US08149439B2
There is provided a computer implemented method of automatically aggregating multiple print jobs. The method includes: storing, in memory, a first print job group complying with a first set of print job aggregation criteria and a second print job group complying with a second set of print job aggregation criteria. A print job is received and at least a part of the received print job is aggregated with the first print job group to form a first aggregated print job set if the received print job complies with the first set of print job aggregation criteria and one of a set of release criteria is met. At least a part of the received print job is aggregated with the second print job group to form a second aggregated print job set if the received print job complies with the second set of print job aggregation criteria and one of a set of release criteria is met. Each one of the first aggregated print job and the second aggregated print job sets is transmitted to one or more document processing resources for processing. In turn, a network client may be apprised of when one of the first, second and third print jobs has been processed with the one or more document processing resources.
US08149437B2
An image forming apparatus spools normal print requests received from external equipment as normal print jobs which are sequentially executed by a printer, spools a private print request received from an external equipment in a spooler as a private print job executed by a printer in response to an instruction by a user who has requested the private print, and changes a normal print job in an execution waiting state of the user which is spooled in the spooler to a private print job of the user in response to a request from the user authenticated by a user authenticating portion.
US08149417B2
A synchronous fiber optic gyroscope includes a light source, an optical coupler in optical communication with the light source, an optical modulator in optical communication with the coupler, and a fiber optic coil in optical communication with the modulator. A detector is configured to receive an optical signal from the coupler and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. A loop closure signal processor has a first input configured to receive the electrical signal from the detector. A phase lock loop has an output operatively connected to a second input of the processor. A direct digital synthesizer is operatively coupled to an input of the phase lock loop, with the synthesizer configured to generate a low-frequency signal that is transmitted to the phase lock loop. The phase lock loop converts the low-frequency signal to a high-frequency signal that is transmitted to the second input of the processor, and the phase lock loop provides signal modulation that is synchronous with signal demodulation.
US08149403B2
Optical equipment for detecting beams emitted from a sample by irradiating the sample with linear polarization according to an aspect of the present invention includes a wavelength-independent optical path division element arranged at a position of coupling of a illumination optical path of the linear polarization and a detection optical path of the beams, and the linear polarization is reflected by the interface of the optical path division element entered as S polarization and led to the sample, and the beams pass through the optical path division element and are detected.
US08149394B2
A crack detection system and a method for detecting cracks in a loaded engineering structure are provided. The system and method include a light source coupled and optical fibers that are led through the structure. The optical fibers have diameters below 75 μm. The light source is coupled to the optical fibers.
US08149391B2
A distance measuring instrument comprises at least one light source; at least one light detector; optics to direct measuring light emitted from the at least one light source towards an object and to direct measuring light received back from the object to the at least one detector; a signal delay module; a first signal analyzer; and a variable gain amplifier.
US08149385B2
An alignment unit includes a measurement unit configured to measure a coordinate of a center position of an alignment mark transferred to each layer that is located under an uppermost layer of a substrate, and a controller configured to determine a target coordinate of the center position of the alignment mark transferred to the uppermost layer of the substrate based on a result of a weighted average that is made by weighting the coordinate of the center position of the alignment mark of each layer of the substrate measured by the measurement unit using as a weight a function inversely proportional to a minimum critical dimension of the pattern of an original formed on each layer of the substrate.
US08149383B2
A method for determining the lateral correction as a function of the substrate topology and/or the geometry of the substrate holder is disclosed. The substrate is placed on a measuring stage traversable in the X coordinate direction and Y coordinate direction, which carries the substrate to be measured. The substrate is supported on at least three support points which define a plane. An apparatus is provided for determining the position of a plurality of positions on the surface of the substrate in the in the X, Y and Z coordinate directions. The substrate is tiltable about an axis parallel to the X/Y plane, to enable the substrate to be measured in a tilted position.
US08149375B2
There is provided a display panel formed by segmenting a large sized substrate into an individual substrate along alignment marks, remaining portions of the alignment marks being formed in the display panel. A remaining portion of a slant mark formed by a plurality of scale lines arranged in parallel to each other is formed between the remaining portions of the alignment marks.
US08149370B2
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a vertical alignment type liquid crystal cell including a first substrate formed with a first electrode, a second substrate formed with a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules given a pretilt angle. A pair of polarizer plates sandwiches the cell, and a driver device applies a voltage of a multiplex driving waveform across the first and second electrodes. In a display in-plane parallel to a surface of the first or second substrate, at least one of the first and second electrodes has a zigzag border alternately coupling a first border perpendicular to display in-plane components of directors of liquid crystal molecules in a middle area along a thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer in the absence of applied voltage and a second border extending along a direction crossing the first border.
US08149366B2
A thin film transistor panel for a liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a plurality of data lines formed over the substrate and extending in a first direction, and a plurality of gate lines formed over the substrate and extending in a second direction. The plurality of gate lines cross the plurality of data lines to form a plurality of pixel areas, each of the plurality of pixel areas having a multi-bent band shape. Each of a plurality of pixel electrodes are formed in a corresponding pixel area.
US08149362B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having an alignment film of which pretilt angle and azimuthal angle can be adjusted without ultraviolet irradiation and a method for fabricating the LCD device are provided. A liquid crystal display having a thin film transistor substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates includes a first alignment film having a pattern which defines a first and second alignment domains on the thin film transistor substrate and a second alignment film formed on the color filter substrate.
US08149359B2
A display panel, a display device, and a terminal device, which can achieve a high image quality by decreasing deterioration of the image quality that may be caused due to combining a reflection plate including an uneven structure with an image distributing device, are provided. The display panel includes a lenticular lens for distributing light emitted from each of pixels towards different directions from each other along an arranging direction (a first direction) of a pixel for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and a pixel for displaying an image for a second viewpoint within a pixel unit, wherein a reflection plate including an uneven structure is formed in each of the pixels, and a layout pattern of the uneven structure on the reflection plate is different to the lenticular lens.
US08149350B2
A micro-louver (1) includes: a transparent substrate (2); a concavoconvex shape portion (5) formed on at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2) and in a prescribed pattern for diffracting incident light to form an image; and a light controlling layer (7) including at least one transparent layer (3) and at least light-absorption layer (4) arranged alternately on said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2), each of said at least one transparent layer (3) and said at least one transparent layer (4) extending in a direction that intersects said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2).
US08149344B2
In a pixel array substrate, scan lines intersect data lines to define first to third sub-pixel regions. First to third conductive parts are respectively disposed in the first to third sub-pixel regions. First to third capacitor electrodes are respectively disposed over the first to third conductive parts to form pixel storage capacitors. A spacer is disposed over the third capacitor electrode. At least one of a shape or a size of the third capacitor electrode is different from that of the first or second capacitor electrode.
US08149340B2
There is provided an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a main board formed with a cut out and comprising first and second surfaces facing each other; and an electronic component comprising a sub board and a casing and connected to the main board. A part of the electronic component is accommodated in the cut out of the main board across the first and second surfaces of the main board. The sub board and the main board are spaced from each other without overlap.
US08149336B2
A system and method for filtering video noise is provided. Video generated under low lighting conditions is susceptible to increased noise and graininess, which increases the required storage space required for recording the noisy video. The provided system and method for filtering video noise reduces noise in low-light video by estimating the noise profile associated with at least one video frame; discriminating between chrominance noise and luminance noise in said noise profile; applying predetermined filter criteria to said chrominance noise to estimate the parameters for luminance noise filtering; applying said luminance noise filtering parameters to filter the luminance noise; and generating a first filtered output of a frame by logical combination of outputs obtained from luminance noise filter and chrominance noise filter.
US08149327B2
A camera module includes first and second lens modules, a first holder receiving the first lens module therein, a second holder receiving the second lens modules therein, a circuit board arranged between the first and second holders, first and second image sensors arranged on opposite surfaces of the circuit board, and first and second reflecting members. The first image sensor is received in the first holder. The second image sensor is received in the second holder. The first reflecting member is arranged in the first holder and has a first reflecting surface for reflecting and directing the light converged by the first lens module to the first image sensor. The second reflecting member is arranged in the second holder and has a second reflecting surface for reflecting and directing the light converged by the second lens module to the second image sensor.
US08149325B2
In an exposure control apparatus for a vehicle-installed camera which captures images of an external scene ahead of the vehicle as arrays of picture elements, a measured brightness value is obtained from each image based on respective spatial-domain average brightness values of a plurality of picture element groups, such as horizontal rows of picture elements. For each of at least part of the groups, time-axis filtering is applied to a plurality of average brightness values that have been successively obtained for that group, to obtain an average brightness values with reduced effect of time-axis variations in brightness.
US08149310B2
A readout system with enhanced dynamic range for an image sensor is constructed with a pixel circuit and a readout circuit. The pixel circuit includes at least a first amplifier with a first gain and a second amplifier with a second gain for amplifying signals from the image sensor. The readout circuit includes at least a first readout sub-circuit and a second readout sub-circuit for corresponding reading output of the first amplifier and output of the second amplifier respectively.
US08149299B2
A first filter generates a first smooth picture by smoothing an input picture. A second filter generates a second smooth picture by smoothing the input picture. The second filter has a characteristic different from the first filter. A contrast component picture calculation unit generates a contrast component picture by dividing each pixel value of the input picture with the pixel value of the first smooth picture. A picture composition unit generates a composed picture by composing the second smooth picture with the contrast component picture.
US08149298B2
An image processing method and apparatus operable for processing images is disclosed. The image processing method allows for drawing any given image in an output image on which various types of image processing have been performed. Such various types of image processing are, for example, correction of an image having distortion due to the distortion aberration of an imaging lens, an image having unnatural perspective distortion of a subject due to high-angle or overhead photography, generation of an output image with the viewpoint changed from the viewpoint of a captured image, mirror-image conversion of a captured image, and electronic zooming. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an imaging apparatus that uses the image processing method.
US08149296B2
This invention is a solid-state image pickup device that solves the problem of limited dynamic range in the high luminance region in an image sensor having white pixels. White pixels or yellow pixels and at least red pixels, green pixels or blue pixels are arranged in array form on the light receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate. White pixels or yellow pixels have an additional capacitance CS connected to the photodiode via the floating diffusion, a capacitance coupling transistor S that can couple or separate the floating diffusion and the additional capacitance. The proportion of white or yellow pixels to the total number of pixels is higher in a central portion of the light receiving surface than a peripheral portion. The white or yellow pixel may share a floating diffusion with a red, green or blue pixel.
US08149291B2
An image capture apparatus sets an amount of exposure on an image sensor based on luminance information on an object field, calculates an expected signal level value that is an expected value of luminance signal level that is expected to be output from the image sensor when the image sensor is exposed at the set amount of exposure, compares the expected signal level value with an actual signal level value that is an actual value of luminance signal level output from the image sensor when the image sensor is exposed at the set amount of exposure, and sets a gain based on a result of the comparison.
US08149290B2
An image processor performs blurring processing on an image acquired via a lens system and including a main subject image and a background image, and includes an image processing section having a reduction rate determiner part which determines a reduction rate of the background image based on at least one of a focal length of the lens system, a distance between the main subject image and the background image, level of the blurring processing, and an image size of the background image; an image reduction part which reduces the background image at the reduction rate determined by the reduction rate determiner part; a spatial filter processing part which performs spatial filter processing on the background image reduced by the image reduction part; and an image enlargement part which enlarges the background image processed by the spatial filter processing part at an enlargement rate as an inverse of the reduction rate.
US08149285B2
A data-processing circuit includes a distributor. Raw image data of horizontal 3840 pixels×vertical 2160 pixels that is periodically outputted from a CMOS-type imaging device is divided by the distributor into four blocks of partial image data. The divided four blocks of partial image data are subjected to a pre-process in parallel by first to fourth pre-processing blocks. On the other hand, raw image data of horizontal 1280 pixels×vertical 960 pixels that is periodically outputted from a CCD-type imaging device is serially subjected to a pre-process by a fifth pre-processing block. The number of pixels of the raw image data outputted from the CCD-type imaging device is equal to or less than ¼ the number of pixels of the raw image data outputted from the CMOS-type imaging device. A numerical value “4” is equivalent to the number of parallel pre-processes on the raw image data outputted from the CMOS imaging device.
US08149281B2
An electronic device and method for operating a presentation application file includes acquiring a histogram of each of a plurality of designated objects, and defining an operation corresponding to each of the plurality of designated objects. The electronic device and method further includes acquiring a histogram of a recognized object in an image, determining a matched designated object by comparing the histogram of the recognized object with the histograms of the designated objects, and executing an operation function corresponding to the matched designated object.
US08149280B2
Disclosed herein is an image processing device including: a face detector configured to detect a face from an image given on a basis of detection information; and a processing unit configured to set the detection information of the face detector, receive at least an input image before distortion correction of the image before the distortion correction and an image after the distortion correction, divide an entire image region of the input image, and supply each of the divided images to the face detector on a time-division basis, wherein the face detector detects faces from a face of a maximum size to a face of a minimum size in the entire image in a detectable range.
US08149277B2
A display control device includes: a signal supply unit that supplies an image signal to a display device; and a magnification change control unit that processes the image signal so as to change a magnification of a replay image according to a distance between a person who is observing the replay image upon the display device, and the replay image.
US08149276B2
Pressure-bonded ball diameter detecting apparatus and pressure-bonded ball diameter detecting method
Improving detectability of a diameter of a pressure-bonded ball bonded by a bonding apparatus by calculating the diameter of the pressure-bonded ball by obtaining a first tentative radius by subtracting a distance between a line representing an outline of a pad short side and a curving line representing an outline of a pressure-bonded ball from a distance between the line representing the outline of the pad short side and a bonding-control-center position of the pressure-bonded ball; obtaining a second tentative radius by subtracting a distance between a line representing an outline of a pad short side that faces toward the pad with which the first tentative radius is calculated and an outline of a pressure-bonded ball from a distance between the line representing the outline of the pad short side and a bonding-control-center position of the pressure-bonded ball; and averaging the same number of the first and the second tentative radii.
US08149266B2
The invention relates to a holographic reconstruction system for the reconstruction of scenes having at least one video hologram modulated wave front, and an enlarged visibility region. The system utilizes two-dimensional coded light modulator cells of spatial light modulation means and optical focusing means, which realize a Fourier transformation of the modulated wave front in their focal plane. First optical deflection means deflect the parallel disposed partial light waves such that their Fourier transformations appear as cascading in the focal plane. A spatial frequency filter located on the focal plane, lets each of the same diffraction orders of all modulated partial light waves pass, and second optical deflection means arrange the wave front strips next to each other at the modulated wave front, which reconstructs the scene.
US08149258B2
For suppressing density unevenness which is caused by changes in a main scanning line interval of a laser beam on the image bearing member due to a polygonal face tangle, laser luminance is controlled so as to maintain the density unevenness with a spatial frequency sensitive to human visibility substantially constant.
US08149255B2
An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a predetermined direction, a thermal transfer sheet traveling unit that causes a thermal transfer sheet to travel in a predetermined direction, a modification sheet moving unit that moves a surface modification sheet, a thermal head that applies thermal energy and thermally transfers sequentially a dye layer and a protective layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto the recording medium while the dye layer or the protective layer opposes the surface of the recording medium, and a modification sheet protecting unit disposed in a movement path of the surface modification sheet, and configured to prevent adhesion of dust to the surface modification sheet or to eliminate the adhesion. After forming the image onto the recording medium using the thermal transfer sheet and forming the protective layer that protects the image, the surface modification portion of the surface modification sheet is aligned with a plane in which the protective layer is formed, so that heat and pressure are applied by the thermal head to modify the surface state of the protective layer formed at the recording medium.
US08149250B2
A circuit and methods eliminating production related luminance variations of electronic display applies to all display technologies that require gamma adjustment or also adjustment of other display parameters e.g. brightness or contrast as e.g. LCD or OLED display modules are disclosed. This is performed by individual trimming of the display driver's gamma curve One alternative is that an end-user has access to a non-volatile memory and replaces the factory default settings of the gamma curve with individual settings. Another alternative is to load gamma curve parameters from the non-volatile memory to gamma control registers and perform tweaking of the gamma curve from these control registers on top of the factory default settings in the non-volatile memory.
US08149236B2
Conventional information processing apparatuses have the problem of not being able to easily extract and observe a three-dimensional region of interest from 3D voxel data. The present invention provides an information processing apparatus in which a first slice information group, which is multiple pieces of slice information obtained as a result of extraction from 3D voxel information using a first three-dimensional region mask extracting the 3D voxel information, is stored, wherein the information processing apparatus: receives input regarding a second three-dimensional region mask; acquires second mesh information constituting the second three-dimensional region mask; determines an internal region, which is a region inside the second mesh information, and an external region, which is a region outside the second mesh information, for each slice information in the first slice information group, based on the second mesh information; and outputs the first slice information group such that the internal region and the external region are visually distinguished from each other. With this information processing apparatus, it is possible to easily extract and observe a three-dimensional region of interest from 3D voxel data.
US08149226B2
An operational direction detecting device includes a device body that includes an operational area operable in two or more directions, two or more detection electrode/drive electrode pairs that are formed at direction detecting positions of the operational area and form capacitance between a detection electrode and a drive electrode, and a control unit that decides an entrance direction of an object to be detected from capacitance acquired by each of the two or more detection electrode/drive electrode pairs when an object to be detected performing an operation enters the operational area. The control unit decides the direction of the area corresponding to larger capacitance as the entrance direction of the object to be detected when the composite capacitance of capacitances acquired at the two or more detection electrode/drive electrode pairs exceeds a first predetermined value.
US08149219B2
In a touchpad with single-layered PCB structure, a PCB has a bottom layer with a sensor area and a component area thereon, the sensor area includes two directional traces directly connected to the component area, respectively, and carbon film wires in the sensor area for interconnecting one or more of the directional traces.
US08149211B2
A deformable sensor system that can be used for pressure-distribution sensors. The deformable sensor system makes it possible to obtain a pressure distribution with a much higher accuracy, while reducing the number of electrodes. The system utilizes a deformable sensor which can detect deformation as the electric resistivity of the surface increases monotonically as an elastic deformation variation in each of the elastic deformations increases. Based on a voltage being detected by means of a detecting unit, the deformable sensor electric-resistivity variation computing unit computes the variation of the electric resistivity based on the method of least squares with a restriction condition imposed thereon. The system uses such a technology as “EIT” that is based on an inverse-problem theory. At an external-force position computing unit, a position in a pressure-receiving surface, position which receives an external force, is computed based on the computed electric-resistivity variation.
US08149210B2
A system and method for identifying a pointing organ or a pointing device in a field of imaging of a 3-D imaging system and for calculating a line of pointing relative to this organ or device are disclosed. The method and system may be used to enable a user to communicate with computer programs, such as computer games, 3-D design programs and the like. The method and system may further employ a trigger-like mechanism to identify a movement of a user that may be interpreted as trigger activation.
US08149205B2
A circuit for driving an LCD panel and a method thereof is provided. The circuit utilizes a timing controller to receive a plurality of low-voltage differential signals (LVDS) provided by an image inverter, wherein the LVDS have a horizontal synchronize signal. The timing controller, based on the horizontal synchronize signal, undergoes a modulation and transmits a plurality of lamp operation controlling signals to an inverter controlling IC, wherein the frequencies of the lamp operation controlling signals are different from one another, thereby changing the frequency of the lamp operation of the inverter controlling IC used in the LCD panel.
US08149197B2
An electro-optical display device includes an electro-optical panel, a scanning line drive circuit for scanning the scanning lines of the panel during a selection period, and a signal line drive circuit for outputting a data signal to a predetermined pixel through the corresponding data line of the panel in synchronization with the scanning of the scanning line drive circuit. During the selection period during which the data signal is output to the predetermined pixel, the duration of the ON voltage interval corresponding to a grayscale level having the longest OFF voltage interval is longer than the duration of the OFF voltage interval corresponding to a grayscale level having the longest ON voltage interval.
US08149190B2
An OLED display having a correction circuit for producing corrected image data in response to the first image data and in response to correction data to correct for brightness unevenness due to TFT variations; a memory for storing first image data or correction data; a switch effective in first and second states in response to a function switching signal having first and second conditions, respectively; and circuitry for causing the switch to be in the first state to connect the memory to the image input signal interface and to provide the stored first image data to the panel as the second image data; and for causing the switch to be in the second state to connect the memory to the correction circuit, provide the stored correction data to the correction circuit, and provide the corrected image data to the panel as the second image data.
US08149182B2
A dual-view liquid crystal display device includes a display panel to display images; and a switching panel including first and second regions, the first and second regions controlled to represent a single image or different images displayed on the display panel, wherein a line width of the first region is adjustable. And, a method for driving a dual-view display device includes dividing the images displayed on the display panel in different directions by controlling a switching panel that includes first and second regions; and adjusting a line width of the first region in accordance with a viewing angle of a user.
US08149181B2
A dielectric resonator for a negative refractivity medium, which is coupled to a plurality of substrates, comprises at least one crystal unit, at least one first crystal cube and at least one second crystal cube. The crystal units are arrayed on the substrate. On an identical substrate, each crystal unit has a first spacing with respect to one adjacent crystal unit and a second spacing with respect to another adjacent crystal unit. The first spacing is vertical to the second spacing. Each crystal unit has one first crystal cube and one second crystal cube. A third spacing exists between the first and second crystal cubes. The first and second crystal cubes have a permittivity greater than 20. The present invention adopts the negative refractivity medium to achieve lower dielectric loss. Further, the present invention features isotropy and has low fabrication cost and high industrial utility.
US08149180B2
The invention relates to an antenna for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves at a working frequency fT, that comprises a resonator with a filtering (49) coating that covers the major portion of the upper face of a reflector (22) located inside a cavity (36), the coating (40) being capable of removing all the electromagnetic waves having a frequency fT, and propagating in a direction parallel to the upper face of the reflector, without removing all the electromagnetic waves having a frequency fT and propagating in a direction perpendicular to the upper face of the reflector.
US08149170B2
A carbon nano-tube based variable frequency patch antennas which utilizes a dense network of semiconducting carbon nanotubes as the antenna patch is provided. In preferred embodiments, the resonant frequency of the antenna can be tuned electrically by adjusting appropriate sections of its back-gate, thus altering the effective size of the patch antenna and radiation beam direction can be formed and stirred. In one embodiment, a patch antenna comprises a dense network or thick layer of semiconducting carbon nanotubes grown or deposited on an oxide layer to form a carbon nanotube patch and a partitioned backgate is positioned below the oxide layer with a ground-plane formed from a thin layer of metal. In other embodiments, a patch antenna includes an array of carbon nanotube patches and the ground-plane doubles as the backgate.
US08149169B1
An ultra wideband (UWB) or short-pulse RF system is disclosed that can be used to precisely locate or track objects (such as personnel, equipment, assets, etc.) in real-time in an arbitrarily large, physically connected or disconnected, multipath and/or noisy environment. A system implementation includes multiple zones or groups of receivers that receives RF signals transmitted by one or more timing reference tags and one or more objects having associated object tags. Each zone or group may share a common receiver. By combining a multiple reference tag system with a virtual group of receivers, i.e., a zoning technique or system, a cost-effective system can be provided that offers scalability and flexibility to monitor a significantly expanded coverage area.
US08149168B1
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprise a first receiver to receive a wireless television signal; a first measurement unit to generate a measurement of the wireless television signal; wherein a position of the apparatus is determined based on the measurement of the wireless television signal; a second receiver to receive a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal; and a second measurement unit to generate a measurement of the WLAN signal; wherein a position of a transmitter of the WLAN signal is determined based on the position of the apparatus and the measurement of the WLAN signal.
US08149155B2
A method of measuring a range from a reader unit to a non-contacted IC medium, includes: transmitting an inquiry signal at a first frequency from the reader unit to the non-contacted IC medium; causing the non-contacted IC medium to perform modulation to modulate the first frequency by using a second frequency to obtain a modulated frequency, and causing the non-contacted IC medium to respond to a response signal at the modulated frequency; causing the reader unit to receive the response signal to acquire a plurality of frequency components; calculating a phase difference between signals of at least two of the acquired plurality of frequency components; and measuring the range by using the phase difference.
US08149154B2
In certain embodiments, a method includes receiving first track information comprising data for a particular aircraft track. The method further includes receiving a first radar plot comprising first location information corresponding to first aircraft identification information and first location information corresponding to second aircraft identification information. The method further includes associating the first aircraft identification information with the particular aircraft track. The method further includes accessing historical association information comprising a first association history variable corresponding to one or more previous associations between the first aircraft identification information and the particular aircraft track and a second association history variable corresponding to one or more previous associations between the second aircraft identification information and the particular aircraft track. The method further includes updating the first association history variable in response to the association of the first aircraft identification information with the particular aircraft track.
US08149133B2
An apparatus to remotely archive data from a blowout preventer includes a first system controller in communication with the blowout preventer and a communications network, and a second system controller in communication with the blowout preventer and the communications network. A first remote server and a second remote server are connected to the communications network. The first remote server is configured to archive the data from the blowout preventer through the first local controller and the communications network. The first remote server is also configured to archive the data from the blowout preventer through the second system controller upon a failure of the first system controller resulting from damage in an oilfield component.
US08149129B2
A signal alignment monitoring system is provided. The system includes a signal assembly including at least one signal lamp. The system also includes an alignment monitoring apparatus coupled to the signal assembly. The alignment monitoring apparatus includes a source for emitting electromagnetic energy and a detector for sensing electromagnetic energy emitted by the source to facilitate determining an alignment of the signal assembly.
US08149127B2
A coaxial cable connector is provided, the connector includes: a connector body; a coupling circuit positioned within the connector body and configured to sense an electrical signal flowing through the connector; and an electrical parameter sensing circuit positioned within the connector body and configured to sense a parameter of the electrical signal flowing through the RF port.
US08149126B2
Systems and methods are discussed for providing a sensor enhanced employee safety evaluation system. Systems that monitor and assess employee lifting behavior are employed at the workplace of an insured entity. Data from the lift monitoring systems are processed to obtain a safety evaluation. Based on the safety evaluation, the insurance provider can adjust the terms of the insurance policy to accurately reflect the risks associated with the insured entity. Feedback based on the safety evaluation is also provided to the insured entity and the employees of the insured entity to promote improvements in safe behavior.
US08149125B2
An animal management system includes a beacon, a radio animal tag configured to monitor the proximity of the animal tag to the beacon, and a reader configured to read information from the animal tag.
US08149122B2
A wireless pump on/off system incorporates a radio receiver and an antenna. An RFID tag is carried on a float. The float can be located in a fluid whose level is to be controlled with at least a portion thereof protruding above the fluid level. Signal strength of a wireless received from the tag can be indicative of at least one fluid level, and responsive thereto a pump can be activated. The pump can be deactivated in response to another received wireless signal, loss of the activating signal indicative of another fluid level or expiration of a preset time interval.
US08149111B2
A central facility communicates with a portable container via a mobile device. A computer at the central facility receives (a) usage data, in association with identification tag information for the portable container, from the mobile device associated with the portable container, the usage data generated by a usage sensor in the portable container, (b) environmental data from the mobile device associated with the portable container, the environmental data generated by an environmental sensor, and (c) patient data from the mobile device associated with the portable container, the patient data generated by a patient sensor. The central facility computer stores the usage data, the environmental data and the patient data in a record associated with the identification tag information. The central facility computer analyzes the usage data, the environmental data and the patient data relative to a situational rule, to determine an action. The central facility computer sends (i) action data to the mobile device associated with the portable container, and (ii) notice data to a third party in accordance with a notification rule. The central facility computer stores the action data and the notice data in the record associated with the identification tag information.
US08149107B2
A System and Method for Person or Object Position Location Utilizing Impulse Radio, comprising a plurality of reference impulse radios; an object or person to be tracked having a mobile impulse radio associated therewith; an architecture with an associated positioning algorithm associated with said plurality of impulse radio reference radios and said mobile impulse radio; and display means for displaying the position of the person or object whose position is to be determined.
US08149106B2
A method and apparatus for transferring communication data over power lines, the power lines comprising multiple phase transmission lines and a neutral line. The method includes inserting the communication data between multiple lines, typically between the different phase lines and the neutral, and combining the communication data from any one of the lines, and transmitting the combined signal to multiple lines in a receiving premises. In this way the signal can be picked up from any power socket at the receiving premises irrespective of what line or phase it may be attached to.
US08149104B2
Apparatus and method for managing utilization of rooms in a clinic, for example, include a visible display, for example, colored lights at an examining room, indicating one or more of several available room status values for the room. An input device including, e.g., push buttons, is coupled to the display and adapted for selecting the room status value. A timer coupled to the input device and display automatically changes the status value of a room when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the status value is first selected, except when a third room status value is selected. This feature notifies personnel if, for example, a patient has been left alone in a room too long. A central control provides a database to accumulate minute-by-minute utilization data of the clinic rooms and also programs to access and compute from the data the overall utilization by variable periods. This utilization data are useful for planning, reallocation and investment in new space.
US08149099B2
An indicator for a vehicle instrument cluster includes a number of pointers concentrically mounted with respect to the instrument cluster. The pointers are illuminated via a common light source. The pointers may be configured to indicate a reference value and an actual measured value (e.g., vehicle speed).
