least one photoactive junction; forming a semiconductor contact layer composed of GaAs deposited over the semiconductor body; and depositing a metal contact layer including a germanium layer and a palladium layer over the semiconductor contact layer so that the specific contact resistance is less than 5×10−4 ohms-cm2.
US08753917B2
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes a first dielectric layer disposed on an intermediary layer, a first conductive pad portion and a first interconnect portion disposed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, a first capping layer disposed on the first interconnect portion and a portion of the first conductive pad portion, a second capping layer disposed on the first capping layer and a portion of the second dielectric layer, an n-type doped silicon layer disposed on the second capping layer and the first conductive pad portion, an intrinsic silicon layer disposed on the n-type doped silicon layer, and a p-type doped silicon layer disposed on the intrinsic silicon layer.
US08753915B2
The invention relates to the production of solar panels which comprise solar cells connected to one another. In this case, various layers are stacked onto one another, such as a film layer, bonding agent, insulating film, solar cells and a support layer. Combining all these layers to form the final panel is carried out on a carrier which stabilizes and supports the stack while it is conveyed past the various treatment stations. The turning over of the stack can also be carried out in a reliable manner by means of such a carrier without shifts between the various components with respect to one another occurring.
US08753911B2
LED devices incorporating diamond materials and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include forming epitaxially a substantially single crystal SiC layer on a substantially single crystal Si wafer, forming epitaxially a substantially single crystal diamond layer on the SiC layer, doping the diamond layer to form a conductive diamond layer, removing the Si wafer to expose the SiC layer opposite to the conductive diamond layer, forming epitaxially a plurality of semiconductor layers on the SiC layer such that at least one of the semiconductive layers contacts the SiC layer, and coupling an n-type electrode to at least one of the semiconductor layers such that the plurality of semiconductor layers is functionally located between the conductive diamond layer and the n-type electrode.
US08753910B2
A method of manufacturing a vertical structure light emitting diode device, the method including: sequentially forming a first conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer on a substrate for growth; bonding a conductive substrate to the second conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer; removing the substrate for growth from the first conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer; and forming an electrode on an exposed portion of the first conductive III-V group compound semiconductor layer due to the removing the substrate for growth, wherein the bonding a conductive substrate comprises partially heating a metal bonding layer by applying microwaves to a bonding interface while bringing the metal bonding layer into contact with the bonding interface.
US08753906B2
A method for manufacturing a structure having a textured surface, including a substrate made of mineral glass having a given texture, for an organic-light-emitting-diode device, the method including supplying a rough substrate, having a roughness defined by a roughness parameter Ra ranging from 1 to 5 μm over an analysis length of 15 mm and with a Gaussian filter having a cut-off frequency of 0.8 mm; and depositing a liquid-phase silica smoothing film on the substrate, the film being configured to smooth the roughness sufficiently and to form the textured surface of the structure.
US08753891B2
A method of particle separation, wherein a collimated light source operable to generate a collimated light source beam is provided. The collimated light source beam includes a beam cross-section. A body is provided, wherein the body defines a wall and a first channel in a first plane. The first channel includes a first channel cross-section, the first channel being oriented to receive the collimated light source beam such that the beam cross-section completely overlaps the channel cross-section. The collimated light source beam is transmitted through the channel. A fluid sample is transmitted through the channel, fluid sample including a plurality of particles of a same type. All of the particles of the plurality of particles are separated axially along the collimated light source beam. All of the particles of the plurality of particles are retained against the wall in the collimated light source beam.
US08753890B2
An apparatus and method for analyzing a biological fluid sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an analysis cartridge having a channel and an analysis chamber, wherein the channel is in fluid communication with the analysis chamber and includes at least one hydrophobic interior wall surface; b) admixing one or more anti-adsorption agents with fluid sample disposed within the channel, wherein the anti-adsorption agents are operable to inhibit adsorption of fluid sample onto the interior wall surface of the channel; c) moving the fluid sample into the analysis chamber; and d) analyzing the sample within the analysis chamber.
US08753882B2
Described herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as, for example, exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage. The methods include the use of compositions comprising platelet enriched plasma, for example, platelet rich plasma and/or platelet poor plasma, for treatment of respiratory diseases in humans and animals, in particular, equines, by administration to the respiratory system.
US08753864B2
The present invention relates to recombinant N-glycosylated proteins, comprising one or more introduced N-glycosylated optimized amino acid sequence(s), nucleic acids encoding these proteins as well as corresponding vectors and host cells. In addition, the present invention is directed to the use of said proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for preparing medicaments. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for producing said proteins.
US08753861B2
The present invention provides engineered protease variants. In particular, the protease variants comprise combinable mutations at selected surface positions that affect the charge and/or hydrophobicity of the enzyme to enhance at least one desired property of the resulting variant enzyme in a chosen application. Compositions comprising the protease variants, and methods for using the same are also provided.
US08753852B2
The present invention provides a novel nucleic acid sequence, designated LIP1, encoding a lipolytic enzyme and the corresponding encoded amino acid sequences. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one novel lipolytic enzyme, recombinant lipolytic enzyme proteins and methods for producing the same.
US08753847B2
Compositions and methods are provided for selection and enrichment of a target gene from a library of polynucleotide sequences such as might be formed from a genome or by random mutagenesis of a genetic sequence. The selection and enrichment occurs in aqueous droplets formed in an emulsion that compartmentalize individual polynucleotides from the library or a plurality of polynucleotides that may include polynucleotides not derived from the library, transcription and translation reagents and optionally additional chemical and enzyme reagents. The selection and enrichment method utilizes a polynucleotide adaptor which when ligated to the polynucleotide fragment enables amplification to occur in the presence of an adaptor specific primer.
US08753841B2
DNA and recombinant DNA that encode a peptide-forming enzyme, a method for producing a peptide-forming enzyme, and a method for producing a dipeptide are disclosed. A method for producing a dipeptide includes producing a dipeptide from a carboxy component and an amine component by using a culture of a microbe belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium and having the ability to form the dipeptide from the carboxy component and the amine component, a microbial cell separated from the culture, treated microbial cell product of the microbe or a peptide-forming enzyme derived from the microbe.
US08753835B2
Provided is a microbial test unit for detecting microbes in a compressed gas. The microbial test unit includes a decompression region and a sampling region in fluid communication with the decompression region and separated from the decompression region by a plate. The decompression region and the sampling region define a flow path. An inlet communicates with the decompression region such that compressed gas entering the decompressing region is incident on the plate for effectuating decompression of the gas prior to the gas passing into the sampling region. The microbial test unit may be used in conjunction with a growth medium substrate to form a microbial test system. The microbial test unit provides the ability to test compressed gas directly input to the unit due to positive pressure from the compressed gas pushing the microbes onto the microbial growth substrate.
US08753830B2
Cdc25A is herein identified as a substrate for β-TrCP1- or β-TrCP2-mediated ubiquitination and subsequent degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In particular, it has been found that interfering with β-TrCP expression or function, or increasing β-TrCP degradation, leads to accumulation of Cdc25A in a cell. Since degradation of Cdc25A is a key feature of the response to DNA damage, leading to a stall in the cell cycle during which the cell can repair the damage, Cdc25A accumulation can abolish this response, thereby sensitizing the cell to DNA damage. Described herein are assays for identifying β-TrCP inhibitors, and method of using such inhibitors for modulating Cdc25A degradation, sensitization of tumor cells, and as adjuvants in cancer therapy based on DNA damaging agents.
US08753820B2
Methods for identifying compounds useful for treating diseases or conditions of the oral cavity are described herein.
US08753819B2
Nucleic acid amplification assays for mutations to two short sections of the fungal gene FKS1. Mutations in these target sequences have been shown to correlate with resistance to echinocandin-class drugs. Assays may include detection by sequencing or by labeled hybridization probes. Also, primers, probes and reagent kits for performing such assays.
