US07702412B2
A computer-based method for controlling product quality is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: detecting whether a quality of raw materials bought from at least one supplier are acceptable; detecting whether a quality of using materials used at a processing procedure are acceptable; detecting whether a quality of products being manufactured at the processing procedure are acceptable; receiving and storing a post-procedure report obtained by sampling the products after the processing procedure; repeating steps of detecting materials used at a processing procedure, detecting products being manufactured at the processing procedure, detecting the sampling products after the processing procedure, and completing the manufacturing if all the products are finished. A related system is also disclosed.
US07702410B2
A schedule is generated by which physical items to be manufactured are assigned into production slots. The physical items have constraints governing manufacture of the physical items. The method generates coefficient matrix clusters from a mathematical programming problem based on an actual scheduling problem. Each coefficient matrix cluster defines a variable cluster-constraint cluster pair. A variable cluster of each coefficient matrix cluster defines production slot-physical item pairs. A constraint cluster of each coefficient matrix cluster defines a group of constraints. Each coefficient matrix cluster includes coefficient-binary variable pairs, each pair having a binary variable multiplied by a coefficient. For each coefficient matrix cluster, the method reduces non-zero factors within the cluster. Each non-zero factor within the coefficient matrix cluster is defined as a coefficient-binary variable pair such that the binary variable of the pair multiplied by the coefficient of the pair is non-zero. The schedule is then generated.
US07702406B2
In order to obtain coded data which does not strike viewers and listeners as being incongruous, when plural audio data are to be coded, a coding program groups the respective audio data into one audio data, codes the grouped audio data in sequence with a predetermined number of samples being treated as units, and sets delimitations corresponding to the delimitations of the plural audio data in the coded data at coding units of the coded data.
US07702404B2
A method of processing a spectrally-encoded digital audio signal comprising band data components representing audio contributions in respective frequency bands comprises the steps of altering a subset comprising one or more of the band data components; and generating recovery data to allow the original values of the altered band data components to be reconstructed.
US07702397B2
A system and method for approaching the intervertebral disc through a percutaneous insertion from the back of a patient for thermal or electromagnetic treatment of an intervertebral disc, includes an elongated probe member having a guidable region adjacent its distal end with an undulating groove defined in its outer surface. The undulating groove is dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one radial direction of movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the thermal probe. Preferably, the guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves, whereby adjacent undulating grooves are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The undulating grooves each define a sinusoidal configuration which may be arranged about an undulating axis extending in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis. The guidable region also includes a longitudinally extending backbone which resists bending of the guidable region in a radial direction of movement. The apparatus may also include a cannula to facilitate introduction of the thermal probe into the intervertebral disc. The cannula includes an arcuate end portion dimensioned to arrange the guidable region of the thermal probe at a desired orientation within the annulus fibrosis.
US07702391B1
Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Short-term fluctuations in PR intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in PR intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in PR intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles.
US07702388B2
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for tachyarrhythmia therapy involving pacing the heart to prior to the application of a cardioversion/defibrillation shock. One or more pace pulses are delivered to the arrhythmic chamber or chambers. The pace pulses may be delivered to the heart at an adaptable rate selected to organize the electrical activity of the heart. If the pace pulses produce capture, cardioversion/defibrillation stimulation is delivered.
US07702378B2
An implantable tissue marker incorporates a contrast agent sealed within a chamber in a container formed from a solid material. The contrast agent is selected to produce a change, such as an increase, in signal intensity under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional contrast agent may also be sealed within the chamber to provide visibility under another imaging modality, such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging or ultrasound imaging.
US07702371B2
A power management scheme for a wireless communications device substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating first and second clock signals for a wireless communication device, with the first and second clock signals corresponding first and second power levels, depending on the operating mode of the wireless communication unit. In the first operating state, the transceiver in the RF analog module is operational and the clock generator provides a first clock signal having the high-speed, high-accuracy characteristics necessary to maintain efficient operation of the transceiver. In a second operating state, the transceiver in the RF analog module is turned off. In this second operational state, the clock generator provides a second clock signal having a frequency and quality sufficient to maintain efficient operation of the digital modules in the wireless communication device. In the second operational state, the high-speed, high-accuracy clock is replaced by a low-power oscillator when the wireless communication unit is operating in a low power mode.
US07702355B2
Cells from which to receive information transmitted on a traffic channel that is not subject to power control in a cellular radio communications system are selected. Selection involves, for each of a plurality of candidate cells, using an offset value that indicates a relationship between a pilot channel transmission power and the traffic channel transmission power associated with the candidate cell to determine a value of quality indicative of power of a signal transmitted on the traffic channel associated with the candidate cell; and selecting, based on the values of quality indicative of power of a signal transmitted on the traffic channel, a number, N, of cells from the plurality of candidate cells.
US07702353B2
Allocate power so as to maximise the throughput of each user of a multi-user MIMO group, with the constraint that over time all users in the group have equal throughput. This differs from equal capacity per slot in that each user may be assigned multiple slots as well as unequal power. This is illustrated in FIG. 4. Total throughput is maximised on any given slot for any two users. Power is shared between the spatial modes such that the total number of slots used by the two users is minimised. The membership of the MIMO group may change between slots and thus throughput is not necessarily equalised on a slot by slot basis.
US07702347B1
Systems and methods for creating temporary dispatch talk groups are provided. A console receives a request to create a temporary dispatch talk group. The temporary dispatch talk group includes at least two existing talk groups. The console accesses a group database in a publicly-accessible wireless network. The temporary dispatch talk group is created in the group database, along with an identification of the lifetime of the temporary dispatch talk group. A temporary dispatch talk group identifier is provided to at least one member of the temporary dispatch talk group. A talk group call for the temporary dispatch talk group can then be initiated using the temporary dispatch talk group identifier.
US07702344B2
A radio communication system includes a radio network controller, base stations and mobile stations. The mobile station includes a response signal transmitter which is configured to transmit a response signal including a group ID identifying a multicast group A to a base station. The response signal responds to a control signal for the multicast group A which the mobile station is joining in. The base station includes a response signal transmitter configured to transmit at least one response signal to the radio network controller. The response signal is selected from at least one response signal transmitted from the mobile station joining in the same multicast group A.
US07702341B2
Two-way communication between a general purpose computing device, such as a PC, and a mobile terminal, such as a cell phone. The general device executes a conversation user interface through which a user enters a message. The message is sent to an intermediary communication service, such as a portal server, along with a mobile terminal identifier, such as a phone number. The intermediary service creates a mapping between the mobile identifier, a general device user identifier, and an extension to an intermediary device identifier, such as an extension to an SMS short code. The intermediary service sends the message to the mobile terminal along with the intermediary service identifier and the extension. The mobile device returns a response with the mobile identifier, the intermediary service identifier, and the extension. The intermediary service uses the mobile identifier and the extension to determine the general device user identifier and send the response.
US07702319B1
A communication apparatus includes a mechanism for reducing loss of text telephone information during normal traffic channel preempting. The communication apparatus includes a transmitter that may generate a signal including a plurality of text telephone symbols for transmission via a voice channel. The transmitter may receive a notification that indicates information transmitted via the voice channel will be replaced by control information. In response to receiving the notification, the transmitter may further selectively prevent at least a portion of the plurality of text telephone symbols from being provided for transmission.
US07702310B1
A communications management network for managing subscribers' communication sessions. The management network includes multiple sets of session management modules or servers (e.g., Intelligent Service Control Points), a services hub and a data warehouse. The network may also include a gateway for routing text messages. Each set of session management modules includes a plurality of modules, and each subscriber is assigned to one set of modules with one of the modules as a primary and another as a secondary or backup. Subscribers are grouped according to geographical area (e.g., by zip code, by area code), service area or other criteria, and all subscribers within a group are assigned to the same primary and secondary modules. Management of subscribers' communication sessions is load balanced by reassigning groups of subscribers to different sets of session management modules. Each module tracks account statuses (e.g., prepaid services balances) for its assigned subscribers.
US07702309B2
The invention proposes a method for handling services requiring location information of a user terminal, wherein the user terminal is connected to a local network, a connection to an external network is provided via a network access means, and the network access means is identified by an identity, the method comprising the steps of extracting location information of the network access means based on the identity of the network access means, and determining the location of the user terminal based on the location information of the network access means. The invention also suggests a corresponding network control element.
US07702293B2
A multi-mode I/O circuit or cell (10) is provided for transmitting and receiving data between ICs, where each IC contains at least one of the I/O circuits. Each data link includes transmitter circuitry (12) and receiver circuitry (14). The transmitter circuitry sends data to a receiver circuitry in another IC, and the receiver circuitry receives data from a transmitter circuitry in another IC. The I/O circuit is constructed with CMOS-based transistors (e.g., CMOS or BiCMOS) that are selectively interconnected together by a plurality of switches to operate as two single-ended, current or voltage mode links, or as a single differential current or voltage mode link. In the preferred embodiment the transmitter circuitry sends data to the receiver circuitry in another IC over a first pair of adjacently disposed conductors, and the receiver circuitry receives data from the transmitter circuitry in another IC over a second pair of adjacently disposed conductors. The transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry are selectively configured by the plurality of switches for operating in a double single-ended voltage mode link mode, a double single-ended current mode link mode, a mode defined by a single differential voltage mode link with a single-ended input drive, a mode defined by a single differential voltage mode link with a differential input drive, a mode defined by a single differential current mode link with a single-ended input drive mode, and a mode defined by a single differential current mode link with a differential input drive. A common I/O circuit may also be provided, and programmed into either the transmitter or the receiver circuit configuration.
US07702292B2
The jitter reduction circuit to reduce phase noise in a pulse train, comprises: —a resettable integrator (70) to integrate the pulse train, —a comparator (72) to compare the integrated pulse train with a reference level and to generate a modified pulse train with reduced phase noise, —a crossing time interval detector (94) configured to determine a discrete time interval during which the integrated pulse train crosses the reference level and to reset the integrator between two discrete time intervals determined consecutively.
US07702289B2
A system and method for fast acquisition of a communication link in a wireless broadband communication system between a mobile station and a base station includes a scheduler (100) that is informed (102) of the processing capabilities of the mobile station, preferably in an optional message field. The scheduler determines (104) a time that the mobile station can respond to a downlink message, in the same frame or in a subsequent frame, using the processing capabilities. The scheduler allocates (106) uplink bandwidth for the mobile station to respond to the downlink message at the determined time. In this way, upon sending (108) a message from the base station to the mobile station, the mobile station can immediately respond (112) at the allocated time without having to perform an explicit bandwidth request. As a result, link entry and/or handover times are reduced.
US07702281B2
A method and apparatus in which a radio frequency transceiver is controlled via a plurality of connectors including providing control information for changing a mode of operation of the receiver. The modes can be transmit and receive modes, and the connectors can be configured to perform various functions depending on the mode of operation. Control signals, time critical control signals, and other types of signals may be received at one or more of the connectors in the different modes of operation. The functions may control a power amplifier of a transmitter portion of the transceiver, read/write data from/to registers of the transceiver, and/or other functions.
US07702280B2
A mobile communication system capable of determining a communication path to implement fast communication by multihop connection. The mobile communication system includes a mobile station, at least one relay station, and a base station and implements packet transmission from the mobile station to the base station through a communication path with an intermediary of at least one relay station or through a communication path without an intermediary of a relay station. The mobile communication system is provided with a communication path determiner for determining a communication path with a largest communication speed or a communication path satisfying a required line quality, based on interference levels of respective signals received at a relay station constituting a communication path between the transmitting station and the receiving station, and at the base station.
US07702276B2
An automatic document feeder (3) has a front plate (12) located on one of opposite sides of the document feeder in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of documents P on a document tray (4), and on the side opposed to an operator. A rear plate (13) is on the other side opposed to the front plate (12). An intermediate transport unit (32) located between the front plate (12) and the rear plate (13) has a frame with an outer wall surface (37) serving as a lower guide surface of document transport path. The front plate (12) has an outer edge (33) at a height equal to or lower than the outer wall surface (37), so as to allow the operator to visually check the document (P) on the outer wall surface (37) from the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the documents (P).
US07702256B2
An image forming apparatus comprising an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, and a transfer unit, wherein the image forming apparatus conducts charging, exposure, development, and transfer while moving a circumferential surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in a predetermined direction, the image forming apparatus further comprises a controlling unit which controls a moving velocity of the circumferential surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor so that a time required for processes from charging to development is changeable, the electrophotographic photoreceptor includes an undercoat layer and a photosensitive layer, and the undercoat layer includes a metal oxide particle and an acceptor compound having a group capable of reacting with the metal oxide particle.
US07702253B2
A process cartridge including a main frame including a first side wall and a second side wall, and an image carrying member supported by the first side wall and the second side wall in a manner that permits the image carrying member to rotate. The image carrying member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When viewed from the first side wall side or the second side wall side, the image carrying member is concealed by the first side wall or the second side wall in the retracted position. When viewed from the first side wall side or the second side wall side, at least a portion of the image carrying member extends beyond a periphery of the first side wall or the second side wall in the extended position.
US07702248B2
A powder container is configured to be installed in a substantially horizontal manner in an apparatus in which the powder container is used. A powder inlet is provided, through which a powder enters into the powder container. A powder detecting unit includes a powder detector for detecting a full of the powder. A powder conveying unit is provided between the powder inlet and the powder detecting unit. A space between the powder inlet and the powder detecting unit is divided into a plurality of areas.
US07702244B1
An Improved Circuit Design and Optics System for infrared Signal Transceivers is disclosed. The preferred system includes an IR transceiver assembly that is easily grasped by assemblers. Furthermore, the primary and secondary lenses associated with the transceiver system are easier to manufacture than are current lens designs. Also, the heretofore critical lens separation between the infrared emitting and infrared detection devices and the primary lens is rendered a flexible dimension, dependent only upon the particular appliance in which the system is installed. The present invention permits the stand for infrared emitting and infrared detection devices to be eliminated as a result of exchanging a non-imaging transceiver system with the current imaging transceiver system. The present invention further comprises assembling or otherwise combining infrared emitting and infrared detection devices into a single infrared emitting/infrared detection device stack. Finally, the present invention provides an infrared transceiver assembly that has a smaller footprint by backside mounting and/or stacking the discrete devices.
US07702235B2
An improved handheld electronic device and camera apparatus upon which can be executed an improved method enable a modular camera to be used in conjunction with a flash. In one implementation, compensation parameters that are intended for use in a non-flash situation are overwritten with compensation parameters that are configured to compensate for the combined effects of the camera and the flash and are used by an embedded compensation routine executed on the camera. In another implementation, an image signal is processed by the embedded compensation routine using the original compensation parameters, but if it is determined that the image signal is a flash image signal, the image signal is further processed by the embedded compensation routine employing an additional set of parameters which compensate the image signal for the effect of the flash.
US07702232B2
Systems and methods of implementing dynamic focus zones for cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method may include selecting a reference image from a scene being photographed. The method may also include selecting a plurality of difference images from regions adjacent the reference image. The method may also include comparing the reference image and the plurality of different images. The method may also include selecting a plurality of distinct focus zones based on correlation of the compared reference image and the plurality of difference images.
US07702227B2
An optical device includes a lens holding member that holds a lens and that is movable in a direction along a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and an actuator that moves the lens holding member in the direction along the plane. In the optical device, the actuator includes an actuator element, formed of electroactive polymer, and a connecting member that connects the lens holding member to the actuator element.
US07702218B2
A coding/decoding part performs codes and decodes a given signal in one of a plurality of coding/decoding modes of different bit rates; and a control part sets a predetermined bit rate to be applied by the coding/decoding part in case a given signal is output after being coded and decoded by said coding/decoding part without storage thereof in a predetermined recording medium.
US07702210B2
A video signal reproducing apparatus for playing a recording medium on which a video signal is recorded and inhibited operation information is recorded which is information representing whether or not an inputted key operation is inhibited, includes a control means of displaying, if the inputted key operation is inhibited on the inhibited operation information, an alternative operation message causing a user to select whether or not an alternative key operation is used, the alternative key operation giving an alternative processing coupled with a processing required by the inputted key operation, and of making, if the user selects using the alternative key operation, on an assumption that the alternative key operation not inhibited on the inhibited operation information and giving alternative processing has been inputted by the user, control of executing a processing corresponding to the alternative key operation.
US07702209B2
An information storage medium which stores data structures supporting multi-angles includes clip AV streams for respective angle data of multi-angle motion picture data. As additional information for each clip AV stream, clip information is recorded on a separate storage area from that of the clip AV streams. The clip information includes jumping-point information for jumping into another angle. Each of the clip AV streams may be recorded in a contiguous recording area, or divided into smaller interleaved units that are interleaved with units of the other clip AV streams.
US07702202B2
An optical device and a sensor system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical device includes a microresonator that has a core with input and output ports. The output port is different than the input port. The optical device further includes first and second optical waveguides. Each optical waveguide has a core with input and output faces. The output face of the core of the first optical waveguide physically contacts the input port of the core of the microresonator. The input face of the core of the second optical waveguide physically contacts the output port of the core of the microresonator.
US07702195B2
When light is made incident to an optical waveguide path 14 formed through a main body 12 composed of silver (Ag) that is a plasmon active medium, surface plasmon is generated on a definition face 55 of the optical waveguide path 14 (including a fine aperture 16). Thus, the intensity of the light propagating in the optical waveguide path 14 is strengthened as the light propagates toward the fine aperture 16. In addition, a distal end 51 of a first protrusive piece 13a is more protrusive as compared with a distal end 52 of a second protrusive piece 13b. Thus, in a distal end part of a projection 13, the light is focused in the vicinity of the first protrusive piece 13a based on an intensity distribution of an electric field at the distal end part. Thus, the light having seeped out from the fine aperture 16 is restricted from spreading in a polarizing direction. Therefore, the light intensity of the light propagated through the optical waveguide path 14 is increased at a low cost without causing an increase of the spread of the light while maintaining a good S/N ratio.
US07702193B2
An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers comprising: at least one first fiber (21) and a plurality of second fibers (22); a moveable fiber-end carriage (41) coupled to an end of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage (42) coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; and at least one moving device (70, 80) controllable to move the carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end carriage.
US07702188B2
A polarization beam splitter-polarization rotator-polarization beam combiner optical structure comprising a pair of polarization rotators having a polarization beam splitter associated with the input ends of the two polarization rotators, and a polarization beam combiner associated with output ends of the two polarization rotators, and a method of purifying a light signal comprising TE and TM modes by disassociating the primary TE and TM modes from first order splitter and rotation error components.
US07702187B2
A scanner for scanning items marked with near-infrared tags includes a laser configured to produce a narrowband near-infrared beam matched to a peak wavelength of near-infrared ink used to print the tags. A mirror assembly re-directs the beam. A deflecting arrangement receives the re-directed beam. A steering mirror steers the deflected beam. A scanning mirror directs the beam onto the tag to be scanned and a light collection system collects light reflected by the tags.
US07702184B2
The procedure of the present invention estimates a correction rate for elimination of a positional shift between the multiple first images, executes correction with the estimated correction rate to eliminate the positional shift between the multiple first images, and combines the multiple corrected first images to generate the second image. The procedure selects a target pixel among pixels included in the second image, and detects multiple adjacent pixels respectively in the multiple first images, which adjoin to the selected target pixel. The procedure then selects an image as a composition object or a composition object image with regard to the target pixel among the multiple first images according to the multiple adjacent pixels, and calculates a pixel value of the target pixel based on the composition object image. The procedure excludes the first image that includes a certain adjacent pixel out of the multiple adjacent pixels, which is detected to have a motion relative to one base image selected among the multiple first images, from the composition object image with regard to the target pixel. This arrangement of the invention enables generation of a high-resolution still image by taking into account motions of image parts.
US07702178B2
A method and apparatus for reducing noise in at least one frame in an image sequence is disclosed. A minimum function is applied to the at least one frame to produce a plurality of minimum values. A mask is generated in accordance with the plurality of minimum values. The mask is applied to reduce the noise in the at least one frame. In one embodiment, impulse noise is reduced. In another embodiment wideband non-linear noise is reduced.
US07702177B2
A method and apparatus for adjusting brightness of an image are provided, in which number distribution information of pixel brightness is detected, and the brightness of a specific area of the image is adjusted using characteristic values according to a distribution characteristic of the detected number distribution information. Accordingly, a decrease in an image recognition characteristic of a human being is compensated for in a specific area, such as, low-brightness area, of an image.
US07702174B2
A data distribution system in which distribution data is generated by a distribution data generation portion, a second range is specified by a specifying portion, the second range is mapped to a first range by a mapping portion, and third image data is generated by performing binarization based on a threshold value regulated in the first range by various components. In this way, binarization can be suitably performed even when pixel value distribution data differs for each subject.
US07702171B2
A screen data transmitting device for transmitting screen data to a screen display terminal through a network. A generation device generates a display image data. A storage device stores compression properties information associating a plurality of compression schemes with a plurality of classes of graphical user interface (GUI) components. A selection device selects one of the compression schemes with respect to a GUI component that is present in a region of the display image data. A compression device compresses the region of the display image data according to the selected compression scheme. Then, a transmission device transmits the screen data including the compressed display image data to the screen display terminal.
US07702170B2
A method of block encoding of an image includes partitioning an image into a plurality of blocks each having a plurality of pixels corresponding to a first matrix, obtaining a first block from the plurality of blocks, rearranging pixels of the first block for generating a second block according to an arrangement rule, performing wavelet transformation for the second block for generating a third block having a plurality of wavelet coefficients corresponding to the first matrix, rearranging the wavelet coefficients of the third block for generating a fourth block according to the arrangement rule, quantizing the fourth block, and encoding a quantized result of the fourth block.
US07702169B2
A method of processing an image includes selecting, for each of a plurality of picture element values in at least a portion of the image, one among a plurality of offset values. For each of the plurality of picture element values, an index value is obtained based on (A) the selected offset value and (B) a portion of the picture element value. For each of the plurality of picture element values, an entry is retrieved from a lookup table according to the corresponding index value.
US07702166B2
A recording medium having recorded thereon information related to coded data of an image sequence; wherein the information related to coded data of an image sequence is a set of coded frame information of a plurality of frames of an image sequence; wherein the coded frame information includes: information related to a difference image between an image of a current frame and a prediction image of the current frame, the prediction image being synthesized by performing motion compensation, information related to motion vectors estimated in performing the motion compensation, and rounding method information specifying either a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method for interpolating intensity values of pixels in performing the motion compensation when the input image is coded as a P frame, wherein no rounding method information is included in the coded frame information when the input image is coded as an I frame.
US07702161B2
A progressive differential motion JPEG codec is disclosed. The compression encoder of the progressive differential motion JPEG codec comprises a video capture unit, a video capture buffer, a detection unit, a compression unit, and a quality level buffer. The video capture unit is used for receiving an image data and dividing a component of the image data into a plurality of image data blocks. The video capture buffer stores the image data block. The detection unit is electrically coupled to the video capture unit and the video capture buffer for detecting whether a content of the image data block input from the video capture unit is different from a content of the image data block retrieved from the video capture buffer. The compression unit is electrically coupled to the detection unit for compressing the image data block retrieved from the video capture buffer with a predetermined level compression scheme depending on the difference between the content of the image data block input from the video capture unit and the content of the image data block retrieved from the video capture buffer. The quality level buffer assigns and stores an index value indicative of level compression scheme in the quality level buffer when the compression unit compresses the image data block retrieved from the video capture buffer.
US07702154B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that identifies halftone regions within a digital image. During operation, the system receives a region from the digital image, wherein the digital image is a bi-level image, wherein each pixel has two possible color values. Next, the system computes a variation index for a region of the digital image, wherein the variation index indicates how frequently adjacent pixel values in the region differ. If the variation index for the region is greater than an upper threshold, the system determines that the region is a halftone region.
US07702152B2
A method for constructing a database having digital video data information representing a plurality of video sequence is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) partitioning each image frame of each video sequence into L number of sub images; b) generating L number of edge histograms for each image frame; c) normalizing the edge histogram bins to thereby generate M number of normalized edge histogram bins; d) calculating M representative edge histogram bins in order to generate L number of representative edge histograms based on the normalized edge histogram bins; and e) non-linearly quantizing the representative edge histogram bins to generate M number of quantization index values for the each representative edge histogram, to be stored in the database.
US07702139B2
An apparatus for imaging a tooth having a light source with a first spectral range and a second spectral range. A polarizing beamsplitter (18) light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor (68), wherein the first and second polarization states are orthogonal. A first lens (22) in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth, through the polarizing beamsplitter (18), toward the sensor (68), and obtains image data from the redirected portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter (15) in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range. Control logic enables the sensor to obtain either the reflectance image or the fluorescence image.
US07702130B2
Provided is a user interface apparatus that can control a telematics terminal safely and comfortably while driving, by recognizing a hand gesture image received through a camera in the telematics terminal as a corresponding control signal, and a method thereof. The interface apparatus using a hand gesture recognition, includes: an input receiving block for receiving a command registration request signal and a command selection signal; a hand gesture recognizing block for storing the hand gesture image in connection with a specific command, and transforming the hand gesture image into the corresponding command by recognizing the hand gesture image from the image obtained in the image obtaining block; and a command performing block for performing an operation corresponding to a command transformed in the hand gesture recognizing block.
US07702121B2
The automatic switching of acoustic systems and especially of hearing aids into different processing programs is to be improved. To this end there is provision for the signal processing device of the acoustic system to feature a high-frequency detector for analysis of an input signal, with the output signal of said device being able to be used for processing one or more input signals by the signal processing unit. Specifically the presence of an active mobile telephone which emits electromagnetic radiation in the high-frequency range can be established in this way. This enables the system to be switched into telephone made with a high degree of certainty to suit a particular situation.
US07702120B1
The present invention utilizes switching power amplifier technology to improve the performance of self-amplified speaker system. In contrast to analog Class A and Class AB amplifiers, the present invention utilizes a digital class D amplifier. Class D amplifiers are a pulse width modulated or digital switching amplifier configuration. The Class D amplifiers of the present invention includes 2-pole compensation feedback and power supply tracking that improves stability and total harmonic distortion over conventional power amplifiers. Class D amplifiers have an average electrical efficiency value of at least 65%. This level of electrical efficiency leads to reduction in the amount of power lost in the device or systems that result in heat generation. More specifically, the present invention utilizes Class D and other switching power amplifier topologies; amplitude scaling; and 2-pole compensation to increase electrical efficiency and physical operating range; and to reduce power supply requirements, heat generation and physical size of self-amplified speaker apparatus and systems. These design characteristics of the present invention provide speaker systems with the capability to operate with less total harmonic distortion and extend the operation range to at least twice the geographical distance or utilize at least twice as many self-amplified speaker systems.
US07702109B2
A content recording/reproducing system, which records and reproduces a sub-content relating to a main content, includes a distribution device, first and second recording media, a recording device and a reproducing device. The first recording medium that is non-rewritable prestores key data based on which a public key is derivable, and the main content. The distribution device outputs verification information that includes the sub-content and is generated by applying a digital signature to relative information relating to the sub-content based on a secret key corresponding to the public key. The recording device acquires and records the verification information on the second recording medium that is rewritable. The reproducing device acquires the key data from the first recording medium and the verification information from the second recording medium, derives the public key from the key data, verifies the verification information using the public key, and reproduces the sub-content if the verification succeeds.
US07702105B1
Executing multiple elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) point multiplications in parallel and using batched inversions allows shared computations between independent ECC operations. The point multiplications may be computed over prime integer fields or over binary polynomial fields. The batched inversion may be shared between point additions and point doublings, between point additions, or between point doublings. The batched inversions are applicable to point multiplications using projective or using affine coordinate systems.
US07702090B1
A method for processing subscriber calls is disclosed. A call agent receives signals associated with a first call from a first subscriber of a first point of presence. The first subscriber is associated with a first feature set. The call agent receives signals associated with a second call from a second subscriber of a second point of presence. The second subscriber is associated with a second feature set. A feature server is notified of the first call and the second call. A feature from the first feature set is provided to the first subscriber in response to the notification, and a feature from the second feature set is provided to the second subscriber in response to the notification.
US07702080B2
The present invention relates to a method for localizing a defect in a in-house access plant operable to carry broadband communication services.A method according to the invention further comprises the steps of: instructing a user of said in-house access plant to manipulate in-house equipment through an automated and interactive communication session, determining timing information for each manipulation that is carried out, performing remote quality measurements over said in-house access plant while said in-house equipment are being manipulated, identifying from said timing information a particular manipulation that is time-correlated with a substantial change in measured quality, thereby identifying a particular piece of in-house equipment that has been manipulated and in the neighborhood of which said defect is located. The present invention also relates to an analysis tool such as a network analyzer, a communication unit such an intelligent voice responder or a web server, and to a diagnostic system.
US07702076B2
A small X-ray laser generator including a device (1) for generating and accelerating an electron beam, a plurality of targets (2) placed on the transport trajectory of a generated electron beam (4), and X-ray mirrors (3) for monochromatizing X-rays (5) generated by making the electron beam (4) collide against the plurality of targets (2), in which the X-rays (6) generated from the respective targets (2) are made to interfere with each other to produce a hard X-ray laser beam of 1 keV or more.
US07702067B2
A method, instrument, and computer program software product for characterizing a sample with respect to the presence of a specified element, either as a constituent of a surface layer or of the bulk of the sample. Intensities of fluorescent emission at two characteristic emission lines are compared to establish whether the specified element is disposed above the bulk of the sample. In the case where the specified element is disposed above the bulk of the sample, an areal density of the specified element is determined, whereas in the case where the specified element is disposed within the bulk of the sample, a volumetric concentration of the specified element within the sample is determined.