US08149091B2
A radio-frequency tag communication device permitting a radio-frequency tag communication system to have a sufficiently large area of communication, with a minimum required number of interrogators. The radio-frequency tag communication device includes a transmission control portion operable to control transmission of a transmitted signal, so as to prevent overlapping an area of communication of the radio-frequency tag communication device and an area of communication of another radio-frequency tag communication device, making it possible to maximize a spacing distance between the adjacent radio-frequency tag communication devices, and to effectively prevent concurrent receptions of the transmitted signals by the plurality of radio-frequency tags. Namely, the radio-frequency tag communication device permits the radio-frequency tag communication system to have a sufficiently large area of communication with a minimum required number of interrogators.
US08149085B2
Systems and methods for implementing security features of a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device comprises a first security module configured to implement a first security operation and a second security module configured to implement a second security operation. The method includes: detecting a first security event; implementing a first security operation by the first security module; triggering a second security event; and implementing a second security operation by the second security module. The first security operation includes triggering the second security event.
US08149083B2
A vehicle door opening/closing apparatus includes a mobile apparatus carried by a user, a recognizing apparatus for recognizing the mobile apparatus within a predetermined area relative to a vehicle, a commanding apparatus provided at the mobile apparatus for commanding an opening/closing operation of a door on the basis of an intention of the user and a controlling apparatus for controlling the door on the basis of a recognition of the recognizing apparatus and the opening/closing operation command of the commanding apparatus. The controlling apparatus opens the door when the recognizing apparatus recognizes the mobile apparatus within the predetermined area and in a situation where the commanding apparatus has commanded to open the door. The controlling apparatus closes the door when the recognizing apparatus recognizes that the mobile apparatus is out of the predetermined area and in a situation where the commanding apparatus has commanded to close the door.
US08149081B2
A method for post-thermal-trimming annealing a thermally-trimmable resistor thermally-isolated on a substrate, the method comprising: trimming said thermally-trimmable resistor by applying a first power-measured signal to a heating resistor; and applying a second power-measured signal corresponding to a desired average annealing temperature to said heating resistor, wherein said second power-measured signal has a lower power level than said first power-measured signal.
US08149078B2
A fast anchoring magnetic holder including multiple attractive surfaces comprises a first magnet, a second magnet, a first insertion rod and a second insertion rod. The first magnet has a magnetic workstation surface. The second magnet has a magnetic anchor surface. The first and second magnets are stacked together. The first insertion rod and second insertion rod are respectively inserted into the first magnet and second magnet, and are turned to change distribution of the magnetic field of the first magnet and second magnet to alter the magnetic workstation surface and magnetic anchor surface from a non-magnetic state to a magnetic state to attract a working piece to a workstation.
US08149077B2
An electromagnetic operating device for a switch comprises a fixed yoke (1) formed by laminating square yokes and an E-shaped yoke integrally while holding the E-shaped yoke in-between, a permanent magnet (5), a moving member (2) capable of linear movement in the fixed yoke by a predetermined distance, a rod (3) coupled with the moving member and penetrating the fixed yoke to project outward from opposite sides, and a drive coil (4) disposed in the fixed yoke, the moving member moving on the inside of the fixed yoke when a current is supplied through the drive coils, wherein the fixed yoke (1) is provided with a plurality of holes (1c) penetrating in the laminating direction of magnetic steel sheets, pins (6) each having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the plurality of holes and provided with a threaded portion (6a) at the end are inserted to penetrate two or more of the plurality of holes, and the laminated fixed yoke is fastened using the threaded portions of the pins.
US08149072B2
A resonator includes a substantially disk shaped portion having a plurality of axes of symmetry and is configured to resonate in a plurality of resonant modes by symmetrically deforming about the plurality of axes of symmetry.
US08149071B2
The present invention relates to A radio frequency (RF) switch and an apparatus including the RF switch. In an aspect of the present invention, an RF switch includes a transmission line having one end connected to an input terminal or an output terminal and the other end connected to a signal line and configured to transfer an RF signal, and a diode disposed between the input terminal and the transmission line or between the output terminal and the transmission line, the diode being configured to control whether or not to transmit the RF signal. In another aspect, an RF switch includes a transmission line having one end connected to an input terminal and the other end connected to an output terminal, and a diode disposed between the input terminal and the transmission line or between the output terminal and the transmission line, the diode being configured to control whether or not to transmit the RF signal. Here, a CRLH (Composite Right/Left-Handed) transmission line is employed as the transmission line.
US08149066B2
An integrated circuit distributed radio frequency oscillator comprises a semiconductor chip which includes a differential input transmission line, a differential output transmission line and, coupled in parallel between these transmission lines at spaced apart portions, a number of differential amplifier cells with adjustable delay. The output end of the output transmission line is coupled back to the input end of the input transmission line by a feedback link with a pair of on-chip capacitors. The delay introduced by the amplifier cells is variable in response to a tuning voltage applied to a differential tuning input, making the oscillator suitable for use as a distributed VCO in, e.g. a phase-locked loop circuit. The layout of the oscillator on a semiconductor chip includes the series-connected arrangement of the differential transmission lines in a rectilinear spiral path.
US08149055B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device constituting an inverting amplifier employs a cascode current source as a current source. In the semiconductor integrated circuit device, a high-potential-side transistor of the cascode current source and a low-potential-side transistor constituting an amplification portion are shared. The configuration can not only make an output impedance of the cascode current source high and improve current source characteristics but also make a minimum potential at a minimum potential point of the amplification portion low and ensure a sufficient power supply voltage margin.
US08149049B2
A low noise receiving apparatus includes an amplifier which inputs an input signal, an output matching circuit which is connected between the amplifier and an output terminal which matches an impedance of an output side of the amplifier, a bypass circuit which bypasses the amplifier and is connected to an output side of the output matching circuit, and a switching circuit having one end connected between the amplifier and the output matching circuit and the other end connected to an alternating current ground which switches whether or not to connect an output of the amplifier to the alternating current ground. In a bypass mode, the switching circuit connects the output of the amplifier to the alternating current ground in order to have a lower impedance viewed from the output terminal of the output matching circuit than in an amplification mode.
US08149041B2
Provided are high-resolution parametric signal restoration systems, and applications thereof. Such systems include a multi-output module and a parametric compensator. The multi-output module provides a reference gain output signal and one or more higher gain output signals based on a single input signal. The parametric compensator independently responds to functional parameters of the one or more higher gain output signals to provide a compensation error signal. The single input signal is modified based on the compensation error signal.
US08149039B1
A picosecond pulse generator apparatus and methodology is disclosed. A pulse generator is provided by forming a transmission line and a switching element on a common semiconductor substrate or semiconductor chip. The transmission line and the switching element can be provided on the common CMOS semiconductor substrate using standard CMOS technology. A voltage is applied to the transmission line to charge the transmission line. An input pulse is applied to the switching device to trigger the switching device to cause the transmission line to discharge an output pulse across a load resistor. The pulse width of the output pulse depends in major part on the length of the transmission line. Additional components can be provided on the common semiconductor substrate or chip to shape the input pulse to the switching device to ensure a fast rise time.
US08149035B2
Controlling a PLL includes providing a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and coupling an output of the VCO to a shifter circuit. The shifter circuit has a shifter circuit output, the shifter circuit also including an activation input for receiving an activation signal, the shifter circuit causing at least one pulse of the output signal to be suppressed at the shifter output upon receipt of the activation signal. Controlling also includes coupling the shifter circuit output to a first frequency divider.
US08149033B2
A DLL circuit includes a delay line that adds, when receiving a reference signal, a delay amount to the phase of the reference signal by using each delay element and outputs a delay signal for each delay element. The DLL circuit includes a phase detector that compares the phase of a delay signal delayed by all the delay elements and the phase of the reference signal to obtain a phase difference by using the delay signal adjusted by a phase adjustment circuit and the reference signal. The DLL circuit includes a delay element control circuit that inputs a value, by which the delay signal to be compared by the phase detector is synchronized with the reference signal to be compared by the phase detector and which is a control voltage value generated from the phase difference output from the phase detector, into the delay elements of the delay line.
US08149032B2
A circuit for clamping current in a charge pump is disclosed. The charge pump includes switching circuitry having a number of switching circuitry transistors. Each of first and second pairs of transistors in the circuit can provide an additional path for current from its associated one of the switching circuitry transistors during off-switching of that transistor so that a spike in current from the switching circuitry transistor is only partially transmitted through a path extending between the switching circuitry transistor and a capacitor of the charge pump.
US08149020B2
To provide a common-mode feedback circuit that feeds back signal corresponding to common-mode components of output terminal voltage of first and second amplifiers to input terminals of the first and second amplifiers via first and second passive elements connected to a common terminal, respectively.
US08149019B2
A chopper type comparator including a first power supply line to which a first power source is supplied, a second power supply line to which a second power source having lower voltage than the first power source is supplied, a reference voltage input part to which a reference voltage is input, a target comparison voltage input part to which a target comparison voltage is input, a comparing part configured to compare the size between the reference voltage input from the reference voltage input part and the target comparison voltage input from the target comparison voltage input part, an output part configured to output a comparison result of the comparing part, and a resistance value setting part configured to set resistance values of the first power supply line and/or the second power supply line.
US08149010B2
A method for detecting a storage voltage, a display apparatus using the storage voltage and a method for driving the display apparatus. The method for detecting the storage voltage includes applying a test voltage to a storage line in a display panel having an active layer disposed between the storage line and a data line while varying the test voltage, the active layer being in an active state or an inactive state according to the test voltage, and detecting the storage voltage corresponding to the test voltage in an inactive state of the active layer. Thus, the display panel is driven by using the detected storage voltage, so that an aperture ratio may be increased and current consumption may be decreased.
US08149008B2
A probe card includes a probe head that holds a plurality of probes; a flat wiring board that has a wiring pattern corresponding to a circuit structure; an interposer that is stacked on the wiring board and relays wirings of the wiring board; a space transformer that is placed between the interposer and the probe head, transforms a space between the wirings relayed by the interposer, and leads the transformed wirings out to a surface facing the probe head; and a plurality of post members that are formed in a substantially columnar shape with a height larger than a sum of a thickness of the wiring board and a thickness of the interposer, and embedded to pierce through the wiring board and the interposer in a thickness direction such that one of end surfaces of each post member comes into contact with the space transformer.
US08149006B2
A probe card includes probes that come into contact with a semiconductor wafer to receive or output an electric signal; a probe head that holds the probes; a substrate that has a wiring pattern corresponding to a circuit structure for generating a signal for a test; a reinforcing member that reinforces the substrate; an interposer that is stacked on the substrate and includes a housing having connection terminals resilient in an axial direction thereof and hole portions each housing one of the connection terminals; and a space transformer that is stacked between the interposer and the probe head and transforms intervals among the wires.
US08149000B2
System and method for determining closure of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a top portion and a bottom portion, and may be connecting via a hinge or other closing mechanism. The top portion and/or the bottom portion may include one or more capacitive sensors which provide signals corresponding to physical contact and a controller coupled to the one or more capacitive sensors. The controller may operate to receive the signals from the one or more capacitive sensors, determine if the electronic device has been closed based on the received signals, and initiate a sequence of events corresponding to the closure of the electronic device. The sequence of events may result in the device entering a low power state.
US08148997B2
A method monitors whether the switching threshold of a switching sensor lies within a predefined tolerance region. An input signal is applied to the sensor's signal input, and a signal output emits a switch output signal that takes a first value when the input signal exceeds the switching threshold and, otherwise, takes a second value. A modulator generates a modulator signal used as an input signal that changes continuously or cyclically between an output value defining the upper limit and a smaller test value defining the lower limit of the tolerance region. The switch output signal pulses synchronously with the modulator signal between the first and second values when the switching threshold lies within the tolerance region and otherwise does not pulse. An evaluation device monitors the pulsation, an alarm signal being triggered when the switch output signal does not pulse for at least a predefined test period.
US08148995B2
A sensor element detects exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine. A heater is supplied with electricity from a power source so as to heat the sensor element. A detection unit detects heater voltage across the heater. A degradation determination unit determines whether the heater is degraded in accordance with at least one of the heater voltage and a diagnosis value, which changes according to the heater voltage. The degradation determination unit determines whether the heater is degraded further in accordance with at least one of power-supply voltage of the power source and a driving state of an electric device, which is supplied with electricity from the power source.
US08148979B1
Techniques and systems for magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed in this specification. In one aspect, imaging of tissues having short transverse relaxation times T2 is described including short echo time (TE) signal acquisition preceded by suppression of signal from the surrounding tissues having long transverse relaxation times T2, to increase the contrast and dynamic range of magnetic resonance (MR) images contributed by the tissues having short T2.
US08148973B2
A magnetic resolver includes: a plurality of columnar cores disposed on an annular plate; a coil portion disposed around each of the columnar cores; and an annular rotor having a sinusoidal profile that rotates in a plane parallel to the top faces of the columnar cores around a rotation axis that passes through the center of the annular plate. The coil portion may be formed of a patterned coil formed on an annular substrate that has a plurality of through holes made therein through which the plurality of cores are passed, the patterned coil being formed around the through hole.
US08148967B2
A pulse control clock generator for a voltage regulator including a comparator, a window circuit, a filter circuit, a ramp circuit, and a current circuit. The comparator compares a ramp voltage with a compensation voltage and provides a corresponding pulse control signal. The compensation voltage is indicative of output voltage error. The window circuit adds a window voltage to the compensation voltage to provide a hysteretic voltage. The filter circuit filters the hysteretic voltage to provide a filtered hysteretic voltage, such that a difference between the compensation voltage and the filtered hysteretic voltage is reduced in response to a load increase. The ramp circuit provides a repetitive ramp voltage which ramps between the filtered hysteretic voltage and the compensation voltage based on the pulse control signal. The current circuit increases a slope of the ramp voltage in response to the load increase.
US08148944B2
A disclosed secondary battery protection semiconductor device protects the secondary battery by detecting values of at least plural detection items corresponding to the secondary battery including the detection items of overcharge, overdischarge, charge overcurrent, discharge overcurrent, short-circuit current, and overheat; comparing the detected values with corresponding detection levels that are determined beforehand for each of the detection items; and based on the comparison results, turning on/off a discharge control transistor and a charge control transistor that are series-connected to the secondary battery. Among the plural detection items, a first value of a first detection item is detected, and a detection level of a second detection item is changed in accordance with the first value.
US08148941B2
An equipment system includes a battery unit (10) having a monitoring circuit (14), which detects at least one operating parameter of the battery unit (10) and furnishes a control signal, dependent on the operating parameter, for switching means (25, 31). The switching means control the charging and discharging process of the battery unit (10) and are located in the electrical device (20) and in the charger (30), respectively. From the battery unit (10), the control signal is transmitted to the switching means (25, 31) in the electrical device (20) and in the charger (30), respectively. By this provision of shifting the switching means (25, 31) out of the battery unit (10) into the electrical device (20) and into the charger (30), respectively, the heat development in the battery unit (10) and also its structure size are reduced.
US08148932B2
A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator are provided. This system allows a drawer to be automatically withdrawn from and/or inserted into a main body of the refrigerator. This system also allows a drawer which has been stopped during the withdrawal process to be further withdrawn from the main body so as to complete action on a withdrawal command, or to be re-inserted into the main body, so as to reduce cool air loss.
US08148931B2
There are included a plurality of actuators, an instruction generator for generating instructions of plural degrees of freedom, a position arithmetic unit for calculating positions of plural degrees of freedom from signals of a plurality of sensors, a control arithmetic unit for calculating operation amounts of plural degrees of freedom from the instructions of plural degrees of freedom and the positions of plural degrees of freedom, a thrust force conversion arithmetic unit for calculating thrust force instructions of the plurality of actuators from the operation amounts of the plural degrees of freedom, a current instruction unit for calculating current instructions which should be flowed to the plurality of actuators, and a sensor configuration input device for selecting a desired sensor configuration from among a plurality of sensor configurations. The positions of plural degrees of freedom are calculated by using a position arithmetic expression corresponding to a selected sensor configuration.
US08148926B2
A vector control device for a permanent magnet synchronous motor drive by an inverter. The vector control device includes: a current command generation unit for generating a d-axis current command id* and q-axis current command iq* from a given torque command T*; and a current control unit operating so that the motor current coincides with the current command. The current command generation unit includes: d-axis basic current command id1* by using the torque command; a limiter unit for inputting the current command id1* and outputting a value limited to below zero as a second d-axis basic current command id2*; a d-axis current command compensation unit for outputting the current command id2* corrected in accordance with the d-axis current command compensation value dV as a d-axis current command id*; and a q-axis current command generation unit for generating a q-axis current command iq* from the d-axis current command id*.
US08148922B2
A dc accelerator system able to accelerate high currents of proton beams at high energies is provided. The accelerator system includes a dc high-voltage, high-current power supply, an evacuated ion accelerating tube, a proton ion source, a dipole analyzing magnet and a vacuum pump located in the high-voltage terminal. The high-current, high-energy dc proton beam can be directed to a number of targets depending on the applications such as boron neutron capture therapy BNCT applications, NRA applications, and silicon cleaving.
US08148919B2
A driving circuit for powering a light-emitting diode (LED) light source includes a converter circuit, an energy storage element and a switch element. The converter circuit provides a first output voltage on a first power line to provide power to the LED light source and provides a second output voltage on a second power line that is less than the first output voltage. The energy storage element is charged and discharged to regulate a current through the LED light source. The switch element operates in a first state during which the energy storage element is charged and operates in a second state during which the energy storage element is discharged. The converter circuit provides the second output voltage to maintain an operating voltage across the switch element less than the first output voltage during both the first state and the second state.
US08148915B2
An electronic ballast device includes a stabilizer and a sweep frequency circuit for preheating. The stabilizer includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal connected to a fluorescent lamp. The sweep frequency circuit includes a boost element, an impedance element, a switch and a frequency selective circuit. The boost element includes a first end and a second end separately electrically connected to the first input terminal and the impedance element. The switch includes an input terminal electrically connected to the common contact point of the boost element and the impedance element, an output terminal and a reference voltage input terminal electrically connected to the common contact point of the boost element and the stabilizer. Furthermore, the frequency selective circuit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the switch, the first input terminal of the stabilizer and the second input terminal of the stabilizer.
US08148914B2
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an LED driving circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter and a driving portion. The circuit is operable to turn off the digital-to-analog converter at times when the driving portion is not providing a high signal. As such the digital-to-analog converter will waste less energy.
US08148913B2
A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
US08148911B2
The present invention relates to a current-balance circuit and a backlight module having the same. The current balance circuit includes a current balance unit, a control unit, and a detection unit. The current balance unit is connected to a plurality of light units to regulate the current of the plurality of light units, independent from the effects of input voltage. The detection unit is connected to the plurality of light units and the current balance unit to detect the minimum operating voltage for the plurality of light units. The control unit, connected to the current balance unit, controls the operation of the plurality of light units.
US08148904B2
The present invention relates to a field emission apparatus and a method of driving the field emission apparatus, which has a three-pole structure of dual emitters formed on both first and second electrodes of a rear substrate in order to obviate a distinction between a gate and a cathode, thus enabling dual field emission. In such a field emission apparatus, a ground is formed between an anode and a point of the first and second electrodes of the rear substrate, and a square wave is applied thereto in order to alternately generate field emission in the first and second electrodes, thus increasing a light-emitting area and emission efficiency, decreasing a driving voltage and consumption power, saving the manufacturing cost and manufacturing time, and accomplishing a longer lifespan.
US08148899B2
A plasma display of this invention includes a front panel, and this front panel includes a substrate, a plurality of display electrode pairs formed in stripes on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed to cover the display electrode pair and the substrate, a dielectric-protective layer formed to cover the dielectric layer, and fine particles containing a crystal of a metal oxide, the fine particles being dispersed on a surface of the dielectric-protective layer. The display electrode pair is provided with a strip-shaped scanning electrode and a strip-shaped sustaining electrode each having a laminate structure of a transparent electrode and a bus electrode. In the surface of the dielectric-protective layer, a first region corresponding to a region facing the bus electrode of the scanning electrode is smaller than a second region corresponding to a region except the first region, with regard to a cover rate of the surface covered with the fine particles. This configuration allows effective increase of a charge accumulation amount in the first region, and also allows suppression of increase of a discharge start voltage.
US08148898B2
A plasma display panel includes a first and a second panel. The first panel includes a first plate provided with a plurality of display electrodes extending in a first direction. The second panel includes a second plate facing the first plate via a discharge space, a plurality of first barrier ribs provided on the second plate, and a dent part opened to a side of the first plate. The dent part is provided in between the barrier ribs adjacent to each other. A width of the dent part along the first direction is formed to be narrower toward a side of the second plate from the side of the first plate for at least within a range from a position at a half of a depth to a bottom part of the dent part. As a result, a luminescent efficiency of the PDP can be improved.
US08148894B2
The present invention relates to an OLED display. In some embodiments, the OLED display may employ combinations of linear polarization, circular or elliptical polarization, and phase delay in order to suppress reflection from external light while minimizing the loss of emitted light from the OLED display. For example, the OLED in the display includes a stack having a first electrode, an organic emission layer, and a second electrode, a DBEF formed on the OLED, a first polarizing plate formed on the DBEF, a second polarizing plate formed on the first polarizing plate, and a plurality of phase delay plates formed between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate.
US08148891B2
The present invention relates to OLEDs comprising an electron impeding layer between the cathode and the emissive layer. An organic light emitting device, comprising: an anode; a hole transport layer; an organic emissive layer comprising an emissive layer host and an emissive dopant; an electron impeding layer; an electron transport layer; and a cathode disposed, in that order, over a substrate.
US08148888B2
A device includes a substrate, an insulating member disposed on a surface of the substrate, a gate, and a cathode. The insulating member has an upper surface apart from the surface of the substrate, and a side surface rising from the surface of the substrate between the upper surface and the surface of the substrate. The gate is disposed on the upper surface of the insulating member. The cathode is disposed on the side surface of the insulating member and has a portion opposing the gate. The side surface of the insulating member on which the cathode is disposed has a protruding portion protruding from an imaginary line connecting a position where the portion opposing the gate lies and a position where the insulating member rises from the surface of the substrate.
US08148885B2
Provided are methods for conditioning a getter material, comprising subjecting the getter material to microwave radiation. Electronic devices uses the conditioned getter materials and methods of making such electronic devices are also provided.
US08148882B2
A spindle motor is disclosed, wherein the spindle motor is formed at an outer periphery of a first protruder of a bearing housing having a gap relative to the inner periphery of the coupling hole of a base with a guide portion contacting an inner periphery of a coupling hole, whereby, the bearing housing is not moved on the base by the guide portion, and whereby the bearing housing is always coupled to a predetermined area of the base, such that when the base assembled with parts is coupled to the product, the parts are always positioned at a predetermined area of the product, thereby improving product reliability.
US08148878B2
A piezoelectric element having a crystal structure that enables a piezoelectric film to be formed in an unstressed state is provided. The piezoelectric film contains an a-axis oriented crystal and a c-axis oriented crystal, where a difference in lattice constant between the a-axis oriented crystal and the c-axis oriented crystal is not more than 0.06 Å. The present inventors have newly found that a stress accumulated in the piezoelectric film can be reduced while maintaining favorable piezoelectric properties when a condition that the difference in lattice constant between the a-axis oriented crystal and the c-axis oriented crystal is not more than 0.06 Å is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the c-axis oriented crystal and the a-axis oriented crystal are properly balanced and as a result crystal particles of the piezoelectric film are closest-packed on its base in an ideal state, which contributes to a reduced stress.
US08148866B2
A permanent magnet rotor for an electrical generator has pole pieces with permanent magnets. A control coil is associated with the pole pieces. A current flow through the coils is controlled to achieve a desired output voltage at an output for the generator.
US08148861B2
A canned or sleeved rotary machine is equipped with a rotor (101) in contact with a particle-laden, acidic or corrosive gaseous atmosphere, and with a functional electrical assembly such as a magnetic bearing comprising a rotor armature (106) secured to the rotor (101) and placed in the gaseous atmosphere and a stator armature (104) secured to a stationary support (102) and positioned facing the rotor armature (106), the stator armature (104) comprising at least one winding (142, 143) and a ferromagnetic body (141) which are positioned in a protective metal enclosure comprising a solid part secured to the stationary support (102) or coincident therewith, a thin can or sleeve (103) and a hermetic passage (108) for wiring (108a) supplying the windings (142, 143). A potting compound (107) fills residual internal gaps left in the ferromagnetic body (141), the windings (142, 143) and the wiring (108a), and a dead volume (109) in which the pressure is below atmospheric pressure is created inside the protective metal enclosure (102, 103, 108).
US08148860B2
A PMDC motor, particularly for driving an automobile liftgate, comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted to the stator. The stator comprises a housing and an end cap mounted to one end of the housing. The end cap comprises: a first brush, a second brush, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first choke connected in series with the first brush and the first terminal, a second choke connected in series with the second brush and the second terminal, an overcurrent protection component connected in series with the second brush, and a set of capacitors. Each of the chokes comprises an inductor core extending axially and a winding wound about the inductor core.
US08148845B2
A circuit assembly includes a power semiconductor module and, arranged externally thereto, a controller wherein the power semiconductor module comprises at least one controllable power semiconductor as well as at least one driver gating the latter, and controller and power semiconductor module each comprising a transceiver configured to communicate control signals between the controller and the power semiconductor module via an electromagnetic communication link unidirectionally or bidirectionally.
US08148837B2
An offshore wind turbine is comprised of a tower structure body configured with a tower and foundation, a rotor supported at the tower top, a power generator generating electricity by the rotation of the rotor, and a power converter converting electricity from the generator. A cavity is formed in the tower and foundation, and an internal space configured therewith is divided into upper and lower chambers by a bulkhead with first and second air vents between or in either of the tower and foundation. The converter is disposed in the upper chamber. An air circulating channel and air blower (e.g., air exhaust fan) are provided wherein air is circulated from the converter to the lower chamber through the first air vent, then to the converter through the second air vent. An air inlet is disposed at a lower level of an air outlet, or a partition member is provided therebetween.
US08148833B2
An on-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus receives the kinetic energy from moving vehicles and pedestrians when being weighed down, and converts the received kinetic energy into a potential energy using a restorable elastic element compressing a fluid thereby storing the potential energy in a pressure chamber, and then conducting the pressurized fluid to pass though a check valve along a conduit and drive a vane wheel by releasing its potential energy. The vane wheel in turn drives a generator to generate electric energy, and the vibration of the vehicles is alleviated by cushion effect provided by the apparatus.
US08148821B2
Methods of forming dense seed layers and structures thereof are provided. Seed layers including a monolayer of molecules having a density of about 0.5 or greater may be manufactured over a metal layer, resulting in a well-defined interface region between the metal layer and a subsequently formed material layer. A seed layer including a monolayer of atoms is formed over the metal layer, the temperature of the workpiece is lowered, and a physisorbed layer is formed over the seed layer, the physisorbed layer including a weakly bound layer of first molecules. A portion of the first molecules in the physisorbed layer are dissociated by irradiating the physisorbed layer with energy, the dissociated atoms of the first molecules being proximate the seed layer. The workpiece is then heated, causing integration of the dissociated atoms of the first molecules of the physisorbed layer into the seed layer and removing the physisorbed layer.
US08148820B2
The present invention proposes a method of readily and reliably forming CNTs independent of a substrate allowing a catalyst metal to deposit thereon, or an underlying material, even for the case where the substrate is not used, in which a titanium-cobalt composite particles are deposited, using a catalyst particle production system, on an insulating film formed on a silicon substrate, and CNTs are grown from the from titanium-cobalt composite particles by the CVD process.
US08148809B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: preparing a wafer formed of a SOI substrate; forming a circuit portion in a principal surface portion; removing a support substrate of the SOI substrate; fixing an insulation member on a backside of a semiconductor layer so as to be opposite to the circuit portion; dicing the wafer and dividing the wafer into multiple chips; arranging a first conductive member on the insulation member so as to be opposite to a part of the low potential reference circuit, and arranging a second conductive member on the insulation member so as to be opposite to a part of the high potential reference circuit; and coupling the first conductive member with a first part of the low potential reference circuit, and coupling the second conductive member with a second part of the high potential reference circuit.
US08148808B2
Partitioning electronic sensor packages is provided. The electronic sensor package includes an electronic component, a sensor device, and electrical connections between the electronic component and the sensor device. A dam is written in the electronic sensor package to partition the package into two or more sections, where the sensor device is situated at least partially in one section and the electronic component is situated at least partially in another section. The partitioning of the dam allows the two sections to be filled with different fill materials. For example, the section with the sensor device can be filled with a soft gel-like material to provide some moisture protection to the sensor device without causing detrimental stresses to the sensor device, while the section with the electronic component can be filled with a highly moisture protective epoxy.