US08753812B2
Methods for direct detection of chemical reactions are provided. Electric charge perturbations of the local environment during enzyme-catalyzed reactions are sensed by an electrode system with an immobilized target molecule. The charge perturbation caused by the polymerase reaction can uniquely identify a DNA sequence. The polymerization process generates local perturbations of charge in the solution near the electrode surface and induces a charge in a polarazible gold electrode. This event is detected as a transient current by a voltage clamp amplifier. Detection of single nucleotides in a sequence can be determined by dispensing individual dNTPs to the electrode solution and detecting the charge perturbations. Alternatively, multiple bases can be determined at the same time using a mix of all dNTPs with subsequent analysis of the resulting signal. This technique may be adapted to other reaction determinations, such as enzymatic reactions, other electrode configurations, and other amplifying circuits.
US08753810B2
Particular aspects provide methods for specific amplification of template DNA in the presence of potentially contaminating PCR products from previous amplification experiments. Particular embodiments comprise, in a first step, contacting DNA with a bisulfite solution, which sulfonates unmethylated (but not methylated) cytosines, resulting in cytosine deamination and generation of sulfonated uracil. Such sulfonation protects the template nucleic acid from being a target for the enzyme uracil-DNA-glycosylase (UNG), whereas any contaminating DNA, which contains unprotected unsulfonated or desulfonated uracils, is degraded enzymatically while the UNG is active. After UNG treatment and inactivation thereof, the sulfonated uracil bases are converted into uracil by desulfonation. Such aspects have substantial utility for decontamination of nucleic acid samples; e.g., for avoiding amplification of ‘carry over products’ in the context of DNA methylation analysis. In further aspects, the inventive methods can be generally used as simplified methods of bisulfite treatment.
US08753808B2
A platelet aggregation measuring method comprising: preparing a measurement sample which contains a sample and a reagent which includes a platelet activator; mixing the measurement sample at a first speed; mixing the measurement sample at a second speed which is greater than the first speed after mixing the sample at the first speed; obtaining optical information from the measurement sample while mixing the measurement sample at the second speed; and analyzing aggregation of platelets in the sample based on the optical information is disclosed. A platelet aggregation measuring apparatus is also disclosed.
US08753806B2
An organ protectant solution which is intravenously administerable includes a high concentration of cell impermeant molecules which have a charge and/or molecular weight which permit passage across a capillary endothelium and into an interstitial space in said subject but which are too large and/or charged to cross a cell plasma membrane such that said one or more cell impermeant molecules preferentially load into an extracellular fluid compartment can be used to to allow for improved organ harvesting from DCD and brain death donors for transplantation purposes and also can be used extend the “Golden Hour” for traumatic and hemorrhagic shock patients thereby allowing more time for those patients to reach a point of care facility to receive medical treatment.
US08753799B2
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating an LCD. The method includes fabricating a MAV layer on a glass substrate. The step of fabricating the MAV layer on the glass substrate comprises the steps of: (A) coating MAV organic monomers on the glass substrate; (B) patterning the MAV organic monomers through a photomask; and (C) curing the patterned MAV organic monomers. In accordance with a photo-curing material of the MAV layer, the fabricating method of the present invention has simple processes with low technical requirements.
US08753797B2
Methods and materials for making a semiconductor device are described. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a surface-modified middle layer (SM-ML) that includes a fluorine-containing material over the substrate, forming a photoresist layer over the SM-ML, exposing the photoresist layer to an exposure energy, and developing the photoresist layer.
US08753786B2
A light pattern exposure method is by irradiating ArF excimer laser light to a resist film through a halftone phase shift mask. The mask includes a transparent substrate and a pattern of halftone phase shift film of a material comprising a transition metal, silicon, nitrogen and oxygen and having an atomic ratio (Met/Si) of 0.18-0.25, a nitrogen content of 25-50 atom %, and an oxygen content of 5-20 atom %. The mask may be irradiated with ArF excimer laser light in a cumulative dose of at least 10 kJ/cm2.
US08753783B2
The invention provides a fuel cell comprising an anode in an anode region of the cell and a cathode in a cathode region of the cell, the anode being separated from the cathode by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an alcoholic fuel, the cathode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an oxidant, the cell being provided with means for generating an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode and with a non-volatile redox couple in solution in flowing fluid communication with the cathode in the cathode region of the cell, the redox couple being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, the redox couple and/or the concentration of the redox couple in the catholyte solution being selected so that the current density generated by the cell in operation is substantially unaffected by the crossover of the alcoholic fuel from the anode region of the cell to the cathode region of the cell across the polymer electrolyte membrane.
US08753780B2
Disclosed is an electrode (30) (for example, a positive electrode for a lithium ion battery), wherein an active material layer (35) mainly composed of an electrode active material is supported by a metal collector (32). A barrier layer (33) containing a conductive material (330) and a water-insoluble polymer material (334) are formed on the surface of the metal collector (32). The conductive material (330) contains at least a first conductive powder (331) having a certain average particle diameter, and a second conductive powder (332) having an average particle diameter larger than that of the first conductive powder. The ratio of the first conductive powder (331) contained in the barrier layer (33) is higher than that of the second conductive powder (332).
US08753774B2
A method for manufacturing a negative electrode material for a secondary battery with a non-aqueous electrolyte, including coating a surface of a powder with 1 to 40 mass % carbon by heat CVD treatment under an organic gas and/or vapor atmosphere at a temperature between 800° C. and 1300° C., blending lithium hydride and/or lithium aluminum hydride with the carbon-coated powder; and heating the carbon-coated powder at a temperature between 200° C. and 800° C. to be doped with lithium at a doping amount of 0.1 to 20 mass %. The powder is composed of at least one of silicon oxide represented by general formula of SiOx (x=0.5 to 1.6) and a silicon-silicon oxide composite having a structure so that silicon particles having a size of 50 nm or less are dispersed to silicon oxide in an atomic order and/or a crystallite state, and having a Si/O molar ratio of 1/0.5 to 1/1.6.
US08753770B2
An electrode body used for an all solid state battery element, having a bipolar electrode basic structure having: a current collector, a cathode active material layer formed on one surface of the above-mentioned current collector, an anode active material layer formed on a surface of the above-mentioned current collector and formed in a position not overlapping with the above-mentioned cathode active material layer in a plan view, and a current collector exposed portion, formed between the above-mentioned cathode active material layer and the above-mentioned anode active material layer, and exposing both surfaces of the above-mentioned current collector.
US08753765B2
Provided is a secondary battery including a fuse part that can continually function as a fuse. In the state where a first short circuit plate contacts a connecting plate to form a short circuit, even when heat generated from the short circuit melts the first short circuit plate, a second short circuit plate contacts the connecting plate to maintain a short circuit state, so that the fuse part can continually function as a fuse. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly including a cap plate sealing the case and having a short circuit hole, and a short circuit assembly including a first short circuit plate, a second short circuit plate, and a connecting plate. The first short circuit plate is disposed in the short circuit hole. The second short circuit plate contacts a lower part of the first short circuit plate. The connecting plate is spaced apart from the cap plate and is disposed outside the cap plate to cover the short circuit hole.
US08753764B2
A safe battery assembly structure comprises a plurality of secondary battery cells mounted on one side of a rack, and a positive guiding strip, a negative guiding strip, and a plurality of fuses mounted on the other side of the rack in such a manner that the secondary battery cells is electrically connected to the positive and negative guiding strips by the fuses and the connecting members, and each of secondary battery cells has its own fuse, so that the secondary battery cells are mounted on one side of the rack while the fuses and positive and negative guiding strips are all mounted on the other side of the rack, thus making it easy for visual checking, assembling, replacement, and maintenance of the components of the battery assembly, and also allowing a plurality of such battery assemblies to be safely arranged side by side or stacked on one another.
US08753762B2
A motor vehicle has an electric traction motor and a battery pack that provides power to the motor. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells. A thermal system includes a battery pack coolant loop, a cabin coolant loop, a power electronics coolant loop and a plurality of controllable valves controlled by a controller to select thermal modes by controlling flow paths of coolant in one or more of the coolant loops.
US08753757B2
An organic electroluminescence element comprising: an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an organic luminescence layer therebetween, the organic luminescence layer having a carbazole derivative with a glass-transition temperature of 110° C. or higher, and a phosphorescent dopant. This structure makes it possible to provide an organic electroluminescence element which can make use of the triplet exciton state of the carbazole derivative even at room temperature and which has a practical life and superior heat-resistance.
