US08238138B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor memory device including: a bit line and a sense line; a data storage element having a data storage state changing in accordance with a voltage applied to the bit line; a first switch for controlling connection of the sense line to the bit line; a data latch circuit having a second data holding node and a first data holding node connected to the sense line; and a second switch for controlling connection of the second data holding node of the data latch circuit to the bit line.
US08238136B2
A high performance memory based computation system comprises an array of memory cells. Each memory cell stores a logic data corresponding to a chosen combination of inputs based on a specific logic function. For improved performance, the memory cell array can be divided into sub-blocks; and the sub-blocks can be serially disposed or juxtaposed. The performance of the memory based computation system can further be improved by removing the repeated memory cell rows, column, and/or sub-arrays.
US08238133B2
A semiconductor device includes a selection circuit for selecting a specific pad of a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor device is configured to produce a signal determined by a pin array by the selection circuit.
US08238128B2
A power converter circuitry for converting a DC voltage generated by a generator with varying output power in the mean voltage range into an alternating voltage for feeding into a grid, with several series-connected power converters, which are connected in parallel with said generator, as well as with a controllable bridging switch for each power converter, said bridging switch lying in a direct voltage intermediate circuit and bridging the respective power converter in the closed condition, is intended to be used for a photovoltaic generator. This is achieved in that a resistance chopper is connected between each power converter and the generator, no input diode being provided in the current path from the generator to the power converter, and that each bridging switch is connected in parallel with the resistance chopper in the direct voltage intermediate circuit.
US08238107B2
A cap for a MEMS package includes a main body having a bottom surface, a top surface, a plurality of accommodations recessed from the bottom surface towards the top surface, and a plurality of slots recessed from the top surface towards the bottom surface in a way that the top surface is defined into a plurality of regions corresponding to the accommodations respectively. After completion of the MEMS package, the package can be cut along the slots into a plurality of MEMS package units, such that the cutting work can be done quickly and the cutting burrs can be minimized.
US08238103B2
An electronic component unit includes: a substrate; an electronic component mounted on the surface of the substrate; a heat dissipating member received on the electronic component; a cylinder member having one end coupled to the substrate, the cylinder member having the other end defining an opening opposed to the heat dissipating member; and a piston member having one end coupled to the heat dissipating member, the piston member having the other end inserted in the cylinder member through the opening to establish a closed decompressed space inside the cylinder member.
US08238096B2
An mounting structure includes an enclosure, a bracket, a latching member, and an elastic member. The enclosure includes opposite first and second sidewalls. An insert hole is defined in each of the first and second sidewalls. A latching hole is defined in the first sidewall. The bracket to receive an electronic device includes opposite first and second sides. An insert extends from each of the first and second sides. The inserts can be inserted in the insert holes. The latching member is rotatably mounted to the bracket. The latching member includes a main body, and a latching pole extending from the main body. The elastic member can bias the latching member to rotate to a latching position in which the latching pole is inserted in the latching hole of the enclosure.
US08238085B2
A detachable portable computing device is provided. The computing device comprises a display device and a main body. The main body comprises a base and a detachable member. The base is rotatably connected to the display device. The detachable member is detachably connected to the base. The computing device also includes a latching mechanism configured for detachably connecting the detachable member to the base. The latching mechanism comprises a first locking member, a second locking member, and an actuating mechanism. The first locking member is securely connected to one of the base and the detachable member. The second locking member is movably connected to the other one of the base and the detachable member. The second locking member is slidable between a first position and a second position where the second locking member engages and disengages the first locking member.
US08238079B1
A capacitor and a method for assembling a capacitor. A capacitor is assembled from a case, which contains an anode that is electrically coupled to the case and defines wells or slots receiving a plurality of cathode plates. A header is placed on the case. The header also supports a glass seal that insulates the lead tube and cathode lead coming from the cathode. Once assembled, the capacitor is filled with electrolyte. A weld extends around the header to secure the header to the case. A bent cathode configuration enables a plurality of cathode plates electrically coupled together from a common cathode plate.
US08238073B2
In a method for forming an in-molded capacitive sensing device a plastic film is provided, the plastic film comprising a first side and a second side. A capacitive sensor pattern is disposed on at least a portion of the second side, the capacitive sensor pattern including a region for facilitating electrical contact. A resin layer is printed over a portion of the capacitive sensor pattern such that access to the region for facilitating electrical contact is maintained. A plastic layer is injection molded onto a portion of the resin layer such that the capacitive sensor pattern becomes in-molded between the plastic film and the plastic layer while access to the region for facilitating electrical contact is maintained.
US08238063B2
A magnetic sensor assembly including first and second shields, and a sensor stack between the first and second shields. The sensor stack includes a seed layer adjacent the first shield, a cap layer adjacent the second shield, and a magnetic sensor between the seed layer and the cap layer, wherein at least one of the seed layer and the cap layer has a synthetic antiferromagnetic structure.
US08238062B2
In some embodiments, a magnetic reader comprises first and second shields extending from an air bearing surface (ABS), a magnetoresistive stack is located between the first and second shields, and a flux guide is separated from the magnetoresistive stack while connecting the first and second shields. The flux guide magnetically couples the distal end of the magnetoresistive stack to the first shield.
US08238061B2
A printed circuit cable assembly (PCCA) for a hard disk drive (HDD) is disclosed. The PCCA includes a stiffener portion having an elongated shape that includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The PCCA also includes a flexible portion extending from the elongated stiffener portion, wherein the PCCA is configured to be mountable on a headstack of the HDD such that an entire footprint of the IC chip overlays a metallic portion of the headstack of the HDD.
US08238060B2
A magnetic recording head includes: a main magnetic pole; a laminated body; and a pair of electrodes. The laminated body includes a first magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole, a second magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than the magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The pair of electrodes are operable to pass a current through the laminated body.
US08238053B2
A robot hand includes: a drive source; a baseboard; a housing that is capable of advancing and retreating on the baseboard by means of the drive source; a pair of hands that are provided to grasp an object and held by the housing; an operation body that is provided to be capable of being pushed by the object and is held by the housing; and a close mechanism that changes a state of the hands from a non-grasping state where the hands release the object into a grasping state where the hands grasp the object, in response to pushing of the operation body, and that is held by the housing.
US08238050B2
An embodiment of a method of designing a grooved reflector comprises selecting two given wavefronts; and designing two surfaces meeting at an edge to form a groove such that the rays of each of the given wavefront become rays of a respective one of the given wavefronts after a reflection at each of the surfaces. Multiple grooves may be combined to form a mirror covering a desired area. A mirror may be manufactured according to the design.
US08238046B2
An exemplary lens module includes a first lens, a second lens and an electrostrictive member. An optical axis of the second lens is aligned with that of the first lens. The electrostrictive member defines a through hole therein for facilitating light passing through, and is sandwiched between the first lens and the second lens. A thickness direction of the electrostrictive member is parallel to optical axes of the first lens and second lens. The electrostrictive member is capable of deforming in the thickness direction thereof when an electric current with an intensity is applied thereto, and capable of returning back to its undeformed state when the electric current is removed, whereby a space between the first and second lenses is adjusted, and at least one of the first lens and second lens is moved.
US08238044B2
An imaging lens SL installed into such as an electronic still camera 1 includes, in order from an object side: a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power; a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power; a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power; the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 move along an optical axis upon focusing from infinity to a close object, and a given conditional expression is satisfied, thereby providing a fast imaging lens capable of taking a picture from infinity to a close object with high optical performance, an optical apparatus equipped with the imaging lens, and a method for manufacturing the imaging lens.