US08148801B2
A nitride crystal or wafer with a removable surface layer comprises a high quality nitride base crystal, a release layer, and a high quality epitaxial layer. The release layer has a large optical absorption coefficient at wavelengths where the base crystal is substantially transparent and may be etched under conditions where the nitride base crystal and the high quality epitaxial layer are not. The high quality epitaxial layer may be removed from the nitride base crystal by laser liftoff or by chemical etching after deposition of at least one epitaxial device layer. The nitride crystal with a removable surface layer is useful as a substrate for a light emitting diode, a laser diode, a transistor, a photodetector, a solar cell, or for photoelectrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation.
US08148799B2
A bipolar transistor structure comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, a collector region having a second conductivity type that is opposite the first conductivity type formed in a substrate active device region defined by isolation dielectric material formed in an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, a base region that includes an intrinsic base region having the first conductivity type formed over the collector region and an extrinsic base region having the second conductivity type formed over the isolation dielectric material, and a sloped in-situ doped emitter plug having the second conductivity type formed on the intrinsic base region.
US08148790B2
Thin film encapsulation devices and methods for MEMS devices and packaging are provided. For a MEMS device encapsulated by a sacrificial layer, a lid layer can be deposited over the MEMS device without touching the MEMS device. The lid layer can be patterned and etched with a distribution of release etch holes, which provide access to the sacrificial layer encapsulating the MEMS device. The sacrificial material can be removed through the release etch holes, and the release etch holes can be filled with a seal layer. The seal layer can be removed from the substrate except where it seals the etch holes, leaving a series of plugs that can prevent other materials from entering the MEMS device cavity. In addition, a seal metal layer can be deposited and patterned so that it covers and encloses the plugged etch holes, and a barrier layer can cover the entire encapsulation structure.
US08148786B2
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit may be formed with a PMOS device formed using a replacement metal gate and a raised source drain. The raised source drain may be formed of epitaxially deposited silicon germanium material that is doped p-type. The replacement metal gate process results in a metal gate electrode and may involve the removal of a nitride etch stop layer.
US08148781B2
This present invention relates in general to protection of integrated circuit chips, and more particularly, to a micromachined suppression device for protecting integrated circuit chips from electrostatic discharges. The proposed ESD suppression device consists of conductive pillars are dispersed in a dielectric material. The gaps between each pillar behave like spark gaps when a high voltage ESD pulse occurs. When the voltage of the pulse reaches the “trigger voltage” these gaps spark over, creating a very low resistance path. In normal operation, the leakage current and the capacitance is very low, due to the physical gaps between the conductive pillars. The proposed ESD suppression device is fabricated using micromachining techniques to be on-chip with device ICs.
US08148777B1
An insulated-gate field-effect transistor (100, 100V, 140, 150, 150V, 160, 170, 170V, 180, 180V, 190, 210, 210W, 500, 510, or 530; or 220, 220W, or 540) is provided with a hypoabrupt vertical dopant profile below one (104; or 264 or 564) of its source/drain zones for reducing the parasitic capacitance along the pn junction between that source/drain zone and adjoining body material (108; or 268 or 568). In particular, the concentration of semiconductor dopant which defines the conductivity type of the body material increases by at least a factor of 10 in moving from that source/drain zone down to an underlying body-material location no more than 10 times deeper below the upper semiconductor surface than that source/drain zone.
US08148771B2
A semiconductor device 100 includes a semiconductor substrate 14, a connection electrode 12 disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 14 and connected to an integrated circuit thereon, a through electrode 20 which penetrates the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 20, and an insulation portion 30 interposed between the semiconductor substrate 14 and the through electrode 20. The through electrode 20 is integrally formed to protrude outward from upper surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 12, and connected to the connection electrode 12 in a region where the through electrode 20 penetrates the connection electrode 12.
US08148765B2
A resistive memory device includes a first electrode, a resistive oxidation structure and a second electrode. The resistive oxidation structure has sets of oxidation layers stacked on the first electrode. Each set is made up of a first metal oxide layer and a second metal oxide layer which is disposed on and is thinner than the first metal oxide layer. The first metal oxidation layer of the first one of the sets of oxidation layers contacts an upper surface of the first electrode. The second electrode is formed on the resistive oxidation structure. The resistance of the oxidation structure can be changed by an electric field.
US08148749B2
Various structures and methods for improving the performance of trench-shielded power semiconductor devices and the like are described. An exemplary device comprises a semiconductor region having a surface, a first area of the semiconductor region, a well region of a first conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor region and around the first area, and a plurality of trenches extending in a semiconductor region. Each trench haves a first end disposed in a first portion of the well region, a second end disposed in a second portion of the well region, and a middle portion between the first and second ends and disposed in the first area. Each trench further having opposing sidewalls lined with a dielectric layer, and a conductive electrode disposed on at least a portion of the dielectric layer.
US08148746B2
A semiconductor light emitting device (A1) includes a case (1) and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements (3) arranged in the case. The case (1) is formed with a plurality of reflectors (11) each in the form of a truncated cone surrounding a respective one of the semiconductor light emitting elements (3). Current is applied to each of the semiconductor light emitting elements (3) via two wires (6). Each of the wires (6) includes a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is connected to the semiconductor light emitting element (3), whereas the second end is located outside the space surrounded by the reflector (11).
US08148738B2
In a semiconductor device 100, a light emitting element 120 has been mounted on an upper plane of a semiconductor substrate 102. In an impurity diffusion region of the semiconductor substrate 102, a P conducting type of a layer 104, and an N layer 106 have been formed, while an N conducting type impurity is implanted to the P layer 104, and then the implanted impurity is diffused to constitute the N layer 106. A zener diode 108 made of a semiconductor device has been formed by the P layer 104 and the N layer 106.
US08148736B2
In a flip chip type light-emitting element of the present invention, an n type contact electrode 14 is formed on an n layer 11 exposed in a comb-tooth shape, a light transmission electrode 15 made of an ITO is formed over the entire surface of an upper surface of a p layer 13 and twenty pad electrodes 16 are formed at prescribed intervals on the light transmission electrode 15. The plane form of the pad electrode 16 has four branches 16b protruding in the form of a cross from a circular central part 16a and the adjacent pad electrodes 16 connected to each other by the branches 16b.
US08148733B2
Techniques for controlling current flow in semiconductor devices, such as LEDs are provided. For some embodiments, a current guiding structure may be provided including adjacent high and low contact areas. For some embodiments, a second current path (in addition to a current path between an n-contact pad and a metal alloy substrate) may be provided. For some embodiments, both a current guiding structure and second current path may be provided.
US08148726B2
A display device which has thin film transistors, wherein a semiconductor layer includes a first layer, second layers and third layers, the first layer has a channel region, the second layers are an impurity layer, the third layers are a low-concentration impurity layer, the second layers have connection portions connected with an electrodes, the third layers are formed to annularly surround the second layers, a channel-region-side edge portion out of edge portions of the third layer is in contact with the first layer, the edge portions of the third layer but the channel-region-side edge portion are in contact with an interlayer insulation film, the second layers have a first region where the second layer overlaps with a gate electrode and a second region where the second layer does not overlap with the gate electrode, and the connection portion is in the second region.
US08148718B2
The invention provides a transistor having a substrate, a structure supported by the substrate including a source, drain, gate, and channel, wherein the source and the channel are made of different materials, and a tunnel junction formed between the source and the channel, whereby the tunnel junction is configured for injecting carriers from the source to the channel.
US08148709B2
This magnetic device integrates a magneto-resistive stack, the stack comprising at least two layers made out of a ferromagnetic material, separated from each other by a layer of non-magnetic material; and means for causing an electron current to flow perpendicular to the plane of the layers, with at least one integrated nano-contact intended to inject the current into the magneto-resistive stack. The nano-contact is made in a bilayer composed of a solid electrolyte on which has been deposited a soluble electrode composed of a metal that has been at least partially dissolved in the electrolyte.
US08148687B1
A graphical user interface for creating and organizing equipment inspection routes is provided. The interface can be used to retrieve thermographic images from a portable infrared imager. Viewed as thumbnails, these images can be annotated and placed in a user-specified linear order defining an inspection route. The route information can be transferred to portable infrared imager and displayed on the imager as thermographic image data with annotations.
US08148683B2
The present invention discloses a method for characterizing a membrane in a wet condition using a positron annihilation spectrometer and a sample holder thereof. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has been know to be an invaluable tool for investigating local free-volume hole properties in various materials. Accompanying with the method and sample holder disclosed by the invention, PAS and PALS can measure the properties of various materials, such as free volume and layer structures both in the dry and wet states.
US08148681B2
A planar component for interfacing an atmospheric pressure ionizer to a vacuum system is described. The component combines electrostatic optics and skimmers with an internal chamber that can be filled with a gas at a prescribed pressure and is fabricated by lithography, etching and bonding of silicon.
US08148676B2
The invention concerns improved methods for studying peptides/proteins expression in a tissue section or for determining at least one compound, in particular a protein, expression map in a tissue section, using ionic MALDI matrices.
US08148674B2
An optical encoder, with a simple structure, that can output a high-precision origin signal is provided.Rotary origin phase slits (112), which are formed into a pattern of linear slits arranged in parallel at equal pitches, are prepared for a rotary disk (110), while fixed origin phase slits (122), which are formed into a pattern of linear slits arranged in parallel at equal pitches, are prepared for a fixed origin phase scale (120). Light emitted by a light source (130) passes through an ejection window (121) and irradiates the rotary origin phase slits (112). The light reflected at the rotary origin phase slits (112) passes through the fixed origin phase slits (122) and is detected by a light-receiving element (140). Then, based on the detection signal, an origin signal is generated.
US08148670B2
One embodiment is directed to a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a housing and a rotary actuator carried by the housing. The rotary actuator includes a shaft and armature disposed around at least a portion of the shaft. The armature is configured to rotate the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The locking mechanism also has a cam carried by the shaft and a set of locking balls disposed between the cam and the housing. The locking mechanism has a locking assembly carried by the housing, the locking assembly being axially positionable between a locked position relative to the housing and a released position relative to the housing.
US08148667B2
A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.
US08148665B2
An apparatus for soft baking a substrate having a dummy region is provided. The apparatus includes a heating plate, a plurality of pins, and a driving unit for individually lifting selective ones of the plurality of pins so as to protrude from an upper surface of the heating plate.
US08148664B2
A sheath heater for a glow plug comprises a sheath tube having a closed front end portion, and an open rear end portion. An insulating powder is charged into a gap between the sheath tube and a heat-generating resistor disposed within the sheath tube. A seal member includes an expanded portion extending radially outwardly from an outer circumference of the seal member, and a non-expanded portion of a smaller outside diameter than the expanded portion and formed on the outer circumference of the seal member at least at a leading end of the seal member. The seal member is fitted into the open rear end portion of the sheath tube such that the leading end enters the sheath tube first. The sheath tube is deformed radially inwardly around the seal member for sealing the heat-generating resistor and the insulating powder contained in the sheath tube.
US08148661B2
A DC plasma torch which includes a long lasting thermionic cathode and has a high thermal efficiency. The DC plasma torch employs a solid cathode made of graphite with highly ordered structure such as Pyrolitic Graphite or Carbon-Carbon composites. Furthermore, carbon containing gases will be used as plasma gas. The cathode will allow for theoretically an unlimited lifetime of the cathode.
US08148656B2
A push-button assembly has a button retainer having a first side wall connected to a second side wall, with an included angle between the first and second side wall being in the range of about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees. Additional side walls connect the second side wall back to the first side wall, forming a hollow portion within the button retainer. The button retainer can be mated within the channel of a corresponding bezel structure. The bezel structure can be tuned to fit the button retainer along a single axis of the bezel structure.A tune-to-fit process includes forming the bezel structure from a mold and measuring the fit of the button retainer within the bezel structure along an x-axis. The bezel mold is either re-cut or material is added to the bezel mold along the x-axis, without re-cutting or adding material along any other axis.
US08148644B2
An electronic card that includes at least two superimposed conducting layers with an insulation layer between the two conducting layers, the two conducting layers each including a utility conducting portion and a conducting portion at the periphery of the utility conducting portion with an insulating portion between the conducting portions, the insulating portion of a first of the two layers being offset relative to the insulating portion of the second of the layers. An aircraft includes a housing in which at least one such card is provided.
US08148640B2
The present invention relates to an insulating element (1) for producing an insulating and supporting device for busbars to install in cabinets for low voltage distribution switchboards. The invention also relates to an insulating and supporting device for busbars comprising the insulating element which essentially comprises a body made of insulating material (5) which extends along a longitudinal axis (100) between two end surfaces (8) transverse to this axis. The body made of insulating material (5) comprises a plurality of lateral surfaces (10, 20) which extend between the end surfaces (8) in the direction of said longitudinal axis (100). At least a first (10) and a second (20) of these lateral surfaces are provided with longitudinal grooves (11, 21) defined between connecting portions (15). In particular, the longitudinal grooves (11) defined on the first lateral surface (10) have a longitudinal extension (L1) differing from that (L2) of the grooves (21) defined on the second lateral surface (20).
US08148635B1
A camera mounting assembly including a mounting bar and an adapter plate for mounting a security camera or an electrical fixture to an electrical box installed in a wall or ceiling. An elongated base portion on the mounting bar is adapted to mount to the face of a conventional electrical box and extend beyond the walls of the box. A pair of prongs extends from the base portion of the mounting bar and at least one aperture is provided on the end of the bar. The adapter plate includes an opening with an inner periphery and an inclined surface adapted for twist locking engagement with the prongs of the mounting bar. The camera mounting assembly enables the mounting of a wide range of conventional security camera housings or electrical fixtures to a conventional electrical box.
US08148631B2
The subject of the invention is a transparent substrate, especially made of glass, which is provided with an electrode, especially for a solar cell, comprising a conductive layer based on molybdenum Mo with a thickness of at most 500 nm, especially at most 400 nm or at most 300 nm or at most 200 nm.
US08148627B2
Solar cell interconnects with multiple current paths. A solar cell interconnect may include a plurality of in-plane slits arranged in several rows. The in-plane slits may be spaced to provide strain relief without unduly increasing the electrical path resistance through the solar cell interconnect. The in-plane slits may be staggered, for example.
US08148609B2
Methods of in vitro propagation of plants of the genus Eriodictyon are described, including, in particular embodiments, plants of the species E. californicum, E. trichocalyx and E. sessilifolium. Methods of producing transgenic plants of the genus Eriodictyon are also described, along with methods of producing recombinant proteins in such plants. Compositions and methods for administering recombinant proteins produced in these plants are also described.
US08148605B2
A eukaryotic input circuit: computationally designed receptors, synthetic eukaryotic signal transduction pathways, and a synthetic signal sensitive promoter that allow highly specific transcriptional induction in response to an externally provided ligand is disclosed. The input circuit is able to specifically bind a targeted substance and transmit a signal to the nucleus where transcription of a gene is activated. An output circuit serves as a simple readout system of the substance detected by the input circuit. The readout circuit exemplified here is a degreening circuit which causes plants to turn white. Activation of the degreening circuit can be detected by eye, or remotely with a variety of machines (hand-held, aircraft or satellite based) and is also resettable. When linked the input circuit if operably linked to the output circuit, produces a functional plant detector.
US08148598B2
A method of making an absorbent composite that includes a first fabric, a second fabric, and particles positioned between the two fabrics and absorbent articles made from the absorbent composite. The particles are secured between the two fabric using adhesive, thermal plastic or combinations thereof. The fabrics are bonded together in a manner that limits particle movement between the fabrics. The bond pattern may define pockets or other shapes. In applications in which the bond pattern forms pockets, the particles may be positioned in the pockets. The particles may be SAP particles or other particles with advantageous properties.
US08148592B2
The present invention relates to a method for performing catalytic transalkylation between long-chain dialkyl benzenes and benzene in order to obtain monoalkyl benzenes. As dialkyl benzene source, this method employs the by-products of a method for alkylation of benzene with linear C9-C16 monoolefins.
US08148588B2
The invention relates to a continuous process for preparing polyolefins having a bimodal or multimodal molar mass distribution in suspension in at least two reactors R1, R2.x, R3.y which are connected in series and in which different reaction conditions are set. In this process, the offgases A1, A2.x, A3.y, A4 and A5 leaving all the reactors connected in series are firstly collected, the collected offgases are then compressed in a compression stage 10, the compressed offgases are subsequently cooled and the cooled material is separated into a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction. The separated fractions are then recirculated to the polymerization process at different points. The process of the invention allows the total conversion of the polymerization, based on monomer and comonomer used, to be increased to a surprising extent.
US08148586B2
A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CHF. The process involves contacting at least one hexafluoropropane selected from the group consisting of CF3CF2CH2F and CF3CHFCHF2 with a chromium oxyfluoride catalyst in a reactor to obtain a product mixture comprising CF3CF═CHF, and recovering CF3CF═CHF from the product mixture.A process is disclosed for making CF3CH═CHF. The process involves contacting CF3CH2CHF2 with a chromium oxyfluoride catalyst in a reactor to obtain a product mixture comprising CF3CH═CHF, and recovering CF3CH═CHF from the product mixture.A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CH2. The process involves contacting CF3CF2CH3 with a chromium oxyfluoride catalyst in a reactor to obtain a product mixture comprising CF3CF═CH2, and recovering CF3CF═CH2 from the product mixture.
US08148585B2
Disclosed is a mixture of fluoroolefin iodides represented by the general formulae: CnF2n+1CF2CH═CF(CF2CF2)mI [Ia] and CnF2n+1CF═CHCF2(CF2CF2)mI [Ib] wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5, and m is an integer of 1 to 3. The fluoroolefin iodide mixture is produced by subjecting a fluoroalkyl iodide represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1CF2CH2CF2(CF2CF2)mI [II] wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5, and m is an integer of 1 to 3, to an HF-elimination reaction in the presence of a basic compound.
US08148583B2
An oxygen ion transport membrane process wherein a heated oxygen-containing gas having one or more contaminants is contacted with a reactive solid material to remove the one or more contaminants. The reactive solid material is provided as a deposit on a support. The one or more contaminant compounds in the heated oxygen-containing gas react with the reactive solid material. The contaminant-depleted oxygen-containing gas is contacted with a membrane, and oxygen is transported through the membrane to provide transported oxygen.
US08148580B2
A method of forming a tellurium alkoxide includes providing a tellurium halide and a non-tellurium alkoxide in a liquid organic solvent. The liquid organic solvent has less moles of alcohol, if any, than moles of tellurium halide in the liquid organic solvent. The tellurium halide and the non-tellurium alkoxide within the liquid organic solvent are reacted to form a reaction product halide and a tellurium alkoxide. The liquid organic solvent is removed from the reaction product halide and the tellurium alkoxide to leave a liquid and/or solid mixture comprising the reaction product halide and the tellurium alkoxide. The mixture is heated effective to gasify the tellurium alkoxide from the reaction product halide. Other implementations are disclosed, including methods of forming a mixed halide-alkoxide of tellurium.
US08148578B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing Naratriptan, a compound selected from the group consisting of 2-HPOD, 2-HPHM, 4-PPED, 4-BPED and 2-PPED, and optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US08148576B2
The invention relates to solid states of pharmaceutically acceptable compounds of aliskiren, and processes for preparation thereof. The invention further provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising the amorphous or crystalline forms of pharmaceutically acceptable compounds of aliskiren and processes thereof; and a method of inhibiting renin for treating hypertension.
US08148570B2
Vinyl acetate is prepared by a) continuous gas-phase reaction of ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen at 1 to 30 bar and 130° C. to 200° C., the process heat being removed by heat exchange with water at 120° C. to 185° C. and 1 to 10 bar, b) the product gas stream consisting essentially of ethylene, vinyl acetate, acetic acid, water, carbon dioxide and further inert gases is fractionated, and c) all or part of the ethylene is recycled to the recycle gas process, wherein all or part of steam formed in the gas-phase reaction by heat exchange, with a temperature of from 120° C. to 185° C. and pressure of from 1 to 10 bar, is compressed by a differential pressure of at least 0.5 bar and used further.
US08148569B1
The present invention has as its objective a series of citrate polyesters that have based upon guerbet alcohols reacted with citric acid, and crosslinked by diols. These polymers have a very low viscosity when one considers the molecular weight, and are ideally suited to personal care applications due to their unique feel.
US08148567B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a urethane (meth)acrylate safely with good productivity, and for achieving the object, the invention provides a process for continuously producing a urethane (meth)acrylate, containing causing a mixed liquid of a compound (A) having a hydroxyl group and a (meth)acryloyl group and a compound (B) having an isocyanate group to pass continuously and densely through a tubular microchannel formed in a heat-conducting reaction device, and reacting the hydroxyl group of the compound (A) with the isocyanate group of the compound (B), in which the tubular microchannel in the reaction device has a space size making a fluid cross-sectional area, through which the mixed liquid passes densely, of from 0.1 to 4.0 mm2, and the process contains heating the heat-conducting reaction device to a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., reacting the mixed liquid to provide a Reynolds number of a reaction liquid passing through the tubular microchannel in a range of from 0.2 to 300, and after completing reaction, cooling continuously a reaction product discharged from the heat-conducting reaction device.
US08148562B2
The present invention provides a compound of Formula 1: The compound of Formula 1 is useful as a scavenger for the removal of unwanted organic and inorganic compounds, for solid phase extraction, for solid phase synthesis, for the immobilization of bio-molecules, as ion exchanger materials, as catalysts and catalyst supports and as chromatography materials.
US08148560B2
The present invention is directed to vaginal tablets comprising misoprostol and a pharmaceutically acceptable pH insensitive, hydrophilic cellulose material, wherein the vaginal tablets do not contain a hydrophobic release controlling agent, and wherein the misoprostol and the pharmaceutically acceptable pH insensitive, hydrophilic cellulose material are in a ratio of about 1:50 to about 1:800, and wherein the vaginal tablets do not substantially change the pH of a vaginal tract.
US08148558B2
Method of producing Δ4-Tibolone by contacting tibolone with Fusarium lini (ATCC 9593) is reported.
US08148539B2
Disclosed are cyanine dyes that are useful for labelling and detecting biological and other materials. The dyes are of formula (I): in which groups R3 and R4 are attached to the Z1 ring structure and groups R5 and R6 are attached to the Z2 ring structure, and n=1, 2 or 3; Z1 and Z2 independently represent the carbon atoms necessary to complete a one ring, or two-fused ring aromatic system; at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 is the group -E-F where E is a single bond or a spacer group and F is a target bonding group; one or more of groups R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently selected from the group —(CH2)k—W, where W is sulphonic acid or phosphonic acid and k is an integer from 1 to 10. The dyes may be used in fluorescence labelling applications, where the presence of one and preferably multiple water solubilizing groups attached to the 3-position of the indolinium ring reduces dye-dye interactions, and hence dye-dye quenching, particularly where multiple dye molecules are attached to components such as nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, proteins and antibodies.
US08148531B2
Compounds of formula (IA) or (IB), are inhibitors of aurora kinase activity: Formula (IA), (IB) wherein -L1Y1-[CH2]z- is a linker radical wherein Y1, L1 and z are as defined in the claims; R6 is C1-C4alkoxy, hydrogen or halo; W represents a bond, —CH2—, —O—, —S—, —S(═O)2—, or —NR5— where R5 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; Q is ═N—, ═CH— or ═C(X1)— wherein X1 is cyano, cyclopropyl or halo; linker radicals L2 are as defined in the claims; R is a radical of formula (X) or (Y): wherein R1 is a carboxylic acid group (—COOH), or an ester group which is hydrolysable by one or more intracellular carboxylesterase enzymes to a carboxylic acid group; R4 is hydrogen; or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-, —(C═O)R3, —(C═O)OR3, or —(C═O)NR3 wherein R3 is hydrogen or optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-; R41 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; and D is a mono-cyclic heterocyclic ring of 5 or 6 ring atoms.
US08148527B1
The resolution of racemic 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-octahydro-isoquinoline, a key intermediate in the synthesis of the antitussive agent dextromethorphan, is reported using (R)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propionic acid in good yields. The resolving agent and the undesired isomer of the octahydro-isoquinoline have been recovered in good yield.
US08148519B2
The embodiments described herein relate to photosensitizer dyes for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices. In one example, a series of photosensitizer dyes for DSSC devices that have a high absorption coefficient and conversion efficiency, lower cost and better safety, are provided. The photosensitizer dyes are porphyrin-based zinc (Zn) complexes.
US08148513B2
Disclosed is a novel substance capable of regulating the expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in a cell of a mammal. A gene capable of regulating the expression of hTERT, comprising a nucleotide sequence depicted in SEQ ID No: 1 or 2. The expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can be inhibited by inhibiting the expression of the gene. By utilizing this mechanism, the expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can be regulated.
US08148509B2
A viral or non-viral vector particle having a modified viral surface protein wherein the viral surface protein is modified to include a targeting polypeptide including a binding region which binds to an extracellular matrix component. Such vector particles are useful in delivering genes encoding therapeutic agents to cells located at the site of an exposed extracellular matrix component.
US08148491B2
This invention relates to a process for preparing polytrimethylene ether glycols or copolymers thereof by a polycondensation reaction using at least one acid catalyst, wherein the temperature of the reaction is controlled such that the average temperature during the first half of the reaction is higher than the average temperature during the second half of the reaction.
US08148487B2
A coating includes the reaction product of (a) a hybrid copolymer incorporating (i) a first monomer including a hydroxy-functional organoacrylate and (ii) a second monomer including an organoalkoxysilane and (b) a second material including an organofunctional alkoxysilane. The first monomer can be a hydroxy functional acrylate and/or a hydroxyalkylacrylate. The second monomer can be a trialkoxysilane. The second material can be a trialkoxysilane.
US08148480B2
The invention relates to a stirred-tank reactor and to a method for carrying out a polymerization reaction of unsaturated monomers using a stirred-tank reactor. According to the invention, said stirred-tank reactor is characterized in that the product discharge point is designed as the central base outlet that is at least partially traversed by the agitator shaft. Said polymerization is performed continuously under positive pressure, so that the stirred-tank reactor is operated hydrodynamically.
US08148479B2
A process for producing water-absorbing polymeric particles by a suspension polymerization with recycling of the hydrophobic solvent, the hydrophobic solvent comprising branched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons.
US08148466B2
Thermoplastic polymer compositions, films, containers, laminates and fibers can comprise a modified polymer. The said modified polymer having a moiety comprising a half-ester reaction product of cyclodextrin and metal and/or organic group covalently bonded to some portion of the half-acid moieties. The cyclodextrin compound, grafted to the polymer structure, can scavenge impurities, permeants, or other undesirable volatile contaminants. The cooperation between the modified polymer's carboxylic acidic groups, basic groups and grafted cyclodextrin can provide active barrier properties to a film, web, fiber or other polymer structure. A permeant or a contaminant can be complexed or trapped within the polymer and held within the film, web or fiber preventing the permeant from passing into the interior of a container, or the contaminant can be scavenged from the enclosed headspace or surrounding environment.
US08148463B2
This invention relates to alkaline resol phenol-aldehyde binder compositions and their use in the production of articles of bonded particulate material such as foundry moulds, foundry cores, or feeders.
US08148460B2
A liquid rheological aid comprising at least one urea derivative preparable which is the reaction product of at least one compound having at least one isocyanate group and at least one co-reactant selected horn primary and secondary monoamines and polyamines and water reacted in the presence of organobismuth catalyst, process for the preparation thereof and its use.
US08148456B2
To provide an electrically conductive resin composition with which contamination of an electronic component resulting from abrasion of an electrically conductive sheet by friction with the electronic component is small, and which is excellent in sealing properties with a cover tape.An electrically conductive resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic resin containing from 60 to 97 mass % of a polycarbonate resin and from 3 to 40 mass % of at least one hydrocarbon copolymer selected from the group consisting of an olefin copolymer and a styrene copolymer, and from 5 to 50 parts by mass of carbon black, and an electrically conductive sheet comprising the electrically conductive resin composition. Further, an electrically conductive sheet, comprising a substrate layer containing at least one thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer (ABS) resin, a polycarbonate resin and a polyalkylene terephthalate resin, and a layer of the above electrically conductive resin composition formed on one side or both sides of the substrate layer.
US08148451B2
The present invention relates to novel compositions uniquely comprising combinations of different grades and/or type of epoxy resins and phosphoric acid into stable, water dispersion, epoxy phosphate ester copolymers. Aqueous thermosetting coating compositions, based on the novel epoxy phosphate ester resins, have the ability to reduce the requirements of curing temperature and time. The resultant coating films have superior protective properties, film properties, and wider applications than the conventional epoxy phosphate ester resins.
US08148450B2
Provided for herein is a process to produce an essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent, and unreacted monomer(s), the process comprising: (a) contacting the polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon solvent; and (b) removing the diluent in amounts not sufficiently more than is necessary to produce the essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement wherein the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, is less than the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, wherein the diluent comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.
US08148449B2
The present invention concerns shape memory composites, methods of preparing same and the use of these composites, for example, for products prepared by injection molding techniques or coating applications.
US08148446B2
Silyl esters, their use in binder systems and paint compositions and a process of production thereof
A method of boosting alkaline hydrolysis or erodability of a hydrolysable paint formulation, the method comprising the step of adding an organosilyl ester to a binder system of a hydrolysable paint formulation. The booster is used in paint formulations which require hydrolysis of one or more of the components of the paint in use. The organosilylesters of the invention may also independently be film forming. The organosilyl ester may be the ester of a carboxylic, sulphonic or phosphoric acid. The binder systems of the invention can be used in paint compositions, such as self-polishing antifouling paints.