US07702065B2
The invention relates to a digital system (1) for performing stereotaxic biopsies with a biopsy needle. The inventive system (1) comprises a series of devices which are used to: emit X-rays, detect and transform X-ray photons into electric signáis, position a tissue sample between the X-ray source and the detector, process the electric signáis, and genérate images. The system can also be equipped with a series of devices complementary to those mentioned above, as well as a means for positioning the aforementioned devices in two positions and obtaining images in two different orientations.
US07702052B2
Radio-frequency receiver contains a plurality of oscillation circuits that generates an oscillation frequency higher than that of digital broadcasting signals, selective switching circuit that selects two out of the oscillation circuits for signal output, and first and second frequency-divider sections that provide the signals with frequency dividing. The receiver receives two channels in the digital broadcasting signals at the same time by selection of oscillation signals and frequency dividing in the first and the second frequency-divider sections under the control of PLL controller.
US07702043B2
The present invention provides a passive RFID chip with on-chip charge pumps for generating electrical power for the chip from radio frequencies. The passive RFID chip comprises an analog portion and a digital portion. The analog portion primarily comprises a voltage sensor and an AM data detector. The digital portion comprises a state machine digital logic controller. Incoming RF signals enter the chip via external antennas. The RF signals are converted into regulated DC signals by RF-DC converters with the voltage sensor. The RF-DC converters provide power for all the on-chip components and hence the chip does not require external power supply. The incoming RF signals are demodulated by demodulators and enter the AM data detector where the envelope transitions are detected. A voltage alarm is provided to ensure the voltage level does not drop below an operational level of the chip. The logic signals and programming data are controlled by the state machine digital logic controller and the timing signals are provided by an on-chip oscillator.
US07702040B1
An embodiment and method of the present invention includes a frequency lock loop (FLL) having an improved frequency error estimation and a low bit error rate (BER) in data demodulation by calculating and using an improved averaged phase rotation using ‘valid’ phase rotation samples.
US07702039B2
A radio receiver for receiving digital radio signals and a method for receiving digital radio signals are used for undertaking the conversion of digital audio signals to a preset clock pulse rate or clock pulse regulation. The digital asynchronous sampling rate conversion has an input buffer, a control system, a coefficient memory, an accumulator and an interpolator. The output signals of the sampling rate conversion are either passed on for playback or switched to a multimedia bus. The radio receiver and the method are suitable for also converting digital audio signals from sound carriers to a preset clock pulse rate.
US07702038B2
A radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving transmissions of different modulations includes cycling between a first mode for receiving transmissions of a first modulation that occurs frequently and a second mode for receiving transmission of a second modulation that occurs infrequently. The example RF receiver is cycled between a first modulation for receiving a frequency shift keyed (FSK) transmission from a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system and a second modulation for receiving an amplitude shift keyed (ASK) transmission from a remote keyless entry (RKE) system. The RF receiver cycles between different modulations to detect the most frequent FSK modulated transmissions while also detecting and receiving the relatively infrequent ASK modulated RKE transmissions without an undesirable delay.
US07702036B2
A solution for determining in a radio receiver a data sequence indicating transmission parameters of a frame before receiving the whole frame in the radio receiver in order to speed up processing of the data in the frame. According to the provided solution data is received in one or more time intervals, the data being part of a transmitted data sequence indicating transmission parameters of a frame. The possible data sequences are known to the radio receiver. The received data is compared with corresponding data of each known data sequence, and, on the basis of the comparison, the data sequence which is determined to be closest to the received data is selected. The transmission parameters of the frame are determined based on the selection.
US07702029B2
In a closed-loop wireless communication system, a codebook-based feedback mechanism is provided to enable non-unitary precoding for multi-stream transmission, where in each stream is optimized with suitable transmission power allocation and AMC. The codebook-based feedback mechanism uses a precoding codebook having a power allocation matrix which is constrained to specify that beamforming always applies full power to a predetermined beam. With this constraint, a one-bit power allocation feedback index may be used to switch between beamforming and spatial multiplexing.
US07702028B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting a preamble for frame synchronization and channel estimation in a MIMO-OFDM communication system are provided. An OFDM communication system using Q transmit antennas generates a base preamble sequence including a CP and an orthogonal sequence. If Q≦ a predetermined number M, a preamble sequence for a kth antenna is S(t−(k−1)T/M). If Q>M and k≦M the preamble sequence transmitted for the kth antenna is S(t−(k−1)T/M). If Q>M and k>M, the preamble sequence for the kth antenna is (−1)(PS−1)S(t−(k−M−1)T/M). Here, S(t) is the orthogonal sequence, T is the period of the orthogonal sequence, and PS is an index indicating a transmission period of the preamble sequence. The preamble sequences are at least twice transmitted from the Q transmit antennas.
US07702026B2
An efficient optimal maximum-likelihood output detector reducing the complexity of demodulation/decoding computations in multiple-input multiple-output communication systems. A plurality of received signals may be combined into a plurality of combined received signals by multiplication of a matrix representing the plurality of received signals with another matrix that meets certain conditions. The plurality of combined received signals may then allow for slicing operations as well as calculation of distance metrics with significantly reduced complexity.
US07702023B2
Interference mitigation strategies are presented for use within a transmitter in a wireless system. In at least one embodiment, one or more transmit signals may be generated that are capable of suppressing common channel interference effects within an associated receiver. In other embodiments, one or more transmit signals may be generated that are capable of suppressing dedicated channel interference effects within an associated receiver.
US07702019B2
A moving object detection device including a spatiotemporal data generation unit 120 generating time series data, which arranges data indicating a moving object along a temporal axis, based on an output from a camera 100, an inter-leg information unit 140 extracting based on the generated time series data, inter-leg information, which is information regarding a temporal change in an inter-leg area arising from movement of a moving object that has two or more legs, and a periodicity analysis unit 150 analyzing a periodicity within the extracted inter-leg information. Further, the moving object detection devices includes a moving object detection unit 160 generating, from the analyzed periodicity, movement information that includes the presence or lack thereof of a moving object.
US07702009B2
A timing analysis apparatus in an integrated logical circuit according to the present invention includes a jitter information generation unit for generating period jitter information of an operational clock in response to a power supply/ground noise, a jitter information storage unit for storing the generated period jitter information, and a timing analysis unit for performing a timing analysis of the integrated logical circuit based on the stored period jitter information.
US07702007B2
A device for adjusting a transmit power spectrum of a first transmit/receive device of a communication network, comprising a means for receiving a measure for an attenuation which a signal experiences on a line from the first transmit/receive means to a first subscriber device of the communication network connected to the first transmit/receive means, from the first subscriber device, and a means for determining the transmit power spectrum of the first transmit/receive means for a communication of the first transmit/receive means with the first subscriber device based on the received attenuation measure.
US07702002B2
A method and apparatus for receiving a signal from transmitters such as GPS satellites, for fixing the location of the receiver. Each of the transmitted signals includes a unique periodically-repeating sequence. A received signal is stored by the receiver for at least two repetitions of the periodically-repeating sequence. FFT operations are performed, and the resulting data frequency samples are pruned responsive to a hypothesized residual frequency, a procedure which significantly reduces the total number of subsequent calculations and therefore significantly reduces processing time. A correlation series is determined from the pruned samples and reference frequency samples corresponding to a hypothesized transmitter. If a match is found in the examination of this series, a code phase offset is determined; if not the process is repeated with another hypothesized residual frequency. Multiple correlation series similarly obtained may also be incoherently combined prior to this examination. The apparatus and method disclosed herein is particularly useful for combined position location and communication systems, especially those that are unsynchronized, such as assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) utilized on GSM and UMTS cellular telephone systems.
US07701998B2
Positioning of a mobile signal transmitter. A respective distance between the transmitter and each of a plurality of sensors is determined based on a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. A transmission delay of the signal is estimated with high accuracy by, in each sensor, cross-correlating an over-sampled representation of the signal with an appropriate local spreading sequence, which contains poly-phased symbol values being different from a set of symbols in the direct sequence used to spread the transmitted signal. The local spreading sequence has a nominal chip period, which is equivalent to the chip period of the over-sampled representation of the signal.
US07701996B1
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for use in a spread spectrum communications system. In particular, in a method of the present invention information useful for acquiring a target signal is selected; the information is incorporated in an acquisition signal; the acquisition signal is transmitted; the target signal is spread with a spreading code; and the target signal is transmitted. At a receiving node, the acquisition information useful for acquiring the target signal is recovered from the acquisition signal and used to acquire the target signal. Apparatus in accordance with the present invention implement methods of the present invention. The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be used in node- and network-discovery situations.
US07701956B2
TFTP server address, configuration file name and relay agent address contained in a DHCPACK are recorded; the TFTP server address is overwritten with the relay agent address before forwarding.Upon receipt of a TFTP request, a transfer identifier is selected from a pool of available port values, and the source address/port pair and relay agent's address are associated therewith. The relay agent's address and the transfer identifier replace the source address/port pair, and a check is made to determine whether the cable modem is requesting the correct configuration file. Action may be taken if the CM requests an incorrect filename, or if configuration TLVs are incorrect.The relay agent retrieves the TFTP server's address/port pair from the first TFTP data packet received, and associates these with the transfer identifier before returning it to the available pool. The transfer identifier is used to lookup the CM address/port pair.
US07701947B2
A network node sets up a virtual connection in a network based on a virtual connection request initiated from an access port different from a first location previously associated with an account of a user. The network node includes a receiver for receiving a signaling message from the access port requesting the virtual connection. The signaling message has at least one field modified to include an address of the access port. The network node further includes a profile database and a registration server. The profile database stores a service policy associated with the user account. The registration server stores an address of the first location associated with the user account as a default registration, determines whether the user is authorized to establish the virtual connection based on the service policy, and replaces the first location address with the access port address when the user is authorized.
US07701945B2
A method performed in an intrusion detection/prevention system, a system or a device for analyzing segments in a transmission in a communication network. The transmission includes segments in the same transmission control protocol (TCP) session. Segments in a transmission are monitored. Data in the segments in the transmission are reassembled in an order indicated by a segment reassembly policy, the segment reassembly policy indicating an order specific to at least comprehensively overlapped segments.
US07701944B2
The present invention relates to a method for configuring a policy management protocol for a web crawler, the method further comprising the steps of determining a web space that is to be crawled by a web crawler, wherein the web space is comprised of an IP address and/or a range of IP addresses, and determining additional hostnames that are associated with the IP address and/ range of IP addresses. The method further comprises the steps of configuring the web crawler to crawl the IP address and/ range of IP addresses, and determine additional hostnames that are associated with the IP address or range of IP addresses, and performing a web crawling function upon the determined additional hostnames by the web crawler.
US07701936B2
Path information is obtained in a bridged network by generating an L2 frame with a special MAC address in the header and a target MAC address embedded in the payload of the frame. The special MAC address in the header of the frame triggers the collection of path information as the frame traverses the bridged network while the target MAC address in the payload of the frame is used to forward the frame in the bridged network. In an embodiment, the destination MAC address of the frame is set to a special MAC address that identifies the frame as a “trace-path” frame, for example, a multicast MAC address.
US07701924B1
A system for, and method for, performing state-based signaling on behalf of a stateless client. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, couplable to a state-based terminal, that translates at least one stateless signaling message received from the stateless client to at least one state-based signaling message for presentation to the state-based terminal thereby facilitating a media stream communications session between the stateless client and the state-based terminal over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.
US07701922B2
A method implemented in a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a Node-B and a radio network controller (RNC) for quantizing multiplexed data allowed by grants to closely match a selected enhanced uplink transport format combination (E-TFC) transport block size is disclosed. The amount of scheduled and non-scheduled data allowed to be transmitted is quantized so that the amount of data multiplexed into an enhanced uplink (EU) medium access control (MAC-e) protocol data unit (PDU) more closely matches the selected E-TFC transport block size. In an embodiment, the amount of buffered data allowed to be multiplexed by at least one grant, (a serving grant and/or a non-serving grant), is quantized so that the sum of scheduled and non-scheduled data including MAC header and control information multiplexed into a MAC-e PDU more closely matches the selected E-TFC transport block size.
US07701918B2
The frequency deviation of a first signal having a short cycle time contained in a received signal is detected and the frequency deviation of a second signal having a long cycle time contained in the received signal is also detected. Then, the frequency deviation of the received signal is determined on the basis of the detected frequency deviation of the first signal and the second signal. Subsequently, the frequency of the received signal is adjusted.
US07701913B2
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing a platform coexistence system of multiple wireless communication devices are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07701908B1
A method of mapping channels in wireless communications is discussed. The method determines error rates on potential channels to be used in a frequency hopping communication system. The error rates and then used in mapping data to the channels such that isochronous data is mapped to channels having lower error rates than others of the potential channels.
US07701897B2
When a mobile communications terminal receives message data, operations by a message data processing section that processes message data are prohibited. Operations by the message data processing section may be prohibited simply when message data is received by the mobile communications terminal, or operations by the message data processing section may be prohibited when specific information, such as information including certain characters, time, sender address and the like, included in the message data matches preset information. Thus, there can be provided a message data processing method for a mobile communications terminal in which even if a user is away from the mobile communications terminal, the viewing of the contents of message data by others can be prevented, and in which security functions are enhanced so that others cannot view the contents of message data that is sent to the mobile communications terminal at times not expected by the user.
US07701896B1
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus is presented for registering a mobile IP node with a home agent. A self-selection method is implemented in a home agent. When a home agent receives a registration request from the mobile node, the self-selection method enables each home agent to independently and randomly generate a value that falls within a range of numbers. Each range of numbers is referred to as a bin. In addition, each home agent is associated with at least one of bin. If the value falls within the bin, the home agent associated with the bin responds to the registration request. In addition, home agents are uniformly selected relative to other home agent on the network; therefore, implementing the self-selection method performs load balancing in the network.
US07701894B2
A data switching system for a satellite in a satellite data transmission system which relays from a terrestrial sending area to a terrestrial receiving area via the satellite data including payload data and associated control data which constitutes respective switching requests and provides data on the switching of the payload data. The system analyzes data on the basis of a signal conveying the control data and switches the payload data as a function of the result of the analysis of the associated control data to at least one of a plurality of sending ports for sending it to the receiving area. Only the control data is analyzed. The payload data is not analyzed.
US07701892B2
A system operable to communicate time-division multiplexed information and asynchronous transfer mode cells includes a primary rate switching fabric operable to receive a first plurality of transport signals and to switch the first plurality of transport signals at a first level, a sub-rate switching fabric operable to receive a second plurality of transport signals carrying time-division multiplexed information and to switch the second plurality of transport signals at second level that is a more granular level than the first level, and an asynchronous transfer mode switching fabric operable to receive a third plurality of transport signals carrying asynchronous transfer mode cells, and to switch asynchronous transfer mode cells among the third plurality of transport signals carrying asynchronous transfer mode cells.
US07701889B2
An apparatus is provided for allocating a transmission period in a wireless network system. An access point (AP) transmits a PSMP frame indicating a downlink period and an uplink period allocated to each station (STA), and at least one sub PSMP frame indicating an allocated downlink period for at least one of a retransmission of downlink data and a transmission of an ACK indicating successful receipt of uplink data. After exchanging data with the AP in the downlink and uplink periods indicated by the PSMP frame, an STA receives the each sub PSMP frame, and performs at least one of a reception of the retransmitted downlink data and a reception of the ACK in the downlink period indicated by the each sub MAP frame.
US07701887B2
A multiplexing apparatus comprising at least one band pass filter, a receiver filter, and a transmitter filter is disclosed. The receiver filter, the transmitter filter and each band pass filter are communicatively coupled to a cable so that the receiver filter is configured to pass signals in a first spectral region from the cable to a first-band base transceiver station, the transmitter filter is configured to pass signals in the first spectral region from the first-band base transceiver station to the cable, and each band pass filter is configured to filter and bi-directionally pass signals in a second spectral region between the cable and at least one other base transceiver station.
US07701886B2
A method for performing packet loss concealment of lost packets in Voice over IP (Internet Protocol) speech transmission. Statistical n-gram models are initially created with use of a training speech corpus, and then, packets lost during transmission are advantageously replaced based on these models. In particular, the existence of statistical patterns in successive voice over IP (VoIP) packets is advantageously exploited by first using conventional vector quantization (VQ) techniques to quantize the parameter data for each packet with use of a corresponding VQ index, and then determining statistical correlations between consecutive sequences of such VQ indices representative of the corresponding sequences of n packets. The statistic n-gram predictive models so created are then used to predict parameter data for use in representing lost data packets.
US07701869B2
System and method for generating a data flow diagram. A data flow diagram is provided that includes one or more non-input bound data flow (NIBDF) nodes, each with a respective functionality, and at least one of which is a subsystem node representing a non-input bound data flow sub-diagram comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes. All non-input bound data flow nodes in the data flow diagram are converted into input bound data flow (IBDF) nodes to produce an IBDF diagram, including: for each NIBDF subsystem node in the data flow diagram: partitioning the NIBDF sub-diagram into a plurality of IBDF sub-diagrams that operate according to input bound data flow semantics without changing data dependencies of the NIBDF sub-diagram, and including a plurality of IBDF nodes respectively representing the plurality of IBDF sub-diagrams in the IBDF diagram in lieu of the NIBDF subsystem node. The IBDF diagram is then stored.
US07701864B2
A method and system for quantifying the performance of a component adapted to function as a node in a communications network where the component is represented by a virtual distance (x) according to the following formula: x = S i + 1 - S i IS where the virtual distance x is a representation of a metric that relates to intrinsic properties of the component.
US07701847B2
Disclosed is an inter-card channel protection method in a wave-length division multiplexing system. At the transmitting end, signals from the client side are divided via a coupler into two paths which are delivered to two cards, respectively. The two paths of signal transmitted by the two cards are sent via different routes to the receiving end. At the receiving end, the two paths of signal enter two cards, respectively, and the two cards communicate with each other directly. The standby card submits the signal quality detected by a detecting device to the primary card. The switching control unit on the primary card issues the commands of switching on/off the client-side lasers to the standby card in accordance with a decision made. One of the client-side lasers on the primary card and standby card is switched on while the other is switched off. The merits of this method include: protection can be realized with failures of card or essential chips thereon; protection switching can still be conducted with failures of system control unit; and, direct transfer of switching conditions and switching commands between the two cards is faster than communications with a system control unit via mailbox respectively.
US07701842B2
A method of suppressing effects of aliasing in a system for digitally processing a high speed signal having a symbol rate of 1/T. The high speed signal is sampled at a fractional multiple (N) of the symbol rate, wherein 1
US07701840B2
Multiplex switching is disclosed for readily multiplexing and switching packet data without causing a delay. Bit widths of packets supplied from a plurality of input channels are unified to a previously set bit width. The packets unified in bit width are synchronized among the plurality of input channels. The synchronized packets are spread by multiplying them by orthogonal codes based on the input channels. The spread packets are multiplexed, and multiplexed packets are multiplied respectively by orthogonal codes for switching according to the input channels on which the packets delivered to output channels have been supplied, to reconstruct the packets supplied from the input channels. The packets are then delivered to the output channels.
US07701824B2
Before playing a digital photo slide show, both required digital photos and a guiding program are burnt on an optical disc in advance. While the disc is loaded into an optical disc play device, the guiding program triggers the optical disc play device to connect with an external network for updating media play effect packages, which are related to the digital photos, and for storing the updated media play effect packages in a preserved database of said optical disc play device. Then a corresponding digital photo slide show is dynamically generated and played according to both the updated media play effect packages, which are stored in the preserved database, and the digital photos burnt on the optical disc.
US07701822B2
A recording method recordings data on an information recording medium in units of blocks having a predetermine size, by judging whether or not a block of the data being recorded is a defective block, and newly recording the data in a block which follows the defective block and is in a vicinity of the defective block by skipping at least one block, if it is judged that the block being recorded is the defective block.
US07701820B2
An optical disc apparatus for recording information on a rewritable optical disc having a power calibration area (PCA) moves an optical pickup for optimum recording power calibration (OPC) from an innermost end to outward of the PCA, and stores an address where RF signal is first detected. If the stored address coincides with an address at the innermost end of the PCA, or if a usable area between the two addresses is smaller than to enable one-time OPC, the apparatus obtains an optimum recording power by overwriting on a used area at or near the innermost end of the PCA, and performs DC erase using the obtained optimum recording power. This enables DC erase and restoration of the PCA back to a usable area even if the PCA has no usable area at its innermost end, and even if it is difficult to detect a usable area in the PCA.
US07701817B2
An apparatus, and related method, for recording data that includes a controller to generate control information required to record a main data. The control information including at least one information unit for a specific writing speed and recording layer. The information unit includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and recording layer, the first write strategy type being one of an n−1 write strategy type and an n/2 write strategy type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a corresponding mark. A writing/reading unit records the control information at a specific area of a recording medium, wherein the controller controls the writing/reading unit to record the control information and to record the main data on the recording layer using write strategy parameters for the first write strategy type included in the information unit, at the specific writing speed.
US07701807B2
Impact detecting resistors (141), (143) of an impact detecting circuit (104) detect a counter electromotive force of a step motor (105) generated due to an impact. This counter electromotive force is amplified applying a predetermined period and a predetermined chopper-width by a chopper-amplifying waveform shaping circuit (118). Therefore, even a light impact can be detected. Inverters (145), (146) compare these impact detecting signals (S22), (S23) with a threshold value and detect an impact when the signals exceeds the threshold value. A controlling circuit (102) provides a lock pulse to the step motor (105) through signal lines (AA), (BB) when an impact is detected, brakes rotation of a rotor (162) thereby preventing a deviation of the time displayed with a second hand (106).
US07701803B2
Methods and systems for moving seismic streamer steering devices to target positions are disclosed. One method comprises calculating forces required to steer one or more seismic streamer steering devices in a seismic spread to target positions, the calculated forces based wholly or in part on information in modulated underwater acoustic transmissions, and steering the streamer steering devices to the target positions using the calculated forces. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07701801B2
A local on-chip programmable pulsewidth and delay generating circuit includes a clock generation circuit configured to receive a global clock signal and output a local clock signal. The clock generation circuit includes a pulse shaping portion which adjusts a pulse width of the global clock signal in accordance with at least one of a trailing edge delay and a leading edge delay. The leading edge delay is generated by a leading edge delay circuit, and the trailing edge delay is generated by a trailing edge delay circuit configured to apply a delay to a trailing edge of a pulse. The trailing edge delay circuit includes a delay chain having programmable stages of delay elements, each stage being independently controlled using control bits decoded from address latches.
US07701795B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a mode register, an additional function executer, and an additional function controller. The mode register activates an additional function control signal when a mode register set code indicates that an additional function is to be executed concurrently with a refresh operation. The additional function controller controls the additional function executer to carry out the additional function concurrently with the refresh operation when the additional function control signal is activated.
US07701782B2
Some embodiments include a number of nodes configured to receive a number of signals. The signals may represent information stored in a number of memory cells of a device such as a memory device. The device may include a number of transfer paths having storage elements coupled between the nodes and an output node. The transfer paths may be configured to transfer a selected signal of the signals from one of the nodes to the output node via one of the transfer paths. The transfer paths may be configured to hold a value of the selected signal in only one of the storage elements. Each of the transfer paths may include only one of the storage elements. Other embodiments including additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US07701780B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for healing non-volatile memory cells. One method includes biasing a first select gate transistor coupled to a string of memory cells at a first voltage, biasing a second select gate transistor coupled to the string at a second voltage, applying a first healing voltage to a first edge word line in order to extract charge accumulated between the first select gate transistor and a first edge memory cell stack of the string, and applying a second healing voltage to a second edge word line in order to extract charge accumulated between the second select gate transistor and a second edge memory cell stack of the string.
US07701774B2
A voltage regulator for a bit line of a semiconductor memory cell is disclosed. In one embodiment, the voltage regulator includes an inverter, a feedback transistor, and a band gap reference voltage source. The inverter includes an inverter input connected to the bit line, and an inverter output. The feedback transistor includes a feedback source connected to the inverter input, and a feedback gate connected to the inverter output. The band gap reference voltage source predetermines the voltage to which the inverter input is regulated.
US07701755B2
A memory includes a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each cell is capable of storing a bit. Each cell is coupled between a first power supply node that receives a power supply voltage and a second power supply node that receives a second voltage. A plurality of word lines are associated with the memory cells and supplied by a third voltage in read or write operation. The third voltage is a suppressed power supply voltage. The second voltage is negative in read operation and positive in write operation.
US07701751B2
A one-transistor type DRAM comprises a floating body storage element configured to store data in a floating body in a SOI wafer, a plurality of access transistors each connected between a bit line and one end of the floating body storage element, a word line configured to control the floating body storage element, and a plurality of port word lines each configured to select one of the plurality of access transistors.
US07701750B2
Memory devices are described herein along with method for operating the memory device. A memory cell as described herein includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The memory cell also comprises phase change material having first and second active regions arranged in series along an inter-electrode current path between the first and second electrode.
US07701745B2
A memory device driving circuit is disclosed which drives a memory device including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a memory layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The memory device driving circuit may include a main driver connected to the memory device, to drive the memory device, and a secondary driver connected between the memory device and the main driver, to control a set resistance of the memory device. The memory device driving circuit may freely adjust the set resistance of the memory device, to maintain the resistance of the memory device at a desired value. Accordingly, an improvement in the operation reliability of the memory device may be achieved.
US07701743B2
An electronic apparatus which includes a wiring substrate which includes wiring conductors, and a plurality of semiconductor bare chips that are formed on the wiring substrate. The semiconductor bare chips include a processor for processing data and a circuit having a checking function for detecting faults of the processor.
US07701742B2
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array area, a peripheral circuit area on a periphery of the memory cell array area, and a boundary area having a specific width between the memory cell array area and the peripheral circuit area, the memory cell array area including a cell area including nonvolatile semiconductor memory cells, linear wirings extending from inside of the cell area to an area outside the cell area, and lower layer wirings in a lower layer than the linear wirings in the boundary area and electrically connected to the linear wirings, and wiring widths of the lower layer wirings being larger than widths of the linear wirings, the peripheral circuit area including a patterns electrically connected to the linear wirings via the lower layer wirings, the boundary area failing to be provided with the linear wirings and a wiring in same layer as the linear wirings.
US07701734B2
A circuit and a method for detecting a voltage of a transformer are provided. The circuit includes a current output circuit coupled to a winding of a transformer to generate a current signal. A current-to-voltage circuit is coupled to the current output circuit to generate a voltage signal in response to the current signal. A sample-and-hold circuit generates an output signal by sampling the voltage signal. An input voltage is applied to the transformer. The output signal is correlated to the input voltage of the transformer.
US07701730B2
A system and method for power conversion synchronizes multiple phases at a desired phase angle difference. The power conversion involves variable frequency switching, fixed on-time and provides power factor correction. A relative measure of a phase angle difference between two phases permits each phase to be controlled to obtain the desired phase angle difference. The power conversion involves transition mode switching to help reduce switching losses. A phase angle difference detector may be provided for each phase. The various phases may have different inherent frequencies that vary with switching frequency, and are synchronized to an average frequency.
US07701729B2
An electric supplying holder includes a first cover, a second cover, a flexible battery unit and a third cover. The second cover has at least one first contact point. The first cover is disposed at a first side of the second cover. The flexible battery unit has at least one conducting part and is placed between the first cover and the second cover. The first contact point is electrically connected with the conducting part. The third cover is disposed at a second side of the second cover, and a first accommodating space is formed between the second cover and the third cover.
US07701713B2
An electronic device enclosure includes a chassis having a base plate, a number of fans, a number of securing boards mounted on the corresponding fans, and a number of pivot members. The receiving bracket includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall parallel to the first sidewall, and a bottom wall secured to the base plate and connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall together such that the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the bottom wall cooperatively define a receiving housing configured for receiving the fans. The pivot members each has a pivot end attached to the corresponding securing boards and a securing end secured to the first sidewall of the receiving bracket. Each pivot member is capable of rotating about a pivot axis of the securing board and configured for securing the corresponding fan to the receiving housing.
US07701710B2
According to the storage control device of the present invention, individual cooling passages are formed for each region in the enclosure and the respective cooling passages are formed bent so as to bypass the connection substrate. As a result, the interior of the enclosure is cooled efficiently. The interior of the enclosure is divided in the front-rear direction by the connection substrate. Logic substrates and battery devices are provided on the front side of the connection substrate and logic substrates and power supply devices are provided on the rear side of the connection substrate. The battery devices and power supply devices located on the left and right sides of the enclosure are each cooled by means of individual cooling passages. The logic substrates are cooled by means of different cooling passages.
US07701708B2
A heat dissipation assembly for dissipating heat from a heat-generating component includes a first heat sink mounted on the heat-generating component for dissipating heat therefrom, and a second heat sink movably mounted to the first heat sink, to be adjustable relative to the first heat sink. The second heat sink can be moved to a desired position to fit a need of heat dissipation.
US07701704B2
The present invention relates to a data storage device and a support therein. The support is provided with a hollow portion. The hollow portion is provided with a damping spacer therein for attenuating vibration, thereby to reduce the lateral space occupied by the lateral sides of the support, and to increase the usable lateral space for accommodating electronic device and thus to increase the number of the accommodated electronic devices.