US08238038B2
Zoom lens for SLR digital cameras. The lens is at least 75 degrees wider in field angle at the wide-angle end, about 3 to 4 in f-stops at the wide-angle end and approximately 6 to 7 at the telephoto end, and about a 15:1 zoom range. Four groups of lens pieces exert positive, negative, positive, and positive refractivities from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end as a result of the 1st and 2nd lens groups being split more, the 2nd and 3rd lens groups coming closer to each other, and the 3rd and 4th lens groups also coming closer to each other. The 3rd lens group has the leading set of lens pieces closer to objects and the trailing set of lens pieces can be orthogonal to the optical axis to compensate for defocus in the imaging plane. The 2nd lens group is displaced closer to objects for focusing.
US08238034B2
Provided are a varifocal lens having a focal length that may be electrically controlled, and an imaging apparatus including focal length. Varifocal lens includes fluid sealed between two transparent flexible layers. An upper flexible layer is supported by support plate having opening having a lens shape, and vacuum is maintained on upper flexible layer. Portion of lower flexible layer, which faces opening having a lens shape, is fixed by a fixation plate, and a chamber having a predetermined space is formed below the lower flexible layer so as to surround a portion corresponding to the opening having the lens shape. Charged particles are positioned in the chamber. In the varifocal lens, when the charged particles are moved by an electrical field generated in the chamber to compress the lower flexible layer, a lens region of the upper flexible layer protrudes in an upper direction so as to obtain refractive power.
US08238031B2
In an example embodiment, lightwave device for use in a dispersion compensator, includes a light coupler configured to direct light toward a grating structure. The light coupler includes a first strip including a first material and a second strip attached to the first strip. The second strip includes a second material, and the second material has an expansion coefficient different than the first material. The first and second strips form a deformable reflector. A thermoelectric unit is coupled to the light coupler and is configured to adjust a shape of the deformable reflector based on a temperature of the thermoelectric unit. A support member is connected to the light coupler and is configured to position the deformable reflector so to receive light for transmission to the grating structure. Another embodiment provides a dispersion compensator using the lightwave device.
US08238028B2
An erect equal-magnification lens array according to the present invention includes: a first lens array plate including a first lens plate and a group of plural convex lenses arrayed on an emission surface of the first lens plate, an incident surface of the first lens plate being formed in a planar shape; a first aperture plate having plural apertures; a second lens array plate including a second lens plate and a group of plural convex lenses arrayed on both an incident surface and an emission surface of the second lens plate; a second aperture plate including plural apertures corresponding to plural projections of the plural convex lenses on the emission surface of the second lens plate; and a third lens array plate including a third lens plate and a group of plural convex lenses arrayed on an incident surface of the third lens plate.
US08238015B2
A method comprising generating an optical beam with a laser, filtering the optical beam to select a desired wavelength with an etalon positioned in a path of the optical beam, heating the etalon to an operational temperature using a heater, monitoring the operational temperature of the etalon with a resistive thermal device disposed in or on a thermally conductive frame bonded to the etalon, and applying feedback control of the heater based on the monitoring to select the desired wavelength.
US08238005B2
A hologram medium manufacturing method that includes disposing a first pair of master hologram media with a predetermined interval so that the first pair of the master hologram media face each other; forming a master hologram in the master hologram media by irradiating the first pair of the master hologram media with spherical wave light and reference light so that the spherical wave light and the reference light interfere with each other in the master hologram media. The spherical wave light and the reference light have a focal point between the first pair of the master hologram media. The method also includes disposing a hologram medium between the first pair of the master hologram media; and forming a hologram in the hologram medium by irradiating the first pair of the master hologram media with the reference light.
US08238002B2
There are provided an image reading apparatus capable of turning on the light source of a display such as an LCD during an image reading operation even when the apparatus operates upon power supply from an external apparatus via a USB bus, and a power control method applied to the apparatus. For example, in the apparatus which is driven upon reception of power supply from the external apparatus, and includes a CIS for reading an original image by intermittently emitting light from an LED, and an LCD with a backlight for displaying information on reading, it is controlled to prevent the ON period of the light source and that of the backlight from overlapping each other during an image reading operation.
US08238001B2
Patches are generated from the overprinting of one or more separations to encode four or more values per patch each color representing a numerical value. In a calibration step, all possible color overprint combinations are printed multiple times on a calibration sheet. The sheet is scanned and each overprinted patch is entered in to a proximity array, which is a volume data structure representing three dimensional (3D) color space). After all calibration colors are entered, the proximity array is repeatedly dilated. Later, sheets that need to be identified are printed with a code number encoded as one or more patch codes. The sheet is scanned and the patch code colors are looked up in the proximity array to determine which original colors were printed. The identified colors are converted the code number. Patch codes are further augmented with error detection and optionally error correction bits to further increase robustness.
US08238000B2
A method for geometrically calibrating a transport or feed through a scanner apparatus, arranged for scanning a two-dimensional original for subsequent usage in an appropriate information handling system, wherein a test original is presented which has been provided with an image for the purpose of deriving a scanned image therefrom. The method uses the test original provided with a test image featuring a leading image edge and a trailing image edge at a predetermined and known parallel displacement with respect to each other, and automatically detects therefrom a calculated first correction value for the zoom factor in the transport direction or transport speed, a calculated second correction value for the leading edge position, and a calculated third correction value for the trailing edge position. Thereupon, the first, second and third correction values are updated in the scanner apparatus in accordance with the measured values therefor.
US08237990B2
A method includes dividing an input range of color values of a first color space into a plurality of sub-ranges, wherein at least one of the sub-ranges comprises an over-range color value. The method also includes determining for each sub-range a level of accuracy in converting color values within each sub-range. The method further includes determining a processing step to be applied to input color values in each sub-range based on the determined level of accuracy.
US08237979B2
A system for utilizing tab attributes includes a communications component, a user interface component, a ticket generation component, and a job submissions component. The communications component operatively communicates at least one print document. The user interface component operatively communicates user data including tab data. The ticket generation component generates a ticket including at least one tab attribute. The ticket generation component communicates with the communications component and the user interface. The ticket generation component receives the user data from the user interface component and the ticket generation component receives the at least one print document from the communications component. The ticket is associated with the at least one print document. The ticket includes at least one tab attribute generated as a function of the received tab data. The job submission component submits a job to a printer and the job includes the ticket and the at least one print document. The system is at least partially implemented by an operative set of processor executable instructions configured for execution by at least one processor.
US08237973B2
In embodiments of print plug-in isolation, a print system input can be received at a print system, and the print system input can be redirected from the print system to an isolation module that isolates one or more print plug-ins from the print system. The print system input can be processed at the isolation module with the one or more print plug-ins to generate print plug-in output, and the print plug-in output can then be communicated back to the print system from the isolation module.
US08237968B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of various systems that facilitate the printing of documents. In one representative example, one arrangement includes a plurality of raster image processors, a plurality of frame brokers, and a first digital switch facilitating communication between the raster image processors and frame brokers. The arrangement also includes a plurality of printers and a second digital switch facilitating communication between the frame brokers and the printers. A central control system orchestrates a progression of frames of a plurality of documents through the raster image processors and the frame brokers to the printers.
US08237965B2
An apparatus, method, and system of determining which one of monochrome image data and color image data is desired according to a user instruction, and sending the image data in the desired format.