US08148441B2
A method for manufacturing a polishing pad made from a polyurethane resin foam having very uniform, fine cells therein and a polishing pad obtained by that method provides a polishing pad having better polishing characteristics (especially, in planarization) while providing improved dressability while maintaining the planarization characteristics and polishing speed of a conventional polishing pad. The polyurethane resin foam is a cured product obtained by reacting an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with an aromatic polyamine chain extender having a melting point of 70° C. or lower, for example.
US08148436B2
The invention relates to an ion/electron-conducting composite polymer membrane (10′), which comprises at least two gas-tight ion-conducting polymer portions (11′) joined together directly by a gas-tight electron-conducting polymer portion (12′). It also relates to processes that enable this membrane to be manufactured, and also to a planar fuel cell core comprising it. Applications: production of planar fuel cells used for generating electrical power intended for stationary applications, transport applications and portable and transportable applications.
US08148435B2
An integrated coal-to-liquids process is provided to minimize carbon dioxide emissions and efficiently make use of carbon resources, by recovering carbon dioxide emissions from Coal-to-Liquids (CTL) facilities, using the recovered carbon dioxide in at least one carbonylation reaction step for converting ammonia to urea and then converting urea into dimethyl carbonate.
US08148433B2
The invention relates to a composition in the form of a positive latex comprising a) between 50 wt. % and 80 wt. % of at least one cross-linked, branched, or linear organic polymer (P), b) between 5 wt. % and 10 wt. % of a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifying system (S1), c) between 5 wt. % and 45 wt. % of at least one oil, and d) between 0 wt. % and 5 wt. % of water. The inventive composition is characterized in that between 0.01 mol. % and 10 mol. % of the monomeric patterns of said monomer P comprise at least one neutral monomer of formula (I): C(R1)(R3)═C(R2)—C(=0)-0-(CH2—CH2—O)n—R4 (I) wherein the radicals R1, R2 and R3, which are the same or different, independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl radical comprising between 1 and 4 carbon atoms, the radical R4 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic radical comprising between 6 and 30 carbon atoms, and n represents a number between 1 and 50. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said composition and the use of the same.
US08148427B2
The benzylamine derivative represented by the formula below and a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical containing the derivative or the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for pollakiuria or urinary incontinence containing the derivative or the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof are provided. The benzylamine derivative of the present invention and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof have less possibility of occurrence of side effects than known compounds, and show a better therapeutic effect against pollakiuria or urinary incontinence, so that they can be used as excellent therapeutic or prophylactic agents for pollakiuria or urinary incontinence.
US08148419B2
A compound of general formula (I): A process for preparing this compound.A fungicidal composition comprising a compound of general formula (I).A method for treating plants by applying a compound of general formula (I) or a composition comprising it.
US08148415B2
The present invention relates to steroid sulphatase and/or aromatase inhibitors of Formula III or Formula IV, wherein A is selected from H, OH, halogen and hydrocarbyl; D, E and F are each independently of each other an optional linker group; P, Q and R are independently of each other a ring system, wherein R4 and R5 are independently selected from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, acyl and aryl, or combinations thereof, or together represent alkylene, wherein the or each alkyl or cycloalkyl or alkenyl or optionally contain one or more hetero atoms or groups, and which can be used in medicine.
US08148414B2
Prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate, pharmaceutical compositions comprising prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate, and methods of using prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for treating diseases such as psoriasis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis are disclosed.
US08148411B2
The present invention relates to 2-hetarylthiazole-4-carboxamide derivatives of the formula (I), the use thereof as medicament for the treatment of various disorders, and processes for the preparation thereof
US08148403B2
One object of the present invention are novel substituted piperidyl-propane-thiols of the formula (1), wherein R1, R2, R3 and D are defined as below. Another object of the present invention is to provide agonists or antagonists of CCR-3, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, more particularly to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08148401B2
The present invention relates to a compound of the Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3A, R3B, R4, R5, X, m, and n are as defined herein. Such novel benzamidazole derivatives are useful in the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, in mammals. This invention also relates to a method of using such compounds in the treatment of abnormal cell growth in mammals, especially humans, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08148397B2
The invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the 5-HT7 receptor, and more particularly to some tetrahydroisoquinoline propyl sulfonamide compounds, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which 5-HT is involved, such as CNS disorders.
US08148391B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula I or II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, are as defined herein. The compounds of formula I or II have ALK and/or c-Met inhibitory activity, and may be used to treat proliferative disorders.
US08148374B2
The present application provides for a compound of Formula IV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, and/or ester thereof, compositions containing such compounds, therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, and therapeutic methods and include the administration of such compounds with at least one additional therapeutic agent.
US08148371B2
A drug for topically administration which is effective as an antiallergic agent. The drug for topically administration contains as an active ingredient an adenine compound represented by the general formula (1): [wherein ring A represents a 6 to 10 membered, mono or bicyclic, aromatic hydrocarbon or a 5 to 10 membered, mono or bicyclic, aromatic heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms selected among 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, 0 or 1 oxygen atom, and 0 or 1 sulfur atom; n is an integer of 0 to 2; m is an integer of 0 to 2; R represents halogeno, (un)substituted alkyl, etc.; X1 represents oxygen, sulfur, NR1 (R1 represents hydrogen or alkyl), or a single bond; Y1 represents a single bond, alkylene, etc.; Y2 represents a single bond, alkylene, etc.; Z represents alkylene; and at least one of Q1 and Q2 represents —COOR10 (wherein R10 represents (un)substituted alkyl, etc.), etc.] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound.
US08148357B2
Resin particles are produced by adding a liquid material having a boiling point of 100° C. or higher to an aqueous dispersion of resin particles to yield a mixture, recovering a wet cake from the mixture by filtration, and drying the wet cake. A water-soluble material is preferably used as the liquid material. The liquid material may also be at least one compound selected from compounds listed in The Japanese Standards of Cosmetic Ingredients, The Japanese Cosmetic Ingredients Codex, The Pharmacopoeia of Japan, and The Japan's Specifications and Standards for Food Additives. According to this method, there are provided resin particles which are resistant to coagulation upon drying and are satisfactorily dispersible in other materials.
US08148353B2
Provided are polymorphs of fluticasone furoate and processes for preparation thereof.
US08148350B2
A low-glycemic available carbohydrate composition of the invention contains the following components: (i) 5-60 wt. % of one or more monosaccharides selected from monosaccharides other than glucose and fructose, in particular galactose, ribose and mannose; (ii) 15-95 wt. % of oligosaccharides having a length of 2 to 20 anhydromonose units, at least half of which are anhydroglucose units linked by non-α-1,4 bonds; these oligosaccharides preferably comprising disaccharides such as palatinose, isomaltose and trehalose and/or non-α-1,4 linked higher glucose-containing oligosaccharides; (iii) 0-45 wt. % of other available carbohydrates, such as glucose and maltodextrins. This carbohydrate composition can be part of a food composition for the treatment of diabetes, obesitas, insulin resistance, or for postprandial glucose response.
US08148349B2
The present invention provides nucleoside cyclic phosphoramidates of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) and methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection using the compounds of formula (I).
US08148341B2
The present invention makes it possible to enhance steroid efficacy in a steroid refractory patient afflicted with an inflammatory condition not responding or responding poorly or inadequately to anti-inflammatory treatment, by administering an effective amount of an oligonucleotide having the sequence 5′-Xm-TTCGT-Yn-3′ to 5 said patient, wherein X is A, T, C or G, Y is A, T, C or G, m=0-7, n=0-7 and wherein at least one CG dinucleotide is unmethylated. The invention also encompasses the use of said oligonucleotide for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
US08148340B2
Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.
US08148335B2
The present invention generally provides compositions methods and composition relating to the diagnosis and/or treatment of cancers having a cell surface de-N-acetylated sialic acid antigen, e.g., an at least partially de-N-acetylated ganglioside and/or a de-N-acetylated sialic acid-modified cell surface protein.
US08148332B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating rheumatic diseases, such as psoriasis arthropathica, by administering to a subject a CTLA4 molecule that block endogenous B7 molecules from binding their ligands.
US08148328B2
This invention pertains to the surprising discovery that salicylanilides, e.g., niclosamide and/or niclosamide analogues when orally administered in conjunction with a peptide pharmaceutical (e.g., a class A amphipathic helical peptide as described herein) significantly increases the bioavailability of that peptide. Methods of peptide delivery using such “delivery agents” and pharmaceutical formulations are provided.
US08148327B2
Compositions and methods for inducing the deposition of elastin in skin by administering compositions including a mineralocorticoid, such as, for example, aldosterone and, optionally, a secondary active agent for enhancing or modulating the effect of the mineralocorticoid are described herein.
US08148326B2
A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.
US08148324B2
The invention provides aldolases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them, including chemoenzymatic processes for making β,δ-dihydroxyheptanoic acid side chains and compositions comprising these side chains, e.g., [R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-b,d-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid (atorvastatin, LIPITOR™), rosuvastatin (CRESTOR™), fluvastatin (LESCOL™), related compounds and their intermediates.
US08148317B2
Provided are azeotrope-like compositions comprising tetrafluoropropene and hydrofluorocarbons and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants.
US08148313B2
The invention relates to selected surface-active substances of groups a) and b), the surface-active compound a) being selected from compounds of general formula (Ia), wherein M represents a group CH2—CH2 or CHR—CH2, R, R′ or R″ independently represent saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups with 6 to 22 C atoms, and the indices n and m independently can have values between 1 and 40, and/or compounds of general formula (Ib), wherein R′″ and R″″ independently represent saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups with 4 to 22 C atoms, and the indices n and m independently can have values between 1 and 40 and X′ and X″ independently represent H or saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups with 1 to 18 C atoms. The surface active substances of the invention, either on their own or combined with other nonionic surfactants, lead to dishwashing agents with an improved drying performance, especially in multifunctional agents for automatic dishwashers.
US08148310B2
The compositions and methods herein relate to the method for the removal of residues and contaminants from metal or dielectric surfaces. Particularly, a composition and method of cleaning residues after chemical mechanical polishing of a copper or aluminum surface of the semiconductor substrates. A method of cleaning semiconductor substrates comprising contacting the substrates with a solution of water, and sufficient amount of alkyl diphosphonic acid comprising alkyl diphosphonic acid selected from the group of 1 hydroxyethane 1,1 diphosphonic acid, methylene disphosphonic acid, hydroxymethylene diphosphonic acid, dichloromethylene disphosphonic acid, hydroxycyclohexylmethylene disphosphonic acid, 1-hydroxy-3-aminopropane 1,1 diphosphonic acid, 1-hydroxy-4-aminobutane 1,1 diphosphonic acid mixed with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, xylenesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, phosphonoformic acid, sulfamic acid, 2-amino ethane sulfonic acid, or fluoroboric acid or an organic carboxylic acid and pH is adjusted to from greater than 6 to about 10 with a metal ion free base, and a surfactant.
US08148301B2
An oxide superconductor member is composed of a tape-shaped substrate, an intermediate layer formed on this substrate and an oxide superconductor thin film layer formed on this intermediate layer. A surface of the tape-shaped substrate is polished by continuously running the tape-shaped substrate. The polishing step includes initial polishing process and finishing process which are carried out such that the average surface roughness Ra of the substrate becomes 2 nanometers or less and the in-plane directionality of the intermediate layer becomes 5° or less after the polishing step.
US08148294B2
Metal-polymer composites, and methods of making and use thereof, said composites comprising a thermally-cured dense polyaniline substrate; an acid dopant; and, metal nanostructure deposits wherein the deposits have a morphology dependent upon the acid dopant.
US08148290B2
Diesel exhaust treatment articles, systems and methods are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, an oxygen storage component is utilized and degradation of the oxygen storage component is correlated with degradation of the hydrocarbon conversion efficiency of a catalyst in a diesel engine system.
US08148288B2
The invention relates to a catalyst that comprises a metal M from the group of platinum, at least one promoter X1 that is selected from the group that consists of tin, germanium, and lead, and optionally at least one promoter X2 that is selected from the group that consists of gallium, indium and thallium, a halogenated compound and a porous substrate, in which the atomic ratio X1/M and optionally X2/M is between 0.3 and 8, the Hir/M ratio that is measured by hydrogen adsorption is greater than 0.40, and the bimetallicity index BMI that is measured by hydrogen/oxygen titration is greater than 108. The invention also relates to the process for the preparation of this catalyst and a reforming process using said catalyst.
US08148279B2
The invention provides durable nonwoven fabrics comprising staple fibers. Methods of preparing durable nonwoven fabrics based on staple fibers are also provided. The methods can include the steps of at least one of needle punching and hydroentangling. The durable nonwoven fabric can be subjected to additional bonding techniques, such as resin bonding and/or thermal bonding. The durable nonwoven fabrics of the invention provide improved durability over conventional nonwoven fabrics. Further advantages of the inventive nonwoven fabrics include maintaining the smooth surface qualities of the fabric and desirable feel of the fabric even with the enhanced durability. The inventive nonwoven fabrics can also be subjected to additional post-processing techniques that conventional nonwoven fabrics would otherwise be unable to withstand. Further, inks and/or dyes can more readily become adhered to the smooth nature of the surfaces of the inventive durable nonwoven fabrics.
US08148276B2
A three-dimensional composite reinforcement, a three-dimensionally reinforced multifunctional nanocomposite, and methods of manufacture of each are disclosed. The three dimensional reinforcement comprises a two dimensional fiber cloth upon which carbon nanotubes have been grown, approximately perpendicular to the plane of the fiber cloth. The nanocomposite comprises the three-dimensional reinforcement and a surrounding matrix material. Examples illustrate improvements in the through-thickness mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the nanocomposite, in addition to substantial improvements in geometrical stability upon temperature changes and vibrational damping, compared to baseline composites reinforced with the two-dimensional fiber cloth alone. Embodiments of the nanocomposite may also be configured to perform multiple functions simultaneously, such as bearing a thermal or mechanical load simultaneously or bearing a mechanical load while also monitoring the state of damage within the nanocomposite.
US08148266B2
A multi-station polish system and process for polishing thin, flat (planar) and rigid workpieces. Workpieces are conveyed through multiple polishing stations that include a bulk material removal belt polishing station and finishing rotary polishing station. The bulk of the material is relatively quickly removed at the bulk removal station using a conformable abrasive belt and the workpiece surface is then polished to the desired finish at the finishing station using a conformable annular rotary polishing pad.
US08148258B2
A method for fabricating electrical bonding pads on the electrical contact areas of a wafer includes producing first blocks made of a solder material, producing second blocks made of a solder material on these first blocks, and passing the blocks through an oven so as to shape the blocks into approximately domed electrical bonding pads.
US08148257B1
One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming an electronic device, comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a first barrier layer over the workpiece; forming an intermediate conductive layer over the first barrier layer; forming a second barrier layer over the intermediate conductive layer; forming a seed layer over the second barrier layer; removing a portion of the seed layer to leave a remaining portion of the seed layer and to expose a portion of the second barrier layer; and electroplating a fill layer on the remaining portion of the seed layer.
US08148256B2
A copper bonding compatible bond pad structure and associated method is disclosed. The device bond pad structure includes a buffering structure formed of regions of interconnect metal and regions of non-conductive passivation material, the buffering structure providing buffering of underlying layers and structures of the device.
US08148250B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a plug on a semiconductor substrate, forming an insulation layer over the semiconductor substrate having the plug formed thereon, defining a line type trench through a first etching of a partial thickness of the insulation layer; and defining a contact hole through a second etching of a portion of the insulation layer corresponding to the bottom of the trench so as to expose the plug.
US08148247B2
An embodiment of a system and method produces a random half pitched interconnect layout. A first normal-pitch mask and a second normal-pitch mask are created from a metallization layout having random metal shapes. The lines and spaces of the first mask are printed at normal pitch and then the lines are shrunk to half pitch on mask material. First spacers are used to generate a half pitch dimension along the outside of the lines of the first mask. The mask material outside of the first spacer pattern is partially removed. The spacers are removed and the process is repeated with the second mask. The mask material remains at the locations of first set of spacers and/or the second set of spacers to create a half pitch interconnect mask with constant spaces.
US08148240B2
A semiconductor wafer is prepared. The wafer has a first and a second surface opposite to each other, and has a recess portion and a rim portion. The semiconductor wafer has semiconductor elements formed on the first surface. The rim portion surrounds the recess portion. The recess portion and the rim portion are composed of the first and second surfaces. The recess portion is formed so as to recede toward the first surface. A tape is adhered to the second surface of the semiconductor wafer. At least the recess portion of the semiconductor wafer is placed on a stage. The tape is sandwiched between the recess portion and the stage. Laser beam is irradiated to the recess portion from the side of the first surface and along predetermined dicing lines. The recess portion is cut off to divide the semiconductor wafer into chips.
US08148239B2
Techniques are provided for efficient wafer layout, which include the use of an offset grid to optimize use of available wafer space. As such, the number of identical die that can be fabricated on the wafer can be increased, relative to a standard perpendicular grid. By adding additional registration marks, an increase in flexibility of where each row/column of fields can be printed is enabled. This increased level of freedom in-turn allows for the optimization of the number of die that each row/column can contain, and translates directly into an increase in the number of yielding die per wafer. In addition, techniques are provided that allow for the dicing of individual die in a non-Cartesian coordinated manner. However, conventional singulation techniques can be used as well, given attention to the offset grid lines.
US08148228B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises implanting a first dopant type in a well region of a substrate to form implanted sub-regions that are separated by non-implanted areas of the well region. The method also comprises forming an oxide layer over the well region, such that an oxide-converted first thickness of the implanted sub-regions is greater than an oxide-converted second thickness of the non-implanted areas. The method further comprises removing the oxide layer to form a topography feature on the well region. The topography feature comprises a surface pattern of higher and lower portions. The higher portions correspond to locations of the non-implanted areas and the lower portions correspond to the implanted sub-regions.
US08148224B2
In an insulated-gate type semiconductor device in which a gate-purpose conductive layer is embedded into a trench which is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a source-purpose conductive layer is provided on a major surface of the semiconductor substrate, a portion of a gate pillar which is constituted by both the gate-purpose conductive layer and a cap insulating film for capping an upper surface of the gate-purpose conductive layer is projected from the major surface of the semiconductor substrate; a side wall spacer is provided on a side wall of the projected portion of the gate pillar; and the source-purpose conductive layer is connected to a contact region of the major surface of the semiconductor substrate, which is defined by the side wall spacer.
US08148210B1
The method includes providing a plurality of semiconductor chips and placing the plurality of semiconductor chips on a carrier. A compression molding apparatus is provided that includes a first tool and a second tool. The carrier is placed on the first tool of the compression molding apparatus and the semiconductor chips are encapsulated in a mold material by compression molding. During compression molding a heat transfer from the first tool to an upper surface of the carrier is delayed.
US08148208B2
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit package system includes: providing a frame; attaching a leaded package having leads adjacent the frame wherein the leads extend towards a side opposite the frame; and applying a package encapsulant over the leaded package having the leads partially exposed opposite the frame.
US08148207B2
A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a post and a base, mounting an adhesive on the base including inserting the post into an opening in the adhesive, mounting a conductive layer on the adhesive including aligning the post with an aperture in the conductive layer, then flowing the adhesive into and upward in a gap located in the aperture between the post and the conductive layer, solidifying the adhesive, then providing a conductive trace that includes a pad, a terminal and a selected portion of the conductive layer, providing a cap on the post, mounting a semiconductor device on a heat spreader that includes the post, the base and the cap, electrically connecting the semiconductor device to the conductive trace and thermally connecting the semiconductor device to the heat spreader.
US08148196B2
This invention discloses a light emitting semiconductor device including a light-emitting structure and an external optical element. The optical element couples to the light-emitting structure circumferentially. In addition, the refractive index of the external optical element is greater than or about the same as that of a transparent substrate of the light-emitting structure, or in-between that of the transparent substrate and the encapsulant material.
US08148191B2
The present invention relates firstly to HF/fluoride-free etching and doping media which are suitable both for the etching of inorganic layers and also for the doping of underlying layers. The present invention secondly also relates to a process in which these media are employed.
US08148185B2
A method for fabricating an active device array substrate is provided. First, a substrate having a display area and a sensing area is provided. Then, a first patterned conductor layer is formed on the display area of the substrate. A gate insulator is formed on the substrate. A patterned semiconductor layer, a second patterned conductor layer and a patterned photosensitive dielectric layer are formed on the gate insulator, wherein the second patterned conductor layer includes a source electrode, a drain electrode and a lower electrode, the patterned photosensitive dielectric layer covering the second patterned conductor layer includes an interface protection layer disposed on the source electrode and the drain electrode and a photo-sensing layer disposed on the lower electrode. A passivation layer is then formed on the substrate. After that, a third patterned conductor layer including a pixel electrode and an upper electrode is formed on the passivation layer.
US08148177B2
A light emitting device containing a semiconductor light emitting component and a phosphor, the phosphor is capable of absorbing a part of light emitted by the light emitting component and emitting light of a wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, is provided. A straight line connecting a point of chromaticity corresponding to a spectrum generated by the light emitting component and a point of chromaticity corresponding to a spectrum generated by the phosphor is substantially along a black body radiation locus in a chromaticity diagram.
US08148175B2
A manufacturing apparatus for a semiconductor device, treating a SiN film formed on a wafer with phosphoric acid solution, including a processing bath to store phosphoric acid solution provided for treatment of the wafer, a control unit for calculating integrated SiN etching amount of the phosphoric acid solution, determining necessity of quality adjustment of the phosphoric acid solution, based on correlation between the integrated SiN etching amount calculated and etching selectivity to oxide film, and calculating a quality adjustment amount of the phosphoric acid solution as needed, and also including a mechanism to adjust the quality of the phosphoric acid solution based on the quality adjustment amount calculated.
US08148174B1
A method of manufacturing a magnetic memory element includes the steps of performing a first etching an oxide layer is etched, using a first photo-resist, the oxide layer formed on top of a contact layer that is formed on top of a magneto tunnel junction (MTJ), depositing a second photo-resist and second etching to leave a portion of the contact layer used to suitably connect the MTJ to circuits outside of the magnetic memory element.
US08148173B2
Disclosed are compounds having the formula: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, amino, N—C1-C6-alkylamino, and N,N—C1-C6-dialkylamino; and ring “A” is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted C4-C8-cycloalkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted bicyclo[2,2,1]alkenyl, and unsubstituted or substituted bicyclo[2,2,2]alkenyl, unsubstituted phenyl, and phenyl substituted with a moiety selected from the group consisting of C3-C6-alkenyl, acryl, acryl-C1-C6 alkyl, acrylamido, and acrylamido-C1-C6 alkyl; polymers made from these compounds, and ELISAs that use the compounds and polymers as a chemiluminescent detection label.
US08148166B2
Systems and methods are described for measuring pH of low alkalinity samples. The present invention provides a sensor array comprising a plurality of pH indicators, each indicator having a different indicator concentration. A calibration function is generated by applying the sensor array to a sample solution having a known pH such that pH responses from each indicator are simultaneously recorded versus indicator concentration for each indicator. Once calibrated, the sensor array is applied to low alkalinity samples having unknown pH. Results from each pH indicator are then compared to the calibration function, and fitting functions are extrapolated to obtain the actual pH of the low alkalinity sample.
US08148165B2
An apparatus for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in water that can correct a reduction in measurement accuracy based on deterioration of a pH indicator is provided. A carbon dioxide concentration measurement apparatus includes a deterioration determining section that measures a change rate ΔA0 of an isosbestic point absorbance A0 and determines that the pH indicator solution is deteriorated when the change rate ΔA0 is reduced by a predetermined reduction rate or more. After the deterioration determining section determines deterioration of the pH indicator solution, a pH value computing section computes the pH value of the pH indicator solution using a corrected pH computation expression for correcting a deterioration of the pH value of the pH indicator solution on the basis of the change rate ΔA0 of the isosbestic point absorbance A0.
US08148162B2
A biosensor system determines analyte concentration from an output signal generated by an oxidation/reduction reaction of the analyte. The biosensor system adjusts a correlation for determining analyte concentrations from output signals at one temperature to determining analyte concentrations from output signals at other temperatures. The temperature-adjusted correlation between analyte concentrations and output signals at a reference temperature may be used to determine analyte concentrations from output signals at a sample temperature.
US08148160B2
Molecular sensing of target molecules is performed by using an electrode for molecular sensing in which detecting molecules which can shift a surface potential of the electrode by an interaction with the target molecules are bound directly or via coupling molecules to surface hydroxyl groups on a conductive metal oxide. By this molecular sensing, specific target molecules can be detected selectively and stably with high accuracy. It is also possible to detect an enantiomer selectively and stably with high accuracy. The present invention can provide a chemical sensing system which is useful in fields such as medicines, environments and foods.
US08148155B2
The present invention relates to methods for increasing homologous recombination of a nucleic acid sequence introduced into a host cell, comprising: (a) introducing into a population of filamentous fungal host cells a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a recombination protein and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising one or more regions which are homologous with the genome of the filamentous fungal host cell, wherein (i) the recombination protein promotes the recombination of the one or more regions with the corresponding homologous region in the host's genome to incorporate the second nucleic acid sequence by homologous recombination, and (ii) the number of host cells comprising the incorporated second nucleic acid sequence in the population is increased at least 20% compared to the same population without the first nucleic acid sequence; (b) and isolating from the population a filamentous fungal cell comprising the incorporated second nucleic acid sequence.
US08148148B2
This invention provides populations of neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, glial cells, and astrocytes. The populations are obtained by culturing stem cell populations (such as embryonic stem cells) in a cocktail of growth conditions that initiates differentiation, and establishes the neural progenitor population. The progenitors can be further differentiated in culture into a variety of different neural phenotypes, including dopaminergic neurons. The differentiated cell populations or the neural progenitors can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of neurological disorders.
US08148146B2
The invention provides a cell line complementing HSV ICP4, ICP27, and UL55 genes.
US08148139B2
A micro bead having a digitally coded structure that is partially transmissive and opaque to light. The pattern of transmitted light is determined by to decode the bead. The coded bead may be structured a series of alternating light transmissive and opaque sections, with relative positions, widths and spacing resembling a 1D or 2D bar code image. To decode the image, the alternating transmissive and opaque sections of the body are scanned in analogous fashion to bar code scanning. The coded bead may be coated or immobilized with a capture or probe to effect a desired bioassay. The coded bead may include a paramagnetic material. A bioanalysis system conducts high throughput bioanalysis using the coded bead, including a reaction detection zone and a decoding zone.
US08148134B2
Disclosed are: a microorganism capable of degrading diphenylarsinic acid; a method for degrading diphenylarsinic acid by using the microorganism; a method for clean-up of a contaminated soil by using the microorganism; an agent for degrading diphenylarsinic acid, which comprises the microorganism; and a cleaning agent for a contaminated soil or groundwater, which comprises the microorganism. Specifically disclosed are: a microorganism belonging to the genus Sinorhizobium and capable of degrading diphenylarsinic acid; a microorganism belonging to the genus Ensifer and capable of degrading diphenylarsinic acid; a method for clean-up of a contaminated soil by using the microorganism; an agent for degrading diphenylarsinic acid, which comprises the microorganism; and a cleaning agent for a contaminated soil or groundwater, which comprises the microorganism.
US08148128B2
Chemically modified mutant serine hydrolases show improved catalytic activity and chiral selectivity
This invention provides novel chemically modified mutant serine hydrolases that catalyze a transamidation and/or a transpeptidation and/or a transesterification reaction. The modified serine hydrolases have one or more amino acid residues in a subsite replaced with a cysteine, wherein the cysteine is modified by replacing the thiol hydrogen in the cysteine with a substituent group providing a thiol side chain comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of a polar aromatic substituent, an alkyl amino group with a positive charge, and a glycoside. In particularly preferred embodiments, the substitutents include an oxazolidinone, a C1 to C15 alkyl amino group with a positive charge, or a glycoside.
US08148114B2
Compositions and methods for treatment of inflammatory and cell proliferation disorders using natriuretic hormone peptide (NP), polynucleotides encoding NP, or agents that reduce the activity of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A).
US08148113B2
A method for producing glucosamine with microorganism comprises of fermenting with a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Monascus pilosus and Aspergillus sp. in a novel low-cost medium, thereby enable it to produce glucosamine; wherein said medium is consisted of commercial Taiwan sugar, soy beam, rice bran and the like; wherein suitable condition for the fermentation is: 150˜300 rpm, pH 4˜pH 8, and 24° C.˜37° C.; wherein, after fermentation culturing, the fermentation liquor is filtered with suction to recover said microorganism biomass, said microorganism biomass is then subjected to steps of cell disruption, hydrochloric acid reaction, neutralization reaction and filtration, to obtain glucosamine produced by the microorganism.