US08753734B2
A toe tap for a tap shoe is characterized by a blunt forward edge which defines a platform for a dance to utilize during dance steps, particularly when the dancer elevates to an elongated pointe position with supported by the tips of the toes. The tap includes a base which has a rear edge extending toward the ball area of the dance shoe and side edges which extend between the front and rear edges. The tap further includes constant perimeter around the side and front portions and a lip extending upwardly from the base at the constant perimeter to enable the dance to execute shuffle and other dance movements with the medial and lateral portions of the foot. A projection further extends from the lip at the front edge. The projection has a flat surface co-planar with the blunt front edge of the base to define a larger platform for supporting the toe tips of the dancer's foot.
US08753727B2
A polyester-carbamate polymer and coating compositions containing the polymer are provided. The polyester-carbamate polymer preferably includes a polyester-carbamate backbone and one or more blocked isocyanate groups. A coating composition is provided that preferably includes the polyester-carbamate polymer and a thermoplastic dispersion. In a preferred embodiment, the coating composition is an organosol.
US08753717B2
A film forming method for forming a thin film including boron, nitrogen, silicon, and carbon on a surface of a processing target by supplying a boron containing gas, a nitriding gas, a silane-based gas, and a hydrocarbon gas in a processing container in which the processing target is accommodated to be vacuum sucked includes: a first process which forms a BN film by performing a cycle of alternately and intermittently supplying the boron-containing gas and the nitriding gas once or more; and a second process which forms a SiCN film by performing a cycle of intermittently supplying the silane-based gas, the hydrocarbon gas, and the nitriding gas once or more. Accordingly, the thin film including boron, nitrogen, silicon, and carbon with a low-k dielectric constant, an improved wet-etching resistance, and a reduced leak current can be formed.
US08753712B2
The present method comprises providing a flexible web substrate (e.g., polymeric flexible web substrates) that forms at least part of a component of a device, coating so as to wet-out on and cover all or a substantial portion of a major surface on one side or both sides of the flexible web substrate with flowable polymeric material, while the flexible web substrate is moving in a down-web direction, and solidifying the polymeric material so as to form one cleaning layer on the major surface of one side or both sides of the flexible web substrate. The present invention can be utilized in a continuous in-line manufacturing process. In applications of the present invention where the flexible web substrate will not form a component of a device, the present invention broadly provides a method for cleaning particles from a flexible web of indefinite length. Each cleaning layer forms a substantially adhesive bond to the major surface that is readily removable without damaging or leaving a substantial residue of cleaning layer material on the major surface. A substantial number of the particles that were on this major surface are captured by and removable with the cleaning layer.
US08753711B2
The present techniques provide systems and methods for protecting electronic devices, such as organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) from adverse environmental effects. The edges of the devices may also be protected by a edge protection coating to reduce the adverse affects of a lateral ingress of adverse environmental conditions. In some embodiments, inorganic materials, or a combination of inorganic and organic materials, are deposited over the device to form a edge protection coating which extends approximately 3 millimeter or less beyond the edges of the device. In other embodiments, the device may be encapsulated with an organic region, and with an inorganic region, or the device may be encapsulated with inorganic materials, which may form the edge protection coating and may be combined with ultra high barrier technology. The coatings formed over the device may extend beyond the edges of the device to ensure lateral protection.
US08753709B2
Methods for making coatings on an implantable device, such as a drug-eluting stent. The coatings comprise a polymer and a drug in a crystalline or partially crystalline form. In addition, implantable devices produced by the methods and methods of using the coated implantable devices are described.
US08753708B2
A solventless method for forming a coating on a medical electrical lead is described. The method includes combining particles of a therapeutic agent with a polymeric material in a flowable form in the absence of a solvent to form a uniform suspension. A predetermined amount of the suspension is dispensed onto a portion of the lead and is then cured to form the therapeutic agent eluting layer. Additional layers such as a primer layer, fluoro-opaque layer and/or a topcoat layer can be formed using the solventless method. Employing a solventless method may avoid contraction of the layer being formed due to solvent evaporation during the curing process, and may facilitate greater control over the thickness of the therapeutic agent eluting coating.
US08753698B2
The present invention provides novel protein hydrolysates with anti-hypertensive properties, as well as food products and food supplements comprising these.
US08753695B1
A dry insect repellent includes a plurality of non-toxic natural essential oils and an amount of soybean oil, to facilitate even distribution of the active components throughout a dry carrier matrix. The dry carrier matrix facilitates storage, handling, and application of the dry insect repellent to a treatment area for the safe and effective control of mosquitoes and other pests.
US08753688B2
A bear bile macromolecular extract with anti-HCV virus function is disclosed. A preparation method comprises the following steps of: taking fresh bear bile or dissolving bear bile powder with water, centrifuging it by a molecular sieve filter membrane with molecular weight cut-off of 100,000 or an ultrafiltration membrane, filtering to obtain sediment, dissolving the sediment with water, adding the solution to sephadex column, separating the solution by using water or buffer as elution solvent, and freeze-drying the eluent to obtain the bear bile macromolecular extract. Experiments show that the bear bile macromolecular extract has anti-HCV virus function and can be used for treating hepatitis C.
US08753683B2
A solid pharmaceutical composition comprising a water-soluble bioactive material and an encapsulating material which is present in the composition in the form of continuous solid phase, and in which solid particles of the bioactive material are dispersed and encapsulated in the continuous solid phase of the encapsulating material, wherein each of the bioactive material and the encapsulating material is normally a solid at room temperature and the melting point of the encapsulating material is lower than the melting point of the bioactive material, the bioactive material being preferably a bisphosphonate, most preferably alendronate, and the encapsulating material includes an enhancer, preferably a mono- or di-glyceride, or an encapsulating surfactant, preferably a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block copolymer having surface active properties, and a process for preparing the composition in which solid particles of the bioactive material are mixed with and dispersed in the encapsulating material which is in molten (liquid) form; and cooling the molten form of the encapsulating material to form a solid pharmaceutical composition having the solid particles of the bioactive material dispersed and encapsulated in a continuous solid phase of the encapsulating material.
US08753681B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises at least one active agent and which further comprises a binder and/or a retarding agent, wherein the binder swells in an acidic medium, and the retarding agent retards the release of the active agent in an acidic or alkaline medium.
US08753676B2
A new method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils is disclosed. The microcapsules containing essential oils or a formulation containing thereof may be used for various non-agricultural applications.
US08753651B2
Precipitated bacterial capsular polysaccharides can be efficiently re-solubilized using alcohols as solvents. The invention provides a process for purifying a bacterial capsular polysaccharide, comprising the steps of (a) precipitation of said polysaccharide, followed by (b) solubilization of the precipitated polysaccharide using ethanol. CTAB can be used for step (a). The material obtained, preferably following hydrolysis and sizing, can be conjugated to a carrier protein and formulated as a vaccine. Also, in vaccines comprising saccharides from the serogroups A and C, the invention provides that the ratio (w/w) of MenA saccharide:MenC saccharide is >1.
US08753650B2
The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies and also as targets for antibiotics.
US08753640B2
The technology described herein relates to antibodies and/or polypeptides which bind to MIC and inhibit MIC shedding. Methods of using such antibodies and/or polypeptides for the treatment of cancer are also described herein.
US08753636B2
The present invention relates to a CD43 epitope expressed on human acute leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma cells and its use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a CD43 epitope expressed on human acute leukemia, lymphoblastic lymphoma cells, but not on mature hematopoietic cells, hematopoietic stem cells and non-hematopoietic cells, and to its diagnostic and therapeutic application on acute leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma.
US08753624B2
An isolated Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-133 is disclosed, which was deposited in the China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) under the accession number of CCTCC M 2011331 is disclosed. The isolated Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-133 is used for preparing a composition for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis or other allergic diseases in an effective amount. And a composition for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis or other allergic diseases comprises an effective amount of the Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-133 is also disclosed.
US08753623B2
The present invention discloses isolated peptides encoding an antigen or fragments thereof from the N-terminus of hemagglutinin protein of influenza, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof. The peptide can be used as a vaccine to generate an antibody response that neutralizes influenza infectivity against a variety of influenza strains.