US07701700B2
A system and method for an improved multiple hard-disk-drive data-storage enclosure. Some embodiments position drives in counter-rotating pairs, each simultaneously accessing half the data, such that seek-caused actuator rotational-acceleration vibration cause simultaneous canceling rotational torque. Some embodiments position the edge of a first drive (or drive pair) at an angle to the actuator midpoint of a nearby second drive (or drive pair), such that rotational-acceleration vibration from a seek-caused actuator rotation in the first drive does not cause a rotational movement into the second drive that affects the tracking or seek operation. Some further embodiments position drives in a herringbone pattern to redirect air flow in addition to reducing rotational-acceleration vibration interaction. Other embodiments include a printed wire circuit board mounted to reduce the rotational-acceleration vibration interaction.
US07701686B2
In a power supply controller 10 having a self-protective mechanism for performing, intermittently or periodically, a forced ON-OFF operation which causes a power MOSFET 15 to perform an automatically restorable primary disconnecting operation and a restoring operation when an overcurrent anomaly or an short-circuiting anomaly is detected, an automatically unrestorable secondary disconnecting operation is performed when the accumulated amount of the duration of the forced ON-OFF operation reaches an accumulation threshold.
US07701685B2
An apparatus for providing over current protection for a digital pulse width modulator is disclosed. The apparatus includes first logic circuitry for generating a primary interrupt indicating that a detected output current is greater than a threshold current. Second logic circuitry generates a secondary input responsive to the occurrence to the primary interrupt for a predetermined number of times.
US07701682B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device (61, 71), coupled across input-output (I/O) (22) and common (23) terminals of a core circuit (24) that it is intended to protect from ESD events, comprises, multiple serially coupled ESD clamp stages (41, 41′), each stage (41, 41′) comprising an interior node (52, 52′) and first (32, 32′) and second terminal (42, 42′) nodes wherein the first terminal node (42) of the first clamp stage (41) is coupled to the common terminal (23) and the second terminal node (42′) of the last clamp stages (41′) is coupled to the I/O terminals (22). A resistance-capacitance ladder (60) is provided in parallel with some of the clamp stages (41, 41′), with a resistance (R1, R2, R3 etc.) coupled to each of the nodes (32, 52, 65 (42; 32′)) of one of the ESD clamp stages (41, 41′) by first terminals thereof and capacitors (C1, C2, etc.) are coupled between second terminals of the resistances (R1, R2, R3 etc.). The clamp stages (41, 41′) are desirably bi-directional and a diode (D1) may bridge one or more of the clamp stages (e.g., 41) to provide different clamp voltages for different polarity ESD events.
US07701675B2
A micro-actuator frame for a head gimbal assembly includes a bottom support adapted to be connected to a suspension of the head gimbal assembly, a top support adapted to support a slider of the head gimbal assembly, a pair of side arms that interconnect the bottom support and the top support, and a micro-actuator mounting structure provided to the bottom support. The micro-actuator mounting structure is constructed and arranged to maintain a substantially constant gap between the top support and the suspension of the head gimbal assembly in use.
US07701674B2
A head suspension includes a load beam to apply load onto a head that writes and reads information to and from the hard disk and a flexure attached to the load beam and supporting the head. The flexure has write wires and read wires connected to the head. The flexure includes a substrate made of a conductive thin plate, a base insulating layer made of flexible resin and formed on the substrate, and the wires are arranged on the base insulating film. A ground layer is formed at least partly between the substrate and the base insulating layer. The ground layer only corresponds to the write wires in a width direction of the flexure. The conductivity of the ground layer is higher than that of the substrate that is made of a conductive thin plate.
US07701671B2
A head slider, of a disk apparatus, flying over a rotary magnetic recording disk, having a characteristic less dependent on the atmospheric pressure. The head slider of a disk apparatus comprises: a magnetic element adapted to fly over a magnetic recording medium; a medium opposing surface being formed with, with respect to the direction in which the medium moves, an inflow pad portion at the upstream end and a pair of side rail portions extending downstream from the inflow pad portion, and a center pad at the central part and a pair of side pads on the sides of the center pad and upstream of the center pad at the downstream end of the head slider. The center pad and the side pads are constituted so that a positive pressure generated by the side pads is greater than a positive pressure generated by the center pad.
US07701661B1
A disk drive is disclosed including a disk having a plurality of servo tracks. The servo tracks are banded together to form a plurality of servo track bands, and each servo sector comprises a fine track address that identifies one of the servo tracks. The disk drive further comprises a head attached to a distal end of an actuator arm operable to generate a read signal by reading the disk, and a mechanical position sensor operable to detect a coarse position of the actuator arm. The coarse position is processed to identify one of the servo track bands, and the read signal is processed to detect one of the fine track addresses, wherein the detected fine track address identifies a servo track within the identified servo track band. The identified servo track band is combined with the detected fine track address to generate a servo track address.
US07701660B1
A control system includes a difference generating module for a rotating storage system that generates a position error signal based on a target position signal and a current position signal. A control module of the control system generates an output response based on the position error signal. A noise equalizer module of the control system generates a noise equalization signal that is based on a sensor signal, the output response and the position error signal. A compensation module of the control system adjusts at least one of the current position signal, the position error signal, and the output response based on the noise equalization signal.
US07701659B2
A hard disk device has a temperature detection device operable to detect a temperature in the hard disk device. A controlling section is operable to control functions of an electronic apparatus. A notifying section is operable to notify an abnormality of the electronic apparatus. The controlling section acquires the temperature detected by the temperature detection device from the hard disk device. The controlling section controls the notifying section to notify the abnormality of the electronic apparatus when the acquired temperature is higher than a reference temperature.
US07701655B2
The present invention is a servo signal recording method for recording a servo signal on a magnetic tape having a data band and a servo band, wherein erasure is performed based on a pulse having a duty ratio varied so that a driving time of the AC erasing head with respect to one polarity is longer than a driving time thereof with respect to the other polarity, and then, the servo band is magnetized so as to have a magnetization direction opposite to magnetization direction caused by the erasure to record a servo signal in the servo band. According to this configuration, the influence of an information recording signal recorded on the surface of a magnetic recording medium on a reproduction output is reduced, whereby the reproduction output of a servo signal can be enhanced easily.
US07701648B2
When using an acrylic resin with a refractive index of 1.494, for example, the structure of the Fresnel lens is such that in a segment where a deviation angle of 19.5° or less is required, refraction-only prisms which do not cause any reflections are used, while in a segment where a deviation angle of 31.0° or larger is required, single-step total reflection prisms in which light is totally internally reflected once and then refracted are used and, in a segment where a deviation angle not smaller than 19.5° but not larger than 31.0° is required, two-step total reflection prisms in which light is totally internally reflected twice and then refracted are used.
US07701647B2
A compact, optically fast catadioptric imager. In one embodiment, the catadioptric imager of this invention includes a first group of optical elements optically disposed to receive electromagnetic radiation from an object and having positive optical power, a second group of optical elements, optically disposed between the first group of optical elements and an image plane, having at least one optical surface and having positive optical power, a third group of optical elements, optically disposed between the object and the second group of optical elements, having at least one optical surface and having negative optical power, a fourth group of optical elements substantially centered along an optical axis of said second group of optical elements and having negative optical power, and a fifth group of optical elements having positive optical power.
US07701642B2
There is provided a liquid lens in which a voltage is applied to control the shape of the interface between a polar liquid and a nonpolar liquid so as to control a transmitted light path at the interface. The liquid lens has a cavity with a polygonal upper side, into which the polar liquid and the nonpolar liquid are injected to form the interface.
US07701630B2
The invention relates to an external optical modulator comprising a Mach-Zehnder having a signal electrode including at least four sections of unequal length to one another positioned over an alternating domain structure in an electrooptic substrate, and including a center section, or center pair of sections disposed asymmetrically between pairs surrounding sections. The surrounding pairs, comprise the two sections adjacent the center section or pair of sections, and each two sections adjacent the previous pair of sections, moving outwardly from the center to the final outermost pair, L1 and LN at the RF input 2 and RF output 4. In each pair, the section lengths are equal, or the section closer to the RF output 4 has a longer length than the section closer to the RF input 2. The surrounding pairs have lengths that decrease from the innermost pair to the outermost pair. For a zero chirp structure, the section lengths are selected to maintain an equivalent length for the inverted and uninverted domain sections. The present invention has found that constant chirp solutions can be found for all frequencies.
US07701627B2
A holographic recording medium includes a recording layer on a substrate, which records data information in a light interference pattern. Information on a thermal expansion characteristic of a recording material contained in the recording layer and/or information on temperature dependency of the refractive index of the recording material are recorded within the holographic recording medium in advance.
US07701626B2
An image print system for printing a picture from an image file having additional information, which enables high-quality image printing to be achieved using various types of image data and their additional information. Image data obtained by taking subjects are sent, together with their additional information, to an image reproduction system in a photographic laboratory. The image reproduction system carries out processing of the image data in accordance with the additional information, and produces its resultant images in the form of image prints. The additional information includes post-processing information for temporally or spatially correlating a series of images to combine them or to select some of them.
US07701623B2
An image reading device includes: a first light source that irradiates light on a first side of an object; a memory that stores a plurality of parameters for controlling an intensity of the light emitting devices, each of the plurality of parameters corresponding to one of a plurality of groups; a controller that controls an intensity of the light emitting devices in response to one of the plurality of parameters stored in the memory; a first image reading unit that reads reflected light from the first side and generates monochrome image data on the basis of the read reflected light; and a second image reading unit that reads reflected light from the second side and generates monochrome image data on the basis of the read reflected light.
US07701615B2
Whether or not a density of black is a predetermined value or more is judged, and when it is judged to be the predetermined value or more, a resolution characteristic is changed to an improved resolution characteristic compared to the resolution characteristic used in a case in which a judgment result shows a value under the predetermined value. When the density of black is deeper, the resolution characteristic is improved, and therefore black is prevented from becoming in a so-called void state. Accordingly, the color close to black such as four-color black can be stably and excellently formed. In addition, when the density of black is the value under the predetermined value, the resolution characteristic lower than this value is used, and therefore dots can be stably formed and an excellent gradation property can be achieved.
US07701607B2
A method and device for managing images stored in a plurality of storage media by using a display unit included in an image forming apparatus to prints the images are provided. The method includes: displaying identification names of a plurality of storage media included in or connected to the image forming apparatus; and linking information on images stored in the plurality of storage media with the identification names of the plurality of storage media and displaying the information on images stored in the plurality of storage media. Accordingly, the identification names of the plurality of storage media included in or connected to the image forming apparatus are displayed by linking information on images with the identification names in order to manage the images stored in the storage media. Therefore, a user can conveniently and promptly recognize and manage the storage media and the images stored in the storage media. In addition, since the plurality of storage media are controlled concurrently, image data can be promptly read from or written to the storage media, and data transfer speed between the storage media can be increased.
US07701606B2
A method of communicating with a printer, including: receiving, at the printer, a request for a printer control interface from a remote computer; sending, from the printer, the printer control interface to the remote computer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a web page; receiving, at the printer, printer control information from the computer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.
US07701604B2
A printing system includes: a printing device that prints, using ink, an image including a plurality of pixels each assigned with any one of a plurality of tone values; a server device that distributes printing data of a printing image, and first data that represents a total number of pixels of the printing image on a tone value basis; and a client device that receives the printing data and the first data, and based on the first data and second data that represents an amount of ink per pixel needed for the printing device to print each of the tone values, calculates a required amount of ink needed for the printing device to print the printing image.
US07701600B2
An image processing apparatus includes an information processor that is controlled by a general-purpose operating system, and an image processor. The information processor performs a function in a category different from an image processing function performed in the image processor. As a result, a general purpose application program can be used as software for making effective use of the image processing function. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate development of the software to allow the image processing apparatus to perform the function in a category different from the image processing function performed in the image processor, in addition to the image processing function as a basic function.
US07701593B2
An optical position measuring arrangement including a source of illumination that generates one or several bundles of illuminating beams, a measuring graduation that is illuminated by the source of illumination so as to generate a periodic fringe pattern of a defined fringe pattern period and a fiber-optical scanning head, wherein the fiber-optical scanning head scans the periodic fringe pattern. A scanning plate is arranged in the fiber-optical scanning head, wherein the scanning plate is matched to the fringe pattern period and scans the periodic fringe pattern. Fringe patterns, which are phase-shifted in relation to each other, are generated within a fringe pattern period in bundles of partial signal beams in the one or several bundles of illuminating beams via a wavelength-dependent local separation, and the bundles of partial signal beams are employed for conversion into position-dependent phase-shifted scanning signals.
US07701586B2
Stresses and strains on a solid surface subject to a fluid flow are dynamically measured based on a shift of optical resonances of a micro-resonator. The elastic deformation and refractive index change of a micro-resonator due to mechanical stress is exploited. With this approach, mechanical deformations in the order of a nanometer can be detected and related to shear stress.
US07701581B2
The present invention (HBX) describes a system and device design for measuring and analysis of properties in liquids with suspensions, preferably human body fluids e.g. whole blood and in the fluid existing substances and particles. By penetrating a sample of the liquid suspension with specifically calibrated light passing through a thin well defined layer of the liquid placed in a non added cuvette where the transmitted outgoing light from a measuring area is registered in a spectrophotometer adapted for the specific light and the optic geometrical system arranged for elimination of scattered light. The registered data points in the photometer is then processed in a series of steps for corrections and calculation of the values/results of the desired parameters by use of different algorithms in the microprocessor of the device for final presentation on a display, be stored in a memory and possible communication to other information receiving unit.
US07701579B2
A fluorescence sensor comprises a sensor section for collecting a fluorescent substance, which acts to represent presence of a substance to be detected in a sample, and an exciting light source, which produces exciting light for exciting the fluorescent substance to produce fluorescence. Besides the exciting light source, at least one different non-exciting light source is located for irradiating different non-exciting light, which varies in wavelength from the exciting light and which is substantially free from capability of exciting the fluorescent substance, to the sensor section.
US07701574B2
A diffractive optical element device for use in spectroscopy, where broadband light is emitted from a light source towards the optical element and from there is transmitted to at least one detector. The optical element has a plurality of diffractive dispersively focusing patterns, preferably partly integrated into each other, whose respective centers are two-dimensionally offset relative to each other in order to produce a plurality of spectra, where at least two are separate, but offset relative to each other and/or partly overlapping. In an alternative embodiment, the optical element consists of either one diffractive optical element that is related to a wavelength and produces a spectrum, or at least two diffractive optical elements which are related to respective wavelengths and which produce at least two mutually partly overlapping spectra to give a composite spectrum. The optical element is capable of producing at least one indication of upper and/or lower wavelength value in the spectrum.
US07701567B2
An optoelectronic distance sensor with slant component 200 having a spacer 202 bonded on a mother substrate 201 is disclosed. The spacer 202 has slant surface for receiving one or more optoelectronic components 204, such as an optical sensor, that are mounted at an angle to the mother substrate 201. Such electronic components 204 are bonded on a daughter substrate 203 which attaches to the spacer 202 at the slant surface. The optoelectronic assembly 200 can be manufactured at chip-level, including by one ore more of exemplary methods disclosed herein.
US07701565B2
An optical navigation system having an illuminator housing and a sensor housing that are movably connected at a connection point with a connection mechanism, which may include a pivot. The illuminator housing and the sensor housing may be rotated about the connection point relative to each other so that the optical navigation system may be configured with a desired operating Z-height. The optical navigation system may also include a locking mechanism to lock the illuminator housing and the sensor housing in a predetermined fixed position after the desired operating Z-height has been selected.
US07701562B2
A method of measuring a front surface profile and a back surface profile of a target object includes: mounting the target object in such a posture that a first measuring surface (front surface) is measurable by a probe; first measuring a contour of the target object; measuring the first measuring surface of the target object; reversing the target object; second measuring the contour of the target object with the reversed posture of the target object being maintained; obtaining a measurement position of a second measuring surface by comparison of contour data obtained through the first and second measuring of the contour, the measurement position of the second measuring surface corresponding to a measurement position of the first measuring surface at which the measuring of the first measuring surface is conducted; and measuring a profile of the second measuring surface along the obtained measurement position of the second measuring surface.
US07701560B2
The measurement method of the displacement speed of a moving element with respect to a fixed element is performed by means of an optic measuring device comprising a first reference sensor and a plurality of distinct second measurement sensors substantially aligned along the axis of movement of the moving element. The measurement method comprises determination of estimated speeds by correlation of the signals supplied by the reference sensor and each of the measurement sensors, and calculation of a mean speed of said estimated speeds.
US07701558B2
Methods for using spectrally separated light pulses to collect more LIDAR information are presented. In one embodiment, a monochromatic pulse is transmitted to collect range information and a white pulse is transmitted a short time afterwards to collect spectral responsivity information or color of the target. In another embodiment, the white light pulse is used to collect both range and spectral responsivity information of the target. In another embodiment, the spectral separated laser is spatially spread in order to collect range information over more than one point at a time.
US07701557B2
A monitoring device for spatial areas comprises a receiver, to which an anamorphotic optical system, is assigned. The monitoring device also has a transmitter which scans a field of view assigned to the receiver using radiation pulse beams. A distance image of an object in the field of view can be produced by way of a radiation transit time determination with short-term integration carried out in an evaluation unit.
US07701555B2
An exposure apparatus is equipped with a laser unit that emits a laser beam, a memory that stores a first information which shows a first relation indicating a relation between a linewidth error of a pattern formed on a wafer and a spectral characteristic of the laser beam emitted from the laser unit, and a main controller that controls the spectral width of the laser beam via a laser controller, based on the first information and on information related to a reticle that is to be used. Main controller performs spectral width control of the laser beam so as to suppress linewidth error, based on the first information and on the information related to the reticle that is to be used.
US07701553B2
A wafer surface level detection method includes a first level measurement step of measuring a level of a surface of a substrate having a plurality of shot regions, a position measurement step of measuring a position along the surface of the substrate, a first movement step of moving the substrate in at least a vertical direction on the basis of the measurement result obtained in the first level measurement step and the measurement result obtained in the position measurement step, and a second level measurement step of measuring the level of the surface of the substrate after the first movement step, wherein each of the plurality of shot regions has a measurement region. In the first movement step, the substrate is moved such that a relative position of the measurement region of each of the plurality of shot regions and each of the plurality of shot regions along the surface is constant, and, in the second level measurement step, the measurement region of each of the plurality of shot regions is measured.
US07701552B2
The present invention presents an exposure device, which includes an optical source for emitting a UV ray, a first lighting system for shaping the UV ray into a collimated light beam, an aperture member for producing rectangular first and second light beams based on the light beam from first lighting system by using the first and second rectangular windows, first and second spatial light modulators for spatially modulating the first and second light beams, respectively, and first and second projection lighting systems for guiding the modulated first and second light beams to the object.
US07701550B2
A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.
US07701547B2
A manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal dripping device for the liquid crystal dripping and panel pasting method, by which residual moisture, gas constituents, and foreign substances mixed in the liquid crystal can be removed assuredly, and an occurrence of display fault can be suppressed, and can also improve display quality and a yield of the liquid crystal display panel, is provided. In this manufacturing method, prior to drip the liquid crystal on the substrate, pre-treatments, which combines suitably vacuum treatment which removes residual moisture and gas constituents from the liquid crystal maintaining the liquid crystal in a reduced pressure environment, filtration treatment which removes foreign substances from the liquid crystal, and heat treatment which heats the liquid crystal as required for carrying out distributed removal of the organic substances, are performed.
US07701529B2
The present invention provides a housing structure for a lighting device, including a molded product having a thickness of 1.5 to 3.5 mm produced from a polycarbonate-based resin composition containing 20 to 60% by mass of titanium oxide, and a method of producing a housing structure for a lighting device, including: subjecting a polycarbonate-based resin composition containing 20 to 60% by mass of titanium oxide into a sheet; and subjecting the sheet to vacuum forming or pressing to produce a box-type molded product in which a fixing portion of a terminal of a light source is molded integrally to an inner side portion of the molded product. Also provided are a housing structure for a lighting device, which is lightweight and requires small man-hour for assembling, a method of manufacturing the same, a backlight device using the housing for a lighting device, and a liquid crystal display member.
US07701518B2
Systems and methods which can shift video to the edge of the display screen. The user can electrically and mechanically roll up or down the projection screen to fit the opposite edge. Further, the electrically shifted position can be memorized in memory, which will be easily recalled during future use. Also, to avoid displaying visible noise near the top edge of the video, the video may be shifted to avoid such noise being visible. The shifted position may be stored in memory to be recalled for future use.
US07701512B1
We describe and claim a system and method for horizontal and vertical sync detection and processing. A method comprises detecting synchronization information within a video signal, estimating stability of the video signal according to the detected synchronization information, and generating one or more synchronization signals according to the detected synchronization information and the estimated stability of the video signal.
US07701511B2
In a digital television broadcast signal receiver (TV receiver), when closed caption information of digital TV (DTV-CC) is detected, a DTV-CC logo (first annunciation image) 31 is displayed with superimposing on an image of TV program for announcing that the DTV-CC is included in the digital TV signal, and when closed caption information of NTSC (NTSC-CC) is detected, an NTSC-CC logo (second annunciation image) 32 is displayed with superimposing on the image of TV program for announcing that the NTSC-CC is included in the digital TV signal. Thus, a user can easily recognize whether the DTV-CC and/or NTSC-CC are/is included in the digital TV signal or not.
US07701503B2
Disclosed is a method for controlling a light source and optical input device using the same. The light source controlling method includes setting a shutter ON time of an image sensor using a statistical value of an image obtained through the image sensor, and setting a light source ON time in accordance with the shutter ON time and turning on/off the light source and the shutter in response to the set light source ON time and the set shutter ON time.Thus, undesired consumption of electric power of the light source is prevented to increase energy efficiency by actively setting an ON/OFF period of the light source consuming the maximum electric current in the optical input device according to a shutter ON/OFF period. Further, availability of the light source and its electric current is enhanced by controlling the light source for the shutter OFF period and by allowing the light source to be used as a source for the data transmission.
US07701498B2
The solid-state image pickup device of the invention includes: a plurality of optoelectronic transducers arranged in an array; a plurality of vertical transfer sections each for reading charges from optoelectronic transducers and vertically transferring the read charges; a horizontal transfer section; a charge detection section for converting the horizontally transferred charges to signal voltages and the like; and a control section. The control section outputs signals so as to obtain either a signal corresponding to the sum of charges from an optoelectronic transducer belonging to one column and belonging to one of alternately selected rows and an optoelectronic transducer belonging to a column adjacent to the one column and belonging to a row other than the alternately selected rows, or a signal corresponding to the sum of charges from optoelectronic transducers belonging to a same column, every predetermined even number of continuous rows of optoelectronic transducers.
US07701494B2
An image pickup device having an electron multiplying-charge coupled device has: an electron multiplying magnification control unit of the electron multiplying-charge coupled device; an obtaining unit for obtaining signals which are outputted from light-shielded pixels of the electron multiplying-charge coupled device; an averaging unit for executing an inter-line averaging process to the signals obtained by the obtaining unit; a suppression unit for performing a predetermined low-level suppression and a predetermined high-level suppression to the signal averaged by the averaging unit in accordance with the electron multiplying magnification of the electron multiplying magnification control unit; a deriving unit for deriving image signals which are outputted from light-unshielded pixels of the electron multiplying-charge coupled device; and a subtraction unit for subtracting the signal suppressed by the suppression unit from the image signals derived by the deriving unit.
US07701489B1
Methods and apparatuses for color correction using diffusers. At least one embodiment of the present invention seeks to perform color correction using color signals detected for the light passing through a diffuser. While typically software-based color correction methods rely on predetermined assumptions about the properties of an image, such as the averaged and/or profiled color information, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes the color signals for the light passing through a diffuser to determine the properties of the lightening environment. Instead of depending on the predetermined assumptions about the lightening environment or the image of the scene, at least one embodiment of the present invention performs the color correction according to the color information detected for the actual lightening environment.
US07701482B2
A feature amount of an inter-mobile unit relative movement are detected as an observation amount by an observation amount detecting section 26, time series of the observation amounts are stored as an observation series into a storage section 27 to calculate a similarity of the observation series to a predetermined collision observation series by a classification section 28. A determination section 29 determines to be a collision accident if, in a case where the similarity is larger than a predetermined value, a mobile unit associated with the similarity is at rest in a stoppage prohibition area set in a storage section 30 and another mobile unit is moving, and to be a mobile unit failure if collision determination conditions except for the similarity are met. By consisting of not only a first scalar obtained by quantizing a relative velocity vector between mobile units but also a second scalar obtained by quantizing a relative position vector between mobile units as the observation amount, a relative movement between mobile units is classified in more detail. A mobile unit is tracked in units of block by a mobile unit tracking section 25 to discriminate overlapped mobile units in pictures.
US07701480B2
A circuit for driving a plurality of light emitting units includes a current biasing unit that biases a light emitting current with an overshoot current and supplies the resultant current to each of the light emitting units. The light emitting current is determined based on an amount of light emitted from each of the light emitting units.
US07701479B2
Systems and methods for calibrating laser write power in a digital media drive are disclosed. The method includes writing to a calibration portion on a digital media labeling layer with energy from a laser. The writing includes using at least two different laser power settings within the calibration portion. The method also includes measuring a parameter in the calibration segment, the parameter being indicative of the reflectivity of the labeling layer, and determining a calibrated laser write power setting based on the measured parameter and the at least two different laser write power settings.
US07701477B2
A scanning system is adapted to scan an image beam across a photoconductive surface. The scanning system includes an oscillating mirror and is operable to generate an image beam and to reflect the image beam off the oscillating mirror to bidirectionally scan the image beam across the photoconductive surface and thereby discharge regions on the surface. The system is further operable to dynamically scale an intensity of the image beam as a function of a position of the image beam on the photoconductive surface.
US07701475B2
With the aim of offering a video display technique by which stable and high contrast video images are reproduced, contrast adjusting circuitry is constructed. The contrast adjusting circuitry detects a maximum picture level (MPL) and an average picture level (APL) of luminance signals for a predetermined period, determines one of the predefined luminance regions within which the MPL falls and one of the predefined luminance regions within which the APL falls, and, based on the thus determined luminance regions of both MPL and APL, carries out a contrast adjustment of video images by changing the gain of luminance signals and color depth correction by changing the gain of color signals.
US07701474B2
The present invention provides a method and a circuit for driving a color liquid crystal display in a normal driving mode and a power saving mode, wherein in the normal driving mode, voltages corresponding to image display data are applied to data electrodes of the color liquid crystal display, and wherein in the power saving mode, voltages corresponding to highly significant bit signals of the image display data are applied as display data signals to the data electrodes.
US07701470B2
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for combining raster image masks in a digital image. A first raster image mask may be generated that comprises a first set of one or more pixels having a first intermediate value for membership in the first raster image mask. A second raster image mask may be generated that comprises the first set of one or more pixels having a second intermediate value for membership in the second raster image mask. The first raster image mask and the second raster image mask may be combined to generate a third raster image mask, wherein a boundary of the third raster image mask is not greater than a combined boundary of the first raster image mask and the second raster image mask.
US07701465B2
It is desired to adopt gamut mapping using a color appearance space in the processing system of an ICC profile. Upon generating an LUT complying with the ICC profile format, when CIEL*a*b* values are converted into CIEXYZ values, and the XYZ values are converted into color appearance space values using color appearance conversion formulas, a point which can be converted and becomes a nearest neighboring point for a point that satisfies a predetermined condition is retrieved, and corresponding color appearance space values are calculated. The obtained color appearance space values are mapped on a predetermined device gamut.
US07701464B1
A computer implemented image editing tool and method for using the tool for color-selective editing of a digital image including multiple shapes with different color fills displayed on a display. The image editing tool includes a modified group color mixer which has a plurality of markers representing the colors of the plurality of shapes in the digital image. By dragging the markers, multiple shapes can be edited with the same group color mixer. The image editing tool also includes a color organizer which has swatches corresponding to the number of shapes and the color fills of shapes in the digital image. The swatches are positioned according to the positions of the corresponding shapes in the digital image for easy identification. Users can drag and drop swatches to swap colors between shapes, add new colors, discard colors, store colors for reference, edit multiple swatches simultaneously, and organize colors.
US07701462B2
A method and system for adjusting saturation in digital images that operates as closely as possible to the long-, medium-, short-(LMS) cone spectral response space. According to the method, a sensor component image such as an RGB image from a digital imager is input and converted to the LMS space. White point adaptation and equalization are performed on the LMS data. The saturation adjustment is then performed by applying a stretching transformation to the L and S LMS components with respect to the M component of each pixel.
US07701459B1
A graphics system has parallel processing units that do not share vertex information. The graphics system constructs independent batches of work for the parallel processing units in which each batch of work has a list of vertices for a set of primitives.
US07701446B2
A method and a computer program are described for developing a product (110), and services associated with the product, which product has at least one activation area (308) which is provided with a position code (403) that codes at least one position on an imaginary surface (601), which position causes a device (710) that detects the position code (403) to initiate an operation that utilizes information recorded by the device (710). A digital representation of at least part of the product comprising image points is produced, each image point in the digital representation of the activation area (308) corresponding to a position on the imaginary surface (601). A digital template that can be used for making the digital representation of the product is also described.