US08237953B2
To reduce trouble of specifying a target equipment, a nickname, an image, and the like are transmitted from a digital camera to a printer by wire connection not through a LAN. After the digital camera is connected to the printer through the LAN, the digital camera displays information regarding the printer on a monitor based on the nickname, the image, and the like received from the printer.
US08237947B2
The managing apparatus (14) issues device-control information of the device to a user of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus (1) determines whether or not the device-control information has been received. If the device-control information has not been received, device-control information prepared in advance is obtained. If the device-control information has not been received, a job for executing processing within the range of the obtained device-control information is sent to the device via a network. If the device-control information has been received, a job for executing processing within the range of the received device-control information is sent to the device. The device (19) processes the received job within the range of the obtained device-control information.
US08237940B2
In an embodiment, a method comprises, in a print application management computer program that enables a user to generate a printed application using one or more document processing devices: identifying a plug-in that extends one or more capabilities of the print application management computer program; extending the print application management computer program to include the identified plug-in, including reconfiguring a graphical user interface of the print application management computer program to include one or more GUI widgets associated with the identified plug-in.
US08237939B2
An information processing apparatus determines whether a particular operation on a first file, for example, is restricted or not. The information processing apparatus also restricts the particular operation on a second file related to the first file if the particular operation on the first file is restricted.
US08237926B2
A method and apparatus for measuring density which can simultaneously measure gaseous substance density and solid particulate material density and further can simultaneously measure the densities of a plurality of materials such as black smoke, white smoke, and water vapor. The method includes irradiating a laser having at least one wavelength equivalent to an absorption wavelength of each gaseous substance to be measured.
US08237925B2
The present invention relates to a prism for inducing Brewster's angle transmission and a fluorescence detection apparatus for enhancing a signal-to-noise ratio using thereof, and more specifically, to a prism for inducing Brewster's angle transmission and a fluorescence detection apparatus for enhancing a signal-to-noise ratio using thereof, in which evanescent waves are generated when light is cast onto fluorescence material applied on a sample surface at an angle greater than a critical angle, and the evanescent waves are used as excitation light of fluorescence to induce total internal reflection of the light so that the light may pass through the prism at a Brewster's angle. Therefore, effects of the re-reflected light on the sample surface are removed, and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is improved at the same time. In addition, the prism is miniaturized, and therefore, usage of the sample area and efficiency of the light amount are improved.
US08237922B2
An apparatus that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a high power laser beam. The apparatus employs the optics used in a process application, including a focus lens and cover glass. An attenuation module includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. A beam dump is positioned out of a path of travel of the laser beam and in receiving relation to light reflected by the first and second mirrors. A camera detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors. A high power attenuator formed by a highly reflective mirror pair is positioned between the source and the attenuation module. A second embodiment includes a single mirror plate having highly reflective surfaces.
US08237913B2
A lithographic method is provided that includes using an illumination system to provide a beam of radiation having an illumination mode, using a patterning device to impart the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section, and projecting the patterned radiation beam onto a substrate. The illumination mode is adjusted after the radiation beam has been projected onto the substrate. The adjustment is arranged to reduce the effect of optical aberrations due to lens heating on the projected pattern during projection of the pattern onto a subsequent substrate.
US08237912B2
A lens element, for use in a projection system, includes a concave side. The lens element further includes a membrane and a nozzle, the membrane at least covering the concave side of the lens element. The nozzle is arranged for supplying and/or removing a liquid and/or a gas in between the concave side and the membrane.
US08237911B2
Apparatus and methods keep immersion liquid in a space adjacent to an optical assembly. An optical assembly projects an image onto a substrate supported adjacent to the optical assembly by a substrate table. An insertion member insertable into the space between the optical assembly and the substrate, the substrate table, or both, divides the immersion liquid into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed between the optical assembly and the insertion member, and the second portion disposed between the insertion member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both. The insertion member keeps the optical assembly in contact with the first portion when the substrate is moved away from being disposed adjacent to the optical assembly.
US08237910B2
A liquid crystal etalon includes a chiral nematic material contained in a liquid crystal cell having alignment surfaces configured to bias the chiral nematic material toward a twisted liquid crystal configuration with a twist less than 360°. Electrodes are arranged to apply an operative electrical bias to the liquid crystal cell. Mirrors disposed about the chiral nematic material define a resonant optical cavity. At a first electrical bias the etalon is transmissive for light of a first wavelength via a selected liquid crystal twist angle and cavity thickness at which different non-equal eigenmodes reach resonance conditions simultaneously. In a projector embodiment, a projection system with a field sequential image projection light source is coupled with the liquid crystal etalon, the etalon electrodes are patterned into pixels defining a display area, and the projector is operated in a field sequential illumination mode.
US08237909B2
A vehicular rearview mirror assembly (600) includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element (303) and a printed circuit board (603) for mounting electrical components. A liquid crystal display (LCD) (615) is mounted to the printed circuit board (603), while a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (608) are also mounted to the same printed circuit board below the LCD (603) for providing backlighting.
US08237903B2
An LCD device includes plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other to define pixel regions on a substrate. A thin film transistor (TFT) resides at a crossing portion of the gate lines and the data lines and a pixel electrode is electrically connected with the TFT. The TFT includes a gate electrode, a gate insulation layer on the gate electrode and a semiconductor layer on the gate insulation layer. A portion of the data line and the semiconductor layer form a composite layer between adjacent pixel electrodes in which a line width of data line is the same as a line width of semiconductor layer. A method of fabricating the LCD device includes etching a passivation layer using a mask pattern and etching the semiconductor layer using the mask pattern and a portion of the data line as an etch mask to form the composite layer.
US08237895B2
In a transflective liquid crystal display device including a transmission display portion and a reflection display portion, a dichroic ratio of a polarizing layer contained in a reflection region is increased to enhance display performance. The liquid crystal display device includes: the transmission display portion and the reflection display portion which are formed for each pixel; a reflective layer formed in the reflection display portion; a first substrate having a principal surface opposed to a liquid crystal layer; a second substrate opposed to the first substrate via the liquid crystal layer; and a polarizing layer formed above the reflective layer via an underlying layer thereof on the principal surface of the first substrate. The polarizing layer is made of chromonic liquid crystalline molecules, and an interface between the polarizing layer and the underlying layer has one of a siloxane structure and a silazane structure.
US08237893B2
A liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal panel having a cell 15 and polarizing plates 11, 12; wherein a liquid crystal molecule is rotated in parallel to the cell 15, the polarizing plate 12 has a multiple polarizer layer formed thereon, the multiple player having a first polarizer layer having a higher polarization degree with respect to a light from a forward direction than a polarization degree with respect to a light from a oblique direction and a second polarizer layer having a higher polarization degree with respect to a light from a oblique direction than a polarization degree with respect to a light from a forward direction, and an average elastic constant of a splay elastic constant K1, a twist elastic constant K2, and a bend elastic constant K3 of liquid crystal material is equal to 10×10−12 N or larger and satisfies a relationship of K1/K2<=1.5.
US08237889B2
A backlight device in which a reflector can be easily taken in and out and can be efficiently replaced by preventing friction between a casing and the reflector from occurring when the reflector is assembled in the device and variation of optical characteristics after the assembling can be suppressed. In order to provide such a backlight device, the cross sectional shape of the reflector is gradually reduced in its inserting direction.
US08237885B2
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel in the pixel electrode and common electrodes formed within a pixel comprise repeating structures. The angular range of light incident from the light source is narrower along a direction of the repeating structures than along an orthogonal direction.