US08753620B2
According to an aspect of the invention, injectable bulking compositions are provided which contain the following: (a) fibers that are configured to prevent migration to locations in the body remote from the injection site, for example, because they have a minimum length that is sufficiently large to prevent migration of the fibers and/or because they have surface features that stimulate host tissue response to lock the fibers in position and (b) a carrier in an amount effective to render the composition injectable.
US08753619B2
Compositions provided by mixing a biotin-containing component and an avidin-containing component are useful as an adhesive or sealant for medical/surgical uses.
US08753616B2
The present invention concerns a process for permanent shaping of human hair used both for the permanent waving of human hair with an excellent waving effect as well as for the straightening of curled hair. Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is a process for permanent shaping hair wherein an aqueous composition comprising at least one inorganic salt is applied onto hair and optionally processed up to 20 min and optionally rinsed off and subsequently a composition comprising at least one reducing agent is applied and rinsed off from hair after a processing time of 1 to 30 min and at a temperature of 20 to 45° C. and a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent is applied and processed for 1 to 20 min at a temperature range of 20 to 45° C. and rinsed off from hair.
US08753609B2
A standardized, edible food containing a label for use in the measurement of gastric emptying by the quantification of marker excreted in the breath of the patient and methods of making the same using fluid bed granulation processing.
US08753608B2
There is provided a gelatin-ICG complex that can suppress leakage of ICG included therein. The complex has a gelatin derivative including at least one of a phospholipid covalently bonded to a gelatin or a cholesterol covalently bonded to a gelatin, and indocyanine green.
US08753594B1
This invention relates to a method for preparing a lithium aluminate intercalate (LAI) matrix solid and methods for the selective extraction and recovery of lithium from lithium containing solutions, including brines. The method for preparing the LAI matrix solid includes reacting aluminum hydroxide and a lithium salt for form the lithium aluminate intercalate, which can then be mixed with up to about 20% by weight of a polymer to form the LAI matrix.
US08753589B2
Methane reacts with steam generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor; the resulting gas mixture undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. In the steam/methane reforming, the gas mixture passes through a narrow channel having mean and exit temperatures both in the range of 750° C. to 900° C., residence time less than 0.5 second, and the channel containing a catalyst, so that only reactions having comparatively rapid kinetics will occur. Heat is provided by combustion of methane in adjacent channels. The ratio of steam to methane may be about 1.5. Almost all methane will undergo the reforming reaction, almost entirely forming carbon monoxide. After Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen may be fed back to the combustion channels. The steam for the reforming step may be generated from water generated by the chemical reactions, by condensing products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and by condensing water vapor generated in combustion.
US08753584B2
An electroosmotic (EO) pump is provided that includes a housing having a pump cavity, a porous core medium and electrodes. The porous core medium is positioned within the pump cavity to form an exterior reservoir that extends at least partially about an exterior surface of the porous core medium. The porous core medium has an open inner chamber provided therein. The inner chamber represents an interior reservoir. The electrodes are positioned in the inner chamber and are positioned proximate the exterior surface. The electrodes induce flow of a fluid through the porous core medium between the interior and exterior reservoirs, wherein a gas is generated when the electrodes induce flow of the fluid. The housing has a fluid inlet to convey the fluid to one of the interior reservoir and the exterior reservoir. The housing has a fluid outlet to discharge the fluid from another of the interior reservoir and the exterior reservoir. The housing has a gas removal device to remove the gas from the pump cavity.
US08753582B2
Disclosed is an apparatus that is used for detecting liquids or substances from liquids and includes a plunger that has a porous plunger layer which is pressed onto a sensor array. Each sensor of the sensor array is surrounded by elevations which spatially separate the sensors from each other like walls. In at least one embodiment, when the plunger layer is pressed onto the sensor array, the walls are pressed into the pores of the plunger layer. Liquid-tight connections are created between the walls and the plunger layer while liquid remains over the sensors. The liquid can be measured. In at least one embodiment, when there is direct mechanical contact between the plunger layer and the sensors, the liquid over the sensors is located in open pores on the surface of the plunger layer. No liquid flows between the pores and across the walls when pressure is applied to the plunger layer such that closed reaction chambers are created.
US08753576B2
A tube reactor having a substantially tubular body portion including a conical section, an entry port, an opposing exit port, and an axis extending between the ports through the body portion. The tubular body portion being rotatable about the axis. At least one reactant can be fed into the tubular body portion and directed toward the conical section. An inner surface of the tubular body portion receives the reactants from the conical section, and processes the reactants. An insert may be positioned within the tubular body portion to further process the reactants along the inner surface. A rotating reservoir having a damper can be coupled to the rotating tubular body portion. The damper receives the processed reactants from the inner surface of the tubular body portion, and guides the processed reactants into the rotating reservoir to minimize turbulence. The rotating reservoir then separates the processed reactants by density.
US08753563B2
A system for adding gas to and transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal, and one or more gas-release devices.
US08753556B2
The present invention relates to an educational method and apparatus for the instruction of basic scientific principles relating to mining. The apparatus consists of a kit for science instruction that comprises a topographic mold, casting compound, and one or more components simulating materials found in nature beneath the surface of the earth. The kit may include a tool for obtaining core samples of the resulting topographic model and may include a topographic map. The components of the kit may be used in conjunction with weight measurement tools.
US08753552B2
A heat sink using porous graphite having graphite particle-stacked porous graphite is provided. The heat sink may provide good heat conductivity and improve strength of carbon foam. Also, a manufacturing method of porous graphite is provided.
US08753548B2
A composite oxide sintered body includes In, Zn, and Sn, and has a relative density of 90% or more, an average crystal grain size of 10 μm or less, and a bulk resistance of 30 mΩcm or less, the number of tin oxide aggregate particles having a diameter of 10 μm or more being 2.5 or less per mm2 of the composite oxide sintered body.
US08753547B2
A thermoelectric material that comprises a ternary main group matrix material and nano-particles and/or nano-inclusions of a Group 2 or Group 12 metal oxide dispersed therein. A process for making the thermoelectric material that includes reacting a reduced metal precursor with an oxidized metal precursor in the presence of nanoparticles.
US08753545B2
Composite particles that include an electrochemically active metal phase, an insulating phase, and a conducting phase are provided that are useful active materials in negative electrodes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells. The electrochemically active phase includes silicon. Lithium-ion electrochemical cells are provided that include the provided composite composite particles as active materials in negative electrodes as well as methods of making the provided composite particles.
US08753543B2
The present invention provides a chemically functionalized submicron graphitic fibril having a diameter or thickness less than 1 μm, wherein the fibril is free of continuous thermal carbon overcoat, free of continuous hollow core, and free of catalyst. The fibril is obtained by splitting a micron-scaled carbon fiber or graphite fiber along the fiber axis direction. These functionalized graphitic fibrils exhibit exceptionally high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, high elastic modulus, high strength and good interfacial bonding with a matrix resin in a composite. The present invention also provides several products that contain submicron graphitic fibrils: (a) paper, thin-film, mat, and web products; (b) rubber or tire products; (c) energy conversion or storage devices, such as fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors; (d) adhesives, inks, coatings, paints, lubricants, and grease products; (e) heavy metal ion scavenger; (f) absorbent (e.g., to recover spill oil); (g) sensors; (h) friction and brake components; (i) radiation-shield components; (j) catalyst carrier; and (k) composite materials.
US08753542B2
Disclosed herein are thermally stable conducting polymers prepared by template polymerization of a conducting monomer in the presence of a sulfonated poly(amic acid). The resulting conducting polymer-sulfonated poly(amic acid) complex can be thermally converted to a conducting polymer-sulfonated poly(imide) complex having high thermal stability and high conductivity. Also disclosed are articles prepared from the thermally stable conducting polymer.
US08753541B2
The molecule is prepared by capping phospholipid on a single gold nanoparticle (GNP). Since the thiol-related molecule bounded on GNP shows the characteristic of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the phospholipid-capped gold nanoparticle (PLGNP) can be formed as a nanoprobe applied on the detection device integrating optics and chemistry and used in the fields of biomedicine, medical diagnosis and environment for detecting, such as solutions containing salts or proteins.
US08753540B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing graphene, and more particularly to a method of preparing graphene sheets, which can prepare graphene sheets from a turbostratic graphitic structure such as carbon fiber in higher yield without using a strong oxidizing agent, and to graphene sheets prepared thereby.