US07701445B2
A pair of through-holes 41a and 41b having the same shape are formed and aligned in a flexible board 4 on which a wiring pattern 42 is formed. A piezoelectric actuator 3 made of a piezoelectric bi-morph device is inserted into the first through-hole 41a and then into the second through-hole 41b from the opposite surface side. As a result, both the ends in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric actuator 3 contact the same surface of the flexible board 4. The flexible board 4 is disposed so that it contacts a touch sensor portion except for a part of the flexible board 4. Thus, a high performance force sense feedback function caused by the panel that deforms corresponding to an input operation can be accomplished at low cost.
US07701443B2
An ergonomic computer mouse is provided. The mouse has at least one signaling device that is positioned to accommodate a user's fingers when they are in a relaxed, nonextended state and the user's hand is resting on the mouse. The user may actuate a signaling device by exerting pressure on the signaling device in an upward direction, toward the rear of the mouse, or both. The mouse thus reduces fatigue on the user's hand and arm.
US07701442B2
An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.
US07701441B2
The present invention is a system that creates a volumetric display and a user controllable volumetric pointer within the volumetric display. The user can point by aiming a beam which is vector, planar or tangent based, positioning a device in three-dimensions in association with the display, touching a digitizing surface of the display enclosure or otherwise inputting position coordinates. The cursor can take a number of different forms including a ray, a point, a volume and a plane. The ray can include a ring, a bead, a segmented wand, a cone and a cylinder. The user designates an input position and the system maps the input position to a 3D cursor position within the volumetric display. The system also determines whether any object has been designated by the cursor by determining whether the object is within a region of influence of the cursor. The system also performs any function activated in association with the designation.
US07701440B2
A display device having a puck, a display screen, and a controller is disclosed. The puck moves in a puck field of motion on a surface, the field of motion being divided into a pointing region and a function region. The controller determines a position of the puck within the field of motion. The display screen has first and second display modes, the display screen displaying a two-dimensional scene in the first display mode and a sub-scene of the two-dimensional scene in the second display mode. A cursor that moves within the sub-scene in a manner controlled by the puck position in the pointing region is displayed in the second mode. The controller causes the display scene to change between modes when the puck moves between regions. The sub-scene position moves in response to the position of the puck in the function region in the first display mode.
US07701434B2
A method is set forth for automatically adjusting screen and keypad brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and keypad, for optimum legibility under varying lighting conditions, with minimal eye strain and distraction to the user. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and independently adjusting backlight intensity of the display screen and keypad responsive to the light level samples. Preferably, correct screen and keypad adjustments are made responsive to the user pulling his or her handheld device out of its holster notwithstanding non-optimal ambient light detection while the device is being removed from the holster. According to another aspect, the described method allows for ambient light detection in a handheld device where the light sensor and a message notification indicator share a common light pipe.
US07701415B2
The object is to provide a display device in which high-quality image display that is free from luminance nonuniformity can be obtained with a simplified structure.A magnitude of load corresponding to the light emission state of each pixel cell on a display line is measured for each display line based on a video signal, and correction of the luminance level according to the magnitude of load corresponding to the display line is conducted for the interval of the video signal corresponding to each display line.
US07701410B2
A dual-mode antenna device (20) includes a wireless module (207) and a second wireless module (208) transceiving signals of a first wireless network signal and a second wireless network. A first antenna (201) and a second antenna (202) transceive the signals, respectively. A first switch (203) is connected to the first antenna and a second switch (204) is connected to the second antenna. A third switch (205) is connected to the first switch, the second switch and the first wireless network module. A fourth switch (206) is connected to the first switch, the third switch and the second wireless network module. The first, third, and fourth switches collaboratively select the first antenna to transmit the wireless network signals. The second, third, and fourth switches collaboratively select the second antenna to transmit the wireless network signals.
US07701408B2
A document which includes a cover, one or more internal pages, a radiofrequency microcontroller, an antenna electrically connected to the radiofrequency microcontroller, an electromagnetic shield capable of partially disrupting wireless communication with the radiofrequency microcontroller when the document is closed, and not disrupting the wireless communication when the document is opened is described. The electromagnetic shield included in the document is implemented using metal, conductive plastic, conductive ink or magnetic ink.
US07701407B2
A slot antenna apparatus includes a grounding conductor having an outer edge including a first portion facing a radiation direction and a second portion other than the first portion, a one-end-open feed slot formed in the grounding conductor along the radiation direction such that an open end is provided at a center of the first portion, and a feed line including a strip conductor close to the grounding conductor and intersecting with the feed slot at at least a part thereof to feed a radio frequency signal to the feed slot. The slot antenna apparatus further comprises at least one one-end-open parasitic slot having an electrical length equivalent to one-quarter effective wavelength in a certain stop band, the parasitic slot having an open end at the second portion, and being formed in the grounding conductor so as not to intersect with the feed line.
US07701399B2
The chip antenna shown is provided with two chip antenna elements (the 1st chip antenna element 4, the 2nd chip antenna element 2). These chip antenna elements have the 1st magnetic base 10 and the 2nd magnetic base 8, and linear conductors 7 and 5 formed in the core, respectively. Magnetic base 10 and magnetic base 8 are separated. In the 1st chip antenna element 4, linear conductor 7 formed in the core of the 1st magnetic base 10 was formed to the end face of this magnetic base, and the end has protruded from said end face. On the other hand, in the 2nd chip antenna element 2, linear conductor 5 formed in the core of the 2nd magnetic base 8 has penetrated magnetic base 8. Furthermore, conductor 7 in the 1st chip antenna element and conductor 5 in the 2nd chip antenna element are electrically connected mutually in series by connection conductors 13 arranged among these chip antenna elements.
US07701397B2
The present invention provides a wireless communication apparatus that can maintain good and stable antenna characteristics, regardless of the change in the profile of the cabinet and that of the antenna element. The wireless communication apparatus includes a profile changeable cabinet adapted to changes its profile at least from a first cabinet profile to a second cabinet profile and vice versa and equipped with an antenna element, an antenna characteristics switching circuit section for selecting, in the profile changeable cabinet, the predetermined first antenna characteristic values specified for the first cabinet profile or the predetermined second antenna characteristic values specified for the second cabinet profile, and a cabinet profile detection unit that detects the change, if any, in the profile of the profile changeable cabinet from the first cabinet profile to the second cabinet profile or the other way round and outputting a detection signal for driving the antenna characteristics switching circuit section, the antenna characteristics switching circuit section being adapted to switch from the first antenna characteristic values to the second antenna characteristic values or the other way round according to the detection signal from the cabinet profile detecting unit in response to a change in the profile of the profile changeable cabinet.
US07701390B2
A time adjustment device having a reception unit that receives a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning information satellite; a time information generating unit that generates time information; a generated time information storage unit that stores the time information generated by the time information generating unit as generated time information; and a starting information generating unit that generates information before the beginning of a specific unit of the satellite signal that is transmitted in specific units from the positioning information satellite as before-starting information based on the generated time information. The reception unit has a starting unit that starts searching for the positioning information satellite at a predetermined timing based on the before-starting information, and a stopping unit that detects the specific unit of the satellite signal and stops searching for the positioning information satellite. The generated time information is corrected at the timing when the reception unit stops.
US07701388B2
A positioning method using global positioning system (GPS) signal and digital broadcasting system (DBS) signal. The method includes detecting a presence status of the GPS signal through a signal detector in a receiver, detecting a presence status of the DBS signal through the signal detector, determining the signal strength of the GPS signal if the GPS signal is detected, determining the signal strength of the DBS signal if the DBS signal is detected, choosing one positioning mode among a plurality of positioning modes in a signal processing unit in the receiver based on signal presence status and the signal strength of a detected signal, and determining a location of the receiver based on the chosen positioning mode. The plurality of positioning modes includes stand-alone GPS mode, assisted GPS (AGPS) mode, assisted GPS positioning with DBS assist mode, DBS positioning with GPS assist mode, stand-alone DBS mode, and assist DBS mode.
US07701387B2
For supporting a satellite based positioning of a mobile arrangement (30,40) with assistance data, a communication network converts parameters of a dedicated orbit model describing a movement of a satellite (50,60), which dedicated orbit model is defined for a particular satellite based positioning system, into parameters of a common orbit model describing a movement of a satellite (50,60). Alternatively or in addition, the network replaces a reference value that is based on a satellite based positioning system time in available parameters of an orbit model by a reference value that is based on a communication system time. After the parameter conversion and/or the reference value replacement, the parameters are provided as a part of assistance data for the satellite based positioning. Alternatively or in addition, a set of data is transmitted in one direction between the mobile arrangement and the communication network, which is independent of the employed positioning mode.
US07701385B2
A radar level gauging system for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank by transmitting and receiving microwave signals over at least two functionally independent channels. Each channel has an electronics unit with transceiver circuitry arranged on a printed circuit board and processing circuitry connected to the transceiver circuitry for determining the filling level based on a relation between transmitted signals and received signals, and each electronics unit is electronically and galvanically separated from other electronics units. The system further comprises a single antenna for emitting microwave signals into the tank, and a hollow waveguide for guiding microwave signals between each transceiver circuitry and the antenna. Each electronics unit further comprises feeding circuitry arranged on the printed circuit board, the feeding circuitry comprising at least one feeding probe protruding into the waveguide for feeding the microwave signals into the waveguide.The present invention enables a very simple, cost-effective and reliable feeding for each channel.
US07701377B1
A current steering circuit includes a multitude of current stages each including an associated current source transistor, and first and second cascode transistors coupled in series with the associated current source transistor. The first and second cascode transistors respectively receive first and second reference voltages and are biased such that a voltage appearing across any terminal pairs of the transistors is less than a predefined value. Each current stage includes a first switch supplying the current flowing through the transistors to a first resistive load in response to a control signal, and a second switch supplying the current to a second resistive load in response to a complement of the control signal. An amplifier responsive to an analog multiplexer's output provides a biasing voltage to each of the current stages. The analog multiplexer supplies a different output voltage in response to different counts of a counter.
US07701375B1
An encoder for encoding comparator outputs of a bank of 2**N−1 comparators into an N bit binary code is provided. The comparator outputs have redundancy so that if comparator output Cw is a binary zero, then each comparator output numbered Cx wherein x is greater than w, is binary zero, and if comparator output Cy is binary one, then each comparator output numbered Cz wherein z is less than y, is binary one. The encoder for encoding an Mth bit of the N bit binary code includes N−M+1 levels of current steering switches. The Lth level has 2**(L−1) current steering switches each connected to a current steering switch in an (L−1)th level, except when the Lth level is 1. The comparator outputs are connected to the current steering switches.
US07701371B2
Techniques for performing automatic gain control are described. In some aspects, the gain control is achieved with an apparatus having an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital variable gain amplifier (DVGA), the DVGA configured to receive a digital signal from the ADC, the DVGA having a processor configured to compute a gain using a base n logarithm based on the power of the digital signal output from the ADC, the processor being further configured to apply the gain to the digital signal.
US07701360B1
There is disclosed systems and methods for controlling communication of navigation positioning information from a source of said information to another device for tracking purposes. In one embodiment, a user having a communicating device that maintains a record of its present location establishes a communication link to one or more selected targets and then grants permission to his/her device to continually send updates of his/her device's position to said selected other devices. These updated communications can be on a data channel of a voice communication device if desired. In one embodiment, said receiving device can deliver said coordinates (translated into street locations if desired) in an audio fashion, or said receiving device can visually display (perhaps on a grid overlay) said position of said sending device or environmental data from said sending device.
US07701350B2
The RFID tag is composed of the first antenna of metal film layer on which the IC chip is mounted and at least one second antenna of metal film layer on which the IC chip is not mounted The metal film layer is formed on the base, and the metal film layer is formed on the base. The metal film layer partially overlaps the metal film layer with the base interposed between them, so that the first antenna and the second antenna are capacitively coupled to each other.
US07701348B2
An apparatus for emulating multiple RFID tags in a supply chain/logistics network, comprising: an RFID transceiver for receiving an RF command from an interrogator, a controller for converting the received RF command into a digitized message, an RFID emulation unit for retrieving or storing identification data with respect to the multiple differing RFID tags, wherein the RFID emulation unit retrieves or stores identification data in one or more ID repositories with respect to one or more product RFID tags, one or more case RFID tags and a pallet RFID tag and the controller responding to the interrogator with a single ID retrieved from the one or more ID repositories contain information as to the one or more product RFID tags, one or more case RFID tags and a pallet RFID tag, wherein the RFID emulation unit retrieves or stores the identification data on a remote server over the Internet or locally in non-volatile memory of each apparatus. In addition, the apparatus can contain a housing, a handle and a display screen and an input device to allow a user at any point in the supply chain/logistic network to quickly determine information on the products, cases or pallet.
US07701347B2
An asset, object, person or animal monitoring system and associated method for monitoring assets, objects, people or animals utilizing impulse radio techniques. The asset, object, person or animal monitoring system of the present invention can vary the duty cycles of the impulse radio transmitters, by both manual and automatic means, to adapt to varied requirements.
US07701337B2
A hybrid-technology metal detector, using pulse-induction and sine-wave excitation of the transmitter coil alternately, in rapid succession.The energy stored in the transmitter coil, in the pulsed mode, is used to shock-excite a high-Q circuit formed by the coil and a parallel capacitor into oscillations in the sine-wave mode.The multiplicative action of the circuit Q causes high currents to flow in the transmitter coil, causing high fluxes to be impressed on the searched area, with increased sensitivity as a result.Using a linear coil-current ramp to assess and minimize the coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils permits effective separation of the reactive and resistive components of the target signals, making accurate identification of targets possible.
US07701330B2
The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for use in implementing security systems. Some embodiments provide methods that receive a remote alarm message broadcast across an external power line communication (PLC) network at a first internal PLC security system coupled with the external PLC network from a remote second internal PLC security system coupled with the external PLC network with the remote alarm message comprising an alarm identifier of a local alarm message from the remote second internal PLC security system, and trigger a local alert at the first internal PLC security system indicating that the remote alarm message has been received across the external PLC network.
US07701327B2
A wireless display panel for an electronic system includes a plurality of light status indicators. Each light status indicator includes a first chamber attached to the wireless display panel and having an excitable gas inside an end of thereof and a second chamber attached to a surface of the electronic system. The first and second chambers being formed of conducting material and corresponding to each other, connecting with each other to form a sealed enclosure when the wireless display panel is connected with the electronic system. Each light status indicator also includes a generator attached to the surface of the electronic system and surrounded by the second chamber, outputting alternating current (AC) power inside the sealed enclosure for wirelessly transmitting AC current to excite the excitable gas, as determined by the electronic system.
US07701319B2
An inductor element comprises: a ceramic base member; and a coil composed of a conductor having a shape complementary to the ceramic base member. In the inductor element, a prescribed plural number of steps are formed on at least an inner wall surface of the ceramic base member facing to the coil in one direction.
US07701314B2
A solenoid assembly (23) includes a coil assembly (65) having at least one coil winding (73) and an electronic circuit assembly (67), which is in electrical communication with the coil assembly (65). The electronic circuit assembly (67) has a printed circuit board (79) and at least one electronic component (81), which is surface mounted on the printed circuit board (79). A coating material (85) coats all of the plurality of external surfaces of the surface-mounted electronic component (81). A casing (87) over-molds an outer longitudinal surface (77) of the coil assembly (65) and all of a plurality of external surfaces of the electronic circuit assembly (67).
US07701312B2
An integrated device is constructed by integrating an FBAR and a tunable capacitor. The integrated device includes a substrate; a resonator formed on the substrate; a driving electrode layer formed on the substrate apart from the resonator; a first electrode layer formed upwardly apart from the substrate and facing the resonator; and a second electrode layer formed upwardly apart from the substrate and facing the driving electrode layer, the second electrode layer stepped from the first electrode layer. Accordingly, the integrated device can increase the tuning range and mitigate the parasitic resistance.
US07701302B2
An atomic frequency acquisition apparatus includes: a cell enclosing atomic gas therein; a laser light source that oscillates a laser light that enters the cell and excites the atomic gas; and a photodetecting section that detects the laser light that has passed through the cell, wherein the cell has at least a laser light reflection section inside thereof.
US07701299B2
A low phase noise PLL synthesizer is described in which an initial tuning mechanism uses a conventional divider loop to lock a VCO to a desired output frequency. Once initial lock is achieved, the divider loop is switched out of the circuit in favor of a low phase noise mixer loop. The local oscillator signal for the mixer is derived from the same low phase noise source as the phase comparison frequency.
US07701295B2
A high efficiency class-AB amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier comprises a first input stage and a second input stage, both coupled to a class-AB biasing mesh and an output stage, wherein the outputs of the first and second input stages are directly coupled to the output transistors in the output stage. In one embodiment, a first gate of the first input stage and of the second input stage are coupled together to receive the same input and a second gate of the first input stage and of the second input stage are coupled together to receive the same input. In another embodiment, the first input stage and second input stage may further comprise cascode transistors for coupling the two input stages to the class-AB biasing mesh. In yet another embodiment, a 3V supply is used and 1V transistors are used to improve gain and 3V transistors are used to protect the 1V transistors.
US07701294B1
An audio amplifier with a negative DC/DC converter is provided. The audio amplifier receives VDD and VEE as power supply signals. The negative DC/DC converter is arranged to provide VEE from VDD, such that VEE is a negative voltage that is lower in magnitude than VDD. Accordingly, the power loss can be minimal with lower Vee, even though the audio power is increased. The audio amplifier further receives an audio input signal, and a reference voltage that is the arithmetic mean of VDD and VEE.
US07701283B2
A power amplifier with noise shaping is disclosed. The power amplifier with noise shaping is able to minimize the noise interference a regular power amplifier encounters. The power amplifier includes a differential-mode integrator, a driving unit, and a low pass filter and integration unit. The differential-mode integrator receives a differential-mode input signal and a differential-mode feedback signal and performs integration operations to output a differential-mode intermediate signal. The driving unit outputs a differential-mode output signal and drives a load according to the differential-mode intermediate signal. The low pass filter and integration unit performs a filtering operation on the differential-mode output signal and integration operations to output the differential-mode feedback signal to the differential-mode integrator.
US07701272B2
A circuit, delay-locked loop, memory device, system and method of synchronizing a clock are described. A circuit generally includes a delay line configured to delay an external clock signal to produce a substantially in-phase output clock signal, a main loop configured to control delay through the delay line, and a secondary loop configured to adjust delay through the main loop. The clock synchronization method generally includes adjusting a delay along a delay line in response to a first phase difference between an input clock to the delay line and a shared clock signal delayed by a shared dynamic I/O model of an output driver. The method further includes adjusting the shared dynamic I/O model in response to a second phase difference between an output clock signal and the shared clock signal.
US07701255B2
A system for automatically transforming a given synchronous circuit description into an equivalent and provably correct desynchronized circuit description. Included in the automated transformation are techniques for synthesizing a variability-aware controller using a two-phase protocol, techniques for synthesizing a variability-aware controller using gated clocks and testability circuits, techniques for synthesizing a variability-aware controller optimized for performance, techniques for initializing the synthesized controller, techniques for dynamically minimizing power requirements, and techniques for interfacing the desynchronized circuit with external synchronous circuits. Also disclosed are techniques for implementing a system for automatically transforming a synchronous circuit description into an equivalent and provably correct desynchronized circuit description within the context of an electronic design automation design flow. Exemplary circuits used in the application of the aforementioned techniques are provided. Application of mathematical models and techniques used for proving equivalence between the input description and the resulting desynchronized circuit are presented and explained.
US07701254B2
The present disclosure involves reconfigurable circuits that include an asynchronous data path with asynchronous control and at least one logic element coupled with the asynchronous data path that allows the circuit to be configured to more than one logical implementation through data and control token. In one particular example, the asynchronous data path with asynchronous control includes an interconnection of memory elements, such as latches, with each memory element including a corresponding asynchronous control element, such as a GasP element. One or more logical elements are coupled at one or more points of the data path, such coupling may involve feed-back, feed-forward, or combinations of both, and may include external data connections. Through distribution of data items and control tokens to the asynchronous data path with asynchronous control, the fixed logical coupling to the data path may be reconfigured to provide various logical arrangements.
US07701251B1
Methods and apparatus for implementing a stacked memory-programmable integrated circuit system-in-package are described. An aspect of the invention relates to a semiconductor device. A first integrated circuit (IC) die is provided having an array of tiles that form a programmable fabric of a programmable integrated circuit. A second IC die is stacked on the first IC die and connected therewith via inter-die connections. The second IC die includes banks of memory coupled to input/output (IO) data pins. The inter-die connections couple the IO data pins to the programmable fabric such that all of the banks of memory are accessible in parallel.
US07701242B2
An electronic circuit to determine current-voltage characteristics of a plurality of electronic devices under test. The electronic circuit is comprised of a plurality of individual test cells, each of the plurality of test cells is configured to electrically couple to a first terminal of one of the plurality of electronic devices under test and to a first current source. A second terminal of each of the plurality of electronic devices under test couples to a second current source. The circuit employs a current-based measurement method.
US07701239B2
A detection circuit includes: a control signal updating circuit configured to update a digital control signal for controlling drive of a sensor based on a clock having a predetermined frequency; a digital to analog converter configured to convert the digital control signal output from the control signal updating circuit to an analog control signal for driving the sensor; a comparator configured to compare a voltage level of a detection signal from the sensor which changes depending on the analog control signal with a reference voltage having a predetermined voltage level to output a comparison result signal; and a counter configured to count to measure a time period depending on the detection signal based on the comparison result signal output from the comparator and a clock having a predetermined frequency.
US07701228B2
According to some embodiments, motor-tuned nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probes may be tuned manually without overcoming the tuning motor holding force. An NMR probe includes a switchable manual-mode/motor-driven mode capacitance-adjustment assembly for adjusting the capacitance of a variable capacitor connected to an NMR RF coil. The capacitance-adjustment assembly includes a tuning shaft coupled to the variable capacitor through a gear assembly, and a mode-switching coupler coupled to the tuning shaft. The mode-switching coupler includes a first terminal coupled to a piezoelectric motor, and a second terminal coupled to the tuning shaft. In the manual mode, a user pushes up the tuning shaft, decoupling the two terminals of the mode-switching coupler and thus decoupling the motor from the tuning shaft. The user then manually rotates the tuning shaft. In the motor-driven mode, a spring tensioner presses the two terminals of the mode-switching coupler together, coupling the motor to the tuning shaft.
US07701221B2
A device for environment detection having a first magnetic alternating field is situated in a vehicle. The device detects the at least one object in the environment of the vehicle by a second magnetic alternating field which is produced in the object as a function of the first magnetic alternating field.
US07701205B2
A method for non-contact measurement of a dimension and/or an electrical property in an electrically conducting object to be measured by using electromagnetic induction. An electromagnetic field is brought to penetrate through the object to be measured. A transmitter coil is place on one side of the object to be measured. A receiver coil is placed on the other side of the object to be measured. A magnetic field is generated in the transmitter coil. A sudden change is generated in the magnetic field generated in the transmitter coil from one level to another. The voltage induced in the receiver coil is detected. The period of time that elapses from the time of the change of the magnetic field in the transmitter coil up to the time when a voltage starts to be induced in the receiver coil is determined. The magnitude of the induced voltage is determined. The thickness and/or electrical conductivity of the object to be measured is calculated.
US07701202B2
Tactile Sensor. The sensor includes a compliant convex surface disposed above a sensor array, the sensor array adapted to respond to deformation of the convex surface to generate a signal related to an applied force vector. The applied force vector has three components to establish the direction and magnitude of an applied force. The compliant convex surface defines a dome with a hollow interior and has a linear relation between displacement and load including a magnet disposed substantially at the center of the dome above a sensor array that responds to magnetic field intensity.
US07701197B2
An electrical current sensing assembly comprises: a conductive input substrate with a generally planar contact surface; a conductive output substrate with a generally planar contact surface proximate and substantially parallel to the input substrate contact surface; a conductive current sense path extending from the input substrate contact surface to the output substrate contact surface with a sense path cross sectional area generally normal to electrical current flow; a conductive current bypass path extending from the input substrate contact surface to the output substrate contact surface with a bypass path cross sectional area generally normal to electrical current flow; and an electrical current sensing device proximate the current sense path for sensing electrical current passing through the current sense path; wherein the ratio of the current passing through the bypass path to the current passing through the sense path is proportional to the ratio of the bypass path cross sectional area to the sensing path cross sectional area to limit current in the sensing path to the measurement range of the current sensing device.
US07701193B2
A pulse height analyzer for determination of the pulse height distribution of electronic pulses includes a set of comparators with a common input for analogue to digital conversion of the electronic pulses, a set of latches wherein the inputs of the latches are connected to the outputs of respective comparators for recording passage of the corresponding threshold voltages by the rising edge of a pulse, a priority encoder connected to the latch outputs for determination of a pulse height category consisting of pulses with a pulse height within a pulse height interval defined by respective threshold voltages, and a micro controller that is adapted to count the number of pulses within each pulse height category.
US07701181B2
A LDO and a switching regulator are connected in parallel with each other. The power supply device selects and actuates either of the LDO or the switching regulator in accordance with a switching signal from the outside. When making the switch from the LDO to the switching regulator so as to be actuated, the power supply device causes operation periods of the LDO and the switching regulator to overlap each other. At least during the period in which the operation periods overlap each other, the power supply device makes current drive performance of a synchronous rectification transistor of the switching regulator lower and makes the same return to a normal state after the LDO stops its operation.
US07701178B2
A circuit for controlling charging includes a transistor provided on a charging path between a position of a charging terminal and a position of a battery, an input voltage detecting circuit configured to detect a potential of a point on the charging path coupled to the charging terminal's side of the transistor, and a drive circuit configured to control an ON resistance of the transistor between a conductive state and a nonconductive state in response to the potential detected by the input voltage detecting circuit.
US07701177B2
A battery pre-charging circuit includes a pre-charging path, a pre-charging switch and a low-voltage pre-charging circuit. The pre-charging path is coupled between a charger and a battery for providing a pre-charging current from the charger to the battery. The pre-charging switch is coupled to the pre-charging path for conducting along the pre-charging path. The low-voltage pre-charging circuit is coupled to the pre-charging switch for controlling the pre-charging switch. The low-voltage pre-charging circuit is configured to switch on the pre-charging switch when the battery voltage is below a first battery voltage level.
US07701172B2
A power tool may include a housing that supports an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may include at least two terminal sets that are arranged in parallel to each other. The at least two terminal sets may include a first terminal set configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration and a second terminal set configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second, different configuration. A battery charger may include a housing, and an interface that is electrically and mechanically compatible with at least two battery packs having different configurations and battery cell chemistries.
US07701168B2
A device may include a first connector configured to connect to a portable device and a second connector configured to connect to a power source. The device may also include circuitry configured to provide a first charging current to the portable device via the first connector when the second connector is connected to a power adapter coupled to a power outlet and provide a second charging current to the portable device via the first connector when the second connector is connected to a universal serial bus port of a host device.
US07701153B2
A lamp includes an arc tube and a lighting unit for lighting the arc tube. The lighting unit includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit for partial smoothing, and an inverter circuit having a pair of switching elements. The smoothing circuit smoothes portions of the output voltage of the rectifier circuit below the first voltage value and outputs a voltage that falls between the first voltage value and the second voltage value. The discharge sustaining voltage of the arc tube is set to fall between the first and second values of the voltage Vdc output from the smoothing circuit.
US07701149B2
Multiphase voltage sources are used in driving an AC_LED; different light timing is achieved by changing the relative phase or frequency of the voltage sources. Different light color mixing is also achieved when more than one AC_LED with different colors are combined to use.
US07701148B2
A circuit arrangement and associated method for splitting current in a predetermined ratio between N sub-circuits, comprising means for splitting current at one end of a each sub-circuit and at least one device at the other end of each sub-circuit adapted to become forward biased and acts as a short to ground.
US07701144B2
A vehicular lamp includes a lamp body; a plurality of LED light sources disposed inside a lamp chamber formed by a front cover positioned in front of the lamp body; and a lighting circuit portion positioned behind the LED light sources. The LED light source is electrically connected to a conductive bus bar, and forms a light-emitting surface at a position opposite the front cover. The lighting circuit portion is formed on the back side of the light-emitting surface of the LED light source with respect to the front cover, and a circuit element thereof is electrically connected to the conductive bus bar. The conductive bus bar to which the LED light source is connected and the conductive bus bar to which the circuit element is connected are conductively connected.
US07701143B2
A plasma lamp for an electrodeless plasma lamp having a compact dielectric waveguide body. Example embodiments may use a shaped body to allow operation at a lower frequency (or at the same frequency with a body of smaller volume) than a solid cylindrical or rectangular waveguide body having the same dielectric constant. The diagonal or diameter of a cross section used for a particular frequency or range of frequencies may be reduced by shaping the waveguide.
US07701142B2
An arc tube assembly (10) for a protected high intensity discharge lamp. The assembly has a ceramic arc tube (12) with a short shroud (20) surrounding at least the arc chamber (14) of the arc tube. The short shroud (20) allows the frit seal areas (46) of the arc tube capillaries (18) to project beyond the shroud (20) and thereby operate at a lower temperature, thus increasing lamp life.