US08237879B2
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display containing a plurality of liquid crystals, a switching element, a plurality of alignment layers and a plurality of electrodes. The switching element comprises a gate, a drain and a source, and the drain/source forms a directional top portion. The gate and the source/drain form a lateral electric field. The alignment layer is disposed on the switching element and corresponds with the directional top portion. The plurality of liquid crystals are operated by the lateral electric field and located above the electrodes and the alignment layers. The alignment direction of plurality liquid crystals is following the directional top portion due to the enhancement of liquid crystal phase transition. Enhancement of the lateral electric field between the plurality of electrodes is helpful to reduce liquid crystal phase transition time.
US08237878B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a gate wiring, a first insulating substrate, an oxide active layer pattern, a data wiring, a floating electrode, and an upper gate electrode. The gate wiring includes a gate line formed on the first insulating substrate and a lower gate electrode extending from the gate line. The oxide active layer pattern is formed on the gate wiring. The data wiring includes a data line intersecting the gate line. The floating electrode generates a coupling capacitance by overlapping the gate wiring. The upper gate electrode is capacitively coupled to the lower gate electrode.
US08237877B2
A touch panel includes two substrates, a sealant positioned between the substrates, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates and enclosed by the sealant, and a first and a second sensing zones disposed on the substrate, wherein the first sensing zone is enclosed by the second sensing zone, and the second sensing zone is enclosed by the sealant. The first and second sensing zones have at least a first sensor and at least a second sensor respectively. The first sensor has a first sensor gap, and the second sensor has a second sensor gap smaller than the first sensor gap.
US08237874B2
This display screen turning apparatus includes a turntable mounted with a display body and rotatable in a horizontal plane, a base, rotatably holding the turntable, provided with a drawn projecting portion and a floating prevention member so mounted on the projecting portion of the base as to prevent the turntable from upward floating. The floating prevention member has a floating prevention portion provided above a region where the upper surface of the turntable is arranged, a mounting portion for mounting the floating prevention member on the projecting portion and a leg portion provided between the floating prevention portion and the mounting portion for maintaining the base and the floating prevention member at a prescribed interval by coming into contact with the base.
US08237866B2
A system, apparatus and method are disclosed for separating a current frame of a composite video signal into a luminance signal and a chroma signal. A relative chroma correlation value is generated using a plurality of lines of the current frame. A weighted sum of inter-line pixel differences of the current frame is generated using the relative chroma correlation value. A frame difference signal is generated by subtracting a previous frame of the composite video signal from the current frame. A detected motion signal is generated that corresponds to motion detected in the current frame. The weighted sum of inter-line pixel differences, the frame difference signal, and the detected motion signal are combined to generate the chroma signal. The chroma signal is subtracted from the current frame to generate the luminance signal.
US08237865B2
A method of processing image data includes generating image data including luminance and chrominance data representing a selected object, separating the luminance and chrominance data, storing the separated luminance and chrominance data in corresponding separate spaces in memory, and separately compressing the stored luminance and chrominance data.
US08237857B1
The present invention provides a system and method for adjusting aspect ratios. In an embodiment, the present invention adjusts aspect ratios by (1) receiving a desired aspect ratio; (2) determining an adjustment factor based on the original aspect ratio and the desired aspect ratio; and (3) transforming the screen mechanically from the original aspect ratio to a new aspect ratio, where the new aspect ratio is based on the adjustment factor.
US08237851B2
Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for calibrating lens displacement in a voltage controlled actuator. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit comprises a programmable voltage source that provides a voltage to a control terminal of an actuator to set a lens displacement, a switch that selectively decouples said programmable voltage source from said control terminal, a current source that provides a reference current to said control terminal when the control terminal is decoupled from said programmable voltage source, a comparator that senses a voltage difference between said programmable voltage source and said control terminal, and a timer coupled to an output of the comparator. The timer measures a time period required to increase the control terminal voltage. The capacitance of the actuator may be determined and used to calibrate the position of a lens.
US08237844B2
The present invention concerns a method and camera for obtaining a high-contrast image of a predetermined target present in an area under observation. The method involves obtaining an in-band image of the observation area including the target using a filter whose bands are aligned with selected characteristic wavelength bands of the target and an out-of-band image of the observation area excluding the target using the filter with its bands non-aligned with the selected characteristic wavelength bands of the target. Processing of the in-band and out-of-band images results in a high-contrast image highlighting the presence of the target in the observation area and thereby allowing its detection and monitoring.
US08237842B2
A wide-angle lens consists of, in order from an object, a front lens group GF consisting of a first front lens group GF1 that consists of a negative meniscus lens L11 having a concave surface facing an image, a second front lens group GF2 that consists of a negative lens L12 having a concave surface facing the image, and a third front lens group GF3 that has a convex surface facing the object and has positive refractive power; and a rear lens group GB consisting of a first rear lens group GB1 that consists of a cemented positive lens constructed by a negative lens L14 and a positive lens L15, and a second rear lens group GB2 having positive refractive power; thereby providing a wide-angle lens having a wide angle of view, well corrected aberrations, less ghost images capable of coping with wide luminance difference, and an imaging apparatus equipped therewith.
US08237839B2
An electronic camera includes a shutter button. When the shutter button is half-depressed, a photographing condition such as an exposure time period and an aperture amount is adjusted by a main CPU, and characters indicative of the adjusted photographing condition are displayed on an LCD. When the shutter button is full-depressed, an image signal of an object is recorded in a recording medium. It is noted that a time difference between a timing of half-depressing the shutter button and a timing of full-depressing the shutter button is lower than a threshold value, a flag is set to “1”, and a display of the characters is prohibited. Prohibiting the characters from being displayed makes it possible to promptly execute a photographing of the object in response to the full-depression of the shutter button.
US08237838B2
An image sensing apparatus that is capable of communicating with an external apparatus, comprising: an image sensing unit configured to sense an object and generate image data; an identification data generation unit configured to generate, from the image data, identification data for identifying a feature of the object; a storage unit configured to store the identification data; a display unit configured to display the image data; a communication unit configured to receive identification data for identifying a feature of an object captured by another image sensing apparatus during communication with the other image sensing apparatus; a determination unit configured to determine the image capture status of each object based on the identification data received by the communication unit; and a control unit configured to control the display unit to identifiably display the image capture status of each object determined by the determination unit.
US08237837B2
An image input device includes: an image capture unit which captures an image of a predetermined image capture range to produce image information; an image analysis unit which, when a range specifier for specifying a partial range within the image capture range enters the image capture range of the image capture unit, detects the range specifier based on the image information, and determines the range specified by the range specifier; an expansion processing unit which performs expansion process for expanding the determined range of the image information produced by the image capture unit when the range is determined by the image analysis unit; and an image information output unit which outputs the image information subjected to the expansion process to the outside.
US08237824B1
A method of pixel correction is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) calibrating a per-pixel correction model of a sensor at a plurality of different illumination levels, (B) generating a plurality of pixel values from the sensor in response to an optical signal and (C) generating a plurality of corrected values by applying the per-pixel correction model to the pixel values.
US08237818B2
A camera includes an imaging unit that generates image data, an inserting-image setting unit that sets an inserting image to be inserted into an image of the image data, a first detecting unit that detects a main subject area in a subject image, a second detecting unit that detects a background area in the subject image based on the main subject area, an inserting-area selecting unit that selects an inserting area into which an inserting image is inserted from the background area, and a magnification determining unit that determines a magnification for enlargement or reduction of the inserting image in accordance with a size of the inserting area and a size of the inserting image, and thereby inserts an inserting image of an appropriate size.