US08753527B2
A plasma etching method uses a plasma etching apparatus including a process chamber, a susceptor, a microwave supplying portion, a gas supplying portion, an evacuation apparatus, a bias electric power supplying portion that supplies alternating bias electric power to the susceptor, and a bias electric power control portion that controls the alternating bias electric power, wherein the bias electric power control portion controls the alternating bias electric power so that supplying and disconnecting the alternating bias electric power to the susceptor are alternately repeated to allow a ratio of a time period of supplying the alternating bias electric power with respect to a total time period of supplying the alternating bias electric power and disconnecting the alternating bias electric power to be 0.1 or more and 0.5 or less.
US08753511B2
Apparatus for integrated biological wastewater treatment and clarification including a tank having a wastewater inlet for receiving wastewater to be treated and having a treated, clarified wastewater outlet for providing treated, clarified wastewater for use, the tank having an upper turbulence region, a lower solids settling region below the upper turbulence region and a sludge collection region below the lower solids settling region, a multiplicity of biomass carriers disposed in the upper turbulence region, a gas diffuser assembly arranged generally between the upper turbulence region and the lower solids settling region for providing gas bubbles which move upwardly through the wastewater and the biomass carriers in the upper turbulence region, providing turbulence and oxygen and a sludge removal conduit communicating with the sludge collection region for removal of sludge therefrom.
US08753510B2
A fluid pressure vessel has a chamber with an inlet and outlet with a nested primary and secondary filter bag disposed such that the primary bag communicates exclusively with the inlet, and flow through the primary bag flows through the secondary bag before the outlet. The primary bag is disposed in a first rigid porous basket and the bag rim seals against a flange on the first basket. The secondary filter bag surrounds the first basket and the rim of the secondary bag is sealed around the flange of first basket. A second rigid porous basket surrounds the secondary filter bag and is sealed on the rim of the secondary filter bag and is sealed against the inner periphery of the pressure chamber by an O-ring.
US08753509B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration module and/or a novel method of making a frameless filtration module for water or wastewater treatment that can produce filtrate that is free of particles, reduce precipitated hardness, colloids and organic compounds. The designed apparatus, which is either encapsulated or in cassette form, can be assembled and disbanded easily to suit diverse process requirements. The module configuration and assembly also helps in clean-in-place, repair or replacement activities to be performed in situ.
US08753506B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for filtering sewage and wastewater. The filtering apparatus has a vertical structure including a filtering belt comprising a filter bag or a filter mesh that can filter out fine impurities. For this, the filtering apparatus includes a drive motor that receives power to drive the apparatus, an upper drive drum that is operated by the drive motor, a lower rotating drum that is interlocked with the upper drive drum, and a filtering belt that is wound and rotated around the upper drive drum and the lower rotating drum. The filtering apparatus cannot only filter out fine impurities less than from 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm but also separate earth and sand, unlike conventional filtering apparatuses that cannot conduct them. Furthermore, because the filtering apparatus can be placed upright or inclined at a predetermined angle, it can be used in a water inlet passage that is 4 m to 5 m underground, and impurities filtered out from water can be transferred to a height higher than 10 m above ground.
US08753502B1
This procedure uses a low carbon fuel with a FCC Catalyst Heater-Fuel Gas/Catalyst Combustion Chamber. The low carbon content fuel source will minimize CO2 emissions while satisfying unit heat balance. This will further reduce coke yield and CO2 emissions while improving energy efficiency.
US08753493B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring biomaterial and a method for manufacturing thereof. The apparatus of the present invention comprises: a first substrate having a recess in one side thereof; a second substrate having a plurality of reaction electrodes where a biochemical reaction of a biomaterial occurs, and a plurality of delivery electrodes delivering signals from the reaction to a detector; and reaction reagents located in the recess causing the reaction with the biomaterial. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate such that a portion of the recess forms a sample-inlet, the recess cooperates with at least one edge of the second substrate to form at least one vent slit, and the reaction electrodes are directed toward the recess. Such apparatus of the present invention enables air in the capillary to be thoroughly and quickly discharged to the outside with biomaterial-introduction, thereby increasing the speed of the biomaterial-introduction.
US08753488B2
An apparatus for growing nano-clusters includes a pair of electrodes separated by an electrode pair spacing and a field generation module that generates a corona discharge across the electrodes. The corona discharge generates an electromagnetic field near the electrodes. A voltage potential across the electrodes is a medium voltage. The field generation module includes a medium voltage module that generates a medium voltage waveform, which is transmitted to the electrodes to generate the corona discharge. The field generation module includes a broad frequency generation module that generates a broad spectrum of frequencies within the medium voltage waveform. A raw material feeder module feeds particles of a raw material through the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field with the broad spectrum of frequencies is operative to separate at least a portion of the raw material fed through the electromagnetic field into free atoms.
US08753484B2
A process comprising treating a lignocellulosic material preferably pulp in the presence of a transition metal catalyst with a oxidizing agent selected from a group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid and any combination thereof to form a treated lignocellulosic material having a viscosity equal to or less than about 17 cp and having reducing functional groups selected from the group consisting of aldehyde and aldehyde type functional groups at the C6 and C1 positions but predominating at the C1 position.
US08753480B2
The current invention includes a composition having stability additives of selected inorganic salts and/or organic incorporated into an aldehyde-functionalized polymer product. The stability additive can be post added to the finished polymer product, added to the reaction vessel prior to inducing functionalization of the non-functionalized polymer, or added at any stage during the functionalization reaction. Methods for forming the composition and using the composition to produce a cellulosic fiber-based medium are also disclosed.
US08753475B2
Provided is a plasma processing apparatus featuring highly improved plasma ignition property and ignition stability by defining a positional relationship between a dielectric and the slots. A plasma processing apparatus 11 includes a processing chamber 12 having a top opening; a dielectric 15 which has inclined surfaces 16a and 16b on a bottom surface thereof so that a thickness dimension is successively varied, and is disposed so as to close the top opening of the processing chamber 12; and an antenna 24disposed on a top surface of the dielectric 15, for supplying microwave to the dielectric 15, thereby generating plasma at the bottom surface of the dielectric 15. Further, the antenna 24 is provided with a plurality of slots 25positioned uprightly above the inclined surfaces 16a and 16b.
US08753474B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to method and apparatus for providing processing gases to a process chamber with improved plasma dissociation efficiency. One embodiment of the present invention provides a baffle nozzle assembly comprising an outer body defining an extension volume connected to a processing chamber. A processing gas is flown to the processing chamber through the extension volume which is exposed to power source for plasma generation.
US08753470B2
Analyte sensors for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The sensors have a sample chamber having an inlet with a projection extending from an edge of the sensor for facilitating flow of sample into the sample chamber.
US08753466B2
In one embodiment, a method of making disposable absorbent garments includes providing an outer cover web having front and back waist edges; attaching elastomeric front and back body panel webs to the outer cover web. The front and back body panel webs comprise an elastomeric film laminate. Portions of the outer cover web are removed to define a series of spaced apart holes. The elastomeric front body panel web defines a front body panel web width that extends at least 50% of a shortest distance extending from the front waist edge to each hole, and the elastomeric back body panel web defines a back body panel width that extends at least 50% of a shortest distance extending from the back waist edge to each hole.
US08753465B2
A method of fabricating a composite material part such as a link. The method comprises the successive operations of applying reinforcing fiber layers (14a, 14b, 14c) that are braided around a mandrel over all or part of the length of the mandrel, the layers being superposed one on another. The method includes a step of cutting an intermediate reinforcing fiber layer (14a, 14b, 14c) after it has been applied, a step of withdrawing a cut portion prior to applying the following braided layer (14b, 14c), thereby locally building up an extra thickness of reinforcing layers on each portion of the cut layer that has remained in place, the extra thickness constituting local reinforcement of the part. Resin is subsequently injected into the various braided layers prior to the resin being polymerized in order to prepare a blank. The method applies in particular to the field of aviation.