US07701140B2
The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp with an outer envelope (1) in which a discharge vessel (11) is arranged around a longitudinal axis (22). The discharge vessel encloses, in a gastight manner, a discharge space (13) provided with an ionizable filling. The discharge vessel has a first (2) and a second (3) mutually opposed neck-shaped portion through which a first (4) and a second (5) current-supply conductor, respectively, extend to a pair of electrodes (6, 7) arranged in the discharge space (13). The outer envelope (1) has a bulb-shaped portion (2) adjacent the discharge space with a wall thickness d1. The remainder of the outer envelope has a wall thickness d2. The ratio of d1 and d2 is in the range: Formula (I). Preferably, Formula (II), the bulb-shaped portion is formed in a mold. A simplified and compact high-pressure discharge lamp is provided by the invention.
US07701138B2
An information acquisition method for acquiring information on a target object, that includes a step of promoting ionization of the target object using a substance for promoting ionization of the target object to cause the target object to emit, and a step of acquiring information on the mass of the flew target object using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry.
US07701134B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an EL display device having a high operation performance and reliability.The switching TFT 201 formed within a pixel has a multi-gate structure, which is a structure which imposes an importance on reduction of OFF current value. Further, the current control TFT 202 has a channel width wider than that of the switching TFT to make a structure appropriate for flowing electric current. Morever, the LDD region 33 of the current control TFT 202 is formed so as to overlap a portion of the gate electrode 35 to make a structure which imposes importance on prevention of hot carrier injection and reduction of OFF current value.
US07701133B2
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent display device and a method of repairing a defective pixel of an organic electroluminescent display device which can realize the repairing a defective pixel to a light emitting pixel by electrically separating a leak portion which generates a defective pixel. To be more specific, a peeling suppression layer is formed between an anode and an organic light emitting layer formed on a main substrate, and a cavity is formed between the main substrate and the peeling suppression layer due to the evaporation generated by an absorption of laser beams thus electrically separating a defective portion so as to repair a black-dot defective pixel to form a light emitting pixel.
US07701129B2
A polymeric fluorescent substance exhibiting fluorescence in the solid state, having a polystyrene reduced number-average molecular weight of 1×103 to 1×108, and comprising one or more repeating units of formula (1) and one or more repeating units of formula (8), —Ar1—(CR1═CR2)n— (1) —Ar2—(CR36═CR37)n— (8) wherein Ar1 represents a specific arylene or a divalent heterocyclic compound group, and Ar2 represent an arylene or a divalent heterocyclic compound group other than Ar1. By using the polymeric fluorescent substance, a high performance polymer LED can easily be obtained.
US07701128B2
A planar light unit provided with field emitters and a method for fabricating the same. According to the present invention, the planar light unit has a first substrate, a plurality of first conductive strips, a plurality of second conductive strips, a plurality of field emitters, a second substrate and a fluorescent film. The plurality of first conductive strips are formed over the first substrate, and the plurality of second conductive strips are formed over the first substrate and interposed inbetween the plurality of first conductive strips. The plurality of field emitters are formed in proximity of the plurality of first conductive strips. The second substrate is provided to be attached to and spaced apart from the first substrate to form a chamber therebetween, whereas a fluorescent film is formed over the interior surface of the second substrate facing the plurality of field emitters.
US07701126B2
A field emission display includes: a substrate (11); cathode electrodes (21) formed on the substrate; a plurality of emitters formed on the cathode electrodes; a barrier array (41) defining a plurality of openings (42) therethrough according to a pixel pattern, the barrier array comprising a shadow mask with an insulative layer (43) formed thereon, the barrier array being fixed to the substrate; gate electrodes (51) formed on the barrier array; and a phosphor screen (70) spaced from the substrate. This field emission display employs the known technology for making a shadow mask in the field of CRTs. In addition, the thickness and the material of the insulative layer can be determined according to the insulative performance required for the field emission display. In summary, the present invention provides a field emission display having a high precision, and low production cost barrier array.
US07701118B2
An ultrasonic flow rate measuring device for measuring the flow rate through a line through which a medium flows has at least one ultrasonic transducer that has a piezo element and a connecting element designed for attaching the ultrasonic transducer to the line with the piezo element attached to the connecting element. An intermediate layer including a plate is disposed between the piezo element and the connecting element that is electrically conductive and attachable to an electromagnetic shield. Thus, an ultrasonic flow rate measuring device that delivers a greater signal-to-noise ratio is achieved.
US07701115B2
A drive unit includes a control unit for controlling an ultrasonic actuator. The control unit performs switching between a normal operation mode in which the piezoelectric element unit vibrates at a frequency close to a resonance frequency of longitudinal vibration in the lengthwise direction of the piezoelectric element unit and a resonance frequency of bending vibration to let the ultrasonic actuator output a driving force and a heating mode in which the piezoelectric element unit vibrates at a frequency close to a resonance frequency of longitudinal vibration in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric element unit to heat the piezoelectric element.
US07701112B2
An apparatus to control displacement of a body spaced-apart from a surface includes a flexure system having a first flexure member defining a first axis of rotation and a second flexure member defining a second axis of rotation. A body is coupled to the flexure system to move about a plurality of axes. An actuation system is coupled to the flexure system to selectively constrain movement of the body along a subset of the plurality of axes.
US07701108B2
A collector ring unit includes a base, and a plurality of insulated spacer rings sleeved onto the base respectively and each having a ring body, a plurality of through holes through the ring body, and a notch formed on the ring body. A plurality of conductive slip rings are respectively sleeved onto the ring bodies of the insulated spacer rings and each have a socket. A plurality of conductive trips each have one end inserted into the socket of one conductive slip ring and received in the notch of one insulated spacer ring, and the other end passing through the through holes of the other insulated spacer rings and protruded out of the outermost insulated spacer ring. By means of addition or reduction of the numbers of the spacer rings, slip rings and conductive strips, the dimension of the collector ring unit of the invention can be changed.
US07701107B2
Included are a rotor, and a stator having a yoke section and a teeth section including multiple teeth. The teeth section and the yoke section are made of mutually independent configuration members, and connected to each other. At least one of the teeth section and the yoke section is formed by connecting each neighboring two of its multiple segments arranged one after another in a direction in which the rotor rotates. At least some neighboring teeth out of the multiple teeth are unified.
US07701092B1
A connector module includes a jack socket capable of receiving a communication link. The connector module also includes magnetics coupled to the jack socket for supplying power to a peripheral device coupled to the link through the jack socket. The connector module further includes Power-over-Ethernet management logic for controlling the supplying of power to the peripheral device by providing a voltage to the magnetics. In addition, the connector module includes at least one voltage isolator for isolating the voltage used by the Power-over-Ethernet management logic from at least one digitally-referenced voltage.
US07701079B2
Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.
US07701073B2
The invention discloses integrated circuits (ICs), molded IC packages, and to leadframe arrays, package arrays and methods for their manufacture. Leadframe arrays and package arrays used for the manufacture of IC packages by transfer molding processes include a locking feature adapted for encapsulation. The locking feature is situated in a strap of the leadframe array overlying a gate between mold cavities. The strap lock formed by curing encapsulant in the locking feature of the strap strengthens the resulting package array and provides improved mold extraction and handling characteristics.
US07701072B2
The semiconductor device according to an aspect of the invention includes: an internal circuit area having an internal circuit; an I/O circuit area positioned outside the internal circuit area; and an electrode pad placed across an outer edge of the I/O circuit area. In the electrode pad, an area outside the outer edge of the I/O circuit area is a bonding area, and an area inside the outer edge is a probe area.
US07701067B2
In an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor package including a semiconductor chip electronically and mechanically mounted on a tape-automated bonding tape, a resin potting unit is adapted to pot thermosetting resin into a gap between the semiconductor chip and the tape-automated bonding tape while the semiconductor chip and the tape-automated bonding tape are heated.
US07701065B2
A device, including a semiconductor chip having a plurality of first electrodes is disclosed. A plurality of second electrodes is arranged on a first surface of the semiconductor chip. A first electrically conductive layer is applied over a first section of the first surface and electrically coupled to the first electrodes arranged within the first section. A second electrically conductive layer is applied over the first electrically conductive layer and electrically coupled to the second electrodes arranged within the first section.
US07701053B2
An electronic component has a portion adjacent to a surface of a base to which elements are mounted is immersed into a liquid resin or semi-solid resin such that an element surface of the base to which the elements are mounted is not immersed and in which the resin is then hardened. This causes a gap to be disposed between the hardened resin and the element surface of the base, such that a cover supported by some of the elements is formed.
US07701051B2
A power semiconductor module (1) has power semiconductor components (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) arranged on a substrate (14), at least one portion of which components is connected in parallel and arranged symmetrically on the substrate (14). A second conduction plane (24, 26) is provided for making contact with the power semiconductor components (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12). The second conduction plane is arranged in a manner electrically insulated from the substrate surface (16) above the surfaces of the power semiconductor components (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) that are remote from the substrate surface (16).
US07701048B2
A power module with low thermal resistance buffers the stress put on a substrate during a package molding operation to virtually always prevent a fault in the substrate of the module. The power module includes a substrate, a conductive adhesive layer formed on the substrate, a device layer comprising a support tab, a power device, and a passive device which are formed on the conductive adhesive layer, and a sealing material hermetically sealing the device layer. The support tab is buffers the stress applied by a support pin to the substrate, thereby virtually always preventing a ceramic layer included in the substrate from cracking or breaking. As a result, a reduction in the isolation breakdown voltage of the substrate is virtually always prevented and the failure of the entire power module is do to a reduction in the breakdown voltage of the substrate is virtually always prevented.
US07701044B2
A chip package for an image sensor includes a first semiconductor chip having a first surface where a photographing device and a first circuit pattern are formed and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface where a second circuit pattern is formed. The first and second circuit patterns are electrically connected. The chip package further includes a second semiconductor chip attached to a second circuit pattern on the second surface of the first semiconductor chip. A printed circuit board faces the second surface of the first semiconductor chip and transfers an electric signal between the first and second semiconductor chips and externally. A housing accommodates the first and second semiconductor chips. The housing allows light to pass through to the photographing device.
US07701040B2
A wafer level semiconductor package has a substrate and an RF module and baseband module coupled to the substrate with solder bumps. An underfill material is disposed under the RF module and baseband module. A first shielding layer is applied to a first surface of the substrate. A seed layer is deposited on the substrate and RF module and baseband module. A second shielding layer is plated over the seed layer, except over the contact pads on the substrate. The second shielding layer can be made from copper, gold, nickel, or aluminum. The first and second shielding layers substantially cover the wafer level semiconductor package to isolate the baseband module from electromagnetic interference generated by the RF module. The first and second shielding layers are grounded through the substrate.
US07701039B2
At least one high aspect ratio via is formed in the backside of a semiconductor substrate. The at least one via is closed at one end by a conductive element forming a conductive structure of the semiconductor substrate. The backside of the semiconductor substrate is exposed to an electroplating solution containing a conductive material in solution with the active surface semiconductor substrate isolated therefrom. An electric potential is applied across the conductive element through the electroplating solution and a conductive contact pad in direct or indirect electrical communication with the conductive element at the closed end of the at least one via (or forming such conductive element) to cause conductive material to electrochemically deposit from the electroplating solution and fill the at least one via. Semiconductor devices and in-process semiconductor devices are also disclosed.
US07701038B2
A lateral bipolar junction transistor having improved current gain and a method for forming the same are provided. The transistor includes a well region of a first conductivity type formed over a substrate, at least one emitter of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type in the well region wherein each of the at least one emitters are interconnected, a plurality of collectors of the second conductivity type in the well region wherein the collectors are interconnected to each other, and a plurality of base contacts of the first conductivity type in the well region wherein the base contacts are interconnected to each other. Preferably, all sides of the at least one emitters are adjacent the collectors, and none of the base contacts are adjacent the sides of the emitters. The neighboring emitter, collectors and base contacts are separated by spacings in the well region.
US07701034B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a dummy pattern for improving micro-loading effects. The device comprises an active region in a substrate and an isolation region in the substrate adjacent the active region. A plurality of dummy patterns are formed over the isolation region, wherein each dummy pattern is aligned parallel to and lengthwise dimension of the active region. The dummy patterns may have non-uniform spacing or non-uniform aspect ratios. The dummy pattern may have, in plan view, a rectangular shape, wherein its length is greater than the lengthwise dimension of the active region. The spacing between the dummy pattern and the active region may be less than about 1500 nm.
US07701029B2
In a rear surface incidence type CMOS image sensor having a wiring layer 720 on a first surface (front surface) of an epitaxial substrate 710 in which a photodiode, a reading circuit (an n-type region 750 and an n+ type region 760) and the like are disposed, and a light receiving plane in a second surface (rear surface), the photodiode and a P-type well region 740 on the periphery of the photodiode are disposed in a layer structure that does not reach the rear surface (light receiving surface) of the substrate, and an electric field is formed within the substrate 710 to properly lead electrons entering from the rear surface (light receiving surface) of the substrate to the photodiode. The electric field is realized by providing a concentration gradient in a direction of depth of the epitaxial substrate 710. Alternatively, the electric field can be realized by providing a rear-surface electrode 810 or 840 for sending a current.
US07701024B2
A solid-state imaging device which includes a color filter having excellent color reproduction, a manufacturing method thereof and a camera are provided.A color filter in a solid-state imaging device 1 having an optical film thickness of approximately ¼ of a set wavelength λ, being sandwiched by a third layer and a fourth layer which are spacer layers in which only 3 layers are laminated and which consist of two types of layers (first layers and a second layer) with different refractive indexes, and further, having a structure that is sandwiched by a film, a first layer, which has a film thickness approximately equal to the above λ/4. Between the two types of layers having different refractive indexes, the first layers are composed of high refractive index material, and the second layer is composed of low refractive index material. The third layer and the fourth layer have an optical film thickness according to the light which passes through, and the material film thickness of the entire color filter also differs for each color of light.
US07701016B2
A trench is formed in the surface layer of a semiconductor substrate, surrounding an active region. A lower insulating film made of insulating material fills a lower region of the trench. An upper insulating film fills a region of the trench above the lower insulating film. The upper insulating film has therein a stress generating tensile strain in a surface layer of the active region.
US07701009B2
In the case of using an analog buffer circuit, an input voltage is required to be added a voltage equal to a voltage between the gate and source of a polycrystalline silicon TFT; therefore, a power supply voltage is increased, thus a power consumption is increased with heat. In view of the foregoing problem, the invention provides a depletion mode polycrystalline silicon TFT as a polycrystalline silicon TFT used in an analog buffer circuit such as a source follower circuit. The depletion mode polycrystalline silicon TFT has a threshold voltage on its negative voltage side; therefore, an input voltage does not have to be increased as described above. As a result, a power supply voltage requires no increase, thus a low power consumption of a liquid crystal display device in particular can be realized.
US07700996B2
A tunable antifuse element (102, 202, 204, 504, 952) includes a substrate material (101) having an active area (106) formed in a surface, a gate electrode (104) having at least a portion positioned above the active area (106), and a dielectric layer (110) disposed between the gate electrode (104) and the active area (106). The dielectric layer (110) includes a tunable stepped structure (127). During operation, a voltage applied between the gate electrode (104) and the active area (106) creates a current path through the dielectric layer (110) and a rupture of the dielectric layer (110) in a rupture region (130). The dielectric layer (110) is tunable by varying the stepped layer thicknesses and the geometry of the layer.
US07700977B2
An integrated circuit includes a first and second diode connected in parallel. The first diode has a first breakdown voltage and has first P type region and first N type region adjacent to each other at the surface of the substrate of a substrate to form a lateral diode. The second diode has a second breakdown voltage less than the first breakdown voltage and has a second P type region and second N type region lateral adjacent to each other in the substrate to form a lateral diode below the surface The first and second N type regions overlap and the first and second P type region being electrically connected whereby the first and second diodes are in parallel.
US07700965B2
An LED (20) includes a base (24), a chip (21) and an encapsulation (22) made of a transparent material. The base has a concave depression (240). The chip is mounted on a bottom of the concave depression. The first encapsulation is received in the depression for sealing the chip. The chip includes a light emitting surface (210). The encapsulation includes a light output surface (25) over the light emitting surface. The light output surface defines a plurality of recesses (26). A mixture (29) formed by mixing another transparent material (27) and fluorescent powder (28) is filled in each of the recesses.
US07700957B2
The invention proposes a process for producing electrical contact connections for at least one component which is integrated in a substrate material, the substrate material having a first surface region, and at least one terminal contact being arranged at least partially in the first surface region for each component, which is distinguished in particular by application of a covering to the first surface region and production of at least one contact passage which, in the substrate material, runs transversely with respect to the first surface region, in which process, in order to form at least one contact location in a second surface region which is to be provided, at least one electrical contact connection from the contact location to at least one of the terminal contacts is produced via the respective contact passages. Very advantageously, it is in this way possible for a contact location to be produced on the terminal contact and therefore a contact location which is electrically connected to the terminal contact can be produced on that side of the substrate material which is remote from the active surface, it being possible to dispense both with trenches which run along the substrate material and with a lateral contact which leads around the component in accordance with the prior art.
US07700947B2
A metallic element is effectively removed from a semiconductor film crystallized by using the metallic element. The concentration distribution of phosphorous or antimony in the depth direction of at least one of a source and a drain of a TFT semiconductor film has: a region in which the concentration is 1×1020 atoms/cm3 or less is 5 nm or greater in thickness, and 5×1019 atoms/cm3 or greater in the maximum value. By creating this concentration distribution, and by thermal annealing at about between 500 and 650° C., the metallic element within a channel forming region diffuses to the source or the drain, and at the same time as gettering is accomplished, the region in which the concentration is 1×1020 atoms/cm3 or less is made into a nucleus and the source region/drain region is recrystallized.
US07700946B2
A method for reducing edge effect interference with critical dimension (CD) measurement of semiconductor via structures includes forming a test structure in a kerf region of a semiconductor wafer, the test structure including at least a via structure and a trench structure in contact with the via structure. The via structure is formed in accordance with a critical dimension associated with a corresponding via structure in a circuit region of the semiconductor wafer, and the trench structure is formed in accordance with a widened dimension with respect to a minimum ground rule dimension associated with a corresponding trench structure in a circuit region of the semiconductor wafer.
US07700942B2
A semiconductor device includes an active area isolated by an isolation area on a semiconductor substrate. A transistor includes a gate electrode extending across the active area, source/drain regions formed in the active area on both sides of the gate electrode, and impurity-containing contact plugs connected to the source/drain regions. The source/drain regions are formed by thermal diffusion of impurities from the impurity-containing contact plugs toward the active area.
US07700939B2
An adapted LED is provided comprising a short-wavelength LED and a re-emitting semiconductor construction, wherein the re-emitting semiconductor construction comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential well(s) are typically quantum well(s). The adapted LED may be a white or near-white light LED. The re-emitting semiconductor construction may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the potential well(s). In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the adapted LED according to the present invention are provided.
US07700923B2
An image acquisition device having a photoconductor, a substrate including a detector array and an interlayer between the photoconductor and the substrate is disclosed. The interlayer is formed of molecules having a first ligand selectively binding the substrate and a second ligand selectively binding the photoconductor.
US07700921B2
A SPECT system which scans over multiple separate scans and individually motion compensates the information obtained from each of these scans. The separate scans may be over different angular extents and may be for different purposes. One of the scans for example may be a scout scan, and the other scans may then be scans which concentrate on areas identified during the scout scan. Alternatively, the scans may all being exactly the same and stitched together after the individual motion compensation. Since each of the scans are shorter, the patient will presumably have moved less during each individual scan, and the amount of motion is hence presumably less.
US07700919B2
A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation, especially infrared radiation, including an array of elementary bolometers which are sensitive to the incident radiation and are referred to as “active” bolometers and an additional row of bolometers which are substantially insensitive to the radiation and are referred to as “blind” bolometers. The active and blind bolometers are formed on a substrate in which a read circuit is produced for sequential addressing of each of the rows of the array and the row of blind bolometers, each of the bolometers in the same row being biased simultaneously. The read circuit includes a source for producing a reference current (Iref) on the basis of an additional blind bolometer which is also formed on the substrate and means of copying the reference current (Iref) to each of the columns of the array consisting of a current mirror.
US07700918B2
The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges. Yet another method is disclosed for correcting the measurement length value or magnification based on fluctuations found by measuring the amount of electrostatic charge at the specified points under at least two charged particle optical conditions, and then using a charged particle beam to measure fluctuations in measurement dimensions occurring due to fluctuations in the electrostatic charge at the specified locations.
US07700917B1
An apparatus for holding a specimen to be viewed in a focused beam microscope, which can be an electron microscope or a focused ion beam microscope. The apparatus has a base and a specimen carriage with specimen mounting surface in a first plane and an ion beam screen or knife blade. The relative position between the ion beam screen and the specimen carriage are remotely adjustable while the apparatus is mounted in the focused beam microscope. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is transferable between an ion beam milling device and the focused beam microscope while the milling device and the microscope share a common vacuum.
US07700913B2
In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
US07700910B2
A method of compensating a density log comprises the step of compensating the far density by adding a correction at a given point in the density log wherein: (a) the correction comprises at least a first correction function and optionally a second correction function; (b) when the correction includes both the first and second correction functions they respectively are corrections for “slow-moving” and “fast-moving” perturbations at the said given point; and (c) regardless of whether the correction includes the second correction function the first correction is filtered by a long filter.
US07700907B2
The invention refers to a device for determining the angular position of a compressor stator blade, which is rotatable around its longitudinal axis and arranged in a compressor, with which is associated a measuring surface which rotates synchronously with it. For a reliable, simple and approximately error-free recording of the angular positions, the angular position of the compressor stator blade can be determined via the device in an automated manner. For this purpose, it has at least one mounting unit provided for aligned fastening of the device on the compressor, and at least one measuring and evaluating unit which comprises at least two distance sensors which each record a distance to the measuring surface which is rotatable from the reference position, as a result the angular position of the measuring surface, relative to the reference position depends upon the two recorded distances, is determined by the measuring and evaluating unit.
US07700900B2
A panel arrangement for a domestic appliance, having a panel which can be fitted to the domestic appliance such that it is visible from the outside. Indicator and/or operator controls are provided which are mounted on the panel. A printed circuit board comprises control and possibly power electronics and can be arranged in the interior of the domestic appliance. The indicator and/or operator controls are connected to the printed circuit board. At least some of the indicator and/or operator controls are mounted on the panel substantially independently of the layout of the printed circuit board and are connected to the printed circuit board via at least one flexible supply line.
US07700895B2
A sheet feeding apparatus including a stacking portion for stacking a plurality of sheets thereon, a sheet feeding portion for feeding the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a fan for sending air to the sheets to loosen the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a heater for warming the air sent by the fan, a temperature detecting portion for detecting the temperature of the heater, and a control portion for starting the driving of the fan in conformity with the temperature detecting portion having detected a predetermined temperature after temperature control for adjusting the heater to a target temperature has been started.
US07700894B2
A food display including a container for holding a product and having at least one translucent portion that facilitates viewing the product from outside the container, a sign panel that is coupled to the container and is at least partially translucent, and a light assembly that includes a light source positioned to provide light to both the container and the sign panel. Preferably, the sign panel and the light source are both positioned above an upper plane of the container to facilitate backlighting the sign panel. The food display may further include a fan positioned above the upper plane of the container, and an air circulation system that circulates air within the container. In one embodiment, the container includes a conduit, such as a hollow corner post that supports a side panel of the container, extending from the upper portion to the lower portion.
US07700890B2
A dome assembly for use in a keyboard assembly of an electronic device is provided. The dome assembly includes a deflectable dome shaped element having a concave surface terminating at a periphery and a number of elevating members disposed on the element adjacent the periphery and protruding away from the concave surface. The elevating members serve to space the periphery from a mounting surface. The element is movable between an undeflected position and a deflected position.
US07700886B2
A rubber key device is provide with a key top member, multiple rubber keys, a click feel generating mechanism and a load transmitting mechanism. When a depression area of the key top member is depressed by a user, the key top member is rotated to depress a top face of a rubber key via the load transmitting mechanism. The load transmitting mechanism transmits the load caused by the depression of the depression area to the top face of the corresponding rubber key such that the load is transmitted to only a substantially central portion of the top face of the corresponding one of the multiple rubber keys regardless of the depression amount of the depression area.
US07700883B2
A terminal for an engaging type connector includes a punched Cu alloy strip as a base material, a coating formed on the Cu alloy strip by postplating processes and including a Sn layer, and a Cu—Sn alloy layer sandwiched between the base material and the Sn layer. The Sn layer is smoothed by a reflowing process. The terminal has an engaging part and a solder-bonding part, and the surface of a part of the base material corresponding to the engaging part has a surface roughness higher than that of the surface of the base material corresponding to the solder-bonding part. The engaging part has a low frictional property and the solder-bonding part has improved solder wettability.
US07700882B2
The cable device includes a signal line portion electrically connecting an electronic circuit board having an electronic circuit operating at a clock signal having a high frequency with the other electronic circuit board. The cable device further includes a shield portion shielding the signal line portion having a plurality of through-holes located at intervals in the length direction of the signal line portion such that the shield portion includes a plurality of length portions differing in length from the signal line portion.
US07700879B2
An improved shield connector and a method of making the same include an electric wire having a conductor with an insulation coating and a metallic pipe. The electric wire is positioned in the metallic pipe. A filler is located inside the pipe, between the electric wire and the pipe, and the filler has a heat conductivity higher than that of air.
US07700871B2
A dielectric enhancement fluid composition having at least one organoalkoxysilane and an acid catalyst having a pKA less than about 2.1 and a method for using the composition to enhance the dielectric properties of an electrical cable having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation and having an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor, the method comprising at least partially filling the interstitial void volume of the cable with the composition. The fluid composition may further include an organometallic catalyst and a corrosion inhibitor.
US07700859B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV761982. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV761982, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV761982 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV761982 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV761982.
US07700854B1
A novel maize variety designated 39B22 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 39B22 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 39B22 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 39B22, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 39B22. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 39B22 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods.
US07700849B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5862173. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5862173. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5862173 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5862173 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07700828B2
The invention relates to a transgenic wild type plant species from Nicotiana glauca transformed with the phytochelatin synthase TaPCS gene from wheat for the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants.
US07700827B2
The present disclosure provides a method of producing transgenic plants which are resistant to at least one metal ion by transforming the plant with a recombinant DNA comprising a nucleic acid encoding a bacterial arsenic reductase under the control of a plant expressible promoter, and a nucleic acid encoding a nucleotide sequence encoding a phytochelatin biosynthetic enzyme under the control of a plant expressible promoter. The invention also relates a method of phytoremediation of a contaminated site by growing in the site a transgenic plant expressing a nucleic acid encoding a bacterial arsenate reductase and a nucleic acid encoding a phytochelatin biosynthetic enzyme.
US07700814B2
Acetals are formed from a mixture comprising alcohols and aldehydes and the product is distilled to yield purified alcohols and/or acetals and/or unsaturated ethers.
US07700810B2
Hydrotalcites are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol.
US07700799B2
A method for producing a (2-formyl-1-alkenyl)cyclopropane compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, and independently represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkenyl group, an optionally substituted alkynyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted aralkyl group, which comprises reacting a formylcyclopropane compound represented by the formula (3): wherein R1 is the same as defined above, with an aldehyde compound represented by the formula (4): wherein R2 is the same as defined above, in the presence of a base.
US07700789B2
Process for producing an oxirane compound includes treating with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of either an olefin oxidation catalyst prepared from an organic compound or a polymer compound of formula (1) a tungstic acid compound, a phosphoric acid, hydrogen peroxide and a quaternary ammonium salt of formula (2) or (3) or an olefin oxidation catalyst prepared from an organic compound or a polymer compound of formula (1), a tungsten compound and a quaternary ammonium salt of formula (2) or (3). The process is useful especially industrially.
US07700784B2
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of intermediates that may be used for the manufacture of ARBs (also called angiotension II receptor antagonists or AT1 receptor antagonists) comprising as a common structural feature a (1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl ring.
US07700777B2
The invention provides crystalline forms of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-(2-{[4-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl]methylamino}ethyl)piperidin-4-yl ester, and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof. The crystalline form can be a freebase, or a salt such as a diphosphate, monosulfate or dioxalate salt. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these crystalline compounds or prepared using these compounds; processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline compounds; and methods of using these compounds to treat a pulmonary disorder.
US07700775B2
Compounds and compositions for the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well.
US07700774B2
The present invention provides, among other things, new bicyclic heterocyclic compounds, compositions comprising these heterocyclic compounds, methods of making the heterocyclic compounds, and methods of using these heterocyclic compounds for treating or preventing a variety of conditions or diseases associated with lipoprotein metabolism.
US07700773B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of 4-cyano, 4-amino, and 4-aminomethyl derivatives of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine, pyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine, and 2H-Indazole compounds and 5-cyano, 5-amino, and 5-aminomethyl derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine compounds as inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with the CDKs using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.
US07700772B2
Compounds of Formula I and Formula II: (wherein n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R15, R16, R17, R18, R19, R24, R25, R26, R27, R28, R29, R30, R33, R34, R35, R36, R37, R38, A, j, k, m, n, X, Y and Z are as defined herein) which are modulators of chemokine receptor activity and are useful in the prevention or treatment of certain inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases, allergic diseases, atopic conditions including allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma, as well as autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which chemokine receptors are involved.
US07700766B2
A salt of a compound of formula (I) may be made with methanesulfonic acid. The salt and salts with other acids may be prepared by recovering from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).
US07700762B2
A clarification system and method of using for plasmid DNA that is centrifugation-free. The system is comprised of a coarse filter, about 50 to about 200 microns pore size, followed by a prefilter of about 1 to about 2 micron pore size and then a final filter of about 0.22 micron. Preferably, the prefilter and final filter are combined into one filter housing to reduce system hold up volume and enhance recovery of the plasmid DNA. The method allows for continuous as well as batch operation.