US08237817B2
The present invention is applicable to, for example, a camera-integrated video tape recorder, displaying a marker M so that a luminance level, converted into a specific pattern by zebra display, can be specified on a histogram 80.
US08237814B2
An imaging apparatus, which is capable of starting up in a shooting mode and in a playback mode, and capable of switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode, includes: a memory which stores an image file corresponding to a shot picture image; a display which displays the picture image, and a selector which selects at least one image file from a plurality of image files stored in the memory, wherein in a case of starting up in the playback mode, when there is an image file selected by the selector, the selected image file is displayed on the display, and when there is no selected image file, a latest image file which is lastly shot and stored in the memory is displayed on the display.
US08237813B2
Techniques for creating a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image within a consumer grade digital camera from a series of images of a scene captured at different exposure levels, and displaying the HDR image on the camera's built-in display, are provided. The approach employs mixing images of the series to incorporate both scene shadow and highlight details, and the removing of “ghost” image artifacts appearing in the mixed HDR image resulting from movement in the scene over the time the series images are captured. The low computational resource utilization of the present invention's image mixing and ghost removal processing operations, along with the present invention's ability to commence image mixing and ghost removal prior to the acquisition of all series images, can significantly reduce the time required to generate and display a tone mapped HDR image.
US08237811B2
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device generating an image signal on a subject image; a shooting control mechanism dividing an exposure to be made to the imaging device in an exposure period into a plurality of times of exposures; an adding mechanism adding individual image signals obtained by the plurality of divided exposures in sequence to generate a sum image signal; an amplification control mechanism amplifying the sum image signal using a predetermined amplification factor in a first period in the exposure period to generate an amplified image signal; and a display control mechanism displaying, on a display section, the amplified image based on the amplified image signal in the first period, and displaying, on a display section, an image based on the sum image signal in a period other than the first period in the exposure period.
US08237810B2
An image processing apparatus includes a reader, a plurality of matrix modules, a selector, and a controller. The reader is configured for reading data of each pixel of a binarized image. The plurality of matrix modules is configured for performing filtering operations to the data based on a control signal, the plurality of matrix modules serially connected, and a first one of the series being connected to the reader. The selector is configured for selecting one of the plurality of matrix modules based on the control signal and outputting filtered results from the selected one of the plurality of matrix modules. The controller is configured for generating the control signal. An image processing method is also provided.
US08237803B2
A digital single-lens reflex camera is configured for making it possible to reduce deterioration in image quality due to a camera shake or an object movement and to easily pick up an image with a good image quality. In a digital single-lens reflex camera (1), when an object speed is detected on the basis of a detected object movement, a body microprocessor (12) judges if the object speed is equal to a threshold value (A) or more and, if it is smaller than the threshold value (A), controls a conversion lens camera shake correcting device (82) in a conversion lens (2) or a camera body shake correcting device (75) in a camera body (3) to carry out the camera shake correction. Further, if the object speed is equal to or more than the threshold value (A), the body microprocessor (12) makes a digital signal gain setting unit (111) high in gain so as to increase the ISO sensitivity or makes a shatter speed faster to set a shorter exposure time and has a plurality of images continuously picked up under different exposure conditions.
US08237802B2
A method and apparatus for determining a shaken image by using auto focusing. The method includes calculating a maximum AF value of a preview image and a maximum AF value of a captured image that is down-sampled according to the preview image and comparing the maximum AF value of the preview with the maximum AF value of the captured image to determine whether the captured image is shaken or not.
US08237797B2
An optical flux is radiated, which is focused at a measurement point in a specimen space, and a transmitted light amount is measured. A minute light absorption amount is measured from a transmitted light signal and a reference signal. While three-dimensionally scanning, a three-dimensional map in which light absorption amounts are represented by voxels (volume cells) is obtained. On this three-dimensional map, deconvolution processing with a light intensity distribution image in the vicinity of the measurement point being a convolution kernel is performed, so as to obtain a three-dimensional image of a specimen that is almost transparent in a non-dyed state.
US08237792B2
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for describing and organizing image data. An analysis system includes a sensor, a processing unit, a machine, a database, and/or a display. The analysis system is connected to an electronic device. The sensor generates sensor data which is imported by the processing unit. The processing unit analyzes the sensor data to determine features of the sensor data such as the subject, the time, the location, the object, the event, and/or the action in the sensor data. The processing unit creates entries for the sensor data in a features index. The processing unit receives a query for an item and uses the features index to determine search results including the item, such as a location and a time of the item. The processing unit can also determine whether a machine has completed its mission using the features in the sensor data.
US08237791B2
Feeds from cameras are better visualized by superimposing images based on the feeds onto map based on a two- or three-dimensional virtual map. For example, a traffic camera feed can be aligned with a roadway included in the map. Multiple videos can be aligned with roadways in the map and can also be aligned in time.
US08237790B2
A system and method for positioning a portion of an object to be measured includes installing a digital camera adjacent to a charge coupled device (CCD) lens of an image measuring machine, setting positioning parameters corresponding to different positions of the digital camera on a Z-axis of a world coordinate system, receiving an image of the object captured by the digital camera, and selecting corresponding positioning parameters according to a position of the digital camera. The method further includes selecting a point of the portion of the object in the image, calculating coordinates of the selected point in a plane of the CCD lens, and controlling the CCD lens to move to the calculated coordinates so as to position the CCD lens on the portion of the object.
US08237789B2
A device for automatic illumination and inspection of tubular probes, in particular stents, is proposed, with rotatable means for holding the probes that are to be inspected, with an electronic camera and associated lens, with a computer-based electronic imaging system, and with means for illuminating the probe that is to be inspected. The probe surfaces are illuminated by means of a combination of dark field illumination and transillumination.
US08237787B2
A ball that provides normalized images of a ground-based target subject captured over the course of the arc of its airborne trajectory. The improvements include a processing unit that compiles multiple images into a smooth continuous fly-by video of the target subject, a processing unit that stitches multiple images captured at a single moment in the ball's trajectory into a panoramic image and further normalizes and compiles multiple panoramic images into a smooth, continuous fly-through video, and an embedded motion sensor to initiate operations when the ball is pitched, and an embedded impact sensor to shut down operations for power conservation, and a mass which forces the camera into a repeated spinning or precessing orbit around the core of the ball, and a wireless transmission of surveillance imagery captured by the ball, and ground-based transmission of the target subject's location for subsequent image capture, and means for capturing multiple images of varying viewpoints including a camera aperture connected to a branching collection of fused fiber optic bundles. Also disclosed are means for directing the ball along a controllable trajectory to move toward a ground-based target subject.
US08237783B2
An image processing device for an endoscope includes an image processing section which performs signal processing for generating an image signal to be observed as an endoscope image, for a signal picked up with an image pickup device equipped in the endoscope, a tone correcting circuit section which corrects a tone for the image signal, and a switching section which switches an observation mode or a type for observing as an endoscope image, and changes a correction characteristic of a tone by the tone correcting circuit section in accordance with switching of the observation mode or the type.
US08237782B2
A medical instrument used by being introduced into a body and fixed thereto, includes a camera body provided with a fixing section to be fixed to a body wall in the body, an image pickup section incorporated in the camera body that picks up an image of an object to be examined in the body from an observation window formed in the camera body, a contamination removing section provided by being fixed to the camera body, a transparent cover member, an outer surface of which is in contact with the contamination removing section, movably disposed on the observation window and a drive section incorporated in the camera body that drives the cover member to make a sliding contact with the contamination removing section, and can thereby easily and reliably remove deposits stuck to the observation window and obtain a clear observation image even when deposits are being removed.