US08753462B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a nonshrinking multilayer ceramic substrate. The method includes forming at least one conductive via and an electrode pattern in at least one of a plurality of ceramic green sheets, laminating the ceramic green sheets to form a ceramic laminate, selectively forming a shrinkage inhibiting thin film of sinter-resistant powder on a region including the conductive via and a periphery thereof in at least one of two surfaces of the ceramic laminate using aerosol deposition, disposing a shrinkage inhibiting green sheet for suppressing the shrinkage of the ceramic laminate on at least one of the two surfaces of the ceramic laminate including the shrinkage inhibiting thin film to form a non-sintered multilayer ceramic substrate, and sintering the non-sintered multilayer ceramic substrate.
US08753458B2
The three dimensional (3-D) locations of splices in pre-preg tows placed by an automatic fiber placement machine to form a laminated composite structure are mapped to allow visualization of alignment patterns in the splices.
US08753456B2
Forming a 3D topology by forming a monolayer of nano-particles on a stainless steel surface, masking the stainless steel surface forming at least one unmasked regions, the unmasked region having an average density of nano-particles less than a critical average density, and introducing a plurality of exogenous atoms into the stainless steel surface only in the unmasked regions, the exogenous atoms causing the associated metal lattice to expand and harden and have an increase corrosion resistance, thereby selectively forming a 3D topology on the stainless steel surface.
US08753455B2
A wire for use in a brazing or soldering operation is provided. The wire preferably includes a body formed of a metallic material. A flux solution is provided within a channel along at least a portion of the length of the body and a surface of the flux solution is exposed. The body is preferably formed into an annular ring having an inner wall and an opposing outer wall. The flux solution preferably includes a solvent, a polymer dissolved in the solvent, and a powdered flux added to the polymer solution.
US08753451B2
Liquid hydrocarbon storage tanks are cleaned by transferring the most contaminated lower fuel layer to an external vessel on a treatment truck where separation into a contaminants portion and a fuel portion occurs. The remnant fuel in the storage tank is cleaned by multiple passes through an external circuit on the truck. The fuel from the vessel is sometimes returned to the remnant fuel to be cleaned. The contaminants are discarded. The initial separation shortens the cleaning cycle. A flexible dip tube stiffened by a guide rod allows probing of the storage tank floor.
US08753441B2
A phase change ink composition suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In embodiments, the phase change ink composition comprises both a crystalline compound and an amorphous compound which are derived from bio-renewable and recycled starting materials. The composition provides for a robust, rapid crystallization ink composition.
US08753437B2
Disclosed is a dry CO2 capturing device with improved energy efficiency, which utilizes a difference in temperature between a regeneration operation of isolating CO2 from an sorbent containing CO2 absorbed therein and a pre-treatment operation of allowing H2O to be adsorbed to CO2. The dry carbon dioxide (CO2) capturing device, includes a recovery reactor for recovering CO2, a recovery cyclone for discharging a gas while separating the CO2-captured solid sorbent only, a regenerator for receiving the CO2-captured solid sorbent and separating CO2 captured in the solid sorbent, and a pre-treatment reactor for cooling the solid sorbent free from CO2, wherein a first heat exchanger is provided between the recovery cyclone and the regenerator to pass the CO2-captured solid sorbent therethrough, and a second heat exchanger is provided between the pre-treatment reactor and the regenerator to pass the solid sorbent free from CO2 therethrough. The first and second heat exchanger include a first and second heat exchange jacket mounted thereon which are connected to each other in a closed loop state.
US08753434B2
Filter media that includes activated carbon particulates and zinc oxide particles disposed on surfaces of the activated carbon particulates. The zinc oxide particles have an average crystallite dimension that is not greater than about 50 nm.
US08753422B2
A method is disclosed for producing cast iron or semi steel with reducing gas in a high pressure refractory lined shaft furnace using minimal or no coke Iron ore and slag are fed into the operative top zone of the shaft furnace while reducing gas which is generated in a refractory lined gasifier using preheated oxygen is fed through tuyeres at the operative bottom and middle zones. The shaft furnace is operated at a high pressure to increase productivity and to facilitate use of the spent reducing gas downstream. Excess oxygen is fed into the shaft furnace to reduce the carbon content in the molten iron and generate semi steel. The size of the furnace is reduced. The method is economical.
US08753418B2
A nanopowder and a method of making are disclosed. The nanopowder may be in the form of nanoparticles with an average size of less than about 200 nm and contain a reactive transition metal, such as hafnium, zirconium, or titanium. The nanopowder can be formed in a liquid under sonication by reducing a halide of the transition metal.
US08753412B2
An outer blade cutting wheel comprising an annular thin disc base of cemented carbide and a blade section is manufactured by disposing permanent magnet pieces on the side surfaces and inward of the outer periphery of the base to produce a magnetic field, providing magnetic coated diamond and/or CBN abrasive grains such that the magnetic field may act on the grains, causing the grains to be magnetically attracted to the base outer periphery, and electroplating or electroless plating whereby the abrasive grains are bound to the base outer periphery to form the blade section.
US08753409B2
A method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor includes steps (a) and (b). In the step (a), an element body is placed on a surface of a first terminal component part after applying a first conductive adhesive to the surface of the first terminal component part. The element body is placed with a third side surface of the element body facing the surface of the first terminal component part such that the first conductive adhesive is interposed between the third side surface of the element body and the first terminal component part. The step (b) is performed after the step (a). In the step (b), a second conductive adhesive is applied to fill space between a second terminal component part and a second side surface of the element body such that an opening is not filled with the second conductive adhesive.
US08753406B2
A delivery device for an osteochondral graft comprising a tube, a plunger and a graft retention assembly is disclosed. The tube has a bore having an inside diameter and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The inside diameter of the bore is sufficient to accept an osteochondral graft of a desired diameter. The tube has a set of apertures located adjacent the distal end of the tube. The plunger is slidably disposed within the bore of the tube. The graft retention assembly comprises a collar and a set of tabs. The graft retention assembly is attached to the tube such that the tabs are disposed within the apertures of the tube. The tabs are biased towards each other but are capable of being displaced away from each other to receive or release the osteochondral graft.
US08753402B2
A two piece humeral component for use in joint arthroplasty which is adapted to be implanted into a joint and engaged by a socket component of the joint. The joint component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite the first articulating surface. The first articulating surface is adapted to be engaged by the socket and the second medial surface is adapted to be secured to mounting portion. The mounting portion has a first surface and a second medial surface. The first surface is adapted to be fixably engaged to the second mounting portion of the humeral component. The second medial surface is adapted to be secured to the humerus. A peg which has a first end adapted to engage a cavity found in the humerus is disposed on the mounting portion's second medial surface.
US08753389B1
A packaged, sterilized intraocular lens prepared by a process comprising providing a hydrophobic acrylic, or low water acrylic, intraocular lens and positioning the acrylic lens in a lens enclosure with an aqueous solution to provide a lens package. The lens package is then heated to a temperature sufficient for sterilization, however, the heating of the lens package must begin before the acrylic lens reaches an equilibrated, hydrated state following contact of the lens with the aqueous solution. The resulting sterilized acrylic intraocular lens will have less than sixty percent of total volume of disc-like features, or less than forty percent of total volume of water vacuoles, after 60 days following sterilization compared to an acrylic lens of the same composition, which was sterilized under the same conditions, but in an equilibrated, hydrated state.
US08753382B2
The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for warming biocompatible fluids for use in the treatment of injured patients and a method of heating a biocompatible fluid to treat a patient experiencing hypothermia. The present invention may be used to warm intravenous fluids for trauma resuscitation or to warm air from a ventilator circuit. The portable nature of the present invention makes it highly suitable for field applications, such as a forward surgical hospital near a combat zone.
US08753371B1
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US08753369B2
A mechanism for removing a fluid-filled object from a patient. The apparatus includes a deflation tube with a puncture member at one end of the tube for piercing a hole in the object wall. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism slidable within the deflation tube lumen. The retrieval mechanism includes an expansion element that is expandable when positioned within the object from a first configuration with a dimension less than that of the deflation tube lumen to a second or deployed configuration with a dimension that is greater than an outer dimension of the puncture member. The expansion element contacts an inner surface of the inflatable object as the deflation tube and retrieval mechanism are withdrawn from the body cavity. The expansion element may be a T-bar, a foldable anchor, an inflatable member, or another expandable form.