US07700761B2
Provided are processes for preparing a 3′-deoxypentopyranosyl oligomers with linkers for linking biomolecules. The processes can the steps of: bonding a 4′-protected-3′-deoxypentopyranosyl nucleoside to a solid support by coupling the 2′-OH group with a CPG support or other similar support with an amide linkage; deprotecting the 4′-protected-3′-deoxypentopyranosyl nucleoside at the 4′ position; deprotecting the 4′-protected-3′-deoxypentopyranosyl nucleoside at the 4′ position; and conjugating a linker to the free 4′ position. The resulting product can be conjugated via the linker to a biomolecule. The method can include, prior to addition of the linker, reacting the 4′-OH group of the 4′-protected-3′-deoxypentopyranosyl nucleoside that is linked to the solid support with a 4′-protected-3′-deoxypentopyranosyl nucleoside phosphoramidite in the presence of a coupling reagent, and oxidizing the reaction product. This step can be repeated one or more times to produce an oligomer of desired length.
US07700756B2
The present invention is directed to metabolic primers for the detection of perchlorate-reducing bacteria and methods and compositions for use of the same in environmental bioremediation.
US07700755B2
This invention provides polynucleotides encoding Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin associated immunodominant antigen. The polynucleotides can be used as probes to identify the presence of complementary target nucleotide sequences. The invention also provides kits and vectors containing the polynucleotides of the invention.
US07700751B2
The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of Aβ in the brain of a patient. Preferred agents include humanized antibodies.
US07700747B2
A process for producing a polysaccharide sponge comprises the steps of (A) freezing a photoreactive polysaccharide solution, and (B) irradiating the frozen photoreactive polysaccharide solution with light to crosslink the photoreactive polysaccharide, thereby obtaining the polysaccharide sponge. The process includes simplified steps requiring no removal of solvent, and has such an advantage that impurities are easily removed therefrom.
US07700741B2
The present invention provides an anti-diacetylspermine specific monoclonal antibody which satisfies a specific measuring condition in an immunoreaction system between a solid-phased diacetylspermine and the anti-diacetylspermine specific monoclonal antibody, wherein the immunoreaction system comprises a sample diacetylspermine or sample N1-acetylspermidine to inhibit the immunoreaction; and the specific measuring condition is that the 50% inhibition activity against the immunoreaction by the diacetylspermine in the sample is at least 1,000 times as much as the 50% inhibition activity against the immunoreaction by the N1-acetylspermidine in the sample.
US07700733B2
The present invention relates to novel polypeptide variants of factor VII (FVII) or factor VIIa (FVIIa) polypeptides, where said variants comprise an amino acid substitution in position 10 and 32 and where said variants further comprise a sugar moiety covalently attached to an introduced in vivo N-glycosylation site located outside the Gla domain. Such polypeptide variants are useful in therapy, in particular for the treatment of a variety of coagulation-related disorders, such as trauma.
US07700729B2
Modified forms of naturally occurring bacteriocins, such as the R-type pyocins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are disclosed as are methods for producing them in GRAS organisms. The bacteriocins are modified at the ends of their tail fibers in a region responsible for binding specificity and affinity to their cognate binding partners, or receptors, such as those on the surface of bacteria. Methods for the use of the modified bacteriocins, such as to bind receptors, including virulence or fitness factors, on the surfaces of bacteria, are also described.
US07700724B2
This invention relates to the novel protein, termed INSP163, herein identified as a secreted protein containing a jelly-roll fold, in particular, as a member of the TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-like family of cytokines, specifically as a C1q-like protein and to the use of this protein and nucleic acid sequence from the encoding gene in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.
US07700722B2
The present invention provides for improved compositions comprising a PEGsTNF-R1 which, in addition to having useful higher concentrations, demonstrate decreased viscosity (<400 cP) and improved stability.
US07700721B2
There is described a material comprising ribbons, fibrils or fibres characterised in that each of the ribbons, fibrils or fibres have an antiparallel arrangement of peptides in a beta-sheet-tape-like substructure.
US07700719B2
The present invention relates to prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). More specifically, the invention relates to use of a non-wild type protofibril or compound(s) with protofibril forming activity for active immunisation in the purpose of treating or preventing AD. The invention further relates to a peptide, Aβ-Arc, with high protofibril forming activity as well as several applications thereof, such as antibodies against said peptide for passive immunisation against AD.
US07700711B2
A manufacturing method of ladder-like phosphorus-containing polysilsesquioxanes nanocomposite material is disclosed. The method uses a reaction between ladder-like phosphorus-containing polysilsesquioxanes and modified epoxy. Besides improved char yield and limiting oxygen index, thermal degradation rate of the nanocomposite material is lowered dramatically so that the nanocomposite material possesses excellent flame retardance and thermal stability. Moreover, optical transparency of the nanocomposite material according to the present invention is still good, not being reduced by increased amount of polysilsesquioxanes. Thus the nanocomposite material is applied to decorative paints or protective paints.
US07700707B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to article comprising 1) a functionalized component, 2) tackifier, and 3) an olefin polymer comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins, optionally one or more diolefins, and less than 5 mole % of ethylene having a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more, a branching index (g′) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer; and an Mw of 100,000 or less; where the functional component is selected from the group consisting of functionalized polymers, functionalized oligomers and beta nucleating agents; and where the Gardner color of the adhesive does not change by more than 7 Gardner units when the adhesive has been heat aged at 180° C. for 48 hours as compared to the Gardner color of the unaged composition.
US07700693B2
A conjugated diene rubber composition comprising (A) 5-95 wt. % of a conjugated diene rubber having a structure such that at least three conjugated diene polymer chains are bonded together through a specific polyorganosiloxane having groups containing alkylene glycol repeating units and (B) 95-5 wt. % of a conjugated diene rubber having reacted with a compound having in the molecule a functional group selected from >C═O, >C═S, amino, imino, epoxy, pyridyl, alkoxyl and halogeno. This rubber composition gives, when silica is incorporated therein, a vulcanizable rubber composition having good processability and giving a rubber vulcanizate exhibiting sufficiently reduced heat build up, and having good wet-grip property and good abrasion resistance.
US07700685B2
An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) solution is introduced into a tower vessel (1) from a first inlet (2) provided at an upper portion of the tower vessel (1). Water vapor is introduced into the tower vessel (1) from a second inlet (3) provided at a lower portion of the vessel (1). The EVOH solution moves downward in the vessel (1), while the water vapor moves upward. The EVOH solution is kept in counter-flow contact with the water vapor. Water is supplied from a water supplying portion (5) located between the first inlet (2) and a tower top (4), whereby a water layer is formed above the first inlet (2). A water/methanol vapor mixture is extracted from the tower top (4) and condensed in a condenser (6) to be thereby recovered in the form of a methanol aqueous solution. Droplets of the EVOH solution contained in the water/methanol vapor mixture are trapped in the water layer formed above the first inlet (2) and, therefore, are less liable to be introduced into the condenser (6). This suppresses extraction of the droplets of the EVOH solution together with the vapor to the outside of the tower vessel (1) during replacement of the EVOH solution with water in the tower vessel (1).
US07700683B2
A colourable binder composition with both excellent durability and application properties when used in coloured paving is provided. It contains 20-40 weight % in total of hydrogenated petroleum resin and non-hydrogenated petroleum resin, 1-10 weight % of hydrogenated thermoplastic elastomer of percentage hydrogenation 95% or more and 0.1-5 weight % in total of tall oil derivative of acid value 50-300 and/or tall oil fatty acid of acid value 50-300, the remainder being made up of petroleum solvent-extracted oil, has a composition wherein the ratio of the aforesaid hydrogenated petroleum resin to the aforesaid non-hydrogenated petroleum resin (hydrogenated petroleum resin/non-hydrogenated petroleum resin) (weight ratio) is 10-30%, moreover, the viscosity at 150° C. is 500 mPa·sec or less, and the DS value of a mixture of dense granularity (13) is 1 500 times/min or more.
US07700674B2
Disclosed is a vinylpyrrolidone-based polymer composition which has improved storage stability and of which the reduction in the molecular weight (K value) under shear stress is small. The composition comprises a vinylpyrrolidone-based polymer and contains from 1 to 10000 ppm of at least one compound selected from a group consisting of biguanides and further contains from 1000 to 30000 ppm of 2-pyrrolidone and from 1 to 5000 ppm of ammonia.
US07700673B2
A reduced oil rubber composition includes (a) a silica filler, (b) a N-substituted polyalkylene succinimide derivative, and (c) a rubber matrix. In certain embodiments, the composition may comprise a reduced amount of oil, especially a reduced amount of aromatic oil or even no aromatic oil. Rubber articles manufactured from such composition, such as tires and power belts, have improved properties such as reduced rolling resistance, improved wet/snow traction and winter softness, improved dynamic stiffness, improved tensile strength, easy handling, and/or compatibility with higher environmental standard, among others.
US07700672B2
Petroleum asphalt emulsions which contain recycled tire rubber and processes for making the emulsions at temperatures above ambient or room temperature. These emulsions may contain significant quantities of recycled tire rubber and recycled and reclaimed motor oils and fluxes. All of these formulations meet current specifications for products used to make slurry seal asphalt pavement coatings, ASTM D 1227 emulsified asphalt roof coatings, and may have applications as crack fillers for asphalt and Portland cement pavements, and as parking lot seal-coat materials.
US07700667B2
A composition is disclosed comprising a polymerizable (meth)acrylate of the structure: wherein A is an anhydride; a is 0 or 1; n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 perhaloalkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C1-C12 perhaloalkoxy, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, (C1-C6 alkyl)-O-(C1-C6 alkylene), or hydroxy(C1-C6 alkylene); x and y are each independently an integer of 1 to 10; z is an integer of 1 to 5; R5 is hydrogen or methyl; M is wherein G and J are each independently O or NR6, wherein R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; W is an organic group having the valency of z+1; and q is 0 or 1; and further wherein when a is 1, n+m+q is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and when a is 0, n+m+q is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The composition finds use as a dental resin.
US07700663B2
Superabsorbent polymers having radiation activatable surface cross-linkers and method of making them
Superabsorbent polymer particles having improved surface cross-linking and their use in absorbent articles. The superabsorbent polymer particles comprise a water-absorbing resin and the reaction product of a radiation activatable surface cross-linker. The reaction product of the radiation activatable surface cross-linker is present at the surface of the superabsorbent polymer particle. The radiation activatable surface cross-linker includes at least two radiation activatable groups R, which are covalently bound to each other or to at least one spacer group S.
US07700662B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing low-viscosity, allophanate-containing and NCO-free polyurethane prepolymers curable by actinic radiation, and to the products obtainable by this process. The prepolymers have residual monomer contents of less than 0.5% by weight and an NCO content of less than 1% by weight, and are prepared by a process in which A) diisocyanates, B) hydroxy-functional compounds containing groups which react with ethylenically unsaturated compounds on exposure to actinic radiation, and C) polyester, polyether or polycarbonate polyols having a functionality of at least 1.9 and a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 1000 g/mol, D) optionally in the presence of a catalyst, are reacted to form NCO-group-containing prepolymers having radiation-curing groups, which are subsequently reacted E) optionally after addition of monofunctional isocyanates in the presence F) of an allophanatization catalyst to give allophanate-containing prepolymers, the ratio of NCO groups of the compounds from A) to the OH groups of the compounds from B) and C) being 1.45:1.0 to 1.1:1.0 and the ratio of the OH groups from B) to the OH groups from C) being 8.0:1 to 1.5:1.
US07700658B2
The invention relates to substituted aryl and heteroaryl (R)-Chiral Halogenated 1-Substitutedamino-(n+1)-Alkanol compounds useful as inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP; plasma lipid transfer protein-I) and compounds, compositions and methods for treating atherosclerosis and other coronary artery diseases. Novel high yield, stereoselective processes for the preparation of the chiral substituted alkanol compounds from chiral and achiral intermediates are described.
US07700656B2
The invention relates to the use of aminoacetonitrile compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R8, R9, A, m and n have the significances given in claim 1, in the control of endoparasites, especially helminths, in warm-blooded productie livestock and domestic animals.
US07700652B2
Disclosed herein are methods of using prodrugs of GABA analogs and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat and/or prevent urinary incontinence in humans, and pharmaceutical compositions of prodrugs of GABA analogs useful in treating and/or preventing urinary incontinence.
US07700646B2
There is provided a novel compound of the general formula I in which each of R8 to R10 is hydrogen, aryl, C1-6 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; R1 to R5 are individually selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy and acyloxy; R6 and R7 are H, C1-4 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; X is O or NR, and R is H or Me; in which any of the alkyl groups including alkyl groups in alkoxy, acyl and acyloxy groups may be substituted by aryl, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, trialkylsiloxy or acyloxy groups; with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both OH when R4 is H or OH, R1 and R5 are both H, and X is O. The amide compounds (X is NR) are analogues of epigallocatechin gallate or epicatechin galate, with an amide bond in place of the natural ester bond, with resistance to hydrolysis by esterase enzymes. The ester compounds (X is O) have a different hydroxylation pattern on the B ring as compared to the natural products. The compounds may be used to modulate the resistance to β-lactam antibiotics of various infections, especially methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel compounds and combinations of the novel compounds and β-lactam antibiotics are described.
US07700645B2
New pseudopolymorphic forms of (3R,3aS,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-yl(1S,2R)-3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl](isobutyl)amino]-1-benzyl-2-hydroxypropylcarbamate and processes for producing them are disclosed.
US07700639B2
Disclosed are compounds of formula (I) or pesticidally acceptable salts thereof wherein, for example, W is ═CR8— or ═C(NR9R10)—, R8 is halogen, R9 and R10 are independently of one another hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, R1 is cyano, methyl, trifluoromethyl or —CS—NH2, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl, R3 is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl, R4 and R5 are alkenyl, alkynyl or cycloalkyl, R6 is haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, halogen or —SF5, R7 is halogen or alkyl, and n is 0, 1 or 2. These compounds can be used for controlling pests, especially by treatment of domestic animals.
US07700629B2
The present invention describes a new method for the separation of bupivacaine enantiomers consisting in a continuous separation process performed without heating, by the selective precipitation of their diastereomeric salts with tartaric acid. This heatless process avoids the degradation of the reagents granting a continuous process feature to the procedure.Another embodiment of the present invention is related to the enantiomeric manipulation of bupivacaine enantiomers in order to obtain pharmaceutical compositions presenting several enantiomeric excess of levobupivacaine to quantify and determinate the role of the dextrobupivacaine on its anesthetic and cardiotoxic effects. These enantiomeric manipulated compositions showed to present an expressive improvement on its anesthetic properties that had shown to be similar to racemic bupivacaine presenting a cardiotoxic profile similar to enantiomeric pure levobupivacaine.
US07700622B2
Compounds and compositions for modulating the activity of p38 kinases are provided, including p38α and p38β kinase. Methods for treating, preventing or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a p38 kinase mediated disease or disorder are also provided.
US07700621B2
This invention describes the new 6-alkenyl- and 6-alkinyl-epothilone derivatives of general formula (I) in which R1a, R1b, R2a, R3a, R3b, R4, R5, R6, R7, A, Y, D, E, G, Y and Z have the meanings that are indicated in the description. The new compounds interact with tubulin by stabilizing microtubuli that are formed. They are able to influence the cell-splitting in a phase-specific manner and thus find use in treating diseases or conditions associated with the need for cell growth, division and/or proliferation. Thus the compounds are suitable for treating malignant tumors, for example, ovarian, stomach, colon, adeno-, breast, lung, head and neck carcinomas, malignant melanoma, acute lymphocytic and myelocytic leukemia. In addition, they are suitable for anti-angiogenesis therapy as well as for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases (such as psoriasis, arthritis). Methods of use and preparation of the compounds are also described.
US07700617B2
A composition comprising 7-(3-Aminomethyl-4-methoxyiminopyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid methanesulfonate hydrate and their use in antibacterial therapy.
US07700611B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing crystalline trans-N-[1-(2-fluorophenyl)-S-pyrazoly]-3-ox-ospiro[6-azaisobenzofuran-1(3H),1′-cyclohexane]-4′-carboxamide and novel salts, hydrates and polymorphs thereof.
US07700608B2
A method for the treatment of thrombocythemia in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of compounds having the formulas (I) through (III) or equilibrating forms thereof.
US07700604B2
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, A, A1 and B are as defined in the specification; processes for their preparation; pharmaceutical compositions containing them; a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions; and their use in therapy. The compounds are useful as MMP inhibitors.
US07700598B2
The present invention relates to the CGRP antagonists of general formula wherein A, X, D, E, G, M, Q and R1 to R3 are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, the use thereof and processes for the preparation thereof.
US07700591B2
Cyclopentyl compounds linked to a benzoxazinyl group through an amido moiety utilizing the ring nitrogen of the benzoxazine, and further substituted with a heterocyclic moiety, such compounds represented by formula I: which are used to modulate the CCR-2 chemokine receptor to prevent or treat inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases, allergic diseases, atopic conditions including allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma, as well as autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions.
US07700578B2
An immunogenic composition, and method of using the composition to elicit an immune response to Campylobacter jejuni. The composition is an isolated polysaccharide polymer composed of one or more forms of disaccharide polymers.
US07700572B2
The present invention relates to the use of a specific inhibitor of Smad7 expression or function for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of a disease of the central nervous system and/or diseases related and/or caused by said disease of the central nervous system. Furthermore, methods for preventing, ameliorating and/or treating such diseases are disclosed.
US07700565B2
Disclosed herein are transmembrane transporter compounds containing guanidinium groups to enhance transport of a polymer backbone across biomembranes. Therapeutic and other biologically active moieties may be attached to the compounds. The polymer backbone may include peptide nucleic acid monomer units.
US07700554B2
This invention provides conjugates of therapeutic or active agents with melanotransferrin or with other ligands of a melanotransferrin receptor, melanotransferrin receptor modulators, and related compositions and methods for modulating blood-brain barrier transport by providing methods of screening and selecting such conjugates, ligands, and modulators in vitro and in vivo, and methods of use of such conjugates, modulators and ligands in diagnosis and the treatment of diseases, including particularly diseases of the central nervous system or lysosomal storage diseases.
US07700553B2
The present invention relates to polypeptides that inhibit the NF-&kgr;B signaling pathway and polynucleotides encoding the same. The present invention further provides methods for the modulation of and/or treatment of inflammatory responses, oncogenesis, viral infection; the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis; and regulation of B or T lymphocytes in antigenic stimulation, by administering the polypeptides of the present invention to a subject in need thereof. Finally, the present invention provides a method of identifying polypeptides that modulate oligomerization of NEMO.
US07700551B2
The invention relates to Fmoc (9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl)-based polymeric conjugates. These conjugates are useful for extending the in-vivo circulation of protein and peptide drugs.
US07700550B2
Disclosed are glycopeptides that are substituted with one or more substituents each comprising one or more phosphono groups; and pharmaceutical compositions containing such glycopeptide derivatives. The disclosed glycopeptide derivatives are useful as antibacterial agents.
US07700533B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous cleaning composition used to remove unwanted organic and inorganic residues and contaminants from a substrate such as, for example, a semiconductor substrate. The cleaning composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 40% by weight of a salt selected from a guanidinium salt, an acetamidinium salt, a formamidinium salt, and mixtures thereof; water; and optionally a water soluble organic solvent. Compositions according to the present invention are free of an oxidizer and abrasive particles and are capable of removing residues from a substrate and, particularly, a substrate having silicon-containing BARC and/or photoresist residue.
US07700532B2
The present invention relates to a liquid cleaner for a semiconductor substrate on which metal wiring may be provided, comprising each component of a chelating agent or a salt thereof shown by the following general formula (1), an alkaline compound and pure water, wherein pH is 8 to 13: (wherein, Y1 and Y2 are lower alkylene groups, n is an integer of 0 to 4, at least 4 of R1 to R4 and n R5s are alkyl groups having phosphonic acid group(s) and the rest are alkyl groups) and a cleaning method using the same. The present invention provides a liquid cleaner which can efficiently remove fine particles or impurities derived from various metals at semiconductor substrate surface, even when used after a process adopting an alkaline polishing agent or alkaline etching liquid, without generating problems of causing difficult-to-remove gelled particles at the substrate surface or easy generation of rough semiconductor substrate surface, and a cleaning method using the same.
US07700531B2
There is provided a cleaning agent comprising a lactone represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 is an alkylene group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The cleaning agent is useful for cleaning an organic electroluminescence material, photosensitive resin, liquid crystal or wax.
US07700524B2
Activated Supports, support-bound activators, strongly acidic supports, and silylating supports are provided; the activated support having the formula (I) wherein L is a linking group component; X is F, CL, OH, and trisubstituted silyloxy; and the shaded circle represents a solid or semi-solid support. Methods of using the activated supports in solid phase organic sync) thesis are also provided.
US07700515B2
Described is a novel amorphous silica-alumina composition having a high ratio of pore volume contained in large pores to pore volume contained in medium to small pores. The amorphous silica-alumina composition also may have the characteristic of a strong aluminum-NMR penta-coordinated peak representing greater than 30% of the total aluminum and a method of making such novel amorphous silica-alumina composition using a pH swing preparation method.
US07700508B1
A composition for thermal barrier coatings exhibiting improved thermal conductivity and toughness is provided. The composition is comprised of a base majority oxide, a first dopant oxide, at least one small rare earth oxide, at least one large rare earth oxide and at least one toughening oxide. Compared to traditional thermal barrier coatings, a composition of the present invention provides approximately twice the toughness one-third to one-half the thermal conductivity.
US07700506B2
The PbO-free UV-absorbing glass is made under oxidative conditions and has a composition, in % by weight, of: SiO2, 55-79; B2O3, 3-25; Al2O3, 0-10; Li2O, 0-10; Na2O, 0-10; K2O, 0-10; MgO, 0-2; CaO, 0-3; SrO, 0-3; BaO, 0-3; ZnO, 0-3; ZrO2, 0-3; CeO2, 0-1; Fe2O3, 0-1; WO3, 0-3; Bi2O3, 0-3; MoO3, 0-3; ΣLi2O+Na2O+K2O=0.5 to 16 and ΣMgO+CaO+SrO+BaO+ZnO=0-10. It also contains from 0.1 to 10% TiO2 with at least 95% of the titanium as Ti+4 so that it has a high visible transmission, reduced color centers, and a sharp UV absorption edge. It is especially useful in lamps, display devices and glass-to-metal seals
US07700504B2
Problem to be Solved: To provide an elastic nonwoven fabric with a good elasticity, adequate strength under elongation, good antiblocking property and favorable feeling, suitable for fiber products, at low cost, as well as fiber products using the same. Solution: An elastic nonwoven fabric comprising long elastomeric fiber and nonelastomeric fiber in a weight ratio within a range from 50/50 to 95/5, which has an elongation recovery rate of the elastic nonwoven fabric after 50% elongation equal to or higher than 70%, and a resistance to peel two sheets of the nonwoven fabric apart equal to or lower than the strength of the fabric under 50% elongation; as well as fiber products using the same.
US07700503B2
A ballistic-resistant material having a first exterior layer formed of a ballistic-resistant non-woven textile, a second exterior layer formed of a ballistic-resistant non-woven textile, and an interior layer of ballistic-resistant woven textile arranged between the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer. The woven textile is a tight weave. The woven layer a high occupation, high fabric density woven textile at or near the technical jamming point of fabric construction. Also disclosed are articles made from the ballistic-resistant material.
US07700487B2
To provide a semiconductor device having a structure in which a barrier metal film containing nitrogen is formed in a connection surface between a copper alloy wiring and a via, in which the electric resistance between the copper alloy wiring and the via can be prevented from rising, and the electric resistance can be prevented from varying. A semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises a first copper alloy wiring, a via and a first barrier metal film. The first copper alloy wiring is formed in an interlayer insulation film and contains a predetermined additive element in a main component Cu. The via is formed in an interlayer insulation film and electrically connected to the upper surface of the first copper alloy wiring. The first barrier metal film is formed so as to be in contact with the first copper alloy wiring in the connection part between the first copper alloy wiring and the via and contains nitrogen. The predetermined additive element reacts with nitrogen to form a high-resistance part. In addition, the concentration of the predetermined additive element is not more than 0.04 wt %.
US07700486B2
A method for seasoning a chamber and depositing a low dielectric constant layer on a substrate in the chamber is provided. In one aspect, the method includes seasoning the chamber with a first mixture comprising one or more organosilicon compounds and one or more oxidizing gases and depositing a low dielectric constant layer on a substrate in the chamber from a second mixture comprising one or more organosilicon compounds and one or more oxidizing gases, wherein a ratio of the total flow rate of the organosilicon compounds to the total flow rate of the oxidizing gases in the first mixture is lower than the total flow rate of the organosilicon compounds to the total flow rate of the oxidizing gases in the second mixture.
US07700482B2
A method of forming a patterned material layer, the method comprising: a resist layer forming step of forming a resist layer on a substrate, the resist layer including a first photosensitive resin layer, an intermediate resin layer, and a second photosensitive resin layer; an exposing step; a developing step of partly removing the resist layer so as to form a trench exposing the substrate and partly removing the intermediate resin layer so as to form a groove on a side face of the trench, thereby forming a resist frame; a vacuum coating step of forming a vacuum coating layer having a material pattern part covering the exposed part of the substrate and a part to lift off covering the resist frame; and a liftoff step of removing the part to lift off in the vacuum coating layer together with the resist frame, so as to yield a patterned material layer.
US07700465B2
A method for ion implanting a species into a surface layer of a workpiece in a chamber includes placing the workpiece in a processing zone of the chamber bounded by a chamber side wall and a chamber ceiling facing said workpiece and between a pair of ports of the chamber near generally opposite sides to the processing zone and connected together by a conduit external of the chamber. The method further includes introducing into the chamber a process gas comprising the species to be implanted, and further generating from the process gas a plasma current and causing the plasma current to oscillate in a circulatory reentrant path comprising the conduit and the processing zone.
US07700463B2
A semiconductor device having high electrical characteristics is manufactured at low cost and with high throughput. A semiconductor film is crystallized or activated by being irradiated with a laser beam emitted from one fiber laser. Alternatively, laser beams are emitted from a plurality of fiber lasers and coupled by a coupler to be one laser beam, and then a semiconductor film is irradiated with the coupled laser beam so as to be crystallized or activated.
US07700459B2
Upon fixing fine particulate active element members, which are carbon nanotube, rod-shaped semiconductor crystal, or the like, in an electronic device at predetermined positions thereof respectively, a method for producing an electronic device includes: dispersing the fine particulate active element members in a dielectric liquid and filling the liquid in a space between a process-objective substrate and a mask which is placed opposite to the substrate and which has predetermined pattern electrodes formed therein; and applying a predetermined voltage to the predetermined electrodes to concentrate the fine particulate active element members at positions which correspond to positions of the pattern electrodes, respectively. In this state, a light is irradiated to the substrate and the fine particulate active element members in the liquid so as to fix the fine particulate active element members to the substrate by a photochemical reaction. Thus, a high-performance electronic device using carbon nanotubes or rod-shaped semiconductor crystal can be manufactured at low cost.
US07700455B2
A method for forming an isolation structure in a semiconductor device includes preparing a semi-finished substrate including a trench. An oxide layer is formed over sidewalls of the trench. A multiple layer structure of liner layers is formed over the oxide layer. An insulation layer is formed over the multiple layer structure such that the insulation layer fills an inside of the trench. The insulation layer is planarized.
US07700449B2
A method of forming an electrostatic discharging (ESD) device includes forming a first and a second semiconductor fin over a substrate and adjacent to each other; epitaxially growing a semiconductor material on the first and the second semiconductor fins, wherein a first portion of the semiconductor material grown from the first semiconductor fin joins a second portion of the semiconductor material grown from the second semiconductor fin; and implanting a first end and a second end of the semiconductor material and first end portions of the first and the second semiconductor fins to form a first and a second implant region, respectively. A P-N junction is formed between the first end and the second end of the semiconductor material. The P-N junction is a junction of an ESD diode, or a junction in an NPN or a PNP BJT.
US07700446B2
A field effect transistor (FET) and method of forming the FET comprises a substrate; a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer over the substrate; a semiconductor layer over and adjacent to the SiGe layer; an insulating layer adjacent to the substrate, the SiGe layer, and the semiconductor layer; a pair of first gate structures adjacent to the insulating layer; and a second gate structure over the insulating layer. Preferably, the insulating layer is adjacent to a side surface of the SiGe layer and an upper surface of the semiconductor layer, a lower surface of the semiconductor layer, and a side surface of the semiconductor layer. Preferably, the SiGe layer comprises carbon. Preferably, the pair of first gate structures are substantially transverse to the second gate structure. Additionally, the pair of first gate structures are preferably encapsulated by the insulating layer.
US07700444B2
Misalignment created during a multiple-patterning process is a serious challenge for critical dimension (CD) control and layout design in continuing integrated-circuit device scaling. A number of post-lithography misalignment correction technologies based on the shadow effect are invented for multi-patterning lithographic applications. When applied to transfer patterns from a top layer to an underneath layer, the subtractive shadow effect in anisotropic plasma etching combined with a hard-mask process, will shift the position of features such that the previously produced misalignment can be corrected. Also, additive shadow effect in a sputtering/evaporation process can be used. Misalignment correction methods allow the semiconductor industry to print sub-32 nm (half-pitch) features using the double-patterning technique with currently existing lithographic tools (e.g., 193-nm DUV scanner), therefore postponing the need of expensive next-generation lithography (NGL). The misalignment correction methods can be applied to existing lithography technologies to print features smaller than their physical resolution limits.