US08237769B2
A videotelephony system has an electronically controllable camera with a field of view, a visual token disposed within the field of view, and a camera controller. The camera controller is configured to detect the visual token and reconfigure the field of view relative to a detected position of the visual token.
US08237763B2
A disclosed light source apparatus includes a light source including multiple light emitting devices; an optical element configured to transmit light emitted from the light source; a tube configured to hold the optical element; and a tube holder configured to fix the tube by holding an end of the tube close to the light source or by holding the end of the tube on the light emission side away from the light source. A positional displacement preventing member is provided at the other end of the tube on a light emission side away from the light source in such a manner as to be slidable on the tube in the direction of an optical axis and prevent positional displacement of the tube in all directions perpendicular to the optical axis.
US08237751B2
A method converts an input pixel (IPi) defined by three values (ri, gi, bi) of input primaries (RI, GI, BI) into N drive values (DSi) for driving N sub-pixels (SPi) of a pixel (PIi) of a display device (DD). The N drive values (DSi) have a valid range (VR) wherein their values occur. The N sub-pixels (SPi) emit light defined by N display primaries (DPi) of which at least four are independent. M resulting display primaries (RDi) are used (10) wherein a group of ones of the N display primaries (DPi) which are combined into a combined display primary (CDi) are replaced by the combined display primary (CDi). A first multi-primary conversion (MPC1) is performed (11) on the input pixel (IPi) to obtain resulting drive values (DRi) for the M resulting display primaries (RDi). It is checked (12) whether the M resulting drive values (DRi) have values in the valid range (VR). If the resulting drive value (DRi) of at least one of the M resulting display primaries (RDi) has a value outside the valid range (VR) the method allocates (12) a fixed value (FVi) to the resulting drive value (DRi) outside the valid range (VR), and selects (13) K out of the N display primaries (DPi). The selection includes the ones of the N display primaries (DPi) which were combined into a combined display primary (CDi) but not the display primaries (DPi) associated with the resulting drive value (DRi) outside the valid range (VR). The integer K is larger than 3. Finally the method performs (14) a second multi-primary conversion under a constraint (CO2) for the ones of the N display primaries (DPi) being combined into a combined display primary (CDi) in the first multi-primary conversion (MPC1).
US08237750B2
A method and apparatus are provided for correcting burn-in in a flat screen display. The method includes the steps of determining a maximum cumulative luminance of each pixel (15) within the display (14) based upon a usage of the pixel, providing a modulation map (40) of the display (14) from the maximum cumulative luminance of each pixel (15) within the display (14), transforming the modulation map (40) based upon the maximum cumulative luminance of groups of adjacent pixels to provide a modulation index for each pixel location of the map (40), comparing the modulation indexes with a set of threshold values and adjusting a luminosity of associated pixels (15) of the display (40) when the modulation index exceeds the threshold.
US08237749B2
An image display device and a method for correcting a display characteristic thereof are provided. The image display device includes a composite color luminance determination unit which determines luminance of a composite color using luminance of a neutral color and luminance of a pure chromatic color, a display unit which displays an image signal using the luminance of the neutral color and the luminance of the pure chromatic color and the determined luminance of the composite color, a display characteristic measurement unit which measures a display characteristic parameter from the displayed image signal, and a display characteristic correction unit which corrects a display characteristic according to a result of comparing the measured display characteristic parameter and a preset target value. Accordingly, an accurate gamma correction can be performed.
US08237747B2
A method is described which converts a three primary color input signal (Cx, Cy, Cz) into N drive signals (P1, . . . , PN) to drive N>3 primary colors of a multi-primary color display (3). The method determines (1) a valid range (VS) wherein the N drive signals (P1, . . . , PN) have valid values by performing the steps of (i) defining 3 functions representing 3 of the drive signals (P1, P2, P3) as a function of the remaining N−3 drive signal(s) (P4, . . . , PN), and (ii) calculating (1) a common range in a space formed by the N−3 drive signal(s) (P4, . . . , PN) wherein each one of the 3 functions has valid values. The method selects (2) a point from the common range to determine the N drive signals (P1, . . . , PN).
US08237746B2
A method enables power savings in an OLED display by reducing the size of the screen in an OLED display when the screen is not in use. For example, if the OLED display receives no input from the user for a predefined time period, the size of the screen is reduced in order to decrease the power consumption of the OLED display.
US08237740B2
A method for interactively viewing a vector image, including indicating a request for a desired portion of a vector image, for display at a specified resolution, determining local rectangular regions of a pre-processed vector image that was generated from the vector image, from among a plurality of local rectangular regions, that are appropriate for generating the desired portion of the vector image therefrom, wherein the pre-processed vector image includes a plurality of local rectangular regions and a plurality of local vector objects, each local vector object being associated with one of the local rectangular regions, requesting at least one rectangular region of the pre-processed vector image from a server computer, receiving local vector objects associated with the requested at least one rectangular region of the pre-processed vector image from the server computer, and generating the desired portion of the vector image using the received local vector objects.
US08237734B2
A portable electronic device and a light flickering method for light emitting elements thereof are both disclosed herein. The portable electronic device includes at least one light emitting element. The light flickering method comprises the following steps: setting personalized light flickering data with a user interface; storing the personalized light flickering data; generating a control signal in accordance with the personalized light flickering data; and generating a driving signal in accordance with the control signal and driving the light emitting elements with the driving signal.
US08237727B2
If a larger number of pieces of attribute information are prepared so as to attain advanced input image processing and output image processing, the number of bits of each attribute signal increases, thus increasing the data size of the signal. For this reason, the storage capacity consumed by a storage unit that holds attribute signals may increase, and generation, write, and read speeds of attribute signals may decrease. To solve such problems, attribute regions included in a drawing command are discriminated, the number of types of attribute regions is counted to determine the bitwidth of attribute information based on the number of types of attribute regions, and the attribute information is generated by creating an attribute information table.
US08237726B2
Message sends may be implemented in a graphics pipeline using biased graph coloring. Registers may be allocated by shaders for message sends using biased graph coloring.
US08237720B2
Embodiments for shader-based finite state machine frame detection for implementing alternative graphical processing on an animation scenario are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, the embodiment includes assigning an identifier to each shader used to render animation scenarios. The embodiment also includes defining a finite state machine for a key frame in each of the animation scenarios, whereby each finite state machine representing a plurality of shaders that renders the key frame in each animation scenario. The embodiment further includes deriving a shader ID sequence for each finite state machine based on the identifier assigned to each shader. The embodiment additionally includes comparing an input shader ID sequence of a new frame of a new animation scenario to each derived shader ID sequences. Finally, the embodiment includes executing alternative graphics processing on the new animation scenario when the input shader ID sequence matches one of the derived shader ID sequences.
US08237717B2
Vector image drawing device, method for vector image drawing, and computer readable recording medium
Where each of m and n are any natural number: a drawing region subdivider 5 for subdividing a drawing region into an m×n matrix of drawing subregions having m rows and n columns,; a target vector data selector 6 for discriminating, for each of the drawing subregions, vector data necessary for drawing the drawing subregion from vector data of an image; and a subdivisional drawer 7 for drawing, for each of the drawing subregions after the subdivision by the drawing region subdivider 5, an image based on a drawing subregion target vector data 23 discriminated by the target vector data selector 6 are provided as necessary for drawing the drawing subregion. Preferably, a curve vector data replacer 71 of the subdivisional drawer 7, for each of the drawing subregions, replaces curve vector data outside of the drawing subregion from vector data configuring a figure to be subdivisionally drawn with straight-line vector data and performs a fill processing.