US08753368B2
The present disclosure relates to a sheath system for enabling access through an opening in the body of a patient is provided. The sheath system includes a dilation assembly having a radially expandable tubular sheath defining a lumen having a first cross-sectional area when in a non-expanded condition, and a handle assembly operatively coupled to a proximal end of tubular sheath, the handle assembly defining an aperture formed therein, and a first thread defined on the handle in the aperture thereof. The sheath system further includes an expansion assembly including a tubular member defining a lumen having a second cross-sectional area which is larger than the first cross-sectional area of the tubular sheath of the dilation assembly and having an outer surface defining a second thread, the second thread being arranged for engaging the first thread.
US08753366B2
The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.
US08753365B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus, device and a method for harvesting blood vessels, and in particular, to such an apparatus, device and method in which the internal mammary artery (IMA) is harvested for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using a minimally invasive approach or a conventional procedure.
US08753364B2
Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body or tubular body is longitudinally displaceable to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.
US08753350B2
A grabbing device includes a transparent flexible cup that can be placed adjacent to a selected region of an inner surface of a body cavity. The flexible cup is visually put in place by the surgeon, and a vacuum is applied to draw a selected amount of tissue into the flexible cup, so that it may, e.g., be excised. The device may also retrieve the tissue excised from the body cavity.
US08753342B2
A device for generating localized heating in a selected body tissue includes an applicator having a source of microwave radiation and an array of retractable needles arranged so as to extend from one face of the applicator and, in operation, to confine the irradiated microwave energy field emanating from the applicator. The device has application for controlling excessive bleeding from severed tissue during surgical procedures.
US08753338B2
An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue thereby causing current to flow through the tissue and, as a result, generate heat within the tissue. The surgical instrument can further comprise a fluid circulatory system embedded within at least a portion the end effector wherein, in at least one embodiment, the fluid can be dispensed from the fluid circulatory system and onto the jaws of the end effector and/or the tissue positioned between the jaws.
US08753335B2
A device for delivering therapeutic energy to tissue is provided. The device includes a housing and a rotating device coupled to the housing. The device includes a plurality of electrodes, each electrode including: (i) a proximal section longitudinally extending from within the housing to an exterior of the housing and having a longitudinal axis; (ii) an intermediate section extending from the proximal section; and (iii) a distal section extending longitudinally from the intermediate section. The rotating device is coupled to the proximal sections of the plurality of electrodes and adapted to rotate the distal section of the electrodes so that distance between at least two electrodes changes, so that the electrodes can be placed in a compact configuration or an expanded configuration to provide for a treatment region larger than the size of the opening for insertion.
US08753329B2
A guide catheter assembly includes an outer guide catheter and an inner catheter slidably and rotatably disposed in the outer guide catheter. The outer guide catheter has a proximal portion and a distal portion formed into a preformed shape including a curved segment. The preformed shape includes a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, a fourth arc, and a generally straight terminal portion. The preformed shape is generally a J-shape defining, a generally open arc.
US08753320B2
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow to provide long-term access to the vascular system, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a wedge or other similarly shaped geometrical feature for fixing an elastic component and controlling an internal stress of the elastic component.
US08753312B2
A catheter assembly employs an outer catheter with a pre-formed distal end and an open lumen. An inner catheter having an open lumen and a pre-formed distal end is movably disposed within the outer catheter. Relative rotation and extension of the inner and outer catheters provides the distal end of the catheter assembly with an adjustable range of two- and three-dimensional shapes. The inner catheter can include sections of varying stiffness, such that extension of the inner catheter within the outer catheter modifies the shape of the outer catheter's pre-formed distal end. One or both of the outer and inner catheters includes an occlusion balloon attached to the distal end thereof. The adjustable shaping of the catheter assembly's distal tip provides an improved system for locating and cannulating cardiac venous structures, particularly the coronary sinus via the right atrium.
US08753303B2
A drainage stent delivery system including an elongate shaft of a medial device, a drainage catheter or stent, and a locking mechanism for selectively coupling the drainage stent to the elongate shaft. The drainage stent is selectively coupled to a distal portion of the elongate shaft such that the proximal end of the stent is positioned proximal of the distal end of the elongate shaft. The locking mechanism includes an engaging feature of the elongate shaft which engages a portion of the stent such that the stent may be selectively coupled to the elongate shaft through rotational motion of the elongate shaft relative to the stent. In some instances, the engaging feature of the elongate shaft may be a tab which extends into an opening of the stent.
US08753298B2
A support structure for fixating a patient to a treatment unit, and especially a support structure for fixating the patient to a cardiopulmonary resuscitation unit. An embodiment of the support structure comprises a back plate for positioning behind the patient's back posterior to the patient's heart and a front part for positioning around the patient's chest anterior to the patient's heart. Further, the front part can comprise two legs, each leg having a first end pivotably connected to at least one hinge and a second end removably attachable to the back plate. The front part can further be devised for comprising a compression/decompression unit arranged to automatically compress or decompress the patient's chest when the front part is attached to the back plate.
US08753296B2
A method of rehabilitation using an actuator type that includes a movement mechanism capable of applying a force that interacts with a motion of a patient's limb in a volume of at least 30 cm in diameter, in at least three degrees of freedom of motion of the actuator and capable of preventing substantial motion in any point in any direction in said volume, comprising: exercising a patient at a first place of rehabilitation selected from a bed, a wheel-chair, a clinic and a home, using an actuator of said actuator type which interacts with a motion of said patient; and second exercising said patient at a second place of rehabilitation selected from a bed, a wheel-chair, a clinic and a home using a second actuator of said actuator type which interacts with a motion of said patient; wherein said first exercising and said second exercising utilize a same movement mechanism design for moving the actuators.
US08753295B2
A method and system including an applicator for treating dermatological conditions such as warts is presented for applying ultrasonic energy from a specially-designed ultrasonic energy applicator designed for use with localized dermatological conditions to heat an affected localized region sufficiently to achieve a desired therapeutic result. Specific embodiments include temperature measurement and/or sensing and/or actuation by way of a temperature sensor coupled to the ultrasonic energy applicator. Also, a medicated ultrasound-compatible patch is disclosed for applying to a region of tissue to be treated and includes substances known to aid in the treatment of a condition and adapted for transmitting the ultrasound energy into the region of tissue.
US08753292B2
A method for locating a catheter tip within a human body is disclosed. An audio sensor is positioned at a site on the human body. An audio signal is detected by the audio sensor, and transmitted to an audio signal processing unit. The audio signal processing unit determines if the audio signal corresponds to a target location of the catheter tip, and transmits a notification signal to a user notification unit. An infusion of fluid or an audio emitting element can be used to generate the audio signal at the catheter tip.
US08753284B2
A device may include a vibration sensor configured to sense blood flow in a lumen of a person; a cuff coupled to the vibration sensor and configured to contact a limb of the person; a cuff pressurizer coupled to the cuff, the cuff pressurizer configured to adjust a compressive force of the cuff on the lumen; and an energy-generating apparatus coupled to the cuff, the energy-generating apparatus configured to generate energy from a depressurization of the cuff.
US08753283B2
Single- or dual-bladder devices for remote ischemic preconditioning and blood pressure monitoring are disclosed along with various oscillometry-based and other methods for detecting systolic and diastolic blood pressure while the ischemic preconditioning treatment is in progress. The devices and methods of the invention provide for delivery of ischemic preconditioning at the lowest effective cuff pressure while closely monitoring patient's hemodynamics. Advantageously, the device of the invention allows both ischemic preconditioning and blood pressure monitoring to be done on the same limb. Disposable battery-powered version of the device of the present invention is especially useful for emergency use with patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction, acute stroke, or acute trauma. Additional device configurations are described for use in a percutaneous intervention and vascular sealing settings.
US08753282B2
A blood pressure measurement apparatus detects a downward flexure of an arm rest and informs a user of the downward flexure on a display unit. By providing a partially color changing display or a blinking display on the display unit, the user is informed that a measurement posture is not good. The blood pressure measurement apparatus has an elbow rest with an arrangement that can easily prompt the user to be in a good posture for measurement.