US07700438B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for non-volatile semiconductor devices. The apparatus comprises a substrate having therein a source region and a drain region separated by a channel region extending to a first surface of the substrate, and a multilayered gate structure containing nano-crystals located above the channel region. The gate structure comprises, a gate dielectric substantially in contact with the channel region, spaced-apart nano-crystals disposed in the gate dielectric, one or more impurity blocking layers overlying the gate dielectric and a gate conductor layer overlying the one more impurity blocking layers. The blocking layer nearest the gate conductor can also be used to adjust the threshold voltage of the device and/or retard dopant out-diffusion from the gate conductor layer.
US07700434B2
A semiconductor fabrication method. First, a semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a trench in the semiconductor substrate. The trench includes a side wall which includes {100} side wall surfaces and {110} side wall surfaces. The semiconductor structure further includes a blocking layer on the {100} side wall surfaces and the {110} side wall surfaces. Next, portions of the blocking layer on the {110} side wall surfaces are removed without removing portions of the blocking layer on the {100} side wall surfaces such that the {110} side wall surfaces are exposed to a surrounding ambient.
US07700426B2
Provided is a nonvolatile memory device and a method of forming the nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device includes a floating gate formed on a first active region doped with a first-conductivity-type dopant. The floating gate is doped with the first-conductivity-type dopant. Therefore, the thickness of a tunnel insulation layer can be kept thin, and the threshold voltage of a nonvolatile memory cell including the floating gate can be increased. As a result, the endurance of the tunnel insulation layer and the data retention characteristics of the nonvolatile memory cell is improved.
US07700422B2
A memory array having a plurality of resistance variable memory units and method for forming the same are provided. Each memory unit includes a first electrode, a resistance variable material over the first electrode, and a first second-electrode over the resistance variable material. The first second-electrode is associated with the first electrode to define a first memory element. Each memory unit further includes a second second-electrode over the resistance variable material. The second-second electrode is associated with the first electrode to define a second memory element.
US07700413B2
The inventive production method of a compound semiconductor light-emitting device (LED)s wafer comprises a step of forming a protective film on the top and/or bottom surface of a compound semiconductor LEDs wafer, where the devices being regularly and periodically arranged with separation zones being disposed; a step of forming separation grooves by means of laser processing in the separation zones of the surface on which the protective film is formed, while a gas is blown onto a laser-irradiated portion; and a step of removing at least a portion of the protective film, which steps are performed in the above sequence.
US07700410B2
A chip-in-slot interconnect for three-dimensional semiconductor chip stacks, and particularly having the ability of forming edge connections on semiconductor chips, wherein the semiconductor chips are mounted in one or more chip carriers which are capable of being equipped with embedded circuitry. Moreover, provision is made for unique methods for producing the edge connections on the semiconductor chips, for creating a semiconductor chip carrier, and for producing a novel semiconductor and combined chip carrier structure.
US07700409B2
A design for stacking integrated circuits is described. Some integrated circuits have multiple signal pads that are common between a top integrated circuit and a bottom integrated circuit in an integrated circuit pair. These common pads are placed symmetrically on the integrated circuit. Unique signal pads are provided independently to each integrated circuit in a stack. An optional array of solder bumps placed over a central area of the integrated circuit may be used, which provides for heat transfer through the stack. When stacking multiple pairs of integrated circuits, the top integrated circuit in the integrated circuit stack pair serves as a spacer between the first and second pair of integrated circuits.
US07700406B2
Some embodiments include methods of assembling integrated circuit packages in which at least two different conductive layers are formed over a bond pad region of a semiconductor die, and in which a conductive projection associated with an interposer is bonded through a gold ball to an outermost of the at least two conductive layers. The conductive layers may comprise one or more of silver, gold, copper, chromium, nickel, palladium, platinum, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and tungsten. In some embodiments, the bond pad region may comprise aluminum, an inner of the conductive layers may comprise nickel, an outer of the conductive layers may comprise gold, the conductive projection associated with the interposer may comprise gold; and the thermosonic bonding may comprise gold-to-gold bonding of the interposer projection to a gold ball, and gold-to-gold bonding of the outer conductive layer to the gold ball. Some embodiments include integrated circuit packages.
US07700383B2
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device comprises: mounting a semiconductor element, having an alignment mark, on a substrate; forming a composite of metal film and insulating film such that the surface of the semiconductor element is covered therewith; and removing a part of the composite of metal film and insulating film so as to expose the alignment mark. The position of each electrode of the semiconductor element mounted on the substrate is determined based upon detection results obtained by detection of the exposed alignment mark.
US07700380B2
A semiconductor wafer is radiated with an electron beam so that the inelastic scattering takes place in the narrow region, and current flows out from the narrow region; the amount of current is dependent on the substance or substances in the narrow region so that the analyst evaluates the degree of contamination on the basis of the substance or substances specified in the narrow region.
US07700378B2
A method and system for controlling a dimension of an etched feature. The method includes: measuring a mask feature formed on a top surface of a layer on a substrate to obtain a mask feature dimension value; and calculating a mask trim plasma etch time based on the mask feature dimension value, a mask feature dimension target value, a total of selected radio frequency power-on times of a plasma etch tool since an event occurring to a chamber or chambers of a plasma etch tool for plasma etching the layer, and an etch bias target for a layer feature to be formed from the layer where the layer is not protected by the mask feature during a plasma etch of the layer.
US07700362B2
A method for screening therapeutic agents for disuse muscular atrophy is provided that includes the steps of interacting a selected protein with a polyubiquitin chain in the presence of a candidate therapeutic agent, and determining the effect of the candidate on the binding strength between the protein and the polyubiquitin chain. The effect may be observed by color development on a substrate when the steps are carried out by way of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or by direct observation via NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystal analysis, electron microscopy or surface plasmon resonance.
US07700359B2
The present invention provides polynucleotides, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby, that are differentially expressed in cancer cells. These polynucleotides are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The present invention further provides methods of reducing growth of cancer cells. These methods are useful for treating cancer.
US07700357B2
Disclosed is a method for treating biological material via electrical current, in which the biological material is added to a small volume of a buffer solution having relative high ionic strength. A strong electrical field is generated in the buffer solution by a high voltage pulse having a preset duration.The biological material is added to at most 50 μl of a buffer solution with an ionic strength of at least 100 mmol/l. By at least one voltage pulse having a preset duration of at least 10 μs, an electrical field with a field strength of at least 1 kV/cm is generated in the buffer solution. The voltage pulse is hereby interrupted at least once for a duration of at least 100 μs and is then again continued.
US07700351B2
Disclosed is a kit comprising a first component comprising fibrinogen, aprotinin, and a buffered solution, and a second component comprising, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, thrombin, glycerol, human serum albumin, and a buffered solution, wherein the first and second components are comprised in separate sterile containers.
US07700348B2
The invention relates to a biochip comprising a substrate presenting a reflecting main surface and wherein the main surface presents localized sites that are made sensitive to fluorescence detection by a transparent layer having optical thickness (2k+1)λ/4 where k is a positive or zero integer and where λ designates a wavelength lying between a wavelength λ0 at which fluorescence is excited and a wavelength λ1 at which fluorescence is emitted. The biochip can be manufactured by depositing a transparent layer of thickness mλ′/2 on a substrate and by making studs or wells of thickness (2k+1)λ/4 in said layer to form said sensitive sites.
US07700346B2
The tissue characteristic determination apparatus capable of determining the characteristics of the tissues collected from a living organism is described, a representative one of which includes: a first data obtainer for obtaining first data reflecting the activity of first cyclin-dependent kinase contained in samples prepared from the tissues, a second data obtainer for obtaining second data reflecting the expression level of the first cyclin-dependent kinase, and a tissue characteristics information obtainer for obtaining information on the characteristics of the tissues based on first values obtained from the first and second data.
US07700345B2
The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences and variants thereof capable of modulating exopolysaccharide production in Sphingomonas, and provides methods of using such nucleic acid sequences to generate bacteria that hyper-produce exopolysaccharide in slime form.
US07700342B2
The present invention provides novel lentiviral packaging constructs that are useful for the establishment of stable packaging cell lines and producer cell lines. In particular, the present invention provides novel packaging cell lines that are capable of constitutively expressing high levels of lentiviral proteins.
US07700341B2
Provided herein is are polypeptides that include the protease domain of a type II transmembrane serine protease (MTSP) as a single chain. Methods using the polypeptides to identify compounds that modulate the protease activity of an MTSP are provided. Also provided are MTSPs designated MTSP3 and MTSP4 and a form of an MTSP designated MTSP6.
US07700336B2
To provide a lecithinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) composition useful as a drug material and a process for its production. The PC-SOD composition contains a PC-SOD obtained by substituting at least amino group in a specific SOD with a lecithin moiety represented by the following formula (I), wherein the PC-SOD contains a PC-SOD (A) having an m number of amino groups substituted with the lecithin moieties (wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 4 and averages from 1.5 to 2.4 as a main component and the PC-SOD (A) consists of a PC-SOD (a1) wherein m=1, a PC-SOD (a2) wherein m=2, a PC-SOD (a3) wherein m=3 and a PC-SOD (a4) wherein m=4.
US07700333B2
This invention relates to a method for immobilizing cells under laminar flow conditions in a matrix formed by biocompatible charged polymers, to a flow device for the use with the method of the present invention, and to uses of the polymer matrices containing the cells immobilized using the method of the present invention.
US07700326B2
The present invention provides a rapid RT-PCR detection method and a diagnostic kit for differentiating field isolates of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) from lapinized CSF vaccine viruses in samples. In order to detecting different genotypes of CSF virus, this invention uses a pair (or pairs) of CSF virus specific primers designed from the conserved sequences within the 3′-untranslated region of CSFV which contains an insertion of 12˜13 nucleotides (poly T) in the region of the lapinized CSF vaccine virus, in comparison with the corresponding region of field isolates of CSFV. By the RT-PCR or the RT-PCR followed by a nest-PCR, field isolates of CSFV and lapinized CSF vaccine viruses in samples could be detected directly and quickly and/or differentiated in electrophoresis without further enzymatic digestion or DNA sequencing.
US07700324B1
The present invention provides a method for identifying a methylated CpG containing nucleic acid by contacting a nucleic acid with a methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease that cleaves unmethylated CpG sites and contacting the sample with an isoschizomer of the methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease, which cleaves both methylated and unmethylated CpG sites. The method also includes amplification of the CpG-containing nucleic acid using CpG-specific oligonucleotide primers A method is also provided for detecting an age associated disorder by identification of a methylated CpG containing nucleic acid. A method is further provided for evaluation the response of a cell to an agent A kit useful for detection of a CpG containing nucleic acid is also provided. Nucleic acid sequences encoding novel methylated clones.
US07700323B2
The invention is directed to novel methods of multiplexing nucleic acid reactions, including amplification, detection and genotyping. The invention relies on the use of precircle probes that are circularized in the presence of the corresponding target nucleic acids, cleaved, and then amplified.
US07700319B2
Methods of using beta-alanine/pyruvate aminotransferase to produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid and derivatives thereof, from beta-alanine, are disclosed. Cells and recombinant nucleic acids that can be used to practice the methods are also disclosed.
US07700318B2
A chimeric polypeptide comprising a TNF neutralizer domain, an IL-1 receptor antagonist domain, and a dimerization domain, wherein the three domains are operably linked to each other. Within the scope of this invention are (i) nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide; (ii) expression vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acids; (iii) related pharmaceutical compositions; and (iii) related preparation and treatment methods.
US07700317B2
The disclosure provides a non-naturally occurring BAFF-R glycoprotein having a deletion in the extracellular domain which results in an altered 0-linked glycosylation pattern. The disclosure also provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating B-cell- and T-cell-mediated disorders.
US07700314B2
PEG-IFN-β conjugates, where a PEG moiety is covalently bound to Cys17 of human IFN-β, are produced by a process of site specific PEGylation with a thiol reactive PEGylating agent. A pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating infections, tumors and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are also provided. The invention further relates to a method for the stepwise attachment of PEG moieties in series to a polypeptide, and more particularly to IFN-β.
US07700296B2
The present invention includes a diagnostic assay for the detection and determination of MGP in a human serum sample, which comprises the use of one or more antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies, specifically recognizing epitopes on and/or conformations of human Matrix Gla-Protein. A method is provided for using MGP-related antigens as biomarkers for certain diseases, for example, atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, and angiogenesis/neogenesis in tumor development. Monoclonal antibodies of class IgG are described for use in the assay, which are defined herein as mAb3-15, mAb35-49[Glu], mAb35-49[Gla], mAb35-53[Glu], and mAb35-53[Gla]. Polyclonal antibodies and methods are also disclosed for measuring MGP in a human serum sample.
US07700284B2
Compositions, methods and kits are provided that are useful, for example, for determining activities of multiple cis-regulatory sequences, such as promoters and enhancers, and/or multiple trans-acting factors, such as transcription factors, in a cell. In particular, in certain embodiments, compositions are provided comprising a population of polynucleotide reporter transcription units (RTUs) in which each RTU comprises a reporter sequence, a processing tag located in the reporter sequence; and a cis-regulatory element operably linked to the reporter sequence, wherein the reporter sequences between any two RTUs in the population, outside of the processing tags, are substantially identical and wherein the positions of the processing tags within the reporter sequences distinguish between any two RTUs differing, for example, in their cis-regulatory elements. The compositions, methods and kits can further be used, for example, to identify a cell type or disease state, for example, in a biological organism.
US07700282B2
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.
US07700276B2
The present invention is related to a device, kit and method for pulsing a biological sample with a pulsing agent and subsequently stabilizing the biological sample so pulsed. The invention has application in the fields of medical diagnostics, particularly relating to immunity.
US07700275B2
A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising: performing nucleic acid amplification on the sample in the presence of (a) a DNA duplex binding agent, (b) a nucleic acid polymerase and (c) a reagent comprising an amplification primer which can hybridize to said target sequence when in single stranded form and which is connected at its 5′ end to a probe which carries a label by way of a chemical linking group, said labeled probe being of a sequence which is similar to that of the said target nucleic acid sequence, such that it can hybridize to a complementary region in an amplification product, and wherein the label is able to absorb fluorescence from or donate fluorescent energy to the DNA duplex binding agent; and monitoring fluorescence of said sample.
US07700268B2
An exposure system includes a liquid supply section for supplying an immersion liquid onto a resist film formed on a substrate; and an exposure section for irradiating the resist film with exposing light through a mask with the immersion liquid provided on the resist film. The liquid supply section includes an immersion liquid tank for circulating the immersion liquid during exposure.
US07700263B2
A non-aqueous, substantially solvent-free and photoinitiator-free, particle beam curable ink having a viscosity less than 30 m Pa·s at 60° C., comprising: (i) a colorant; and (ii) a mixture of (meth)acrylate compounds; wherein: (a) the colorant is present in the ink in an amount of 0.1 to 14.9% by weight relative to the total weight of ink; and (b) the mixture of (meth)acrylate compounds comprises c % of one or more mono (meth)acrylate compounds, d % of one or more di (meth)acrylate compounds and e % of one or more compounds having three or more (meth)acrylate groups, wherein the values of c %, d % and e % are by weight relative to the total weight of the mono (meth)acrylate compounds, di (meth)acrylate compounds and compounds having three or more (meth)acrylate groups and are such that the value of Formula (1) is less than or equal to 60: c % + 0.628 ( d % sin 60 + e % tan 60 ) Formula ( 1 ) Said inks are especially useful as ink jet printing inks. The inks are especially suitable for food contact applications and when printed and cured demonstrate good fat resistance and low levels of leaching to foodstuffs.
US07700257B2
A photoresist composition containing a polymer (A) containing an alkali-soluble constituent unit (a1) containing an alicyclic group having both a fluorine atom or a fluorinated alkyl group (i) and an alcoholic hydroxyl group (ii), whose alkali-solubility is changeable by an action of an acid; an acid generator (B) which generates an acid by light irradiation; and a dissolution inhibitor (C) having a fluorine atom(s) and/or a nitrogen-containing compound (D) selected from a tertiary amine (d1) having a polar group, a tertiary alkylamine (d2) having 7 or more and 15 or less of carbon atoms or an ammonium salt (d3). The composition has a resist property capable of accomplishing line and space (1:1) of 90 nm or less in good shape as a pattern processing accuracy of a semiconductor integrated circuit by lithography.
US07700253B2
An electrophotographic toner is disclosed, comprising a binding resin, a colorant and a releasing agent, wherein the releasing agent comprises a first releasing agent component of a monoester compound represented by formula (1) and a second releasing agent component composed of a hydrocarbon compound having a branched chain structure, and the first releasing agent component accounting for 40% to 98% by mass of the total amount of the first and second releasing agent components: R1—COO—R2 (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrocarbon group having 13 to 30 carbon atoms.
US07700247B2
A method is described for measuring a dimension on a substrate, wherein a target pattern is provided with a nominal characteristic dimension that repeats at a primary pitch of period P, and has a pre-determined variation orthogonal to the primary direction. The target pattern formed on the substrate is then illuminated so that at least one non-zero diffracted order is detected. The response of the non-zero diffracted order to variation in the printed characteristic dimension relative to nominal is used to determine the dimension of interest, such as critical dimension or overlay, on the substrate. An apparatus for performing the method of the present invention includes an illumination source, a detector for detecting a non-zero diffracted order, and means for positioning the source relative to the target so that one or more non-zero diffracted orders from the target are detected at the detector.
US07700245B2
A reflective mask blank and a reflective mask each have, on a multilayer reflective film, a protective film that protects the multilayer reflective film from etching during pattern formation of an absorber layer or a buffer layer formed on the protective film. The protective film is formed by a ruthenium compound containing ruthenium (Ru) and at least one selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), boron (B), titanium (Ti), and lanthanum (La). A reflection enhancement film of Ru may be further formed on the surface of the protective film.
US07700242B2
This invention discloses a type of mixed additives for electrolyte of lithium-ion secondary batteries, having the following characteristics: in weight percentage: biphenyl series: 0.5% to 95.4%; cyclohexylbenzene series: 1.1% to 93.8%; vinylene carbonate: 0.4% to 93.2%; phenyl vinyl sulfone: 0.5% to 96.5%; ethenyl sulfonyl benzene: 0.5% to 95.8%. This invention also discloses an electrolyte for lithium-ion secondary batteries comprising organic solvents and lithium saline, wherein the special characteristic is that it comprises 2% to 20% weight percentage of said mixed additives. The distinctive advantage of the mixed additives for lithium-ion secondary batteries of this invention is to effectively enhance the overcharging, low-temperature, and cycle properties of lithium-ion batteries. A lithium-ion battery having the mixed additives of this invention remains explosion-free, ignition-free and reliably safe when the lithium-ion secondary battery is overcharging. A battery of this invention's exemplary embodiment, when discharging at temperatures of −10° C. and −20° C., has high capacity, high medium voltage and low terminal inner resistance.
US07700236B2
A cathode material has one of olivine and NASICON structures and includes micrometer-sized secondary particles having a particle size ranging from 1 to 50 μm. Each of the micrometer-sized secondary particles is composed of crystalline nanometer-sized primary particles of a metal compound having a particle size ranging from 10 to 500 nm.
US07700230B2
A generally oval battery including a battery case (2) having a generally oval cross section, a generally oval sealing plate (3) and an electrode plate assembly, the sealing plate (3) having a U-shaped cross section and the battery having a thickness of 4 mm or more and an aspect ratio of 3 or more, whereby the control of a vent for discharging gas that is generated in the battery is made easy and a battery is provided which has a discharge mechanism capable of discharging gas easily and safely, without requiring expensive equipment or many processing steps.
US07700224B2
An electronic apparatus and a battery by which battery inserting and removing operations can be performed smoothly with certainty are disclosed. When a battery is inserted into a battery accommodating chamber, a locking projection of a spring is contacted once with and resiliently deformed outwardly in a widthwise direction by and then slidably moves on an edge portion of a projecting wall. However, when a connector section and an electronic apparatus side connector section are coupled soon, the locking portion of the spring is engaged with a locking recess. In this state, an inclined face of the locking portion displaced to the electronic apparatus side connector section is lockably engaged with a wall face of the locking recess displaced toward the connector section and biases the battery forwardly toward the electronic apparatus side connector section by resilient force of the resilient portion.
US07700221B2
An electrode assembly and a lithium ion secondary battery using the electrode assembly having reduced winding thickness. Active materials are coated on a first region of a negative electrode collector to which a negative electrode conductive tab is welded, and on an adjacent region overlapping the first region. Active materials are also coated on a first region of a positive electrode collector, to which a positive electrode conductive tab is welded, and an adjacent region overlapping the first region. Parts of the electrode assembly corresponding to the conductive tabs do not protrude from the electrode assembly, allowing for easy insertion of the electrode assembly into a can or pouch.
US07700213B2
Provided is a liquid-gas separator of a direct liquid feed fuel cell. The liquid-gas separator includes an empty ball shaped main body; a gas extraction membrane which is attached to an opening formed in the main body, and selectively extracts gas from the main body; an inlet which is formed in the main body and guides the liquid and gas into the main body; an outlet which is formed on the main body and guides the liquid to the outside of the main body; and a flexible tube having a hollow structure, one end of which is connected to the outlet and the other end of which is immersed in the liquid fuel.
US07700211B2
An adhesion layer containing a second solid polymer electrolyte is disposed between a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a fuel electrode and/or an oxidant electrode containing a first solid polymer electrolyte and a catalyst substance. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the adhesion layer are made of the same solid polymer electrolyte. In this manner, the adhesion at the interface between the electrode surface and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is enhanced to implement the elevation of the cell characteristics and the elevation of the reliability of the cell.
US07700205B2
A process for manufacturing a glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium comprising polishing a crystallized glass substrate using abrasive grains, and then washing the substrate using an aqueous organic carboxylic acid solution; a glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium which is manufactured by the process; and a magnetic recording medium obtained using the substrate. A glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium is manufactured, whereby the surface roughness is low and the surface defects are minimal for washing after polishing of a crystallized glass substrate, and wherein the Read-Write performance are not impaired when a recording layer including a magnetic film is formed on the magnetic recording medium substrate for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium.
US07700200B2
A light emitting device includes a semiconductor nanocrystal in a layer. The layer can be a non-polymeric layer.
US07700197B2
An oil-resistant sheet material having low resistance to air permeability and being excellent oil resistance, and particularly, being able to be suitably used as a packaging material for food containing edible oil. The oil-resistant sheet material includes at least one coating layer that contains starch and/or polyvinyl alcohol and a fatty acid on at least one side of a substrate in a solid content of 0.5 to 20 g/cm2. When the coating layer further contains a crosslinking agent, the oil resistance is improved. A coating layer that contains a fatty acid as a main component or a coating layer that contains polyvinyl alcohol as a main component may be further applied to the above-mentioned coating layer to form at least two coating layers.
US07700195B2
A cutting tool and process for the formation thereof. The cutting tool comprises a basic body (1) presenting an active end portion (2) coated with a diamond film obtained by the CVD growth technique, having superficial accidents (10) that are arranged and dimensioned to produce a substantial increase of the seating area for the diamond film and an increased degree of mechanical interference with the latter. This invention refers to the cutting tool above and to the process of obtaining said tool, to be generally used for cutting, drilling, abrading and trimming, and particularly to be coupled to ultrasonic systems.
US07700190B2
This invention relates to a flame-resistant spun staple yarns and fabrics and garments comprising these yarns and methods of making the same. The yarns have 25 to 90 parts by weight of a polymeric staple fiber containing a structure derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of 4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3′diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and mixtures thereof; and 10 to 75 parts by weight of a textile staple fiber having limiting oxygen index of 21 or greater, based on 100 parts by weight of the polymeric fiber and the textile fiber in the yarn.
US07700183B2
An apparatus, comprising a plurality of closed cells disposed on a surface of a substrate. Each of the closed cells has at least one dimension that is less than about 1 millimeter and are configured to hold a medium therein. The apparatus also comprises a foam that contacts the closed cells. The foam has fluid walls that include a surfactant, and bubbles of the foam layer are filled with the medium.
US07700182B2
A microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a polyethylene resin, and polypropylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 6×105 or more and a heat of fusion of 90 J/g or more (measured by a differential scanning calorimeter), a fraction having a molecular weight of 1.8×106 or more being 10% or more by mass of the polypropylene.
US07700180B2
An exemplary components integrating structure (10) includes a metallic member (12) defining a locking groove (126) and a plastic member (14) integrally formed with the metallic member. A portion of the plastic member is received in the locking groove of the metallic member.
US07700178B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning wipe for picking up diverse debris, such as sand, dust, hair, and food particles. In one aspect, the cleaning wipe comprises a web defining a working surface opposite a second surface, the working surface defining at least a first region having a first degree of loftiness and a first height, a second region having a second degree of loftiness and a second height, and a third region having a third degree of loftiness and a third height. The third region includes an adhesive. The first degree of loftiness is greater than the second degree of loftiness, which is greater than the third degree of loftiness. The first height is greater than the second height, which is greater than the third height.
US07700175B2
Various embodiments and methods relating to a storage disc having writable layer, a reflective layer and a compressive layer are disclosed.
US07700170B2
There are disclosed an ink-jet recording material having at least two ink-receptive layers mainly containing fine particulate silica on a support, which comprises an ink-receptive layer positioned farthest from the support contains a water-soluble zirconium compound, and the ink-jet recording material satisfies at least one of the following requirements (a) and (b): (a) a water-soluble zirconium compound is present with a larger amount at a portion apart from the support than a portion nearer to the support, and a cationic emulsion is contained in the ink-receptive layer farthest from the support. (b) a water-soluble aluminum compound is contained in an ink-receptive layer positioned nearer to the support, and a process for preparing the same.
US07700168B2
A liquid crystal display element includes two substrates each covered with a transparent conducting layer and having a liquid crystal layer therebetween, in which the liquid crystal layer is a pure nematic electrooptical matrix or sensitized electrooptical mixture with nanoobjects and in which the conducting layers have been treated with a surface electromagnetic wave. The present invention increases a response speed of the liquid crystal display element due to a decrease of the switching time of electrooptical liquid crystal layer up to 1 ms or less; decreases the number of layers in the liquid crystal display element because an alignment layer is absent, and thus increases the transparency of element; decreases a supply voltage amplitude; and increases a possibility to develop different configurations of the liquid crystal display element.
US07700151B2
A process for the preparation of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes where cationic cure is conducted against liners and substrates with low moisture content and in an environment where moisture ingress during cure is prevented.
US07700146B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of a fat composition suitable for use as a confectionery fat, wherein a starting fat composition which contains between 20 and 95 wt % of S2U, less than 75 wt % of SU2+U3, less than 20 wt % of S3 between 1 and 12 wt % of diglycerides, between 10 and 100 wt % of at least one interesterified fat, the interesterified fat containing less than 15 wt % of C-12 with respect to the total amount of interesterified fat, is subjected to a catalytic hydrogenation so as to obtain a first fat and in that the first fat is incorporated in the fat composition. Thereby the glyceride contents are expressed as wt % with respect to the total amount of d- and triglycerides, S means a saturated fatty acid with a hydrocarbon chain length of 14-24 carbon atoms, U means unsaturated fatty acid with a hydrocarbon chain length of 14-24 carbon atoms.
US07700144B2
A process of making an aerated food product comprising protein and fiber is described.
US07700136B2
An extract of Scutellaria barbata D. Don is effective in the arrest of cancer cell growth in the G1 phase, the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells and the shrinking of solid cancers. The extract may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition for administration to mammals for the treatment of solid cancers, such as epithelial cancers. Such epithelial cancers include breast cancer and ovarian cancers. The extract is obtained from Scutellaria barbata D. Don by contacting aerial portions of a plant from the species Scutellaria barbata D. Don with an aqueous or alcoholic solvent.
US07700127B2
This invention provides composite gels to, e.g., efficiently deliver unmodified amino acids, lipids, and/or feed supplements through the rumen of a ruminant animal. The invention also provides methods to make and use composite gels.
US07700123B2
Cosmetics containing an active component comprising lactic acid bacteria fermented rice obtained by fermenting rice with lactic acid bacteria; a skin brightening and caring agent comprising lactic acid bacteria fermented rice obtained by fermenting rice with lactic acid bacteria; and an emulsifier comprising as the main component lactic acid bacteria fermented rice obtained by fermenting rice with lactic acid bacteria substantially in the absence of sodium chloride. Thus, cosmetics can be obtained, which are excellent in emulsion stability and biological safety, have a good feeling when using and after using and further have a total beautifying effect of cosmetic treatment including an improving effect on hair texture, and brightening and caring effects on the skin.
US07700119B2
An 85 kDa antigen from Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been cloned, sequenced and expressed. The antigen is common to diverse strains, serogroups and serotypes of N. meningitidis, and also to N. gonorrhoeae, N. polysaccharia and N. lactamica. The protein sequences of N. meningitidis (serogroups A and B) and N. gonorrhoeae are highly homologous.