US08237713B2
A benefit is obtained for sending digital information over a network. The digital information is representative of three-dimensional images which include photographic images. The receiving computer renders the images from the received digital information, and a viewer at the receiving computer can interactively choose a viewpoint or perspective to view the images on a display of the receiving computer. The benefit to the sender can be monetary compensation and/or increased recognition of the sender, for example.
US08237709B2
Methods and computing devices enable optimized triangle strip generation using forward looking game tree evaluation methods with node evaluation of strip options based on desired performance criteria. The evaluation of possible triangle paths is performed using metrics which may be weighted for each desirable criteria at each move depth. A recursive algorithm may be used to recursively descend through alternative triangle paths and accumulates a score for the path. The final score for each evaluated triangle path at a dead end or maximum depth of evaluation provides a basis for selecting the best alternative path from the base or root triangle for graphic processing. This evaluation or alternative triangle paths may be repeated to select each subsequent triangle for processing or may be repeated after a number of triangles within the selected path have been processed.
US08237701B2
A video display device includes a display panel; a memory storing defect information for compensating data to be displayed on defect regions of the display panel; a compensation circuit comprising a first compensator that compensates the data to be displayed on the defect regions using the defect information from the memory, and a second compensator that finely compensates the data compensated by the first compensator using a first dither pattern, the compensation circuit supplying data to be displayed on normal regions without compensation; a timing controller comprising a dithering unit for finely compensating data output from the compensation circuit, using a second dither pattern having a size larger that a size of the first dither pattern; and a panel driver for driving the display panel under a control of the timing controller.
US08237697B2
A switch circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a switch arrangement that is operable to connect the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series between a first node that supplies a first voltage level and a second node that supplies a second voltage level, or to disconnect the first capacitor and the second capacitor from the first node and the second node, respectively, and to cross-connect the first capacitor and the second capacitor in response to a first control signal.
US08237696B2
A digital photo frame (DPF) includes a power source, a display panel, a light detector, a motion detector, a processing unit, and a power management unit. The light detector is configured to detect the ambient brightness. The motion detection unit is configured to detect whether anyone is around. The processing unit is connected to the light detector and the motion detector. If the motion detector detects someone is around the DPF and the light detector detects the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, the processing unit controls the power management unit to provide power to the display panel.
US08237678B2
To provide an information processing apparatus and information processing method capable of correcting a contact or proximity position to be closer to a user-intended contact or proximity position with high accuracy. It includes a calculation unit 163 that 3-value processes the proximity value to detect a first region and a second region depending on the 3-value processed proximity value and then calculates positions of respective centroids of the first region and the second region to calculate a direction of a straight line connecting the respective centroids, a calculation unit 162 calculating a contact or proximity position between the operation object and the surface of the display unit based on the proximity value, and a calculation unit 165 calculating a pointed position different from the contact or proximity position based on the contact or proximity position and the direction of the straight line connecting the first centroid and the second centroid.
US08237675B2
A touch panel includes a substrate, a transparent conductive layer and a plurality of electrodes. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The transparent conductive layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate. The transparent conductive layer includes a plurality of separated carbon nanotube structures. The electrodes are electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer. Each electrode is connected with the end of at least one of the carbon nanotube structures such that each carbon nanotube structure is in contact with at least two opposite electrodes. Further, a display device using the above-described touch panel is also included.
US08237666B2
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can enhance and/or simplify tactile-based I/O transactions in connection with a user-interface (UI) of limited form factor. In particular, the architecture can monitor a position of a selector object such as an operator's finger relative to a UI display as the selector object hovers or moves above the UI display. Based upon this position, an analogous coordinate in the UI display can be determined, and a portion of the UI display substantially centered at the coordinate can be modified. As one example, the UI display can be modified to increase the magnification scale (e.g., a virtual magnifying glass) of the portion of the display indicated by the selector object.
US08237664B2
A user interface is presented for mobile devices that provides for efficient and logical movement between applications on the mobile device. Multiple applications may be used simultaneously and interactively. Such uses and data are stored on the device and re-presented to the user at subsequent uses to provide efficiencies in commonly used functions, applications, and contacts.
US08237661B2
A keyboard includes a main body and a support for adjusting the angle of the main body. The bottom of the main body defines slots, and furrows defined in opposite side walls of the slots. The support is accommodated in the main body, includes brackets received in the slots, two shafts, two driving portions, and two elastic pieces. The shafts slide relative to the main body. The driving portions are received in the shafts and are flexible relative to the shafts. One end of each elastic piece is fixed to the sidewall of each shaft, the other end resists one of the driving portions. When one of the shafts is moved, the shaft drives the elastic pieces to support the driving portions, one end of each driving portion is pushed out of the shaft to prop up the bracket.
US08237660B2
A data input device for use with at least one of a touch screen, a keyboard, and a combination thereof is provided. Such data input device includes a stylus member engageable at a first end thereof with at least one of such touch screen, such keyboard, and such combination thereof. Such stylus member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A securing mechanism is at least one of disposed on such stylus member and formed integrally with such stylus member for securing such stylus member to at least one of a user's finger, a user's thumb, and a combination thereof.
US08237644B2
The present invention relates to the architecture of a valve of liquid crystal elements with pixel memory for front or rear projector. The valve comprises elements arranged in rows and columns, each of the elements comprising a liquid crystal controlled by drive means so as to display video information relating to at least one image. According to the invention, one seeks to reduce the size of the drive means of the liquid crystals. Accordingly, capacitors and transistors of the drive means are shared in common between several elements of the valve. The video information intended to be displayed by each of the elements of the valve is coded as a common value shared by a group of at least two adjacent elements of the valve and a specific value before being transmitted to the valve.
US08237642B2
A method for adjusting the intensity values of colored pixels wherein each pixel has a first subpixel, a second subpixel, and a third subpixel, wherein each of the subpixels emits light of a different color and the lifetime of the first subpixel is lower than the lifetimes of the other colored subpixels, comprising: for each pixel, receiving intensity values corresponding to the intensity of each color subpixel in each pixel; and lowering the intensity value of the first subpixel in each pixel and still providing an acceptable pixel color to an observer.
US08237637B2
An organic light emitting display including a scan signal line forwarding a scan signal, a data line sending a data signal and a pixel coupled to the scan signal line and the data line, the organic light emitting diode display, wherein the pixel includes a first switching transistor transmitting a data signal from the data line in response to the scan signal of the scan signal line, a driving transistor, coupled to the first switching transistor, controlling driving current from a first power source line, a storage capacitor coupled between the driving transistor and the first power source line, an organic light emitting diode, coupled between the driving transistor and a second power source line, displaying an image with the driving current controlled by the driving transistor, an initial switching transistor, coupled between the storage capacitor and an initial power source line, initializing the storage capacitor, and a switching transistor for applying a reverse bias, coupled between the second power source line and the initial power source line, applying a reverse bias voltage to the organic light emitting diode.