US08753274B2
An operator-controllable medical monitoring system including at least one medical sensor that is adapted to monitor at least one patient characteristic, a plurality of medical monitors, each including a monitor wireless transceiver and a medical information display and a patient companion assembly including a patient companion assembly wireless transceiver and a medical monitor selector wirelessly operative to initially select one of the plurality of medical monitors and to provide a monitor selection indication which is visually sensible to the operator.
US08753273B1
Improved methods and systems for personal medical monitoring are disclosed. The monitoring yields status information pertaining to persons being monitored. Notifications, recommendations and/or actions can be initiated by examination or analysis of the status information. The status information can include health, position (location) and other information.
US08753271B1
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08753264B2
A seal is provided for effectively inhibiting the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a region with a non-circular cross-sectional shape is disposed therein. The seal has a body portion with a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a wall defining a lumen adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope. The seal includes a sealing element for sealing the region of the elongate device with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The sealing element conforms to the profile of the non-circular region.
US08753255B2
Compositions, articles, and methods for treating and imaging vulnerable plaque and other inflamed regions in a patient rely on delivery of a conversion electron emitting source (CEES) to a body location. The CEES may be delivered by coupling to a substance which preferentially binds to vulnerable plaque or other inflammatory marker. Alternatively, the CEES can be delivered on a catheter, scaffold, or other device.
US08753252B2
An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.
US08753251B2
A jaw exerciser is provided. The jaw exerciser includes an elongated first portion having a first cross-sectional area, wherein the elongated first portion is configured to be inserted into the mouth, and includes an outer surface adapted to be engaged and clenched by the teeth. The jaw exerciser also includes an elongated second portion having a second cross-sectional area and an outer surface, wherein the elongated second portion is configured to remain outside the mouth when the first portion is inserted into the mouth. Furthermore, the jaw exerciser includes an intermediate portion having a third cross-sectional area. The intermediate portion joins the elongated first and second portions, and is configured to be grasped and encircled by the lips to thereby retain saliva inside the mouth.
US08753249B2
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission mechanism including a continuously variable transmission having a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt extending around the two pulleys. When beginning of the start of a drive source for driving a vehicle has been detected, a first command oil pressure as a command value of a first control oil pressure supplied to a cylinder chamber of the drive pulley is set to a first predetermined oil pressure substantially equal to 0, and a second command oil pressure as a command value of a second control pressure supplied to a cylinder chamber of the driven pulley is set to a second predetermined oil pressure higher than the first predetermined oil pressure. When the detected second control oil pressure has reached a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that filling of the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley has been completed. A control for increasing the first command oil pressure is performed from a time point when completion of the filling of the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley has been determined.
US08753243B2
A turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear train that has a two-piece ring gear. Each portion of the ring gear includes radially outwardly extending flanges that are axially constrained to a turbo fan shaft by bolts secured circumferentially along the flanges. Knife edge seals are secured to the flanges to contain oil expelled through the ring gear into a gutter. The ring gear and turbo fan shaft can be rotationally balanced together.
US08753242B2
Providing a vehicular power transmitting system which includes a torque limiter device and which is configured to reduce deterioration of durability of a rotary member disposed between an engine and the torque limiter device. An inertia moment of a first rotary portion of a torque limiter device about its axis (first axis RC1) is smaller than an inertia moment of a second rotary portion about its axis (first axis RC1), so that an inertia moment of rotary members between an input shaft and the first rotary portion can be reduced as compared with that where the above-indicated inertia moment is larger than the inertia moment. Accordingly, the torque which transiently acts on a rotary member disposed between the engine and the torque limiter device, for instance, acts on the input shaft, during an operation of the torque limiter device, that is, during a slipping motion of the first rotary portion and the second rotary portion can be reduced, so that the deterioration of durability of the input shaft can be reduced.
US08753237B2
An alternator assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The alternator assembly includes a rotor including a shaft. A torsion member is disposed inside a central cavity of the shaft. A pulley is connected to the torsion member to allow some decoupling between the pulley and the shaft.
US08753236B2
A segmented pulley transmission [20] is provided. A pulley assembly [36] is rotationally mounted on an axle [32]. The pulley assembly [36] includes a core pulley [45] having a first set of mating features on a peripheral surface thereof. A pulley segment set comprises a number of pulley segments [48] slidably mounted in the pulley assembly and arranged in a ring concentric with the core pulley [45]. The pulley segments [48] are individually actuatable out of the pulley assembly into an engaging position and into the pulley assembly into a non-engaging position. The pulley segments [48] have a second set of mating features [52] on an peripheral surface matching the first set of mating features. An endless drive member [47] has corresponding mating features on an inside surface for engaging the first and second sets of mating features of the core pulley [45] and the pulley segments [48] in an engaging position. Contact between the endless drive member [47] and a core pulley defines a contact zone [CZ]. An actuator [80] actuates the pulley segments [48] between the engaging and non-engaging positions when the pulley segments [48] are outside of the contact zone [CZ]. One of the pulley segments [48] in the pulley segment set is a key pulley segment [48a] that is positioned relative to the care pulley [45] such that when the key pulley segment [48a] is actuated to the engaging position and rotated into the contact zone [CZ], the corresponding mating features of the endless drive member [47] engage the first set of mating features of the core pulley [45] and the second set of mating features [52] of the key pulley segment [48a] without the introduction of significant slack or tension.
US08753233B2
The present invention provides for the first time a swing trainer having a sheath with a core end and a protective end, the core end of the sheath has a cover attached.
US08753227B1
A weight screw for a golf club head having one or more weight ports is disclosed herein. A set of weight screws is also disclosed herein, the set comprising at least one low-weight screw comprising multiple materials and at least one weight screw comprising a single material.
US08753226B2
A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole or a composite body patch with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole or composite body patch, and each of the weight ports includes an upper edge, a lower edge, and a wall having a variable thickness and varying radius.
US08753225B1
A golf club having features that permit easy customization by consumers is disclosed herein. The golf club includes at least one weight port, at least one removable weight port insert, which may be a weight port ring or one or more weight port medallions, and at least one weight screw. The weight port of the golf club head preferably is non-circular and asymmetric.
US08753220B2
A set of progressive golf clubs with an elliptical pad construction on the back of the striking face that corresponds to a location, shape and size of a predetermined golfer's impact pattern for the lofts and lengths of each of the golf clubs in the set. The elliptical pad progressively changes in location, shape and size from the long irons, to the mid irons, to the short irons, and to the wedges, based on the location, shape and size of a predetermined golfer's impact pattern for each of the long irons, mid irons, short irons, and wedges.
US08753218B2
This golf course includes a fairway (11), tees (17), greens (1), holes (3) and bunkers (4), and other customary obstacles (6). As a particular feature, it has a special lighting arrangement, such that it also allows golf to be played during hours of darkness. To this end, at least the tees (17), the greens (1), the bunkers (4) and obstacles (6) are each equipped with a series of discrete or continuous light sources (12, 15, 18, 20, 36), preferably in the form of ground-installed LEDs or of OLEDs or LEDs. These lights extend along the edges of the objects in question and are installed flush with the ground. The holes (3) are illuminated internally by means of a light source, and the flagpoles (24) are designed as removable illuminating poles, such that the hole (3) remains lit even after removal of the flagpole. On a golf course equipped in this manner, the game of golf is played with an illuminating golf ball. The length of time it is possible to play on a golf course is extended substantially, and a highly attractive ambience is created on the course.
US08753213B1
The present disclosure describes an administration system which facilitates efficient setup, organization, and maintenance of tournaments, including league games. In particular, the administration system provides a user-friendly, intuitive and efficient-to-use interface for organizing tournaments and tournament brackets. The user interfaces and methods described provide tournament organizers and administrators with the ability to quickly and dynamically build custom tournament brackets of virtually any desired depth and configuration. The administration system, and in particular the tournament bracket management user interfaces, enable tournament administrators to focus on the task of building a custom tournament bracket structure quickly, while also automatically handling the minute logistics underlying the tournament such as when and where games are to be played.
US08753211B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a game system that enables a player to easily select an item to be used by a player character. The game system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a selection unit configured to select, from player game contents owned by a player, one or more game contents to be used by a player character of the player in a battle with an opponent character, based at least on an effective value calculated by the effective value calculating unit.