US07700118B2
Specific genetic deletion are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in the M. tuberculosis genome sequence between isolates, and numerous deletion present in BCG as compared to M. tb. These deletions are used as markers to distinguish between pathogenic and avirulent strains, and as a marker for particular M. tb isolates. Deletions specific to vaccine strains of BCG are useful in determining whether a positive tuberculin skin test is indicative of actual tuberculosis infection. The deleted sequences may be re-introduced into BCG to improve the efficacy of vaccination. Alternatively, the genetic sequence that corresponds to the deletion(s) are deleted from M. bovis or M. tubercuosis to attenuate the pathogenic bacteria.
US07700107B2
The present invention relates to synthetic immunogenic but non-amyloidogenic peptides homologous to amyloid β which can be used alone or conjugated to an immunostimulatory molecule in an immunizing composition for inducing an immune response to amyloid β peptides and amyloid deposits.
US07700101B2
The present invention provides reagents, compounds, compositions, and methods relating to novel interactions of the extracellular domain of LRP5, HBM (a variant of LRP5), and/or LRP6 with Dkk, including Dkk-1. The various nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies, assay methods, diagnostic methods, and methods of treatment of the present invention are related to and impact on Dkk, LRP5, LRP6, HBM, and Wnt signaling. Dkk, LRP5, LRP6, HBM, and Wnt are implicated in bone and lipid cellular signaling. Thus, the present invention provides reagents and methods for modulating lipid levels and/or bone mass and is useful in the treatment and diagnosis of abnormal lipid levels and bone mass disorders, such as osteoporosis.
US07700098B2
The invention relates to fully human antibodies, and fragments thereof, that bind to human interferon gamma (hIFNγ), thereby modulating the interaction between IFNγ and its receptor, IFNγ-R, and/or modulating the biological activities of IFNγ. The invention also relates to the use of such anti-IFNγ antibodies in the prevention or treatment of immune-related disorders and in the amelioration of a symptom associated with an immune-related disorder.
US07700079B2
The present invention concerns a cleansing composition that imparts sun protection for the skin through normal daily use during bathing, washing, or cleaning of the body or face. The cleansing composition of the present invention comprises a unique combination of ingredients that provides therapeutic and restorative properties for the skin.
US07700075B2
The present invention provides agents and methods for dual modality virtual colonoscopy that gives both anatomical and functional information using hybrid CT/PET scanning. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides radiolabeled tumor-specific agents and methods for distinguishing benign polyps from malignant tumors. In further embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for distinguishing morphological and functional subregions of a selected region of tissue based on relative levels of phospholipid metabolism. Preferred radiolabeled tumor-specific agents are phospholipid ether analogs labeled with a halogen radioisotope. In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions including radiolabeled phospholipid ether analogs have therapeutic actions in addition to functionally identifying malignant tissue.
US07700072B2
A novel application of a transition metal oxo complex, a cationic oxorhenium(V) oxazoline, in the production of molecular hydrogen (H2) from the catalytic hydrolytic oxidation of organosilanes. The reaction is characterized by quantitative hydrogen yields, low catalyst loading, ambient conditions, high selectivity for silanols, water as the only co-reagent, and no solvent requirement. The amount of hydrogen produced is proportional to the water stoichiometry. For example, reaction mixtures of polysilyl organics such as HC(SiH3)3 and water contain potentially greater than 6 weight percent hydrogen. Kinetic and isotope labeling experiments reveal a new mechanistic paradigm for the activation of Si—H bonds by oxometalates.
US07700063B2
The invention relates to a method for dissolving carbon nanotubes consisting in reducing the nanotubes in such a way that the nanotubes which are negatively charged with positive counter-ions are obtainable. The invention is used, in particular for preparing compounds or carbon nanotubes films.
US07700062B2
The synthesis of precipitated silica having improved chemical and physical properties of use as a reinforcing filler in polymeric matrices is described. Improvements in the properties result from the synthesis of the silica al a reduced ionic strength. In particular, the use of silicia acid during synthesis, provides a solution of reduced ionic strength, which favors the formation of improved colloidal structure via increased aggregation and reduced agglomeration. In addition, the surface of the silica precipitate formed may be modified by the addition of surface modifying agents, during synthesis to further enhance the desired reinforcing properties of the precipitated silica. The invention also embodies polymeric compositions of improved tensile and elongation strengths, with the compositions including precipitated silica, synthesized at reduced ionic strengths and having modified surfaces, in combination with a polymeric compound.
US07700053B2
A reforming device includes a reforming portion generating reformed gas from a mixed gas, in which fuel and steam are mixed and including a reforming portion loop-back channel provided at the reforming portion so as to extend along an axis line thereof, a combusting portion provided at an inner circumference of the reforming portion in order to generate combustion gas, a combustion gas channel including a loop-back channel within which the combustion gas flows, an evaporating portion generating steam by heating water and supply steam to the reforming portion; and a carbon monoxide reducing portion provided at an outer circumferential wall of the evaporating portion in order to reduce a level of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas that has been exhaled by the reforming portion, and in order to supply such reformed gas to a fuel cell.
US07700052B2
Provided is an ozone generator for generating ozone using high voltage discharging between an electrode plate forming a first electrode and a heat sink forming a second electrode. The ozone generator includes: an inner tube and a middle tube each of which is concentrically disposed, the electrode plate being interposed between the inner tube and the middle tube; an adhesive sealing both ends of the electrode plate; an electrode pipe for electrically connecting to a power source and disposed within the electrode plate; a passage formed through a middle of the heat sink; and an outer tube installed in an inner periphery surface of the passage, the outer tube being concentrically disposed to maintain a predetermined distance from an outer periphery surface of the middle tube.
US07700041B2
A system for indirectly detecting a radiation source by directly detecting radiolytic products. The radiation source emits radiation and the radiation produces the radiolytic products. A fluid is positioned to receive the radiation from the radiation source. When the fluid is irradiated, radiolytic products are produced. By directly detecting the radiolytic products, the radiation source is detected.
US07700039B2
A microwave inlet for introducing microwaves (coaxial waveguide) and a microwave launcher for generating volume-wave plasma are arranged on one side in a vacuum chamber, and a movable metal plate is arranged opposite to the microwave launcher on the other side in the vacuum chamber. The microwave launcher has a sandwiched structure where a quartz plate is sandwiched by a perforated plate having many holes of a specified diameter. Microwaves are introduced from an external microwave generator to the microwave launcher in, for example, oxygen gas, a mixture of helium gas and oxygen gas, a mixture of argon gas and oxygen gas, or a mixture of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas to change the spatial distribution of the electric field intensity, whereby the volume-wave plasma discharge is diffused to the entire inner space of the vacuum chamber by microwaves leaking through the holes in the perforated plate. The sterilizing method and the device of this invention use microwave discharge plasma that enables sterilization inside a perforated resinous package, such as a package of medical instruments in a vacuum chamber.
US07700035B2
A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from metalliferous feed material includes a pretreatment unit for pretreating metalliferous feed material and producing pretreated feed material, a direct smelting vessel for smelting pretreated metalliferous feed material to molten metal and a hot feed material transfer apparatus for transferring pretreated metalliferous feed material from the pretreatment unit to a solids delivery device of the direct smelting vessel. The transfer apparatus includes a hot feed material storage device, a hot feed material transfer line, device for unblocking the hot feed material transfer line and a pressurising device. The hot feed material transfer apparatus includes a device for returning pretreated metalliferous feed material to the pretreatment unit.
US07700024B1
The present disclosure provides a corrugated concrete wall panel form and a method of constructing a prefabricated concrete wall panel thereof. The method comprises the steps of placing a layer of insulation boards horizontally on a flat surface on site or in pre-cast plant; laying and attaching one layer of corrugated metal thin sheets, as the bottom concrete form, on top of the horizontally placed insulation boards; closing the sides of the corrugated metal sheets by peripheral angles as side forms; and then pouring concrete on top of the metal sheets. After concrete hardens the wall structure is ready for erection. This low cost lightweight wall panel system is self-containing and requires only one pour of concrete. It requires no complicated form structure and less labor work for form installation.
US07700022B2
A woven panel is formed from at least one first polymer yarn and at least one second polymer yarn wherein the second polymer yarn has a core. The core yarns provide mechanical strength for the woven material in supporting the coreless yarns when used in load bearing articles such as the seat or back portions of an article of furniture.
US07700014B2
Method of manufacturing dense carbon-carbon composite material by: infiltrating a fibrous preform with pitch to form pitch-infiltrated preform; carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated preform; injecting resin or pitch into the preform in a mold; oxygen stabilizing the filled preform and carbonizing and heat-treating the oxygen-stabilized impregnated preform; and subjecting the preform to a single final cycle of chemical vapor deposition. This process reduces densification time as compared to comparable conventional carbon-carbon composite manufacturing procedures.
US07700011B2
A boundary lubricant film 1 is formed on a stamper 22 contact portion of a stationary mirror 21 and/or a stationary mirror 21 contact portion of the stamper 22. The boundary lubricant film 1 contains one of kinds of phosphate esters. A material is injected into a cavity 14. As a result, a disc substrate for an optical disc is molded.
US07700006B2
An apparatus includes an object formed of a quasi-1D crystalline material that is capable of supporting a free sliding density wave state. The apparatus also includes first and second input terminals that connect across a portion of the object and first and second output terminals that connect across the same portion of the object.
US07700005B2
A method is provided for the thermo-neutral reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels which employs a Ni, Ce2O3, La2O3, Pt−ZrO2, Rh and Re catalyst having dual functionalities to achieve both combustion and steam reforming.
US07700004B2
This invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons. The invention further relates to use of said cleaning compositions in methods to clean, degrease, deflux, dewater, and deposit fluorolubricant. The invention further relates to novel unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons and their use as cleaning compositions and in the methods listed above.
US07699992B2
During a dialysis treatment carried out by a dialysis apparatus, in which a dialysis liquid is circulated to a clean dialysate filter (43) arranged before a dialyser (3), the conductivity of the dialysis liquid is altered according to an altering function that is a function of a mathematical model of the filter (43), in a way that will make the conductivity after the filter change more quickly. A conductivity cell (47), which is arranged after the dialyser, measures the conductivity of the spent dialysis liquid changed in response to said alteration. A control and computer system (52) evaluates the dialysance from said measured response. The conductivity can be changed for a comparatively short time period that is sufficient to allow reliable results.
US07699986B2
An activated sludge wastewater treatment method is provided. The disclosed method includes: receiving a stream of wastewater into a mixed liquor in an uncovered activated sludge basin; introducing high purity oxygen to the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin to produce euoxic conditions (i.e. a dissolved oxygen level in the range of between about 5 mg to 15 mg) in the activated sludge basin; passing a portion of the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin through a clarifier to separate activated sludge and produce an effluent stream and an activated sludge stream; and recycling a portion of the activated sludge stream to the activated sludge basin to produce a mixed liquor having a solids loading of between about 3000 mg and about 10000 mg of suspended solids per liter of mixed liquor and a solids retention time of between about 7 days and 40 days.
US07699978B2
A protection device for a side entry pit, device having a frame to clamp to the exposed edge of the cover of the pit, and a screen of chains attached to the frame and extending beneath the opening of the pit to prevent trash from entering the pit. The protection device also includes a screen to prevent debris such as dirt and gravel entering the pit, the device including a wire mesh supporting a material such as filter foam to prevent the debris entering the pit, while permitting the passage of water therethrough.
US07699969B2
First entities consisting in cells or microorganisms (BIO) and second entities consisting in compounds or compound units, carried typically by microbeads (BEAD), are trapped selectively within closed movable potential cages (S1) by means of dielectrophoretic force generated by mutually opposed electrodes (M1, M2). The cages are set in relative motion so as to bring about the interaction of selected first and second entities, causing the cages containing them to fuse, whereupon results are obtained preferably by reinstating the original cages and/or observing previously empty adjacent cages. The procedure takes place in a device (DE) with two separate chambers (F, FL) connected one to the other by way of a narrow passage (D) and finished with respective selectively controllable inlets and outlets (I1, I2; O1, O2) through which a liquid or semi-liquid buffer (L) can be pumped in or out.
US07699960B2
Methods for producing cast-coated papers showing a reduced level of curling and reduced curling or wavy deformation caused by moisture absorption or other reasons as well as showing a high surface quality in the cast-coated surface. The steps for producing cast-coated papers include applying a coating color based on a pigment and an adhesive on one side of a base paper, and pressing/drying the coated layer in the wet state against a casting drum mirror surface, where moisture is added to the coated paper by passing it through conditioned air at a high temperature and a high humidity (for 20 seconds or more) after pressing/drying the coated layer against a casting drum.
US07699954B2
An apparatus for fabricating a unique nonwoven fabric which has the appearance of a woven fabric includes a supply station for parallel warp yarns, a support structure for orienting the parallel warp yarns into a cylindrical orientation, a weft yarn applicator for wrapping weft yarns around the cylindrically oriented warp yarns after an adhesive scrim has been overlaid onto the warp yarns, a heating station for activating the adhesive and a cooling station for setting the adhesive, and a cutter for severing the cylindrically formed fabric laminate so that it can be flattened and wrapped onto a take-up roller. The weft yarn applicator including a rotating drum wherein a plurality of spools of weft yarn material are mounted in circumferentially spaced relationship and a tensioner is provided for applying the weft yarn material around the warp yarns in a predetermined tension which may be the same as, greater than, or less than the tension in the warp yarns.
US07699940B2
A flushing composition comprising 50% to 95% by weight n-butanol, 0.1% to 3% by weight of a primary amine alkoxylate, and one or more secondary solvents. The flushing composition can also include 0.005% to 0.5% by weight of an aminated organic fatty acid compound formed from the addition of an organic fatty acid. The flushing compositions can be used to remove coatings that adhere to spray coating equipment.
US07699937B2
A method for controlling a dish washing machine is disclosed. The disclosed method includes turning off a heater of a steam generator when a water level sensor for the steam generator indicates a minimum water level, supplying water to the steam generator for a first time, to remove air bubbles around the water level sensor, and counting the number of repetition times of the water supplying step when the water level sensor still indicates the minimum water level after the execution of the water supplying step, and again executing the water supplying step, based on the counted value.
US07699935B2
A method and apparatus for cleaning a process chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a process chamber is provided that includes a remote plasma source and a process chamber having at least two processing regions. Each processing region includes a substrate support assembly disposed in the processing region, a gas distribution system configured to provide gas into the processing region above the substrate support assembly, and a gas passage configured to provide gas into the processing region below the substrate support assembly. A first gas conduit is configured to flow a cleaning agent from the remote plasma source through the gas distribution assembly in each processing region while a second gas conduit is configured to divert a portion of the cleaning agent from the first gas conduit to the gas passage of each processing region.
US07699934B2
A susceptor structure capable of discharging the atmosphere containing dopant species and filling a wafer pocket, without causing a large quantity of a raw material gas to flow from the front surface side of a susceptor to under the susceptor. The susceptor having an approximately round disk shape and having a concave wafer pocket on the front surface thereof for accommodating a wafer, comprises a gas inlet notch passing through from a side surface or a rear surface of the susceptor to the wafer pocket, and a gas discharge notch passing through from the wafer pocket to the side surface or the rear surface of the susceptor. A carrier gas is introduced from the gas inlet notch of the susceptor into the wafer pocket, as shown by arrow b and the gas present inside the wafer pocket is discharged from the gas discharge notch, as shown by arrow c, by using the rotation of the susceptor during epitaxial film growth.
US07699928B2
A sprayable and pourable cement composition is provided. The cement composition comprises about 30 to 40 percent by weight calcium silicate, about 20 to 35 percent by weight magnesium oxide and about 25 to 45 percent by weight monopotassium phosphate.
US07699925B2
A system for a dental filling material or an implant material, alternatively a system for bonding between a tooth or a bone and a dental filling material and a implant material, respectively, which system comprises a water based hydration liquid and a powdered material, the binder phase of which powdered material essentially consisting of a calcium based cement system, which powdered material has the capacity following saturation with the liquid reacting with the binder phase to hydrate to a chemically bonded ceramic material. According to the invention, said powdered material and/or said hydration liquid comprises water soluble phosphate or a phase that has the capacity to form water soluble phosphate, whereby the system exhibits the capacity during hydration to form apatite. The invention also relates to the powdered material and the hydration liquid as such, an implant material and a method of achieving bonding.
US07699920B2
An ink comprising an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I) is described: wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH, halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; and W is a sulfonic acid group, including salts thereof.
US07699917B1
A selectively alterable intermittent tattoo ink is a type of tattoo ink that is invisible or visible until an activating chemical is applied to it, creating a chemical change in the ink pigment which results in the ink being visible, invisible, partially visible or changing color. A tattoo is formed by the injection of the selectively alterable intermittent tattoo ink such as a chemically reactive pH sensitive pigment, along with an inert carrier and a temporary activating agent, (so the ink will be temporarily visible), into the skin with a traditional tattoo gun. The invisible tattoo ink can then be activated by the application of a chemical activating agent either to the skin over the tattoo site or by a normal or abnormal physiological chemical change within the body. The activating agent is removed by washing, the application of a neutralizing agent or by the natural metabolic functions of the body resulting in the tattoo being invisible or in its deactivated state once again.
US07699911B2
Ozone resistant O2/N2 gas separation membranes comprise a polymer membrane and an ozone reacting component, such as an antioxidant. The antioxidant may be included in the support layer of a composite membrane or included in the entire structure of an asymmetric membrane. The antioxidants in the separation membrane reduce oxidation and deterioration of the actual separation layer of the membrane.
US07699906B2
The present invention relates to iodinated resins. It relates in particular to a process for preparing a polyiodide-resin wherein an anion exchange resin is contacted with a material capable of donating a member absorbable by the resin so as to convert the resin to the polyiodide-resin. The absorbable member is selected from the group consisting of I.sub.2 and polyiodide ion having a valence of −1. In the process, conversion of the anion exchange resin to the polyiodide-resin is effected at elevated temperate and/or elevated pressure, the elevated temperature being about 100.degree. C. or higher, the elevated pressure being greater than atmospheric pressure. The present invention also relates to a substance comprising an iodine (impregnated) resin as produced by the above process.
US07699897B2
The disclosure relates to compositions and methods of using the compositions to color hair. The composition contains at least one polyamine, at least one acid, at least one water-insoluble ingredient, at least one hair colorant, solvent and optionally at least one auxiliary ingredient. The methods for coloring involve contacting hair with the composition of the disclosure.
US07699893B2
A radially expandable sheath is provided having a substantially closed distal end with at least two sidewalls extending proximally therefrom and defining a central lumen. Each sidewall can have a substantially concave outer surface adapted to seat a graft member, and each side wall is at least partially separated by a longitudinally oriented slot that extends from a proximal end along a substantial length of each sidewall. The slot preferably terminates at a position just proximal to the distal end. The device can also include a sheath expander that is adapted to be disposed in the central lumen of the radially expandable sheath and that is configured to flex the sidewalls to radially expand the sheath so as to fix a graft member within a bone tunnel.
US07699889B2
Provided herein is a copolymer that includes a soft block (A) and a hard block (B) comprising a tyrosine di-peptide. The copolymer can be any of AB, ABA or BAB type block copolymers. The soft block can include a PEA polymer. A coating formed of the copolymer may also include a bioactive agent. The implantable device can be implanted in a patient to treat, prevent, or ameliorate a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, and/or tumor obstruction.
US07699887B2
The invention relates to a stent-graft with a bioabsorbable structure and a permanent graft for luminal support and treatment of arterial fistulas, occlusive disease, and aneurysms. The bioabsorbable structure is formed from braided filaments of materials such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA and the graft is formed from materials such as PET, ePTFE, PCU or PU.
US07699882B2
The invention provides minimally invasive microsurgical tools and methods to form an aqueous humor shunt or bypass for the treatment of glaucoma. The invention enables surgical creation of a tissue tract (7) within the tissues of the eye to directly connect a source of aqueous humor such as the anterior chamber (1), to an ocular vein (4). The tissue tract (7) from the vein (4) may be connected to any source of aqueous humor, including the anterior chamber (1), an aqueous collector channel, Schlemm's canal (2), or a drainage bleb. Since the aqueous humor passes directly into the venous system, the normal drainage process for aqueous humor is restored. Furthermore, the invention discloses devices and materials that can be implanted in the tissue tract to maintain the tissue space and fluid flow.
US07699877B2
A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
US07699875B2
A weld cap is configured and dimensioned to interact with a resilient element, e.g., a spring, and a structural member, e.g., an end cap, so as to securely position the spring relative to the end cap. The weld cap functions to distance the welding process and associated welding energy from the spring, thereby avoiding and/or minimizing any potentially undesirable annealing effect associated with securing/welding the spring relative to the end cap. A first weld cap interacts with the spring at a first end region thereof, and a second weld cap interacts with the spring at a second end region thereof, thereby effectively securing the spring with respect to opposed end caps at either end of an elongated spinal stabilization device. Alignment grooves or channels may be provided for orienting or aligning the spring with respect to the end caps and weld caps. The end regions of the spring may also include bend regions that facilitate the assembly process and/or further minimize the freedom of movement of the spring relative to the end cap/weld cap combination. The dynamic stabilization device and associated system provide advantageous clinical results in spinal applications.
US07699869B2
The invention relates to a device, in particular, for the removal of parasites or ticks from the skin of animals or humans, comprises a housing, a spreading gripping tool, a spreading device, for spreading the gripping tool and a rotation device, for rotating the gripping tool about the axis of the device, whereby the gripping tool encloses a sealed cavity in the unspread state thereof for enclosing the parasite or the tick. The gripper tool is particularly made from an elastic or flexible material.
US07699868B2
The invention relates to a medical gripping and/or cutting instrument with an instrument shaft (1), with a handle (3) that can be fixed movably on the instrument shaft (1), and with a tool (2) mounted on the distal end of the instrument shaft (1) and consisting of two jaw member (2a, 2b), where at least one jaw member (2a or 2b) of the tool (2) can move in relation to the other jaw member (2b or 2a). In order to provide a medical instrument that, along with good cleaning properties and compact structure, also ensures simple and safe operation, the invention proposes that the handle (3) should include a coupling mechanism both to fix the handle (3) to the instrument shaft (1) and also to operate the at least one movable jaw member (2a or 2b) of the tool (2).
US07699863B2
Described herein are bioerodible, biodegradable, or digestible self-deploying intragastric implants that may be swallowed. Once swallowed, the implants undergo self-expansion in the stomach and apply a suitable pressure against the stomach wall to provide a feeling of satiety to the individual. The implants then dissolve or are disassembled perhaps using gastric liquids and pass out of the stomach. Methods of using the devices, perhaps for an individual participating in a dietary control regimen, are described.
US07699848B2
The present invention provides a clamp assembly which allows the surgeon to snap a bone fixation assembly onto a bone fixation rod at an intermediate location along the length of the rod. It is not necessary to “thread” the clamp onto the rod starting at the end and sliding it down the length of the rod to the desired location. In particular, this invention provides a novel clamp assembly for use with standard bone fixation rods, and bone pins. The clamp allows the interconnection of a bone fixation rod with a bone pin locking assembly including a bone pin vise. The clamp is a single-piece construction, having a jaw capable of loosely capturing the bone fixation rod when the surgeon presses the jaw onto the rod. The assembly may be rigidly fixed to the rod using a bolt which tightens the jaw onto the rod.
US07699847B2
A guide clamp for clamping a femur and guiding placement of a guide wire relative to the femur. The guide clamp includes a body supporting a pair of clamping surfaces at the end of a pair of clamping arms that are spring-biased to move with respect to each other into a closed position to grip the femur. Defined by the body is a guide opening that guides insertion of the guide pin once the femur has been gripped. One of the clamping arms of the guide clamp may have proximal and distal portions that are slidably adjustable with respect to each other to allow a controlled repositioning of the guide opening with respect to the femur. The guide clamp may also include an engagement member which is supported by the body of the clamp and is capable of advancing into abutting contact with the head of the femur.
US07699843B2
An instrument for the unipolar ablation of heart tissue comprises: an electrically conductive shaft tube (20) that is electrically insulated on the outer lateral surface; an electrical connection, which is placed at the proximal end of the shaft tube (20) and which is connected to the shaft tube (20) in a conductive manner; a flushing connection, which is situated at the proximal end of the shaft tube (20) and which communicates with the bore of the shaft tube (20), and; an electrode (14), which is inserted into the distal end of the shaft tube (20), is connected to the shaft tube (20) in an electrically conductive manner, and which has at least one discharge opening (34) that communicates with the bore of the shaft tube (20). The electrode (14) is detachably connected to the distal end of the shaft tube (20).
US07699840B2
The invention relates to a neutral electrode for HF surgery and to an electrically conductive gel. The neutral electrode comprises at least one electrically conductive section that can be brought into contact with a section of a patient's body. In order to enable the contact resistance to be reduced in a simple and economical manner, in particular in cases of problematic skin and/or tissue conditions, the neutral electrode comprises circulation-promoting means that enhance blood flow through the section of the body that is in contact with this electrode section. The invention also relates to a conductive gel for application of a neutral electrode to a section of a patient's body that contains capsaicin or similar means for promoting circulation.
US07699836B2
A treatment tool for an endoscope, having a flexible sheath being made of electrically insulating material to be inserted through an instrument channel of the endoscope, an operation wire, which is adapted to be advanced and retracted in an axial direction of the sheath inside the sheath, a treatment instrument, which is arranged at a distal portion of the treatment tool and is adapted to be protruded and retracted from a distal end of the sheath, and a fluid channel with an opening, through which fluid is ejected toward the treatment instrument, is provided. The operation wire and the fluid channel are arranged inside the sheath in parallel with an axis of the sheath. The treatment instrument is connected to the operation wire in a laterally displaced position with respect to the operation wire, and is arranged in front of the opening of the fluid channel.
US07699832B2
The present invention provides a medical device, and methods of preparing and using a medical device. The medical device has a surface including a biologically active agent therein. The methods are particularly useful for preparing, for example, coated stents having a biologically active agent within the coating.
US07699831B2
Assemblies, systems, and methods convey fluid from an internal wound site or body cavity by applying negative pressure from a source outside the internal wound site or body cavity through a wound drain assembly that is placed directly inside the internal wound site or body cavity.
US07699823B2
A wound dressing apparatus includes a wound dressing member dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed. The wound dressing member including an internal vacuum reservoir and has a port in communication with the vacuum reservoir for applying subatmospheric pressure to the vacuum reservoir to facilitate removal of fluid from the wound bed. The wound dressing member includes a visual pressure indicator associated therewith for indicating a level of pressure within the vacuum reservoir. The visual pressure indicator includes color indicia having a plurality of colors corresponding to a condition of the pressure within the vacuum reservoir. The wound dressing member includes a lower absorbent member positionable adjacent the wound bed and an upper member which at least partially defines the vacuum reservoir. At least one of the top member and the lower absorbent member has the visual pressure indicator mounted thereto. The preferred visual pressure indicator includes an electronic position sensor. The visual pressure indicator further includes circuit means and visible alarm means. The circuit means is adapted to actuate the visible alarm means when the position sensor detects a relative positioning of the top member of the wound dressing member to provide a visual indication of the condition of the subatmospheric pressure within the vacuum reservoir.
US07699819B2
A method of making zeolite microneedles includes providing a polymer microneedles template, depositing zeolite seeds on the polymer microneedles template, and growing the zeolite seeds into an array of zeolite microneedles.
US07699818B2
A nasogastric tube insertion system comprises a nasogastric tube, a guide element, and an inserter element. The inserter element has a slim, elongate main body, a handle attached to the body, and an anatomically curved insertion section. The guide element comprises a swallowable weight attached to a cord, string, monofilament line, tube, or other similar line. The swallowable weight may be ablative in the presence of stomach fluids or may be deflated to allow the guide element to be removed while the nasogastric tube remains in place. The inserter element is inserted through the patient's nasal passages and optionally into the oropharynx. The weight is released and the patient swallows it into the stomach. The guide element is threaded through the guide element retaining structure, and the nasogastric tube is safely inserted along the guide element into the patient's stomach. Chemical property indicators sensitive to fluids found in the stomach may be provided in the nasogastric tube or the guide element to verify correct placement of the nasogastric tube in the stomach.
US07699814B2
A syringe assembly has a safety sheath to prevent accidental pricking of the user after injecting fluid from the syringe into an injection site of a patient. The syringe assembly includes a body, a needle, and a slidable plunger. A tube is slidably mounted on the rear end of the plunger and has a thumb tab for pushing the plunger forwardly in the syringe body. The syringe body extends through a protective sheath. After the fluid is injected from the syringe body into the patient, the user pulls rearwardly on the finger flange so as to force the plunger into the tube and thereby pull the needle into the sheath, as the needle is being withdrawn from the patient. The needle is automatically enclosed by the sheath using only one hand and without gripping the sheath.
US07699812B2
A safety syringe and cap holding device for holding a syringe which also allows the syringe to be capped and uncapped while minimizing exposure of the user's hands to the hazard of needle sticks. The cap holding device can be powered electrically or mechanically, and can be selectively operated by a user.
US07699809B2
A system for positioning a catheter includes a nerve stimulator needle carried within the lumen of the catheter. A microelectrode is configured as a needle tip precisely protruding beyond a tapered distal end of the catheter. The catheter and needle are fixed against axial movement relative to one another to maintain the precise configuration of the microelectrode needle tip conductive surface by a releasable clamp which is grasped by the practitioner to compress the catheter lumen against the needle without permanent deformation of the needle shaft while simultaneously advancing the needle and the catheter toward a target nerve.