US08148112B2
The present invention is directed to, for example, an oligosaccharide having at an end thereof a 4-position halogenated galactose residue represented by formula (I): (wherein X represents a halogen atom, and R represents a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide, or a carrier), a transferase inhibitor containing the oligosaccharide, and a method for inhibiting sugar chain elongation reaction in the presence of glycosyltransferase, the method including employing the inhibitor. The invention also provides a method for producing a 4-position halogenated galactose sugar nucleotide represented by formula (II): (wherein each of R1 to R3 represents a hydroxyl group, an acetyl group, a halogen atom, or a hydrogen atom; X represents a halogen atom; and M represents a hydrogen ion or a metal ion), wherein the method employs bacterium-derived galactokinase and bacterium-derived hexose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase. The invention is also directed to a sugar chain containing 4-position halogenated galactose envisaged to be employed as drugs and other materials, and to applications of the compound.
US08148094B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for simultaneously detecting the activation state of a plurality of proteins in single cells using flow cytometry. The invention further provides methods and compositions of screening for bioactive agents capable of coordinately modulating the activity of a plurality of proteins in single cells. The methods and compositions can be used to determine the protein activation profile of a cell for predicting or diagnosing a disease state, and for monitoring treatment of a disease state.
US08148087B2
Determination of cellular growth abnormality, particularly cancerous abnormality, by detection of target polypeptides or encoding mRNA, where the target polypeptides are members of the preinitiation complex of DNA replication in tissue, cells or fluid. Target polypeptides include CDC6, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, MCM5, MCM6 and MCM7. Test samples include tissue of the cervix (both biopsy and smear samples), breast, colon, lung, bladder, skin, larynx, oesophagus, bronchus, lymph nodes and urinary tract (both biopsy and cytology smear samples), in determination of cancerous and pre-cancerous cellular growth abnormality, and cells spun from urine, blood and serum, in determination of haematological malignancies and evidence of metastatic sarcoma and carcinoma.
US08148083B2
The invention relates to methods useful in identifying candidate agents that modulate insulin secretion from an insulin secreting cell, where such molecules modulate TRPM4 activity and expression in the insulin secreting cell.
US08148075B2
This invention describes methods for the generation of nucleic acid probes that improve the sensitivity of hybridization assays. The sensitivity increase results from structural modifications of nucleic acids that promote network formation during hybridization with the result that a single target molecule becomes attached to a complex of many probe molecules. The structural modification involves fragmentation of the probe nucleic acid followed by joining the fragments together such that their order and orientation and number is altered from the original probe molecule. The result is the generation of permuted probe libraries. Probes made according to this invention can be used in many kinds of hybridization assays including Southern blots. Northern blots. Dot blots. Nucleic acid Array hybridization, ‘in situ’ hybridization with fluorescent or other labels (FISH) and various kinds of sandwich hybridization assays.
US08148061B2
The present invention relates to markers of endometriosis which are differentially expressed in the endometrial cells of females with endometriosis compared to endometriosis-free females. The invention also relates to methods for determining likelihood of endometriosis in female subjects, to methods for grading endometriosis in females suffering from endometriosis and to methods for treating this disease. The invention is also concerned with polynucleotides, probes, primers and kits useful for reducing into practice the above-mentioned methods which are more rapid, non invasive, much less complicated and much less costly than laparoscopy.
US08148059B2
A method of detecting malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and a nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker are disclosed. Firstly, a specimen is obtained from a testee. Next, the specimen is tested for its MIP-3α expression level. Then, the MIP-3α expression level of the specimen is compared with that of a control. Finally, the malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is determined according to a relative MIP-3α expression level between the specimen and the control.
US08148057B2
Compositions, methods and devices for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies and the diagnosis of disease, for example, syphilis, are described. In particular, a method for immobilizing a lipoidal antigen, comprising cardiolipin, lecithin, and cholesterol, on a solid support (such as a nitrocellulose membrane) is described. The ability to immobilize a lipoidal antigen on a membrane satisfies a long-felt need for a membrane-based assay for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies. Also described are immunoassay devices for concurrently performing treponemal and non-treponemal tests for syphilis.
US08148055B2
A method for developing a photoresist includes applying a first developer to the photoresist to remove non-cross-linked areas of the photoresist, and applying a second developer to the photoresist to remove remaining non-cross-linked areas of the photoresist, wherein the first developer and the second developer differ in their compositions.
US08148051B2
A method and system to form openings comprises an exposure apparatus and a mask to selectively expose a semiconductor substrate to a radiation source to transfer assist feature patterns and primary feature patterns to a photosensitive layer of the substrate. A heating apparatus eliminates the assist features by heating the substrate and shrinking the primary features. The patterns on the photosensitive layer are transferred to a layer under the photosensitive layer by an etching process.
US08148046B2
The surface of a transparent layer provided on the uppermost layer of the label side of an optical disk is subjected to pearskin finish. As a result, a light from a reflection layer is prevented from directly entering a user who has viewed an image on the label side, and an antiglare phenomenon is prevented from occurring. This configuration enables good viewing.
US08148038B2
An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a charge generating layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate, a charge transport layer located overlying the charge generating layer, the charge transport layer comprising a charge transport material and a protective layer having a thickness of from 3 to 15 μm located overlying the charge transport layer, wherein the density of the charge transport material in the protective layer at depth of 2 μm from the surface of the charge transport layer satisfies the following relationship: 10(%)≦(Charge transport material)/{(Radical polymerizable monomer having a charge transport structure)+(Radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure)+(Charge transport material)}×100≦30(%).
US08148035B2
One exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a method including providing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a reactant gas flow field defined therein by a plurality of lands and at least one channel, and depositing a low contact resistant material selectively over portions of the lands leaving portions of the lands uncovered by the low contact resistant material.
US08148030B2
Disclosed is a process for producing a diaphragm for a fuel cell comprising a modified anion exchange membrane that substantially maintains durability and hydroxide ion conductivity as an electrolyte membrane and has improved resistance to methanol permeation. The process is characterized by comprising the step of impregnating at least one side of a crosslinked hydrocarbon anion exchange membrane with a polymerizable acidic compound having a weight average molecular weight of not less than 700 and less than 8000, provided that, when the acid site in the compound has been neutralized with a counter cation, the weight of the counter cation is subtracted from the molecular weight, and polymerizing the polymerizable acidic compound.
US08148025B2
A solid polymer fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, an anode 2 contacting one of the faces of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, a cathode 3 contacting the other face of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, and a gas-liquid separation membrane 4 enclosing a MEA 12 including the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 4, the anode 2, and the cathode 3, and which transmits gas but not liquid. An end face of the gas-liquid separation membrane 1 is sealed, and the MEA 12 is isolated from outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane 4. The anode 2 and the cathode 3 respectively include an electrode terminal extending from an end portion thereof, and the electrode terminal is exposed to outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane 4, through an end portion thereof. With such structure, a fuel is supplied in a form of vapor to the anode 2 through the gas-liquid separation membrane 4 opposing the anode 2, and a reaction product from the anode 2 is discharged through the gas-liquid separation membrane 4 located on a lateral side of the anode 2, and at least oxygen is supplied to the cathode 3 through the gas-liquid separation membrane 4 opposing the cathode 3.
US08148023B2
A technique includes operating an electrochemical cell as a pump, including providing a current to the cell and providing a fuel flow to an anode chamber of the cell. The technique includes communicating an anode exhaust flow from the anode chamber to an oxidizer and controlling the current to regulate a temperature of the oxidizer.
US08148022B2
A fuel cell system having an excellent orientation free performance by separating a fluid into a liquid and a gas without being affected by shaking and/or rotation of the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell main body, a first liquid/gas separation unit, and a buffer line. The fuel cell main body receives a fuel containing hydrogen and an oxidizing gas containing oxygen and generates electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen. The first gas/liquid separation unit is installed on a first recycling line extending from an anode outlet of the fuel cell main body to separate a gas byproduct from unreacted fuel discharged through the anode outlet. The buffer line is fluidly connected to the first and second recycling lines to receive and mix the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct at a predetermined amount from the first and second recycling lines, and is further fluidly connected to a third recycling line extending toward an anode inlet of the fuel cell main body to direct the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct into the fuel cell main body through the anode inlet.
US08148020B2
A metal-air battery has an anode in which the electrochemically active material is molybdenum. The molybdenum may be in the form of a bulk body of material or it may comprise a particulate material dispersed with or in another material. In some instances, the molybdenum may comprise a member of an alloy or mixture. Also disclosed is a modular battery system which may include the molybdenum-based anode material.
US08148015B2
Described are cathode materials for lithium batteries. Better cathode materials may be produced by mixing at least two compounds and a binder additive. The first compound includes one or more salts of lithium metal phosphorous while the second compound includes one or more lithium transition metal oxides. In other instances, a conductive additive may also be incorporated. The cathode materials so produced exhibit enhanced electrical properties and thermal stability.
US08148013B2
A compound comprising a composition Ax(M′1-aM″a)y(XD4)z, Ax(M′1-aM″a)y(DXD4)z, or Ax(M′1-aM″a)y(X2D7)z, and have values such that x, plus y(1−a) times a formal valence or valences of M′, plus ya times a formal valence or valence of M″, is equal to z times a formal valence of the XD4, X2D7, or DXD4 group; or a compound comprising a composition (A1-aM″a)xM′y(XD4)z, (A1-aM″a)xM′y(DXD4)z (A1-aM″a)xM′y(X2D7)z and have values such that (1−a)x plus the quantity ax times the formal valence or valences of M″ plus y times the formal valence or valences of M′ is equal to z times the formal valence of the XD4, X2D7 or DXD4 group. In the compound, A is at least one of an alkali metal and hydrogen, M′ is a first-row transition metal, X is at least one of phosphorus, sulfur, arsenic, molybdenum, and tungsten, M″ any of a Group IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, and VIB metal, D is at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or a halogen, 0.0001
US08148009B2
The effective ionic conductivity in a composite structure is believed to decrease rapidly with volume fraction. A system, such as a bipolar device or energy storage device, has structures or components in which the diffusion length or path that electrodes or ions must traverse is minimized and the interfacial area exposed to the ions or electrons is maximized. In some embodiments, electrodes comprising a plurality of channels are provided, wherein the electrodes are constructed and arranged to allow diffusion of an ionic species from an electrolyte to a surface thereof. The device includes components that can be reticulated or has a reticulated interface so that an interface area can be increased. The increased interfacial perimeter increases the available sites for reaction of ionic species. The aspect ratio of the reticulated features can be varied. Such bipolar devices can be fabricated by a variety of methods or procedures.
US08148006B2
A battery capable of improving cycle characteristics is provided. A separator arranged between a cathode and an anode is impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes: a solvent; and an electrolytic salt, in which the solvent includes a compound having a difluoroalkene structure. The content of the compound having a difluoroalkene structure in the solvent is within a range from 1 wt % to 5 wt % both inclusive.
US08148005B2
An active material for a secondary battery has excellent large current charge-discharge characteristic and a high energy density. The secondary battery is composed mainly of the active material having a conductive polymer compound represented by formula B or F as the positive electrode. Because this conductive polymer compound works as an active material and has conductivity per se, the use of a conductivity enhancer can be omitted, and the energy density is high. An improvement in the capacity of a secondary battery using the active material above or a decrease in the internal resistance can be realized.
US08148000B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique to further increase protection performance for a battery pack of power tool. A representative power tool may include a tool body to which a tool bit is coupled to perform a predetermined operation, a driving motor that is disposed within the tool body, a battery pack that supplies driving current to the driving motor, the battery pack being removably mounted to the tool body and placed on the outside of the tool body in an exposed state, and a protector that is removably mounted to the tool body to protect the battery pack. The protector may include a battery pack protection area that protects the battery pack mounted to the tool body when the protector is mounted to the tool body. The battery pack protection area is dosed on at least part of the outer surface of the battery pack with a clearance and prevents transmission of external force upon the battery pack protection area to the battery pack.
US08147998B2
A secondary battery prevents shorts between electrodes by discharging an electrode assembly downward through a can provided with notches at a lower part thereof when the battery is vertically compressed. The secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a can having an upper opening to receive the electrode assembly and a notched part at a lower part thereof; and a cap assembly to seal the can.
US08147991B2
A method is disclosed for producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system by reducing the separation between a silicon carbide seed crystal and a seed holder until the conductive heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder dominates the radiative heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder over substantially the entire seed crystal surface that is adjacent the seed holder.
US08147990B2
A ceramic material with a negative temperature coefficient of specific resistance has the general formula [{(SE1III,SE2III)1−x(M1II,M2II)x}(Cr1−y−zMny(Me1III,Me2III)z)O3]. In this formula, SE1III and SE2III are different rare-earth metal cations, M1II and M2II are selected from CaII, SrII, and Me1III and Me2III are redox-stable, trivalent metal cations, wherein the following applies with respect to the parameters: 0
US08147986B2
The invention provides an organic electroluminescent device having at least an organic compound layer provided between a pair of electrodes. The organic electroluminescent device has at least a polymer comprising a metal complex containing a tri- or higher-dentate ligand in the polymer molecule. The metal complex preferably contains a tetra- or higher-dentate ligand in the polymer molecule. At least one of the ligands is preferably a chain. The metal complex preferably contains a transition metal ion or a rare earth metal ion. The metal complex preferably contains a nitrogen atom in its complex structure. Further, the polymer preferably contains the metal complex in its main chain or its side chain.
US08147980B2
The invention relates to a metal matrix ceramic composite (MMCC) wear-parts comprising a wearing portion formed by a ceramic cake and is impregnated by metal. The ceramic cake comprises ceramic grains and carbide grains. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the wear-parts. The invention further describes a grinding roll and a table liner for a vertical mill each comprising a metal matrix ceramic composite wear part(s) of the invention.
US08147979B2
The invention relates to an adhesive system comprising starch and one or more polymers (P) containing acetoacetoxy groups. It further relates to a method of producing an adhesive composition comprising starch and one or more polymers (P) containing acetoacetoxy groups. The invention further relates to a method of producing a wood based product such as a laminated or veneered material, or a particle board.
US08147977B2
A thermoplastic resin composition that includes 100 parts by mass of a first vinyl (co)polymer (I) that is produced by (co)polymerization of at least one monomer component selected from the group consisting of aromatic vinyl compounds, vinyl cyanide compounds, and other vinyl monomers copolymerizable with these compounds, and 1 to 100 parts by mass of a vinyl copolymer (II) that is produced by copolymerization of a vinyl cyanide compound and another vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the vinyl cyanide compound and in which the content of the vinyl cyanide compound component in an acetone soluble fraction of the copolymer ranges from 0.1% to 15% by mass.
US08147973B2
A laminated glass comprising a first glass sheet; a first interlayer overlying the first glass sheet, wherein the first interlayer comprises a first polysilicate coating; a second glass sheet overlying the first interlayer; a second interlayer overlying the second glass sheet, wherein the second interlayer comprises a first reinforced silicone resin film having a first major surface and a second major surface, a first silicone adhesive coating lying directly on the first major surface of the film, and a second silicone adhesive coating lying directly on the second major surface of the film; and a third glass sheet overlying the second interlayer.
US08147971B2
The invention relates to a self-cleaning system (10) and window glass. The self-cleaning system comprises a translucent substrate (20), a light-emitting device (30) and a photo-catalytic layer (40) applied to a surface (22) of the translucent substrate for generating a self-cleaning surface. The photo-catalytic layer produces the self-cleaning effect when illuminated with light of a predefined wavelength range. The translucent substrate is translucent for at least a sub-range of the predefined wavelength range. The light-emitting device is arranged for illuminating the photo-catalytic layer via the translucent substrate, an emission spectrum emitted by the light-emitting device comprising light within the sub-range. The effect of the illumination system according to the invention is that the illumination of the photo-catalytic layer via the translucent substrate enables the light-emitting device to be arranged relatively near to the photo-catalytic layer such that only a relatively low light flux is required from the light-emitting device to activate the self-cleaning process.
US08147970B2
The invention concerns an anti-scratch coating on a substrate, comprising one or several anti-scratch means and a pH buffer system which has in a watery solution a pH value ranging from neutral to highly alkaline, especially a pH value ranging between app. 7 and app. 12, preferably a pH value ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline, in particular a pH value ranging between app. 7 and app. 9. It is also the objective of the invention to produce and use the anti-scratch coating.
US08147957B2
A consolidated fibrous structure including a multiplicity of fibrous layers. The fibers of each fibrous layer contain a core, a first layer and a second layer. The core has an exterior surface portion containing polypropylene. The first layer is disposed on at least a portion of the core and contains a first polymer. The first polymer contains a polymer having at least 70% α-olefin units and is characterized by a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The second layer is disposed on at least a portion of the first layer and contains a second polymer.
US08147941B2
In forming a space layer of a multi-formation-layer recording medium, there are provided a medium having a high precision in a thickness of the space layer and its manufacturing process. In the multi-formation-layer recording medium wherein at least two pairs of an information recording layer and a translucency spacer are layered on a substrate having physical patterns composed of an optical spot groove and/or pits on the surface, an average thickness of the translucency spacers in an information zone is 15 μm or less, and a difference in spacer thickness between a minimum value and a maximum value is 2 μm or less.
US08147938B2
A braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane is disclosed. The braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane comprising a reinforcing material of a tubular braid and a polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface of the tubular braid according to the present invention is characterized in that: the tubular braid comprises multifilaments made of monofilaments having a crimp rate of 2 to 40%, and the peeling strength of the tubular braid and a polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface thereof is 1 to 10 MPa. In the composite hollow fiber membrane, the crimp rate of the monofilaments constituting the tubular braid of the reinforcing material is 2 to 40%, thus the surface area of the tubular braid contacted with the polymer resinous thin film is increased. Thus, the peeling strength of the tubular braid and the polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface thereof is excellent.
US08147937B2
a reinforced elongate element (12) comprises a core (22) of elongate shape covered by at least one layer (33) of composite material comprising a plurality of tapes (32) wound at a settable winding angle around said core (22), each of the tapes (32) being made using glass or carbon threads or fibers (35) embedded in a matrix (34) of thermoplastic resin. The elongate element may be in the form of very long tubes suitable for use off-shore.
US08147935B2
The invention relates to a multilayer structure comprising at least two layers: a layer, referred to as the inner layer, intended to be in contact with a fluid, comprising a composition comprising at least one polymer and not comprising any copper, and a layer, referred to as the outer layer, intended to be in contact with the air, comprising a composition containing at least one polymer and at least one copper-based stabilizer. The invention also relates to a pipe comprising such a multilayer structure, and also to its use for transporting or storing fluids.
US08147932B2
The invention discloses a security element for a banknote, a document of value, right or identity, a ticket, a label, a branded good identifier, or a tax banderole. The element comprises a combination of a coating containing at least one optically variable pigment having a substantial viewing-angle dependent color variation, with at least one selective spectral absorbing material, which blocks out visible spectral components reflected by the optically variable pigment at orthogonal incidence. The security element appears black when viewed at orthogonal angle, and colored when viewed at grazing angle.
US08147929B2
The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The invention is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.
US08147928B2
A method for reducing thermal conductivity in thermal barrier coatings broadly includes the steps of depositing a mixture containing a ceramic matrix and a metallic dispersant capable of forming a metal oxide upon a substrate to form one or more layers; and heating the layers at a temperature and for a time sufficient to oxidize the metallic dispersant and form one or more layers of a thermal barrier coating.
US08147921B2
An ink set for inkjet recording is provided that includes at least a colored liquid comprising at least a radically polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and a colorant and an undercoat liquid comprising at least a radically polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, the undercoat liquid comprising a sensitizer represented by Formula (I) below. In Formula (I) above, X denotes O, S, or NR, n denotes 0 or 1, R denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an acyl group, and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. There is also provided an inkjet recording method employing the ink set for inkjet recording, the method including a step of applying the undercoat liquid on top of a recording medium, a step of semi-curing the undercoat liquid, and a step of carrying out image formation by discharging the colored liquid on top of the semi-cured undercoat liquid.
US08147915B2
A non-stick coating composition comprising a waterborne phenoxy resin, a crosslinker, a silicone compound, and a Fluoropolymer. An article, such as aluminum, may be coated with the composition. The composition may be multi-layers, but only the layers other than the first layer includes the silicone compound. The invention includes the method for applying the coating or coatings.
US08147913B2
The present invention provides a surface treatment method for magnesium alloy, which comprising the following steps: 1) preparation; 2) fusion and uniformly coating; 3) heat diffusion, and 4) finish; so a coating alloy is placed on a magnesium alloy substrate, and the magnesium alloy substrate is heated so that the coating alloy is uniformly melted on the magnesium alloy substrate; when heating up to a preset temperature, the coating alloy generates heat diffusion on the magnesium alloy substrate; the coating alloy finally forms a corrosion-resistant hard layer on the magnesium alloy substrate. So, this invention features simple treatment process, stable structure and environmental-friendliness in a wide range of applications.
US08147910B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method to fabricate three-dimensional objects, layer by layer, by selectively dispensing material from a printing head onto a transfer platform to form a cross-sectional layer of the object that has a pre-determined non-uniform surface. Each layer may then be transferred from the transfer platform to previously formed layers that are carried by a fabrication platform by contacting an exposed surface of a previously formed layer to the layer on the transfer platform.
US08147908B2
Process for producing organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles with a molar ratio of silver salt to organoamine of about 1:4 to about 1:10 are disclosed. The process includes: forming a solution including an organic solvent and a first amount of organoamine; adding silver salt particles to the solution; adding a second amount of organoamine to the solution; adding a hydrazine to the solution; and reacting the solution to form an organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles.
US08147899B2
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for aligning and coating a medical device during a single coating cycle. A first section of an applicator may apply a contact force to surfaces of the medical device. The contact force may align and remove surface irregularities from the medical device prior to coating the medical device with coating. The coating may be resident on a second section of the applicator.
US08147895B2
Process for the preparation of a spreadable edible dispersion wherein a mixture of oil and solid structuring agent particles is subjected to stirring and an aqueous phase and/or solid phase is gradually added to the mixture until a dispersion of the desired oil content is obtained, wherein the solid structuring agent particles have a microporous structure of submicron size particles.
US08147894B2
The present invention relates to a liquid human milk supplement comprising a protein component, a fat component, a carbohydrate component, vitamins, and minerals, where the pH of the human milk supplement is between about 4.0 and 4.6.
US08147893B2
In various embodiments of the present invention, a bakable batter mixed using cold process conditions and provided in a pressurized can, can be used to bake a variety of food products. In various embodiments of the present invention, a bakable batter mixed under inert atmosphere conditions and provided in a pressurized can, can be used to bake waffles and pancakes. Carbon dioxide is combined with a water-mixed dry batter recipe under pressure at reduced temperature to give a refrigerator stable batter mix. The carbon dioxide reduces the viscosity of the batter to allow the batter to be dispensed for the life time of the product. The carbon dioxide aerates the food product giving light and fluffy baked products. The carbon dioxide acts as a browning agent while the food product is baking to give a brownish appearance, crunchy texture and attractive taste to the food product.
US08147888B2
A method for managing cooking programs first comprises selecting, at a point in time (t0), a type of item to be cooked (i), items (j) of the type of item to be cooked (i), and various treatment planes (k) of a cooking compartment that are to be filled at a point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, each treatment plane (k) is filled at point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, in dependence on at least the filling of the cooking compartment with items to be cooked at point in time (t2), a first cooking temperature is set at a point in time (t3). Then, a signal for removing the cooked items (j) from the cooking compartment is emitted at a point in time (t4ki) for each treatment plane (k).
US08147887B2
A capsule (1) containing ingredients for producing a beverage, wherein the ingredients are housed in a compartment (3), wherein the capsule (1) comprises a contoured opening plate (5) designed for opening a face of the compartment (3) when the pressure inside the ingredient compartment (3) presses the face against the opening plate (5) of the capsule (1), or an insert and wherein the opening plate (5) or insert is provided with one or several capillary through holes (100, 101, 102, 103) connecting two opposing sides of the opening plate (5) or insert.
US08147886B2
The invention relates to a form-retaining pad, an assembly and a method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption. For this purpose, the pad is provided with a covering, in which a water-soluble substance, such as milk powder/creamer and sugar, is included. The covering includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The pad is further provided with a form-providing stiffening body, placed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, with the top sheet and the bottom sheet extending at least partly substantially parallel to each other and to a surface. The stiffening body has a top side adjacent to the top sheet and a bottom side adjacent to the bottom sheet, and, by providing a compartmenting wall configuration therein, has a grid structure transmissive to liquid, in which structure at least a part of the soluble substance is accommodated and each compartment formed by the wall configuration is surrounded by that wall configuration, the top sheet and the bottom sheet.
US08147870B2
Dosage forms and drug delivery devices suitable for administration of pharmaceutical compounds and compositions, including the oral drug administration of compounds.
US08147861B2
A method of building an orthopedic implant including the steps of mixing a powder having antimicrobial properties with a biocompatible powder to form a mixture. Next, the mixture is deposited on top of a substrate. The substrate may be part of the finished product or only a work platform. The mixture layer is then selectively melted.
US08147848B2
Methods for prolongation of climax time in a patient in need thereof are presented, as are methods for treating premature ejaculation by local administration of a Clostridial neurotoxin, such a botulinum neurotoxin, to the patient, are provided.
US08147847B2
The present invention relates to protein antigens IcsP2 and SigA2 from Shigella that are common among numerous Shigella types and species and which can protect against shigellosis or other enteric infections when administered as vaccines. In addition, the present invention relates to antigens that are in common between Shigella species and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). The invention also relates to the use of antibodies raised against these antigens and of DNA probes for use in the diagnosis of Shigella and EIEC infections.
US08147844B1
Isolated thrombopoietin (TPO), isolated DNA encoding TPO, and recombinant or synthetic methods of preparing and purifying TPO are disclosed. Various forms of TPO are shown to influence the replication, differentiation or maturation of blood cells, especially megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. Accordingly, these compounds may be used for treatment of thrombocytopenia.
US08147841B2
The present invention relates to the field of bacterial toxic proteins, in particular toxins from Clostridium or other pathogenic organisms using, for example, promoter nucleic acids to control expression of polypeptides such as bacterial toxins.
US08147839B2
The invention relates to fusion proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of at least three HIV proteins selected from Vif, Vpr, Vpu, Rev, and Tat or derivatives of the amino acid sequence of one or more of said proteins, wherein the fusion protein is not processed to individual HIV proteins having the natural N and C termini. The invention further concerns nucleic acids encoding said proteins, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, and methods for producing said proteins. The fusion protein, nucleic acids and vectors are usable as vaccines for the at least partial prophylaxis against HIV infections.
US08147824B2
Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.
US08147819B2
Peptide of a size comprised between 5 and 40 amino acids, originating from a cytokine, in which at least one of its amino acids comprises at least one of its atoms separated by a distance d of less than 5 angstroms from an atom of the receptor corresponding to said cytokine, the spacing d being evaluated on the basis of structural data, derivatives, immunogenic compounds comprising them, use of a peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound for the preparation of a curative or preventative medicament intended for the treatment or prevention of diseases linked to an excess or to the presence of cytokines or for the treatment of an auto-immune disease and pharmaceutical compositions which contain at least one abovementioned peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound as active ingredient.
US08147817B2
This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiac diseases and disorders, such as cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis and heart failure. The invention also relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of fibrosis-related diseases as well as methods and compositions for reducing apoptosis, increasing ST2L signaling, decreasing NF-κB activation, decreasing IκBα phosphorylation, decreasing P38MAPK phosphorylation, decreasing JNK phosphorylation, decreasing reactive oxygen species generation, decreasing macrophage infiltration and/or decreasing the expression of hypertrophic genes. More specifically, the invention relates to IL-33 and/or soluble ST2 inhibiting agents for use in the methods and compositions provided.
US08147816B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and pharmacological or biological compositions to treat presbyopia in the human eye. According to the embodiments, pharmacological or biological compositions may be applied to or injected into an eye to effect a change in the accommodative ability of the eye by the breaking and reduction of lenticular bonds in the eye that may be responsible for presbyopia. The compositions may be applied in an inactive state and subsequently be activated to achieve a therapeutic effect. The application of energy may be used to either break the oxidized lenticular bonds and/or to activate one or more of the pharmacological or biological agents. The energy may be used in a focus treatment pattern to affect a change in the refractive characteristics of the eye and thereby reduce inherent optical distortions.
US08147815B2
A topical administration carrier composition including water, glycerin and polysorbate, suitable for use with compositions containing active ingredients such as minoxidil that are susceptible to volatilization and transdermal penetration in application to the body. The carrier formulation retards the evaporative and systemic migration losses of the active ingredient composition, to provide sustained topical action, in relation to formulations lacking the components of the inventive composition.
US08147800B2
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of F-18 labeled molecules of use, for example, in PET imaging techniques. The labeled molecules may be peptides or proteins, although other types of molecules may be labeled by the described methods. Preferably, the F-18 may be conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a metal complex and binding of the F-18-metal complex to a chelating moiety. Alternatively, the metal may first be conjugated to the chelating group and subsequently the F-18 bound to the metal. In other embodiments, the F-18 labeled moiety may comprise a targetable construct used in combination with a bispecific or multispecific antibody to target F-18 to a disease-associated antigen, such as a tumor-associated antigen. The F-18 labeled targetable construct peptides are stable in serum at 37° C. for a sufficient time to perform PET imaging analysis.
US08147777B2
A sample tube holder for receiving and holding a sample tube having a cylindrical shape, a length symmetry axis and an outer diameter lying in a predetermined range. The sample tube holder comprises a solid body comprising at least one elongated chamber adapted for receiving a longitudinal portion of a sample tube, and an elastic element associated with and located outside of said chamber. When a sample tube is arranged in the chamber there is a gap between the sample tube and the side walls of the chamber, and the elastic element is in direct contact with at least three points of the outer surface of the sample tube, the elastic element thereby holds the sample tube and brings the length symmetry axis of the sample tube into coincidence with the length symmetry axis of the chamber.
US08147774B2
There is provided by the present invention a novel micro passage chip having such a structure that a fluid can be transferred without using a physical or mechanical squeezing means that is applied from above the substrate of the micro passage chip. The micro passage chip of the present invention comprises at least a first substrate, a second substrate, and an intermediate substrate interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and is characterized in that a first non-adhesive thin-film layer is formed on at least one of the mating sides of the first substrate and the intermediate substrate and at least one port for fluids that is in contact with the first non-adhesive thin-film layer and which is open to the outer surface of the first substrate is provided in any position on the first non-adhesive thin-film layer, and that at least a portion of a second non-adhesive thin-film layer whose length is either the same as or different from that of the first non-adhesive thin-film layer is formed on at least one of the mating sides of the second substrate and the intermediate substrate such that it lies either above or under the first non-adhesive thin-film layer, with the intermediate substrate lying in between, and a pressurizing port that is in contact with the second non-adhesive thin-film layer and which is open to the outer surface of the first or the second substrate is provided in at least one area on the second non-adhesive thin-film layer.
US08147772B2
A method and apparatus for eliminating mold spores, pathogens and odor from material like equine bedding. The apparatus includes two or more pairs of augers including blades to control the size of the material and to move it in a zigzag fashion through heat.
US08147770B2
A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions, with the retainment regions that are separated by at least one dissolvable barrier. The retainment regions can be interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway. A retainment region can include a container such as a retainment region, well, chamber, or other receptacle, or a retainment region such as a surface on which the material is retained. The retainment regions can include a reaction retainment region, one or more reagent retainment regions, each containing unreacted reagents, and a sample retainment region. A pressure-actuated valve can be positioned in each fluid processing passageway interconnecting the one or more reagent retainment regions with the respective intermediate retainment regions interposed between each of the one or more reagent retainment regions and the reaction retainment region. The dissolvable barrier can be a fluid flow modulator in the at least one fluid processing passageway.
US08147768B2
A method is disclosed for producing polyvinyl chloride which includes mixing a vinyl chloride solution with an initiator solution in at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one rotor/stator set producing a rotor tip speed of at least 5.1 m/sec (1000 ft/min), to form a polymerization mixture; and allowing the mixture to polymerize by free radical polymerization to form polyvinyl chloride. The polymerization mixture may be subjected to free radical polymerization conditions comprising a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C. In some embodiments, the high shear mixing device produces a shear rate of at least 20,000 s−1. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
US08147767B2
Chemical process accelerator systems comprising viscid fluid Taylor Vortex Flows (98, 50a) with high-shear-rate laminar Circular Couette Flows (58) in contact with catalysts (92, 92′, 30, 32, 32f, 32g, 36, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48), catalytic compositions and structures in chemical reactors and electrochemical cells (e.g. fuel cells, fuel reformers) are disclosed.
US08147763B2
Honeycomb bodies, especially those used in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, contain a housing and a metal matrix with an average starting diameter. The matrix is connected to the housing, whereby at least one contraction limiter that causes an outward directed tensile stress in at least one part of the matrix is provided. The average starting diameter of the matrix is reduced by 5%, preferably by a maximum of 2%, during and/or after being subjected to thermal stress.
US08147762B2
A particle separator for the separation of particles from the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. The particle separator includes different heat transfer zones arranged at least in the main flow direction of an exhaust gas stream through the particle separator, different, that is, with respect to heat storage capacity and/or thermal conductivity and/or the heat-transfer properties from the exhaust gas stream to the particle separator. Each of these different zones makes it possible for a precisely defined amount of heat to be transferred from the exhaust gas stream to the individually assigned sections of the particle separator.
US08147750B2
There is provided a gold alloy wire for a ball bonding. The gold alloy consists of 10 to 50 ppm by mass of magnesium (Mg); 5 to 20 ppm by mass of europium (Eu); 2 to 9 ppm by mass of calcium (Ca); and a remaining portion being gold (Au) having a purity of a minimum of 99.998% by mass. In the gold alloy wire for a ball bonding, an addition amount of calcium (Ca) is a maximum of half that of europium (Eu).
US08147740B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing footwear. The footwear has an upper and an outsole with an upraised portion, such as a toe bumper or a heel bumper. The method uses a mould comprising a last, upon which the upper is arranged, an upper mould part divided into two side parts being laterally movable in relation to a lower mould part between a first and second position, and the lower mould part being vertically movable in relation to the upper mould part between a third and fourth position. The method comprises the following steps: —placing the outsole 3 in a lower mould part 4 of a mould, —placing an upper 2 in a cavity of the mould, —moving at least one side part 5 against the other side part 5 from a first to a second position whereby the two side parts abut the upper 2, —injecting a composition into the space 12 in order to connect the outsole to the upper and to make a midsole 9, and moving the lower mould part 4 towards the upper 2 from a third to a fourth position so that a tip 8 of the upraised portion 7 is pressed towards the upper 2 by a control surface 13 of the side parts 5 so that a space is maintained between the upper and upraised portion 7 of the outsole 3.
US08147730B2
The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet.
US08147720B2
An aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent is provided which can cure a thermosetting epoxy resin at a relatively low temperature in a short period of time. A method for producing such an aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent, whose curing conditions can be relatively easily controlled, is also provided. The aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent is made latent by reacting a silsesquioxane-type oxetane derivative with an aluminum chelating agent in the presence of an alicyclic epoxy compound.
US08147712B2
Disclosed is a polishing composition containing not less than 1 wt % of a water-soluble resin, which is obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer containing an amino group and/or an amide group, based on the total weight of the polishing composition.
US08147710B2
Compositions comprising CF3CClFCH2OH, CF3CClFCH2OZnCl, and CF3CClFCH2OC(═O)CH3 are useful in processes to make HFO-1234yf. Compositions comprising HFO-1234yf may comprise at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of CFC-114a (2-dichloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, CCl2FCF3), HCFC-124 (2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, CF3CHFCl), HCFC-143a (1,1,1-trifluoroethane, CF3CH3), CFO-1113 (2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethene, CClF═CF2), HFO-1123 (1,1,2-trifluoroethene, CHF═CF2), HFO-1132a (1,1-difluoroethene, CH2═CF2), TFE (tetrafluoroethene, CF2═CF2), HCFO-1122 (2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethene, CHCl═CF2), 3,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-2-butanone (CH3C(═O)CHFCF3), acetyl fluoride (CH3C(═O)F), 2-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol (CF3CClFCH2OH), 2-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl acetate (CF3CClFCH2OC(═O)CH3), Zinc (2-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy) chloride (CF3CClFCH2OZnCl2-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy methyl acetate (CF3CFClCH2OCH2OC(═O)CH3), 1,3-bistrifluoromethyl-1,3-difluorocyclobutane (C6H4F8), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl acetate (CF3CHFCH2OC(═O)CH3), dimethylformamide (DMF, HCON(CH3)2), pyridine (C5H5N), ethyl acetate, (CHClFCF3), acetic acid (CH3C(═O)OH), diethyl ether (CH3CH2OCH2CH3), acetic anhydride (CH3C(═O)OC(═O)CH3), methyl acetate (CH3C(═O)OCH3), dimethylacetamide (CH3C(═O)N(CH3)2), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol CH3CH2OH), methyl formate (HC(═O)OCH3), pyrazine, pyrimidine, N-methylpyrrolidine, N-methylpiperidine, hexamethylphosphoramide, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, N-methylpyrrolidinone, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, benzonitrile, and mixtures thereof. Compositions comprising HFO-1234yf are useful, among other uses, as heat transfer compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems.
US08147701B2
The present invention relates to a treatment process applicable to degrade or transform organic and inorganic pollutants, commonly found in industrial wastewaters, contaminated aquifers and gas emissions, in which reduction or oxidation reactions (e.g. redox reactions) are involved. The treatment concept comprises reactors in which catalysts, with redox mediating properties, have been immobilized on ion exchange resins in order to improve and accelerate the transformation of priority pollutants by chemical or biological means.
US08147681B2
A water-based separating composition for separating hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing material includes at least about 73% by weight water, a hydrotropic agent, a dispersant having flocculating characteristics, at least one acid and at least one base in amounts sufficient to provide the separating composition with a pH of about 7 to about 8.5. The hydrotropic agent and the dispersant having flocculating characteristics are different.
US08147676B2
The present invention relates to an improved delayed coking process. A coker feed, such as a vacuum resid, is treated with (i) a metal-containing agent and (ii) an oxidizing agent. The feed is treated with the oxidizing agent at an oxidizing temperature. The oxidized feed is then pre-heated to coking temperatures and conducted to a coking vessel for a coking time to allow volatiles to evolve and to produce a substantially free-flowing coke. A metals-containing composition is added to the feed at at least one of the following points in the process: prior to the heating of the feed to coking temperatures, during such heating, and/or after such heating.
US08147675B2
A process for the conversion of heavy feedstocks selected from heavy crude oils, distillation residues from crude oil or coming from catalytic treatment, visbreaker tars, thermal tars, bitumens from oil sands, liquids from coats of different origins and other high-boiling feedstocks of a hydrocarbon nature known as “black oils.”
US08147669B2
A process for fabricating a reflective optical system is disclosed that includes providing first and second mandrels that form a mandrel assembly, and positioning the mandrel assembly in an electroforming bath. The process also includes performing an electroforming operation for a predetermined period, thereby forming an optical system on the mandrel assembly. The process further involves separating the mandrel assembly from the optical system. The resulting optical system is reflective and has at least first and second elongate hollow sections each having an axis corresponding to the axis of elongation of a respective mandrel. The reflective optical system may be used as an afocal relay and used in lithography applications.
US08147664B2
A sputtering apparatus includes a target holder which is placed in a vacuum vessel and can hold a target configured to deposit a film on a substrate, a substrate holder which can mount the substrate, a first shield member which is disposed in a vicinity of the substrate holder, and configured to form a closed state in which the substrate holder and the target holder are shielded from each other, or an open state in which the substrate holder and the target holder are opened to each other, a first opening/closing driving unit adapted to open/close the first shield member to enter the open state or the closed state, a second shield member, having an annular-shaped, disposed on the surface of the substrate holder and an outer peripheral portion of the substrate, and a driving unit adapted to move the substrate holder in order to bring the substrate holder, on which the second shield member is disposed, close to the first shield member in the closed state. The first shield member has at least one annular-shaped, first protruding portion formed on it to extend in the direction of the second shield member. The second shield member has at least one annular-shaped, second protruding portion formed on it to extend in the direction of the first shield member. The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion fit together in a non-contact state at the position up to which the driving unit brings the substrate holder close to the first shield member.
US08147662B2
The invention concerns a capping board assembly and its multiple connectable sections. Each pair of sections is connected with an interlocking joint, each of which comprises at least one projection and at least one recess that cooperate and prevent the longitudinal and lateral movement of the sections. Each interlocking joint is reinforced by a rod embedded within the section and extending within the projection. The rod has a tip that anchors the projection. The interlocking joints allow precision assembly of the sections of the capping board which greatly benefits strength, installation, replacement and transportation.
US08147650B2
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials. The method includes blending cellulose particles and polymeric fibers into a cellulose and polymeric fiber blend. The blend is heated to a temperature at which the polymeric fibers begin to melt and to bond with the cellulose particles, so as to form a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials. An apparatus for the method includes a first conveying means, a second conveying means, a blending means and a heating means. The apparatus further include a primary shredder and a secondary shredder for shredding the cellulose material, typically recycled newsprint, prior to mixing with the polymeric fibrous material. A shredder is also described.
US08147649B1
A creping aid system for use on a creping cylinder, for example, a Yankee dryer, comprises a creping adhesive and a creping modifier, the combination comprising polyethylene.
US08147647B2
The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for cleaning optical surfaces of reflection optics which are arranged in a plasma-based radiation source or exposure device arranged downstream and contaminated by debris particles emitted by a hot plasma of the radiation source. It is the object of the invention to find a novel possibility for in-situ cleaning of the optical surfaces of reflection optics which are contaminated by debris in plasma-based radiation sources so as to allow an integrated generation of known gas radicals and the isotropic distribution thereof on the contaminated optical surfaces. According to the invention, this object is met in that the gas radicals are generated by dielectrically impeded discharge between two surface electrodes along the entire optical surface. The gas radicals are generated almost exclusively by electron transfer on at least one barrier layer which covers the entire surface of at least one of the surface electrodes, an AC voltage in the Hz to kHz range is applied to the surface electrodes for periodically eliminating the charge polarization at the barrier layer so that a cold plasma is generated continuously and the deposited debris particles are removed as gaseous reaction products by the gas flow guided over the optical surface.
US08147645B2
A syringe for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel is provided. The syringe includes a body, a plurality of nozzles, and a connection portion. The body portion has a dispensing material contained therein. The plurality of nozzles supply the dispensing material received from the body portion to a substrate of the liquid crystal display panel. The connection portion are provided on a bottom surface of the connection portion and couples the nozzles with the body portion.
US08147636B2
The present invention provides a method includes the steps of: conveying in a conveyance direction MD a second web in which components forming one part of an absorbent article are sequentially arranged; swinging an elastic member in a cross direction CD at a predetermined cycle by using a swing guide mechanism for guiding the elastic member; and pressing, between one pair of press rollers, the second web on which the elastic member is arranged. The swing guide mechanism has a motor with a rotational shaft, an arm member for guiding the elastic member to a predetermined position on the second web in the cross direction, and a speed reducer provided between the rotational shaft and a base of the arm member to make a rotational speed of the arm member slower than a rotational speed of the rotational shaft.
US08147632B2
A method is described herein for controlling the oxygen level within an oven while sintering a frit to a glass plate where the sintered frit and glass plate are subsequently sealed to another glass plate to form a sealed glass package. Examples of the sealed glass package include a light-emitting device (e.g., organic light emitting diode (OLED) device), a photovoltaic device, a food container, and a medicine container.
US08147631B2
The method for forming a laminate of the present invention is a method for forming a laminate, comprising a silane coupling agent treatment step of applying an aqueous solution of a silane coupling agent onto a surface of a metal layer, and drying the resultant applied film to form a silane coupling agent coating, and a lamination step of laminating a resin layer on the silane coupling agent coating, these steps being continuously performed, wherein when the formed silane coupling agent coating is analyzed in the silane coupling agent treatment step by FT-IR with a reflection absorption spectrometry and then the peak area of Si—O is turned to a value less than a predetermined threshold value, at least one part of the aqueous solution of the silane coupling agent is renewed, thereby conducting the silane coupling agent treatment while the peak area is controlled into a predetermined range.
US08147625B2
Aluminum alloy containing Mg and Si, in particular useful for extrusion purposes containing in wt %: Mg0.3-0.5 Si0.35-0.6 Mn0.02-0.08 Cr0.05 Zn0.15 Cu0.1 Fe0.08-0.28 and in addition grain refining elements up to 0.1 wt % and incidental impurities up to 0.15 wt %. The manganese (Mn), within the specified limits, has an additional positive effect on the extrudability of an AlMgSi alloy. In addition to promoting the transformation of the AlFeSi intermetallic phases, AlMnFeSi dispersoid particles are formed during homogenization. These particles are acting as nucleation sites for Mg2Si particles during cooling after homogenization. In a high quality billet the Mg2Si particles formed during cooling after homogenization should easily dissolve during the preheating and the extrusion operation before the material reach the die opening.
US08147622B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an Fe-based amorphous magnetic alloy and method that includes 4 at. % or less of a low temperature annealing-enabling element M and 10 at. % or less of nickel (Ni). The total amount of the low temperature annealing-enabling element M and nickel (Ni) may be 2 at. % or more and 10 at. % or less.
US08147621B2
A method of producing a metal article intended for at least partially coating with a substance, which includes a metal solder, a plastic, a glass, or a ceramic. The metal article itself may include, in particular, connecting, supporting, or conducting components for an electronic component. The metal article has macroscopically smooth surface portions and a plurality of multiply curved nanopores in the region of at least one surface portion.
US08147614B2
Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide a method and apparatus for processing a substrate in a vacuum process chamber. In one embodiment a vacuum process chamber is provided that includes a chamber body and lid disposed on the chamber body. A blocker plate is coupled to the lid and bounds a staging plenum therewith. A gas distribution plate is coupled to the lid. The gas distribution plate separates a main plenum defined between the gas distribution plate and the blocker plate from a process volume defined within the chamber body. The gas distribution plate and the blocker plate define a spacing gradient therebetween which influences mixing of gases within the main plenum.
US08147608B2
A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks.
US08147597B2
The present system is an adsorption system (100) for separating air into a concentrated gas component, which has an air supply, a compressor (115) for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply, and molecular sieve material for separating the compressed air supply into a concentrated gas component. The adsorption system delivers at least 5 liters per minute (LPM) of concentrated gas component from the molecular sieve material in which the system has a specific total weight per LPM<9 lbs/LPM. Additionally, an output quantity of the concentrated gas is delivered by the adsorption system and a purging quantity of the concentrated gas is dispensed into a sieve chamber of the adsorption system undergoing a purge cycle. The purging quantity has a value equal to or less than the difference between the maximum quantity and the output quantity, and the purging quantity is controlled based on the output quantity.
US08147595B2
There is provided a membrane material for a gas holder having abrasion resistance and flex resistance usable as a gas holder, in addition to strength of a base fabric, and having high gas barrier properties. A membrane material for a gas holder, which is used in a gas holder for storing or recovering gas, includes at least 4 layers of a protective layer, a base fabric layer, a gas barrier layer and a protective layer laminated in this order.
US08147593B2
An absorbing solution according to the present invention is an absorbing solution that absorbs CO2 or H2S in gas or both of CO2 and H2S. The absorbing solution is formed by adding desirably 1 to 20 weight percent of tertiary monoamine to a secondary-amine composite absorbent such as a mixture of secondary monoamine and secondary diamine. Consequently, it is possible to control degradation in absorbing solution amine due to oxygen or the like in gas. As a result, it is possible to realize a reduction in an absorption loss, prevention of malfunction, and a reduction in cost. This absorbing solution is suitably used in an apparatus for removing CO2 or H2S or both of CO2 and H2S.
US08147585B2
A metal alloy feedstock and method for metal injection molding is disclosed. The alloy includes at least two components, such as a first component and a second component. The first component has a first melting point and the second component has a second melting point higher than the first melting point. The first melting point and the second melting point match to the temperature gradient of the heated barrel of an injection molding machine whereby when fed into the injection molding machine the first component melts prior to the second component melts and enables the second component to solute into the first component. Additional components may also be used.
US08147583B2
The invention provides a multiple layer filter media for removal of particles from a fluid stream. The multiple layer filter media may include a depth filtration layer, a membrane filtration layer and a support layer. Additional layers may be present. The membrane filtration layer may comprise expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The various layers of the multiple layer filter media may be bonded together through a plurality of point bonds. The point bonding process may include simultaneously bonding multiple layers of the multiple layer filter media together in a single operation. The point bonds may be created using ultrasonic bonding.
US08147570B1
Systems for producing fuel compositions with predetermined desirable properties are disclosed. Feedback control can be employed to meter precise amounts of fuel composition components while monitoring fuel composition properties to obtain fuel compositions having specifically defined properties.
US08147566B2
The present invention relates to fuel additives, fuel compositions and methods of manufacture in which the additives are provided to impart desired properties to fuels. These properties include, without limitation, reduction of nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions from the exhaust stream of internal combustion engines using the fuels. Preferred embodiments of an additive form of the composition include a nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of urea, cyanuric acid, triazine, ammonia and mixtures thereof, a carrier blend comprising an alkoxylated alcohol, a polyalkylene glycol ester and an alkanolamide and water. The additive may be provided in a concentrate form by addition of a solvent or may be provided as a final form fuel composition. A method of additive manufacture and is disclosed.
US08147563B2
This invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising organic catalysts having enhanced enzyme compatibility and processes for making and using such cleaning compositions.
US08147562B2
The present invention relates to methods for the design and fabrication of biological constructs, such as organ simulants or organ replacements, which contain complex microfluidic architecture. Designs of the present invention provide increased space in the lateral dimension, enabling a large number of small channels for small vessels.
US08147549B2
A diagnostic system is provided that occupies a small area, provides sensing and transmitting of various diagnostic indicia, and with the aid of a healthcare professional, diagnoses and responds to such measurements. In the context of the spine, the diagnostic system comprises a spinal implant situated between two adjacent vertebrae, an antenna for sending and/or receiving signals to and/or from a remote location, a sensor for measuring at least one diagnostic condition, an activating element that has the ability to affect the at least one diagnostic condition, a power source to provide power to the diagnostic system, and a network that electrically connects the antenna, sensor, activating element and battery source.
US08147548B2
Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a spacer and a frame having a central body and a helical shaped wing extending from the central body. The frame can be positioned near about adjacent spinous processes, and can be rotated and urged so that the adjacent spinous processes pass within a groove of the wing, thereby allowing the wing to be arranged on an opposite side of the adjacent spinous processes. The spacer can then be arranged over the frame so that the spacer contacts and distracts the spinous processes, thereby limiting relative movement of the adjacent spinous processes during extension.
US08147546B2
A method and apparatus for surgically coupling a soft tissue replacement into a tunnel of a bone are disclosed. The method includes forming a loop of a soft tissue or soft tissue replacement. A pair of prosthetics are coupled to the loop of soft tissue to form an artificial bone-tendon-bone graft. The prosthetics and soft tissue are then placed within a tunnel formed in a bone. The relative position of the prosthetic is then fixed with respect to the tunnel.
US08147542B2
A method and device is provided, including implanting, at an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient, a spool coupled to a first end portion of a longitudinal member, and coupling a second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of tissue facing a lumen of the ventricle. Other embodiments are also described.
US08147539B2
The invention relates generally to a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and methods for making such a medical device. More particularly, the invention is directed to a stent, such as an intravascular stent, having an inner and outer coating compositions disposed thereon. In another embodiment, the inner coating composition and outer coating composition are separated by a barrier coating composition.
US08147531B2
A compression pin for urging two bone regions together includes a pin body having a distal end, an opposed proximal end, a first threaded region, and a second threaded region. The first threaded region is positioned near the distal end, and the second threaded region is positioned near the first threaded region. The first threaded region includes a first thread having a FT leading surface that is at a FT leading angle, and the second threaded region includes a second thread having a ST leading surface that is at a ST leading angle that is different than the FT leading angle. During insertion of the compression pin, the first threaded region and the second threaded region cooperate to aggressively compress the bone regions together.
US08147523B2
The present application is directed to connectors for attaching a vertebral rod to an anchor. The connectors may include a body with a first channel to receive the vertebral rod and a second channel to receive the anchor. A cradle may be positioned in the body to contact the vertebral rod. The cradle may be pivotally positioned in the body to accommodate a vertebral rod that is at various angular positions within a predetermined plane. A set screw may engage with the body to secure the vertebral rod to the body and the body to the anchor.
US08147517B2
A method for controlling properties of a medical implant includes locating the medical implant in an interspinous area between two spinal processes of a person. The medical implant is coupled to a container via a conduit. A fluid is received in an interior of the container in fluid communication with the conduit. The fluid flows from the container toward the implant having an interior configured to receive the fluid. A pressure sensor is coupled to the interior of the container and/or an interior of the conduit. An internal pressure is determined of the interior of the interior of the container and/or the interior of the conduit by the sensor. The flow of the fluid is regulated to the interior of the implant to regulate a volume of the implant based on the internal pressure and a medical condition of the person.
US08147515B2
A medical holding apparatus provided with an anchor member composed of a tying-up portion to be tied up to an intracorporeal tissue and a first connection portion; and a locking member composed of a holding portion for holding another intracorporeal tissue, a medical instrument or a drug and a second connection portion, in which the first connection portion and the second connection portion can be detachably connected to each other. A method of using the medical holding apparatus comprising steps of inserting the anchor member into a lumen of a cylindrical member; bringing the cylindrical member distal end close to a predetermined intracorporeal tissue surface; pushing the anchor member from the cylindrical member proximal end side so as to project the anchor member out of the cylindrical member distal end and tying up the anchor member to the intracorporeal tissue; holding another intracorporeal tissue, the medical instrument or the drug by the holding portion of the locking member; and connecting the second connection portion to the first connection portion by a magnetic force and the like.
US08147503B2
In one embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed to locate a robotic instrument in the field of view of a camera. The method includes capturing sequential images in a field of view of a camera. The sequential images are correlated between successive views. The method further includes receiving a kinematic datum to provide an approximate location of the robotic instrument and then analyzing the sequential images in response to the approximate location of the robotic instrument. An additional method for robotic systems is disclosed. Further disclosed is a method for indicating tool entrance into the field of view of a camera.
US08147482B2
The present invention discloses an ingestible capsule containing drug and a method for controlled administration of the drug in a mammal for treatment of a disease of the GI tract. The capsule has electronic control means for dispensing the drug substantially to the diseased tissue sites of the GI tract, according to a pre-determined drug release profile obtained prior to administration from the specific mammal.
US08147480B2
A therapeutic agent delivery system that includes a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The catheter has a body with a lumen defined therein. The body of the catheter includes a non-bulbous region having a substantially uniform outer diameter and a bulbous region made from an elastically deformable material. While in a first state the bulbous region has a maximum outer diameter greater than the substantially uniform outer diameter of the non-bulbous region; and while in a second state the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous region is reduced relative to that while in the first state.
US08147476B2
A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
US08147475B2
A disposable wearing article is provided with a pair of liquid-barrier sheets on a body-side surface of the article. A dimension by which distal edges of distal zones of the barrier sheets are spaced from each other in a transverse direction is gradually enlarged from a rear end toward a front end of the article. An end sheet functioning to pull the distal zones closer to each other in the transverse direction is attached to the distal zones extending toward the rear end so as to extend between the distal zones.
US08147472B2
Absorbent structures are disclosed which may be incorporated into liquid absorbent products, such as diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like. The absorbent structures are made from a fibrous material and include a pair of opposing lateral flaps. The lateral flaps are folded onto the fibrous web. By folding the lateral flaps onto the fibrous web, greater basis weight areas may be formed on the absorbent structure. By varying the width of the lateral flaps, the basis weight differential may be increased and decreased. The lateral flaps also form the widest portion of the web material for facilitating folding during a continuous process.
US08147470B2
The present invention provides a disposable pants-type diaper including on a crotch region thereof a separator adapted to prevent feces from coming in contact with the wearer's skin. A basic structure has the crotch region, which is provided with a folded sheet piece attached thereto so as to form the separator. The folded sheet piece is obtained by folding back the sheet piece along a first transverse center line thereof to define a first half and a second half placed upon each other and bonding end edges of these two halves to each other at responsive middles of these end edges in a transverse direction. With the first transverse center line brought close to a second transverse center line, the folded sheet piece is placed upon the crotch region and the lateral edges of the first half are bonded to the crotch region while a region of the first half defined by the lateral edges is kept to be spaced from the crotch region. Then, the basic structure is folded back along the second transverse center line and the inner surface of the basic structure is bonded to the outer surface of the lateral edges of the second half while a region of the second half defined between the lateral edges is kept to be spaced from the crotch region. Of the basic structure folded back in this manner, the front and rear waist regions are bonded along the lateral edges to make the basic structure in a pants-shape.
US08147456B2
A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a splittable valve (150) and a split cap (180). The valve (150) is of the elongated duckbill type and having a slit (158) almost completely across the distal end wall (154) such that two diverging sides (156) of the distal valve portion may be moved apart during insertion therethrough of a dilator or a catheter. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps a seating flange (168) of the valve between itself and a seating groove (136) of the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with frangible sections or seams (108) of the sheath tube (102) and frangible sections (172) and slits (166) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.
US08147445B2
An enema includes a liquid in a dispenser having a bottle, a nozzle attached to the bottle, and a valve. The valve may be a membrane having a slit and a thickness of at most 0.90 mm. The valve may be attached to the bottle or it may be attached to the nozzle. The enema can be administered more easily, with a lower amount of force. A method of bowel cleansing includes inserting the enema into a rectum and applying a compression force to the enema bottle.
US08147444B2
Provided is a method for treating or preventing peritonitis by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxidative reduction potential (ORP) water solution that is stable for at least about twenty-four hours. The ORP water solution administered in accordance with the invention can be combined with one or more suitable carriers and can be administered in conjunction with one or more additional therapeutic agents. Further provided is a method for preventing peritoneal hemorrhage, adhesions and abscesses.
US08147441B2
Methods and devices for use in tissue approximation and fixation are described herein. The present invention provides, in part, methods and devices for acquiring tissue folds in a circumferential configuration within a hollow body organ, e.g., a stomach, positioning the tissue folds for affixing within a fixation zone of the stomach, preferably to create a pouch or partition below the esophagus, and fastening the tissue folds such that a tissue ring, or stomas, forms excluding the pouch from the greater stomach cavity. The present invention further provides for a liner or bypass conduit which is affixed at a proximal end either to the tissue ring or through some other fastening mechanism. The distal end of the conduit is left either unanchored or anchored within the intestinal tract. This bypass conduit also includes a fluid bypass conduit which allows the stomach and a portion of the intestinal tract to communicate.
US08147440B2
The present invention consists of a blood reservoir that incorporates a separate chamber designed to trap condensing water vapor. The blood chamber and the vapor trap are in fluid communication along their top assuring that vacuum applied to the top of the vapor trap is equally applied to the blood chamber. The combination is also structured to prevent condensate water accumulating in the vapor trap chamber from overflowing into the blood chamber as well as provide a structure that allows the end user to empty the water in the vapor trap chamber.
US08147434B2
A resuscitation device for automatic compression of victim's chest using a compression belt which exerts force evenly over the entire thoracic cavity. The belt is constricted and relaxed through a motorized spool assembly which repeatedly tightens the belt and relaxes the belt to provide repeated and rapid chest compression. An assembly includes various resuscitation devices including chest compression devices, defibrillation devices, and airway management devices, along with communications devices and senses with initiate communications with emergency medical personnel automatically upon use of the device.
US08147431B2
A measuring member and a device to be used for determining the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract, includes an intestinal probe, having its distal end provided with a flexible inflatable body and at least one pressure sensor mounted on this supporting body. After bringing the inflatable flexible body to predetermined pressure, the pressure sensor will abut the intestinal wall and the measured pressure development, which represents a measure for the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract, is transformed into a graphical image with the help of the device and/or is transformed into actual values for the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract. Further, the measuring member measures the development of the pressure within the inflatable flexible body, which represents a measure for the intestinal peristalsis.
US08147429B2
The instant invention provides a pelvic floor function diagnostic and therapeutic station, which includes a vaginal/ano-rectal plug and station. The important components of the station are a catheter holder with a pressure measuring (sleeve sensor or other alterative) to measure the constrictor function of the pelvic floor muscle, a vertical force transducer system to measure the elevator function of the pelvic floor muscle and a modular support table or a chair to hold the subject position. The diagnostic and therapeutic station thus allows for simultaneous measurement of the constrictor and elevator functions of the pelvic diaphragm. The station can also be used to treat impaired pelvic floor function via biofeedback therapy.
US08147426B2
A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter. The meter may include a closure portion for selectively closing the opening of the container. The system may also provide mechanisms to disable a power source, an auto-on function of the meter, a diagnostic testing function of the meter, or other function of the meter when it has been determined that a triggering event has occurred. The system may further provide mechanisms to reconfigure the meter to perform a new function when it has been determined that the triggering event has occurred.
US08147424B2
Devices, systems, and methods for accessing tissue in a minimally invasive manner and taking a biopsy tissue sample therefrom are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein enable a tissue sample to be taken from the external surface of the heart in a non-invasive manner. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide devices, systems and methods for accessing the pericardial space through the interior of the heart and engaging the epicardial surface and removing a tissue sample therefrom for diagnostic purposes through the use of suction.
US08147423B2
A measurement system and method are provided for use in characterizing a tissue. The system comprises a probe adapted for operating in either a scan mode or a measure mode, and a control unit for operating the probe. The probe comprises a sensing module for measuring one or more parameters indicative of one or more states of the tissue; and an attachment module configured and operable to enable selective operation of the probe in either one of the scan mode and the measure modes. The control unit is configured and operative to selectively operate the probe in either one of the scan and measure modes.
US08147419B2
Improved apparatus and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and treating at least one medical respiratory condition of a patient are provided, including a medical data input interface adapted to provide at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration of the patient, and a medical parameter interpretation functionality (104, 110) adapted to receive the at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration (102) of the patient and to provide at least one output indication (112) relating to a degree of severity of at least one medical condition indicated by the at least one medical parameter.
US08147418B2
The present invention enables making uniform contact with the tragus using inner and outer cuffs, each of said inner and outer cuffs being comprised of a cuff member 40 connected to a duct 4 and a cuff bladder 22 having a body 27 which is fixed onto said cuff member in an air-tight manner and can expand and contract, comprised in such manner in order to carry out accurate blood pressure measurement at any one given point in time without being affected by the pinch width of the tragus and depth to the tragus even with repeated mounting and removal from the ear auricle, and also comprised such that a lid 23 of said cuff bladder forms a pressing surface 25 in a shape of a protrusion.
US08147415B2
Systems and methods provide for ambulatorily sensing pulmonary artery pressure from within a patient, and producing a pulmonary artery pressure measurement from the sensed pulmonary artery pressure. Power is ambulatorily provided within the patient to facilitate sensing of the pulmonary artery pressure and producing of the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. Acute pulmonary embolism is detected based on a change or rate of change in the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. An alert is preferably generated in response to detecting pulmonary embolism.
US08147411B2
An enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system and method is conducive for a low-power ultrasonic system that can use continuous-wave (CW) Doppler sensing and wireless RF telemetry. Applications include measurement of blood flow in situ in living organisms. Implementations include an extraluminal component located outside of a body, such as a human or animal body, containing a lumen. The extraluminal component can be wirelessly coupled via an RF magnetic field or other RF field to an implantable intraluminal component. The intraluminal component (i.e. implant) is implanted inside of the lumen of the body such as a heart or elsewhere in a vasculature (such as in a dialysis shunt). The intraluminal component can telemeter, via RF electromagnetic signals, flow data directly out of the body housing the intraluminal component to be received by the extraluminal component.
US08147407B2
System for storing pre-packaged sleep related sensors and facilitating effective, efficient, or error-free usage of the sleep related sensors for sleep diagnostic testing including a thoracic respiratory effort belt, an abdominal effort belt, an oxygen saturation sensor, and a nasal and oral airflow sensor, a receptacle for storing sleep-related sensors, and instruction for using the sleep-related sensors.
US08147394B2
Centrifugation method and chamber for washing and continuous separation of blood constituents. This chamber comprises at least one first intake channel for the blood, at least one second intake channel for a sterile washing solution, at least one first outlet channel for at least one constituent of this blood, and at least one second outlet channel for a fluid composed of said washing solution and of the other blood constituents. The second intake channel has its downstream end continued on its periphery by a circular deflector. The latter extends into the bottom of the chamber and is terminated along its inner cylindrical side wall by a ridge, which defines a passage of annular cross section for the flow of said sterile washing solution.
US08147390B2
A weightlifting system includes a first frame member that extends along a longitudinal axis. The first frame member includes a front face, a first side face, a second side face and a multiple of opposed pairs of openings disposed along the longitudinal axis. Each of the multiple of opposed pairs of openings are generally L-shaped and include a first opening and a second opening.
US08147371B2
A differential gear has a simple structure, is able to produce a difference of differential limiting force between a driving operation of a vehicle in which the differential gear is installed and a coasting operation of the vehicle, secures the strength of a thrust bearing adopted for the differential gear, and provides a stabilized differential limiting force, in the driving operation, helical side gears receive thrusting forces acting away from each other, the differential case has inward support faces to axially support the helical side gears, the helical side gear has an annular inward counter face and an annular outward counter face on the inner circumferential side of opposite ends of a teeth area, and between the inward counter faces, there is a thrust bearing having a plurality of circumferentially arranged rollers.
US08147370B2
A power unit for a motorcycle having a continuously variable transmission, which is housed in a transmission chamber inside a engine body and which accomplishes stepless changes in the transmission of power from a drive pulley shaft to a driven pulley shaft by changing the effective diameter with which a belt actually wraps around each of the drive and the driven pulleys. An input clutch is set between a crankshaft and a drive pulley and is provided on the drive pulley shaft. A starter clutch is set between a driven pulley shaft and a rear wheel and is provided on the driven pulley shaft. The switching between the engagement and disengagement of one of the input clutch and the starter clutch is hydraulically controlled. Meanwhile, the switching between the engagement and disengagement of the other one of the input clutch and the starter clutch is mechanically controlled.
US08147369B2
A traction-drive type driving-force transmission mechanism includes an output shaft and a sun roller that is rotatable about a first central axis. Shafts having respective second central axes are disposed respectively on corresponding secondary axes, of which is inclined relative to the first central axis in such a manner that each second central axis is aligned with the corresponding secondary axis. A pressing member is coupled to the output shaft. A plurality of speed-reduction rollers are disposed along an outer peripheral surface of the sun roller and are supported by the respective shafts. The pressing member presses each of the speed-reduction rollers against the outer peripheral surface of the sun roller to allow a driving force to be transmitted by a traction force between the sun roller and the speed-reduction roller.
US08147358B2
An adjustable net post assembly used in ball games comprises: an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, a spring, an outer pipe and an inner pipe. By rotating the outer sleeve, the protrusion of the outer sleeve is moved to the first positioning portion or the second positioning portion the slot of the inner sleeve, so that the positioning protrusion of the positioning member will be disengaged from or engaged in the positioning hole of the inner pipe, which allows the inner pipe to be adjusted by being retracted or extended with respect to the outer pipe.
US08147351B2
Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
US08147349B2
A golf club may have an orientation marker located on the golf club that indicates at least a relative orientation between the golf club head and shaft. The orientation marker may be located, for example, on the golf club head or shaft. A key member provides additional information with respect to the relative orientation between the golf club head and the shaft. The key member may be located, for example, on the golf club head, shaft, or grip portion, or on a head cover for the golf club head.
US08147346B2
The subject matter described herein includes a system for improved golf flag stick stability and reduced golf cup and/or flag stick ferrule wear. The system includes a ferrule locatable on an end of a golf flag stick that is inserted in a golf cup. The ferrule has a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall located between the top portion and the bottom portion, where the sidewall tapers inward at an angle selected from the range of 5 degrees to 30 degrees from the top portion to the bottom portion. The system further includes a golf cup having a central aperture for receiving the flag stick. The central aperture is defined by a sidewall that is tapered inward at an angle corresponding to an angle of the ferrule.
US08147344B2
A ride system for moving a passenger vehicle through a dynamically-defined work space. The system includes a track structure that guides one or more motorized or driven carriers on the track structure. The system includes winches on the carrier(s) that are independently operable to set lengths of the vehicle supporting cables, which extend outward from the winches to the vehicle. During operation, the winch systems provide upper anchor points for suspending the passenger vehicle such that these anchor points are selectively positioned. The winches may be independently operated as the carrier(s) travels from a first position to a second position, such that the vehicle body pitches, rolls, or yaws and moves transversely relative to the track. The winches may be operated concurrently to drop or raise the vehicle to define the work space for the vehicle in the vertical direction. Passenger input may interactively control motion of the vehicle.
US08147331B2
A video game player can control the movement of a moving object in a video game during a moving object dispatch operation by a character, thereby allowing the video game player to experience nervousness and a sense of realism when causing the character to dispatch the moving object. This video game program includes a first request receiving function, a operation display function, a second request receiving function, a moving object control function, and a moving object display function. In the video game implemented with this program, a dispatch request for dispatching the moving object is received from the controller in the second request receiving function when the dispatch operation of the character is displayed on the monitor. According to the timing at which the second request receiving function received the dispatch request, the movement of the moving object is controlled in the moving object control function.
US08147329B2
To provide a game device capable of reducing stress felt by a player in a case of determining a moving destination position of a moving instruction object image. A display unit (84) displays a game screen containing the moving instruction object image and a moving target candidate image. A determining unit (an enemy unit selecting unit (76)) determines whether or not a moving destination candidate position accepted by a moving destination candidate accepting unit (74) and a position of the moving target candidate image satisfy predetermined positional conditions. A display control unit (82) performs display output associated with the moving target candidate image based on parameter information corresponding to the moving target candidate image and parameter information corresponding to the moving instruction object image in accordance with a result of the determination made by the determining unit.
US08147325B2
The present invention relates to methods of and systems for playing tournament-style games, such as the World Series of Poker, and other games of skill or chance. The present invention additionally is systems and methods for using an alternate method of entry to enable a player to participate in a wagering game of skill or chance.
US08147321B2
A probability of winning at least one of a plurality of prizes for a contest is dynamically adjusted, given a fixed prize inventory and an a priori unknown number of participants. A variable probability is determined by approximately dividing a current number of participants in the contest by a current number of prizes awarded. The variable probability is dynamically adjusted based on a variable probability multiplier, that is obtained by dividing a current number of winners in a predefined time interval by a remaining number of prizes in the predefined time interval. A prize can be awarded based on the adjusted variable probability.
US08147315B2
A method is described of providing a game for use with a gaming machine that is arranged to select symbols, present the selected symbols on a display and award an award if a winning outcome occurs. The method comprises receiving identification data for a player and displaying representations of game play of the game, wherein at least one character is depicted as one or more graphic objects. At least one attribute of the character may be amended if a triggering event occurs during game play. The amended attribute may be stored for retrieval in a subsequent game session by the player, wherein the stored amended attribute is associated with the identification data for the player.
US08147310B2
A video poker gaming device, a method of operating a gaming device and a method of playing a poker game including a plurality of cards displayed to a player where the cards are drawn from a deck of fifty-two cards including at least one modifier card. The gaming device deals a first draw of the cards to form a player's hand. Any multiplier cards in the player's hand are replaced by a non-multiplier card. The gaming device enables the player to hold any of the cards in the hand and then determines if any winning card combinations are indicated by the non-multiplier cards in the hand. An award associated with any indicated winning card combinations is provided to the player. The award is multiplied by the multipliers associated with any multiplier cards in the player's hand.
US08147307B2
Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event, that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.
US08147301B2
A clean room air handling system is disclosed. The system includes an air handler adapted to receive an air flow, the air handler further provided with a cooling apparatus, and at least one supply fan for generating the air flow without a cooling apparatus directly associated therewith, and modulation means for operating said system.
US08147293B2
A fluid jet system for achieving a kerf width less than 0.015 inches is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes an orifice mount having a high-pressure fluid bore and an abrasive bore configured to communicate an abrasive mixture in form of a paste or foam to at least a portion of the high-pressure fluid bore. The system further includes a pressure-generating bore and a thin kerf mixing tube respectively provided toward opposing longitudinal ends of the mount body, minimizing a distance therebetween. A method of in-situ recycling of abrasives in the high-pressure fluid jet system includes catching the exiting abrasive-fluid mixture in a catching device, filtering the mixture in a filtering device, and directly pumping the filtered abrasive-fluid mixture to the mixing area without requiring conditioning of the mixture to remove liquids.
US08147287B2
A dense cathode electrode layer having a step coverage is to be formed on an electron injection layer. The electron injection layer in which fine particles of an electron injection material is dispersed in an organic thin film having an electron transport property is formed by vapor co-depositing the electron transport material and the electron injection material; and a cathode electrode layer made of an alloy layer of MgAg is formed by a sputtering method. Since lower portions of the fine particles of the electron injection material dispersed in the surface of the organic thin film are buried in the organic thin film, the electron injection particles are not peeled off even if sputtering particles collide with the electron injection particles, and the upper portions are in contact with the cathode electrode layer formed by sputtering particles.
US08147270B1
A sleeve for storing a Y-shaped cord without tangling and a method of managing a Y-shaped cord by grouping a plurality of the cord loose ends in the sleeve, each into a separate portion, forming a closed loop. The sleeve is triangular-shaped, having a conical sidewall with an open top end and an open bottom end. Inside the sleeve, the ends of the cord are separated by at least one fastener. The closed loop makes it less likely that the cord will tangle with other objects or with itself. If the cord does tangle when in the closed loop, the topology of the closed loop makes untangling the cord simpler and quicker than if the ends were loose. When using the Y-cord, the sleeve remains on the cord, not interfering with the cord functioning and not easily lost.
US08147249B2
A display mechanism for illustrating fluid dynamics includes a water basin having a base and a mass of water with a water surface within the basin. A waterwheel is supported within the basin. The waterwheel includes a plurality of pump tools equally spaced about the waterwheel and adapted to fill with water on one side of the waterwheel and to open on the other side of the waterwheel. Each of the pump tools includes three upwardly extending inner pipes. The plurality of pump tools are arranged to contact two outer pipes and are adapted to fill with water on one side of the water wheel.
US08147236B1
A reshaping tool incorporates a tool head and clamp for reshaping the cross section of a tube constructed from one or more polymer materials. The clamp holds the tube in place while the head portion of the tool, which is moveable with respect to the clamp, engages the tube for reshaping its profile cross section.
US08147229B2
A method of assembling a compressor, including assembling, first as a subassembly external of the compressor housing, portions of the motor-compressor unit, including a crankcase, mount brackets, stator, outboard bearing assembly, and drive shaft. Thereafter, the motor-compressor unit subassembly is inserted into a first end of the housing, and the housing is shrink-fit around the subassembly. The mount brackets may then be welded to the interior surface of the housing. Once the mount brackets are welded to the housing, the remainder of the components of the motor-compressor unit, including the orbiting scroll member, the Oldham coupling, and the fixed scroll member, are then assembled to the motor-compressor unit subassembly and the housing through a second end of the housing opposite the first end, followed by welding the top and bottom caps to the housing.
US08147220B2
A compressor includes a closed container and a compression element welded together at least three, preferably six, welding points. A suction tube for sucking refrigerant gas is attached to the closed container. A first direction and a second direction that are associated with a natural vibration mode of the suction tube do not coincide with a direction in which any two of the welding points are aligned. Accordingly, vibration of the suction tube can be reduced by arrangement of the welding points even if vibration of a motor is transmitted to the compression element.
US08147213B2
A device for guiding powdery fluidic media, in particular powder paint, including a receptacle which is provided with an inner chamber for the media which is to be guided, and from where the medium is suctioned via a connection channel which can be closed by a valve body. The connection channel and the valve body comprise, respectively, an upper end area formed in such a manner that an annular Venturi nozzle is formed therebetween which is used as a pump. The valve body is inserted in a sealed manner in the end region of the connecting channel by a sealing section when in the closed position thereof and comprises a conveyor gas channel which can impinged upon by conveyor gas, through which the conveyor gas can be guided to the connection channel in the vicinity of the sealing section, essentially, in the direction of flow of the medium.
US08147211B2
A method for monitoring a condition of at least one valve positioned with respect to at least one of a first chamber and a second chamber of a reciprocating compressor is provided. The method includes establishing a compressor operation cycle including a valve opening event, a valve closing event and/or a rod reversal event. A crank angle is determined at each of the valve opening event, the valve closing event and/or the rod reversal event during the compressor operation cycle using at least one of a static pressure input and a machine speed input. The method further include diagnosing a valve leak condition during the compressor operation cycle at the valve closing event, wherein the at least one valve is closed.
US08147195B2
A water current generating device is provided that consists of a main body and a horizontal axis rotor attached by a mechanical connection to a fixed support structure. Under the action of one or more hydrodynamic thrusters, the main body of the turbine is rotated about a desired axis of rotation to face the oncoming current flow. The mechanical connection incorporates an appropriate degree of freedom to allow this re-orientation to take place.
US08147185B2
Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling gas leakage in a turbine are provided. A plurality of seals may be provided in series, where each of the plurality of seals may be operable to reduce gas backflow from an inlet of a turbine component. Further, one or more channels may be provided that are operable to direct at least a portion of the gas backflow from respective points within the plurality of seals to corresponding points within a gas flow path of the turbine. The at least a portion of the gas backflow may be directed to the points within the gas flow path through the one or more channels. Additionally, the diameters of the plurality of seals may be optimized to at least partially balance the net thrust generated by the gas flow path of the turbine.
US08147178B2
A gas turbine engine centrifugal compressor axial forward thrust apparatus bleeds impeller tip aft bleed flow from between an annular centrifugal compressor impeller of a high pressure rotor and a diffuser directly downstream of the impeller. The apparatus then uses the aft bleed flow to pressurize an annular cavity extending radially between an inner combustor casing and the rotor and extending axially between forward and aft thrust balance seals. Forward and aft thrust balance lands are in sealing engagement with the forward and aft thrust balance seals on the high pressure rotor respectively. An annular stator plenum in fluid communication with the annular cavity is bounded in part by a forward end wall having conical diffusion holes therethrough which may be axially or circumferentially or axially and circumferentially angled. The forward thrust balance seal may be on an aft conical arm of the impeller.
US08147176B2
An agricultural work machine includes a hopper configured to store an agricultural product during harvesting operations, and an unloading system configured to receive the agricultural product from the hopper and to unload the agricultural product from the work machine. The unloading system includes a turret rotatably attached to a portion of the work machine; a base conveyor belt system configured to convey the agricultural product away from the turret; a base support structure pivotably coupled to the turret, the base support structure being configured to support at least in part the base conveyor belt system; and a shock absorption system configured to absorb a shock load transmitted between the base support structure and the turret.
US08147170B2
A cutting insert used for cutting metal, especially for milling camshafts. The insert comprises at least one cutting edge that is formed by the intersection of a face with a flank. The cutting edges extend at an angle deviating from 90° relative to the cutting direction of the cutting insert in order to reduce the noise level during machining.
US08147168B2
An electrical power generating system is connected to a sewer for conveying waste water to a sanitary treatment station. Waste water is propelled through the sewer line by pumping equipment which simultaneously pulverizes most large objects carried by the waste water. The waste water drives one or more water-operated turbines. The turbines are operatively connected to electrical power generators for producing electrical power and dispersing the power through an electrical power transmission system.
US08147165B2
An artificial ground reef has an attached implanting body to allow seaweed to readily attach and inhabit the artificial ground reef. The artificial ground reef has a main body having an upper member and lower member. Seawater flows in all directions through a plurality of through-holes on a lower part of the lower member. A detachment groove is formed on a plurality of locations of the upper face of the main body. An implanting body has a lower part detachably connected to the detachment groove. The implanting body is separated from the main body and connected detachably to the detachment groove of the main body when seaweed is attached and inhabiting the outer periphery. The main body and implanting body are porous concrete to aid with attachment and inhabitation of the seaweed.
US08147163B2
A method and apparatus for inhibiting the motion of a vehicle comprising a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to contain a net so that the net may be made available for release on command; tire engagement spikes supported by the housing, the spikes being movable to a first position to engage the tires of an oncoming vehicle, the spikes also being movable to a second position to avoid tire engagement, the spikes being positioned to grasp the net when in the first position; and an actuator for moving the spikes between the first and the second positions on command, wherein the spikes comprise at least two barbs adapted to penetrate a pneumatic tire, the spikes also having a hook for grasping a loop of the leading edge of the net. The method of the invention is a method of inhibiting the motion of a moving vehicle comprising the steps of providing a housing in the path of the vehicle, the housing being adapted to releasably contain a net having spikes arranged at a leading edge of the net; transmitting an electronic command manually to a motor that exposes the spikes to the moving vehicle; engaging the tires of the moving vehicle with the spikes by puncturing them; pulling the net from the housing by wrapping the net around the tires as the tires continue to move forward; and limiting continued forward motion by tightening the net around the axles thereby ultimately constraining the tires from further rotation.
US08147161B2
A joint arrangement, for a vehicle, is provided with a joint (7), which has a joint housing (8) and a pivot pin (9) mounted movably in relation thereto. The arrangement also includes a rod (4), which has a cavity (6) and is connected to the joint (7); a sealing bellows (10), which defines an interior space (10) and in which the joint (7) is arranged at least partially; and a gas-permeable connection (13), which connects the cavity (6) of the rod (4) to the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10) and has at least one groove (15), which is formed in a front side (21) of the joint (7), which said front side faces the rod (4), opens into the interior space (11) and has a radially outer end (27). The groove (15) with its radially outer end ends at a spaced location from the outer circumferential contour of the front surface (21).
US08147156B2
There is disclosed a tag making and stacking system, tag stackers and stack trays. To increase tag making capacity, a wide tag web is slit into completely severed narrow tag webs which are cut apart to form tags which are immediately separated and formed into spaced apart stacks. The new system includes a printer and a stacking system to receive and stack tags. The stacking system includes a tag stacker and a removable tag-receiving tray to facilitate transferring a stack of tags from the tag stacker to the place where the tags are to be used. A method of handling tags involves the provision of at least first and second removable trays wherein a first tray with a stack of tags can be replaced by an empty second tray so that the stacking of additional tags can recommence without waiting for the first tray to be emptied.
US08147154B2
In one aspect, the present invention comprises an apparatus for character entry on an electronic device, comprising: a keyboard with one row of keys; and an electronic display device in communication with the keyboard; wherein one or more keys on the keyboard has a correspondence with a plurality of characters, and wherein the correspondence enables QWERTY-based typing. In another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for character entry on an electronic device, comprising: a keyboard with a plurality of keys; and an electronic display device in communication with the keyboard; wherein one or more keys on the keyboard has a correspondence with a plurality of characters, and wherein, for each of the one or more keys, the plurality of characters comprises: (a) a home row character associated with a particular finger when touch typing; and (b) a non-home-row character associated with the particular finger when touch typing.
US08147151B2
The shutter device includes a base, a post, a coil, a shutter, a first magnetic member, and a second magnetic member. The base defines a first aperture. The post is fixedly mounted on the base. The coil is connected to the post and rotatable around the post. The shutter blade is coupled to the post and jointly rotatable with the coil. The first and second magnetic members are mounted on the base arranged on two sides of the coil. The first and second magnetic members are configured for driving the coil to rotate, thereby moving the shutter blade to selectively expose or cover the first aperture.
US08147150B2
A micro shutter with an iris function includes a base plate with a transparent portion formed in a circular shape corresponding to an image sensor which allows light to pass through; a plurality of rollup blades which block the light, arranged in a regular polygon at a circumference of the transparent portion on the base plate to cover the transparent portion, and each of the plurality of rollup blades to have a fixing portion fixed to the base plate and a moving portion rolled up toward the fixing portion; and a controller electrically connected with the base plate and the plurality of rollup blades which controls unrolling degrees of the plurality of rollup blades.
US08147145B2
An increase in the temperature of a sliding bearing can be suppressed, and it is possible to reduce the temperature of the bearing and prevent burning and damage. The bearing is divided in two and composed of a liner and a base metal. The liner is disposed on an inner circumferential side of the bearing, and the base metal is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the bearing. A lower liner of the bearing liner, which is located on a load-receiving side, has a cooling groove formed in an outer circumferential surface thereof and extending along a circumferential direction thereof. A lubricant is cooled in the cooling groove and supplied to reduce the temperature of a shaft-sliding surface of the bearing. The lubricant is supplied to the bearing, increases in temperature due to the cooling and has low viscosity.
US08147143B2
A thrust bearing for a rotary machine includes first, second and third layers. The second layer includes a corrugated foil arranged between the first and third layers. The corrugated foil includes a wall having peaks engaging the first layer and valleys engaging the third layer. A depression is arranged in the wall between first and second peaks. The depression is spaced from the first and third layers. The first layer includes multiple arcuate top foils that are arranged adjacent to a thrust runner of a rotatable shaft. A corresponding number of arcuate corrugated foils may be used to support the top foils. The third layer, which is provided by an annular main plate, includes multiple arcuate spacers arranged circumferentially on the main plate. The spacers are generally aligned with a trailing edge of the top foils. The depressions decrease the stiffness of the bump foils. The spacers direct the axial load through the thrust bearing in a desired manner.
US08147139B2
A medical imaging system comprising an x-ray image detector mounted on a robotic arm and an x-ray generator mounted opposite the x-ray image detector. The robotic arm includes two pivots and a plurality of telescoping segments to adjust the height and angle of the x-ray image detector. In some embodiments, the medical imaging system includes a second x-ray image detector and a second x-ray generator and is capable of capturing biplane stereophotogrammetric images.
US08147133B2
A measured system for use with a calorimeter and related methods of operation.
US08147131B2
A temperature sensing circuit that detects a given temperature includes a first differential input circuit and a second differential input circuit connected to the first differential input circuit. The first differential input circuit is configured to provide a first offset voltage with no temperature coefficient. The second differential input circuit is configured to provide a second offset voltage with a non-zero temperature coefficient. The given temperature is detected based on the first offset voltage and the second offset voltage. An electronic device using such a temperature sensing circuit is also disclosed.
US08147128B2
A timepiece has a basic movement including at least one barrel (12) and a set of hands (14) for displaying the time now, the set of hands being situated at a first level, a mechanism for a supplementary function connected to at least one hand (18a) for displaying the supplementary function, the hand being situated at a second level and on a different axis from the set of hands (14), and an automatic winding mechanism for the barrel (12), including an oscillating mass (24) consisting of a carrier (24a) and a heavy sector (24b) situated at the periphery of the carrier. The carrier (24a) pivots in a plane situated between the first and second levels.
US08147126B2
A covering structure of a mixer includes: a fixed ring connected to the head of a mixer; an upper ring; and a lower ring. The fixed ring is further surrounded by a protruding ring. The upper ring has a striding part on its inner wall to stride on the protruding ring. The upper ring further has at least two stopping parts at an interval. A concave part is formed between each pair of consecutive stopping parts. One end of the lower ring is formed with connecting parts whose number is the same as that of the stopping parts. Its other end is connected downward with a covering element. The connecting parts of the lower ring are inserted via the concave parts on the upper ring and above them. By rotating the lower ring, the connecting parts urge against the stopping parts to form a rotating ring that can rotate along the protruding ring.
US08147113B2
An FPC (31) on which LEDs (32) are mounted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction is secured to a lower chassis (21b) used also as a heat-dissipating plate through an elastic heat conductive sheet (34). With a retaining plate (33) is overlapped on the mounting surface of the FPC (31), a screw (S) is inserted into the retaining plate (33) from the outside of a bezel (5) to fix the retaining plate. Furthermore, the FPC (31) is held between the retaining plate (33) and the lower chassis (21b).
US08147107B2
A headlight rotating device includes a carrier pivotally and slidably supported in a housing for supporting a light device, a lever supported in the housing and coupled to the carrier for pivoting and sliding the carrier relative to the housing, and a motor is disposed in the housing and coupled to the lever for rotating the lever to pivot and slide the carrier relative to the housing and for rotating the headlight device of the vehicle in accordance with the movement of the vehicle's steering system and for suitably lighting the environment for the vehicle driver while turning the vehicle, the carrier is adjustable or movable forwardly or rearwardly relative to the housing.
US08147105B2
For a turn lamp unit, a reflecting member is disposed in an inner space formed by a housing and lens section, wherein the reflecting member is fixed to the housing by a screw. The head portion of the screw is disposed inside a screw housing space arranged at the housing, and an opening of the screw housing space is closed by a waterproof moisture-transmission section. Further, since the inner space and screw housing space are communicated with each other through a breathing hole, one end of the breathing hole is continuous with the inside of the screw housing space closed by the waterproof moisture-transmission section, and the other end of the breathing section is continuous with the inside of the inner space.
US08147104B2
The present invention provides a vehicle room light apparatus which is small in size and achieves high heat dissipation. The vehicle room light apparatus includes a light source; a switch; and a case including a front surface as a designed surface and a back surface. The back surface having a first region on which the light source and the switch are arranged in line, a second region which has a space extending along the first region and an opening continuing to the space, a partition wall which separates the first and the second regions.
US08147096B2
A zoom device for a lighting fixture has a first lens assembly of positive refractive power; a second lens assembly of negative refractive power; and a third lens assembly of positive refractive power.The first lens assembly, second lens assembly, and third lens assembly are aligned along a longitudinal axis coincident with the axis of a light beam emitted by a light source of the lighting fixture, and are characterized by respective focal lengths, which are such as to effectively adjust the size of the images projected by the lighting fixture, while at the same time maintaining compactness of the zoom device.
US08147083B2
Headlights wherein one or more parameters associated with the illumination provided by the associated light source are described. Parameters that can be adjusted, for example, include the intensity of light exiting the headlight assembly, the dispersion of light emitted from the headlight, the direction of illumination, and the like.
US08147080B2
A personal control unit (PCU) for a transportation-based entertainment system comprises a number of buttons. Illumination is provided for the buttons by illuminating a border region that is rounded containing some of the keys, and is provided for some of the buttons themselves. A light diffusion mechanism is provided between the illumination source and the illuminated regions related to the keys so that the illumination appears even across the entire PCU. A controller may adjust the illumination level and color of the illumination source. A system may be provided for matching at least one of color and brightness of the PCU lighting with cabin lighting.
US08147070B2
A projector can form images of illumination system on respective optical paths at positions of corresponding liquid crystal display panels with respect to a light emission surface of a cross dichroic prism without relatively inverting the images and without increasing the number of lenses from the number of lenses included in a relay optical path structure in related art. Moreover, the projector can equalize the magnification of the images formed on the respective liquid crystal display panels by controlling relative image-forming conditions of the first and second optical paths in advance. Thus, deterioration of white balance and color unevenness of light projected by the projector can be reduced even when light emission distribution of a light source varies with elapse of time, for example.
US08147069B2
A lighting device, including a first light source emitting light of a first wavelength; a second light source close to the first source, emitting light of a second wavelength in almost a same direction as that of the first source; a third light source located emitting light of a third wavelength in a direction different from that of the first and second sources; a coupling optical system coupling light from the first and second sources; another coupling optical system coupling light from the third source; and a light path synthesizer synthesizing a light path of light from the first, second and third sources, wherein the light path synthesizer includes a first surface reflecting light from the first source and transmitting light from the second and third sources and a second surface unparallel with the first surface, reflecting light from the second source and transmitting light from the third source.
US08147067B2
A laser projection system includes at least one laser light source, a projection screen and a spatial light modulator for projecting a laser beam of the laser light source to form an image on the projection screen. The projection screen includes a luminescent layer which upon excitation by the laser beam emits blue light. The luminescent layer contains MSi6−aAlaN8−aOx+a:Eu2+ (with M=Sr, Ba,; 0≦x≦1; 0≦a≦1) as a luminescent material. With this material laser light of a laser diode emitting in the wavelength region of 405 nm can be converted to blue light of 450 nm with high efficiency. The proposed projection system, therefore, is suitable for RGB projection using laser diodes as laser light sources.
US08147066B2
A portable type information device includes: a projector device that, with illumination light from a light source unit, projects a projection pattern which has been created upon an image pattern generation unit to an exterior of the portable type information device via a projection lens; and a power supply command device that commands the projector device to turn ON only a power supply to the light source unit. The projector device is configured to be utilized as a simple electric torch. In addition, by retracting the image pattern generation unit from an optical path for projection, the illumination light can be irradiated to the exterior effectively.
US08147059B2
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to jet liquid droplets; and a sheet supporting unit configured to support a sheet that is conveyed facing the recording head, in such a manner that a predetermined gap is provided between the sheet and the recording head, the sheet supporting unit including fixed ribs and movable ribs, wherein the movable ribs are movable within a range such that a top edge of each of the movable ribs supporting the sheet does not exceed a top edge of each of the fixed ribs supporting the sheet.
US08147052B2
A method of manufacturing an ink stick provides the ink stick with a coded mark. The method includes forming an ink stick body of a phase change ink composition, and applying a marking composition to a surface of the ink stick body to form a coded mark on the surface of the ink stick body at the marking station, the marking composition being composed of the same phase change ink composition used to form the ink stick body.
US08147047B2
A liquid supply apparatus includes a container mounting portion and a liquid container. The liquid container includes a case configured to store liquid therein, a first movable member positioned in the case, a second movable member positioned on the case, and a retainer configured to retain the second movable member in the first position. The first movable member and the second movable member include a pair of magnetic materials. When the second movable member moves from a first position to a second position, the first movable member is released from a fixed state in which the first movable member is immovably fixed to the case by a magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic materials.
US08147044B2
A liquid supply device includes a liquid supply channel that supplies a liquid from an upstream side as a liquid supply source side to a downstream side, on which the liquid is consumed, a first valve that is provided in the liquid supply channel to open and close the liquid supply channel, and a second valve that is provided on a downstream side from the first valve in the liquid supply channel to open and close the liquid supply channel. The first valve is closed when the second valve is open.
US08147040B2
A fluid ejection apparatus includes a substrate having a plurality of fluid passages for fluid flow and a plurality of nozzles fluidically connected to the fluid passages, a plurality of actuators positioned on top of the substrate to cause fluid in the plurality of fluid passages to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles, a protective layer formed over at least a portion of the plurality of actuators, a housing component having a chamber, the chamber adjacent to the substrate, and an absorbent layer inside the cavity. The absorbent layer is more absorptive than the protective layer.
US08147028B2
A nozzle inspection device includes an inspection electrode placed apart from a discharge unit with a gap therebetween, an inspection unit for inspecting the presence of a defective nozzle by discharging a fluid with respect to the inspection electrode in a state in which the electric field is generated by application of a voltage between the discharge unit and the inspection electrode, a detection unit for detecting whether the inspection unit is in a non-inspectiable state, and a gap adjustment unit for adjusting the gap by transferring either the discharge unit or the inspection electrode in a case in which the inspection unit is in the non-inspectable state.
US08147027B2
An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method are provided which can perform ink ejection performance recovery operations on a print head at optimal timings while at the same time reducing a volume of ink discarded by the recovery operations. Thirty days after a previous recovery operation, a suction-based recovery operation is performed on the print head prior to the printing operation that forms an image on a print medium. The recovery operation is performed under the condition that a temperature increase of the print head caused by a preliminary ejection of the print head is not more than a predetermined value.
US08147024B2
An inkjet image forming apparatus includes a print head, an ink supply unit, an ink supply flow path connecting the ink supply unit and the print head, an ink supply amount detector which detects the amount of ink supplied through the ink supply flow path, and a controller which controls a maintenance operation of the print head according to the amount of supplied ink detected by the ink supply amount detector. The controller determines the states of nozzles of the print head according to the amount of supplied ink and cleans the nozzles using supersonic waves or performs wiping and spitting of the nozzles, thereby achieving efficient maintenance.
US08147020B2
An ink-jet recording method is provided. The ink-jet recording method includes (i) supplying an aqueous treatment liquid containing a fixing agent for fixing the components contained in an aqueous ink, on an art paper or a coat paper, in an amount of from −50% to +30% with respect to the value of ΔV [ml/m2] determined by the following formula (I), and (ii) recording an image by ejecting an aqueous ink containing a colorant, resin particles, an aqueous organic solvent and water, on the art paper or coat paper by an ink-jet method. In Formula (I), Vr represents a roughness index of the art paper or coat paper obtained from a measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method, and Vi represents an amount of transfer at the inflection point where the value of the absorption coefficient of the art paper or coat paper changes in the measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method. ΔV=Vi−Vr Formula (I)
US08147017B2
A refrigerator, the construction of which provides for the use of a seal (70) inserted into the structure of the chamber (50) or into the door (60), which minimises the distance (D2) between the door and the structure of the chamber of the refrigerator in the closed position, increasing the thermal tightness of the refrigerator with the door closed and thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigerator.
US08147012B2
A connector strip comprising a first mounting plate having spaced apart first projections with first pockets between adjacent projections, a second mounting plate having at least one second projection with second pockets between each adjacent second projection, wherein the first projections and the first pockets slidingly interlock with each second projection and the second pockets to form a joint, and at least one fastener laterally securing together the interlocking projections and pockets.
US08147009B1
The present invention is a component system for constructing the framework for cabinets of the type that are employed when building an outdoor kitchen. The components system consists of specially designed brackets used in conjunction with lightweight concrete side panels to construct the forms for the cabinets. The brackets have channels that attach to the corner edges of the concrete side panels and hold the side panels in place so that the top edges of the panels are accessible for attachment of back splashes and back bars. Brackets with more than one channel have support rods connecting their channels and holding them in spaced apart arrangement. Once the forms are constructed, their exterior surfaces can be finished in a variety of ways. The counter tops, wiring, plumbing, appliances and doors for the cabinets can then be installed to complete the cabinets and kitchen.
US08147002B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a bamboo chair having a good load-carrying capacity and smooth shape and to provide a method of manufacturing the bamboo chair. The bamboo chair is sturdy, symmetrical and fashionable, has a center, a front, a rear and two sides and comprises multiple bamboo slats, a backrest, a seat, two legs and a base. The method of manufacturing a bamboo chair comprises steps of (A) preparing rough bamboo strips, (B) drying, (C) flattening, (D) finishing, (E) forming slat segments, (G) initial assembly, (I) interim assembly and (K) final assembly.
US08147001B2
An aircraft seat assembly configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention offers a light weight and comfortable seat cushioning system that also provides energy-absorption and enhanced passenger maneuverability in extreme conditions such as may be experienced in a hard landing situation. The cushioning system includes a crushable, energy-absorbing layer, a main cushioning layer, a smaller ishial insert layer which may be the same as the main cushioning material and a semi-dynamic pneumatic cell which uses a dual action breather valve to vary its inflation with changes in cabin pressure. The seat cushion may be finished with a covering of cloth or upholstery.
US08146997B2
A vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a first guide member mounted proximate to a vehicle seat back and a second guide member mounted to the first guide member for movement in fore and aft direction. One of the guide members has a series of notches. A head restraint is mounted to the second guide member. A locking mechanism is mounted to the other guide member for extending into one of the notches. A biasing member biases the locking mechanism in engagement with the notches. An actuator is mounted to one of the guide members for actuation from one lateral side of the head restraint and cooperates with the locking mechanism such that linear actuation of the actuator from one lateral side results in symmetrical compression of the biasing member for disengaging the locking mechanism from the notches for permitting fore and aft adjustment of the head restraint.
US08146989B2
A child soothing device includes a frame comprising a structural support, a housing coupled to the structural support and comprising a cover with an opening, and a speaker including a speaker driver and a speaker chamber. The speaker driver has a diaphragm disposed relative to the opening in the cover for external sound wave propagation via displacement of the diaphragm, and the speaker chamber has a volume defined by the housing and in communication with the diaphragm for internal sound wave propagation via the displacement of the diaphragm. The device further includes a partition within the housing to further define the volume of the speaker chamber. The volume may include a region obliquely oriented relative to the diaphragm to support a low frequency response of the speaker.
US08146988B2
A vehicle seat that strokes during an energy absorption process is able to reset. The seat can therefore stroke again, in the same stroking volume, for example during a secondary ground impact after a mine blast. An energy absorber associated with the seat is operative to absorb energy once during the first stroke and is also operative to absorb energy a second time when the seat strokes a second time.
US08146983B2
A folding roof arrangement has a folding top covering (12) and a folding top structure (14). The folding top structure (14) has at least one roof frame (20) with a front area and at least one elastically deformable tensioning element (31-34). The folding top structure (14) can be folded or collapsed with or without the folding top covering (12), so that the tensioning element (31-34) is elastically deformed when folded.
US08146977B2
A vehicular seating system includes a seat cushion pivotably attached to a support structure, with the said seat cushion having a stowed position and a deployed position. A base latch selectively secures the seat cushion in its deployed position. A seatback is hinged to the seat cushion, with the seatback having a folded position and an unfolded position. A base latch interlock is configured to permit the base latch to release only when the seatback is in its stowed, folded position.
US08146973B2
An end effector assembly for a substrate transfer robot is described. The end effector assembly includes a robot wrist. At least one end effector is secured to the robot wrist. The end effector has a fixed end, a free end, a load-supporting surface and a tension member. The fixed end is coupled with the robot wrist. The free end is disposed opposite to the fixed end. The load-supporting surface is coupled between the fixed end and the free end. The tension member is coupled with the load-supporting surface between the fixed end and the free end.
US08146971B2
A grapple attachment for use with a drill pipe having a diameter, that may include first and second gripping members disposed on a rigid lateral member tiltable up to 40 degrees from the horizontal and preferably continuously rotatable, wherein each of the first and second gripping members has a first and second claw and a bracket having a concave contact surface, each claw having a concave gripping surface, wherein the surface of the bracket and the gripping surfaces of the first and second claws come in contact with the drill pipe when the gripping member is in the closed position.
US08146964B2
A latch mechanism includes a latch bolt moveable between an open position, a first safety position and a closed position. The latch mechanism further includes a power closure system operable to move the latch bolt from the first safety position to the closed position. The power closure system has a transmission path including a drive lever rotatable about a drive lever axis and being engageable with a drive surface of a further transmission path component. The transmission path is operable to connect a power actuator to the latch bolt. The latch mechanism has a first position at which the latch bolt is in the first safety position, the drive lever axis is in a first drive lever axis position, and the drive lever is engaged with the drive surface of the further transmission path component, a second position at which the latch bolt is in the closed position, the drive lever axis is in the first drive lever axis position, and the drive lever is engaged with the drive surface of the further transmission path component, and a third position at which the latch bolt is in the open position, the drive lever axis is in a second drive lever axis position, and the drive lever is disengaged from the drive surface of the further transmission path component.
US08146963B2
What is described is a device for releasable mounting an accessory (12) on an operating table (102), comprising two coupling parts (10, 100) which can be connected to each other and a mechanism for locking and unlocking. The mechanism comprises a first locking element (26) arranged on the first coupling part (10) and a second locking element (114) arranged on the second coupling part (100), an unlocking element (28) arranged on the first coupling part (10) which is biased into a locking position and can be moved into an unlocking position against the biasing, in which unlocking position it acts on one (114) of the two locking elements (26, 114) such that the two locking elements (26, 114) are disengaged from one another, a catch element (40) which is arranged on the first coupling part (10) and keeps the unlocking element (28) in its unlocking position against the biasing, and a release element (46) arranged on the first coupling part (10) which is biased into a first position and is acted upon by the second coupling part (100) when the coupling parts (10, 100) are connected to each other and is pushed into the second position against the biasing. The release element (46) acts on the catch element (40) in its first position such that the same is disengaged from the unlocking element (28).
US08146960B2
An assembly including two symmetrically-disposed expandable threaded tubular joints. The joints including a male tubular element at one end of a tube and equipped with a male thread, a first annular lip having a first axially abutting surface, a first inner surface and a first outer surface, and a second abutting surface; and a female tubular element equipped with a female thread, a second annular lip having a third abutting surface, a second outer surface and a second inner surface, and a third inner surface and a fourth axially abutting surface which, together with the second outer surface, defines an annular housing homologous to the corresponding first lip. The two female tubular elements form two opposing ends of a female/female-type sleeve.
US08146959B2
A pipe string component that connects an offshore platform with a sea bed is provided. The pipe string component includes a threaded tubular connection. The threaded tubular connection includes a male tubular element including a tapered male threading, and a female tubular element including a tapered female threading that cooperates with the male threading by makeup to produce a rigid mutual connection of the tubular elements with radial interference between radial load transfer zones of the threadings. The male and female threadings each have a load flank extending substantially perpendicularly to an axis of the male and female threadings. The radial load transfer zones are at a radial distance from envelopes of thread roots of the male and female threadings. The radial load transfer zones of the threadings comprise at least one surface substantially parallel to an axis of the connection.
US08146953B2
To mount a partition cover (2) in a pipe joint (1), a nut (12) is screwed onto a joint body (11) to sandwich the partition cover (2) between the joint body and the nut. At this time, the partition cover is supported so as not to press a sleeve (13). As such, an opening (1a) of the pipe joint is sealed while preventing the sleeve from being deformed due to the partition cover being mounted.
US08146952B2
Coupling structure includes: a first and a second pipe section each having a metal wall and a flexible pipe section interconnecting the first and second sections, a hinging support frame including a first set of arms connected to the first pipe section, a support ring around the flexible pipe section hingingly attached to the first set of arms, the first set of arms being pivotable around a first axis, and a second set of arms connected to the second pipe section and hingingly attached to the support ring, the second set of arms being pivotable around a second axis transverse to the first axis, the base ends of the first and second set of arms are connected to the first and second pipe sections via at least one connector member extending transversely to the respective pipe section, at a predetermined distance from the pipe section metal wall, the arms extending along the respective pipe sections over a predetermined length such that a gap between the pipe section metal wall and the arm is defined over the length.
US08146942B2
An airbag bracket has at least one airbag fastening section (31, 32, 41, 42) for fastening an airbag device to the airbag bracket (1) and has at least one instrument panel fastening section (11, 12, 13, 23, 24) for fastening an instrument panel to the airbag bracket. Thus, forces occurring during the triggering of the airbag device can be reliably absorbed. The airbag bracket (1) has at least one supporting fastening section (35, 45) for fastening the airbag bracket (1) to a supporting structure of a motor vehicle.
US08146939B2
A fifth wheel apparatus for detachably coupling a trailing vehicle to a towing vehicle is disclosed. An equalizer bridge is supported on a towing vehicle and is pivotable about a roll axis that extends in a direction of towing motion. The equalizer bridge includes first and second arms that extend laterally from respective first and second sides of the roll axis. A fifth wheel head is coupled to the equalizer bridge for movement therewith about the roll axis. The fifth wheel head is pivotable relative to the equalizer bridge about a pitch axis transverse to the roll axis. First and second damping elements are operably interposed between the towing vehicle and the first and second arms, respectively. When the trailing vehicle is attached to the fifth wheel head, the first and second damping elements resist rolling movement of the trailing vehicle about the roll axis during travel over uneven roads.
US08146933B2
An attachment structure system is disclosed for attaching a damper to a vehicle. The attachment structure system can include a stiffener body that has a central portion connected to a damper. The stiffener body can be connected to both the vehicle's frame and a vehicle body portion, such as the wheel housing, to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness from being transmitted to the driver of the vehicle, and to provide other structural and ride characteristic benefits to the vehicle.
US08146925B2
The present disclosure provides a vehicle assembly, such as a metal face seal, that includes a break-in lubricant compound. The assembly lubricant compound may reduce friction and scoring between contacting surfaces of the assembly, especially during the initial break-in of the assembly. During the initial break-in period, the compound may permit the contacting surfaces of the assembly to seat, or establish a pattern of surface mating, with limited wear and with limited material transfer or scoring.
US08146918B2
A paper sorting apparatus for an electronic device includes a chassis with a control module disposed therein, a paper transporting module accommodated in the chassis, and a plurality of paper trays attached to the chassis. The paper transporting module has a first end, that is pivotable, and a second end, that is attached to the control module. The control module is capable of rotating the second end about the first end and coupling the second end with one of the paper trays.
US08146915B2
A method and an apparatus for laterally aligning a sheet in a processing machine, in particular a printing machine, carries out lateral sheet alignment on a cylinder of the printing machine, e.g. a feed cylinder. In order to achieve large correction distances in relation to a possible lateral movement capability of a gripper bar, the latter is prealigned prior to correction in such a way that, in the event of deviation from predetermined desired values, it is prealigned laterally to defined positions. A sheet-fed rotary printing machine having the apparatus, is also provided.
US08146885B2
Field removable bonnet assemblies for use with valves are described herein. An example field removable bonnet assembly for use with internal valves includes a body that is to be removably coupled to the internal valve. The body defines a bore that is to receive a valve packing. Additionally, the field removable bonnet assembly includes a shaft having a cam assembly that is to rotatably engage a stem of the internal valve. The shaft is rotatably coupled to the body and the shaft is at least partially positioned within the bore. Further, the field removable bonnet assembly includes a removable adjuster that is externally accessible to enable an adjustment of the removable adjuster relative to the body to change a force exerted by the valve packing on the shaft. The removable adjuster is field removable to replace or repair the valve packing.
US08146881B2
Fastener retainer brackets and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. One example fastener retainer bracket includes a mounting portion and a restricting portion coupled to the mounting portion. The mounting portion defines a plurality of openings structured to receive a plurality of fasteners received in a support structure. The restricting portion is adapted to permit tool access to heads of the plurality of fasteners when the plurality of fasteners extend through the plurality of openings of the mounting portion. The restricting portion is adapted to contact the head of at least one of the fasteners to inhibit removal of that fastener from the support structure.
US08146880B2
An apparatus for supporting a window sash (54) has clamps (14, 16) for clamping the support apparatus to a frame unit (52) of a window assembly (50) and support arms (42) mounted on the support apparatus for supporting the window sash (54) in an open position relative to the frame unit (52). The apparatus has the advantage that it allows a window sash of the type that opens outwardly of a building to be removed and/or installed from the interior of the building.
US08146872B2
A display attachment apparatus comprising a clamp assembly and a mounting assembly. The clamp assembly has a first clamp arm, a second clamp arm and a hinge assembly hingedly coupling the first clamp arm to the second clamp arm. Each clamp arm has a plurality of magnets which engage either corresponding magnets or other ferromagnetic members on an opposing clamp arm, when the clamp arm is in an engaging, or closed configuration.
US08146867B2
A spacecraft architecture and accompanying standard allows for the creation of a spacecraft using an assortment of modules that comply with the standard. The standard preferably includes both mechanical and electrical compatibility criteria. To assure physical/mechanical compatibility, the structure of each module is constrained to be compatible with any other compatible module. To minimize the interference among modules, the extent of each module in select dimensions is also constrained. To assure functional compatibility, a common communication format is used to interface with each module, and each public-function module is configured to respond to requests for function capabilities that it can provide to other functions. Each module is preferably designed to provide structural support to the assemblage of modules, and an anchor module is provided or defined for supporting the entire assemblage and coupling the assemblage to other structures, such as a launch vehicle.
US08146856B2
An attachment device for an aircraft engine that includes a rigid structure and an attachment mechanism of the engine to the rigid structure. The attachment mechanism includes a device reacting to thrust forces generated by the engine, the reacting device including two link rods mechanically connected to a balance beam at a rear end by a first mechanical connection, a main fitting fixed to the rigid structure to which the balance beam is mechanically connected, and two additional fittings fixed to the rigid structure to which the link rods are mechanically connected with play. The mechanical connections between the balance beam and the main fitting and between the link rods and the additional fittings each include a pin orthogonal to a mid-plane of transmission of the forces.
US08146839B2
A fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine includes a housing and a valve element which is arranged in the housing. The valve element interacts, in the region of a fuel outlet opening, with a valve seat. The valve element is embodied by at least one first part and at least one second part which are coupled to one another by means of a hydraulic coupler. The hydraulic coupler has a coupling chamber which is delimited at least partially by a sleeve which is guided on the first part of the valve element. Additionally a guide element guides an end region of the first part of the valve element, which end region being oriented toward the second part of the valve element.
US08146825B1
An assembly and method for tracking implant devices within a sterile field, the assembly comprising a reader, a sterile medical drape and a computer in communication with the reader. The reader comprises a scanner, housing structure and an optional transparent sterile sheath.
US08146821B2
A bar code reader 10 includes a housing 20 including one or more transparent windows H, V and defining a housing interior region. As a target object is swiped or presented in relation to the transparent windows an image of the target object is captured. Cameras C1-C6 have an image capture sensor array with a global shutter is positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view. All the cameras produce images in a sequential manner during an image frame time period. An image processing system has a processor for decoding a bar code carried by the target object. The processing system responds to signals from a light sensor to terminate object illumination when an adequate image exposure has transpired.
US08146820B2
The invention features a system and method to automatically focus an image reader using a single frame of image data. The method comprises exposing sequentially a plurality of rows of pixels in the image sensor. The method further comprising varying in incremental steps the focus of the image reader's optical system from a first setting where a distinct image of objects located at a first distance from the image reader is formed on the image sensor to a second setting where a distinct image of objects located at a second distance from the image reader is formed on the image sensor. As part of the method, the varying of the focus of the optical system occurs during the exposure of the plurality of rows of pixels.
US08146819B2
There is described an image sensor based indicia reading terminal comprising a variable setting imaging lens having a first setting at which the terminal has a first plane of optimum focus and a second setting at which the terminal has a second plane of optimum focus. According to one embodiment, a first predetermined picture size where picture size is determined according to a number of pixels subject to read out, can be associated to the first lens setting and a second picture size can be associated to the second lens setting such that the terminal with the lens setting set to the first setting reads out a frame of a first picture size and with the lens setting set to a second setting reads out a frame of a second picture size. In addition to or in place of the picture size operational parameters, different operational parameters can be associated to the respective first and second lens settings. Additionally or alternatively, different processes for determining an operational parameter and/or different algorithms for determining an operational parameter can be associated to each of the first and second lens settings.
US08146817B2
A method for decoding a decodable symbol using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture operating mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, and attempts to decode for a decodable bar code symbol which may be represented in the image data.
US08146810B1
System and methods for transaction processing using a rewards account are described. The method may include: receiving a transaction containing a transaction type, formatting a message based on the transaction type and sending the message. The method may alternately include, receiving a transaction message and processing a transaction based on a transaction type contained within the transaction message. The system may include one or more software modules performing the following functions: receiving module to receive transactions, transaction processing module to parse the transaction and determine a transaction type, message processing module to format a transaction message based on the transaction type, and a user interface module to provide a user interface to a customer.
US08146807B2
A method of managing case based promises to pay includes displaying a customer hierarchy. The customer hierarchy displays (i) a customer level with customer level information and (ii) plural account levels with account level information for respective multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. Also included is displaying action now amounts for the customer on the customer level and on the account levels of the customer hierarchy; wherein the account level information is rolled up into the customer level information. The method further includes interacting with a user to select the action now amount for an upper level in the customer hierarchy, and dispersing a partitioned amount of the action now amount to levels which the customer can promise to pay, for levels which are hierarchically below the level of the selected action now amount in the customer hierarchy.
US08146804B2
Provided is a cash transaction machine including: a medium storage portion; a medium transfer module transferring a paper medium in a sheet unit from the medium storage portion; a temporary stack portion including an upwardly and downwardly movable supporter being provided to be adjacent to an outlet of the medium transfer module to stack the paper medium; a carriage receiving the paper medium from the supporter; and a carriage transfer portion transferring the carriage to a medium outlet in a state where stacked paper media is pressed, wherein the carriage includes a holder being provided in parallel with a moving direction of the carriage to support a bottom surface of the stacked paper media. The cash transaction machine may be constructed to enable a stack of paper media to maintain its arranged state while the paper media is being transferred and to simplify a transferring structure of paper media.