US08237629B2
Disclosed is a method of driving a plasma display panel. In this method, one field corresponding to one image is divided into a plurality of sub-fields, and at least one second sub-field is arranged after a first sub-field. In the first sub-field, the method comprises a first step of forming wall charges with negative polarity near the scanning electrode and forming wall charges with positive polarity near the common electrode and the data electrode; a second step of adjusting an amount of the wall charges with negative polarity near the scanning electrode and an amount of the wall charges with positive polarity near the common electrode and the data electrode; a third step of generating a writing discharge in a selected display cell of the display cells; a fourth step of generating light emission for display; and a fifth step of erasing a part of the wall charges in the display cell which emits light in the fourth step. In the second sub-field, the method comprises the same steps as the third, fourth and fifth steps. A potential difference between a scanning electrode and a common electrode in each of the fifth steps in the first and second sub-fields is set to be smaller than a potential difference between a scanning electrode and a common electrode in each of the third steps in the first and second sub-fields.
US08237621B2
A spiral antenna includes an antenna element which is formed in a spiral pattern on a dielectric substrate, a cavity which is formed with a space provided between the antenna element, and a magnetic material which is arranged between the antenna element and the cavity. The cross-section of the spiral antenna is formed in a manner which the sum of a distance between the antenna element and the magnetic material and a thickness of the magnetic material increases from the center portion towards the outer circumference of the spiral.
US08237614B2
There are provided a planar antenna that reduces interactions between an antenna section and a peripheral circuit section on each other's electric operations in an apparatus in which an antenna and a peripheral circuit are arranged together on a printed circuit board, and a communication device and a card-type terminal that use the planar antenna. The planar antenna has the antenna section and the peripheral circuit section which are arranged on the printed circuit board. The planar antenna includes: on one surface of the printed circuit board, a plate element that constitutes the antenna section, a microstrip line that is connected with the plate element and feeds electricity from a peripheral circuit to the plate element, and a peripheral circuit mounting area in which the peripheral circuit section is arranged; and, on the other surface of the printed circuit board, a first ground portion that constitutes a ground-side conductor of the peripheral circuit section, and a second ground portion that constitutes a ground-side conductor of the microstrip line. The second ground portion is arranged on the printed circuit board other than the first ground portion. The connection between the plate element and the microstrip line is located on the side of the second ground portion away from the first ground portion.
US08237612B2
Estimating positions of beacons based on spatial relationships among neighboring beacons. Beacon reference data defining positions of beacons is stored from beacon fingerprints observed by devices (e.g., enabled with global positioning system receivers). For a received beacon fingerprint having at least one beacon for which the beacon reference data is missing (e.g., from a device without a GPS receiver), beacons in the received beacon fingerprint for which beacon reference data is available are identified. Based on these identified beacons, the missing beacon reference data is calculated. In some embodiments, a set of spatially diverse beacons is selected from the identified beacons prior to calculating the beacon reference data.
US08237606B2
A system includes a pulsed UHF radar for integrating the signal received over a given integration time. The integration time for the received signal and the size of the distance bin are defined in such a way that, taking into account the range of speeds of the targets of interest, a moving target of interest travels only a distance shorter than the size of the distance bin from one integration period to another. Furthermore, the UHF radar implements a method of forming radar blips from the received signal to form elementary blips from the signals received over the chosen integration time and to store them from one burst to another. The method also confirms that the elementary blips formed probably correspond to targets of interest and then forms, from the confirmed elementary blips, aggregate blips, the attributes of an aggregate blip depending on the attributes of the confirmed elementary blips from which the aggregate blip stems. The method also validates the aggregate blips formed, the validation of an aggregate blip depending on the distance measurement associated with this blip. The transmission of parasitic blips is reduced, brought about by the detection of echos relating to the movement of vegetation due to the action of the wind, to the tracking means.
US08237605B2
The target detection from a slow moving radar platform technology includes a system. The system includes a radar power determination module configured to determine a clutter power based on radar information associated with a radar signal. The system further includes a maximum likelihood determination module configured to determine a plurality of maximum likelihoods from the radar signal within a plurality of substantially equally spaced frequencies and based on the clutter power. The system further includes a maximum threshold determination module configured to determine a maximum threshold from the plurality of maximum likelihoods and based on the clutter power. The system further includes a target detection module configured to detect the target based on the maximum threshold and a target detection threshold.
US08237597B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing circuit is discussed that includes an analog to digital converter circuit, a digital filter circuit, a data detector circuit, a mimic filter circuit, and a sample clock generation circuit. The analog to digital converter circuit is operable to receive a data input and to provide corresponding digital samples. The digital filter circuit is operable to receive the digital samples and to provide a filtered output. The data detector circuit is operable to perform a data detection process on the filtered output to yield a detected output. The mimic filter circuit is operable to receive the digital samples and to provide a mimicked output. The sample clock generation circuit is operable to provide a sample clock based at least in part on the detected output and the mimicked output.
US08237590B2
An apparatus and method for testing an independent monitoring circuit in an LED traffic signal is provided. The apparatus comprises: a proof test circuit embedded within the traffic signal; and a proof test device embedded within the traffic signal. The method comprises: via the proof test circuit, simulating a faulty traffic signal state; activating the independent monitoring circuit without switching the traffic signal into a high impedance state; energizing the proof test device; and via the proof test device, communicating externally the current state of the independent monitoring circuit.
US08237587B2
A continuously-arranged sensor system is provided that can eliminate a shift in timing between a determination signal of each sensor unit and sensor information relating to the determination signal. The continuously-arranged sensor system includes a network unit and a plurality of sensor units, which are connected by a serial transmission line and a parallel transmission line. In accordance with a command sent from the network unit, each sensor unit transmits the determination signal and the sensor information, provided at the same time as the determination signal, to the network unit via the serial transmission line. Therefore, the network unit can obtain the determination signal and the sensor information exhibited at the same time.
US08237581B2
An LED fixture includes multiple LED drivers and a multi-chip LED package so that the lifetime of the fixture is a multiple of the lifetime of a conventional fixture that uses only a single LED driver. A central controller activates and deactivates the LED drivers so that different subsets of LEDs within the LED package are driven sequentially. An optional multi-chip LED driver concurrently drives multiple subsets of LEDs that were previously driven by the LED drivers.
US08237578B2
An alarm circuit and method of monitoring a circuit protection device are disclosed. The alarm circuit includes a circuit protection device connected in series at an input voltage of a load. The alarm circuit also includes a programmable circuit connected in parallel to the circuit protection device and including an alarm signal. The programmable circuit is programmed to include a plurality of functional states, and at least one functional state corresponds to activation of the alarm signal. The at least one functional state activating the alarm signal corresponds with an interruption condition in the circuit protection device.
US08237570B1
Invention discloses a highly efficient integrated physical Reader with dual circular bi-static antenna device comprising an integral DC to DC converter 3, built in to supply power to the reader, wherein desired power, 48V is supplied from the switch 7, to the magnetic transformer 1, an integral RJ 45 female connecter 2, to separate the power; the separated power from the magnetic transformer 1, is fed in to the DC to DC converter 3, which steps it down around 8 volts and then fed to a regulator, providing +5 V as output; which is further fed to the reader to drive the dual circular bi-static antenna to receive or transmit the signals; wherein the said system is assembled within the Antenna enclosure, which eliminates severe distance limitation and deterioration in signal strength imposed by the RF cable.
US08237562B1
Rogue RFID readers are detected by listening to communication between rogue reader and a tag, capturing an identifier associated with the tag from the communication by the reader or by the tag, and checking the captured identifier to determine whether it is a result of a command from another legitimate reader. Audible or visible alerts may be issued, flags may be set, or messages transmitted to an administrator upon determining the operation of the rogue RFID reader. Based on the alert(s) affected tags or the rogue reader may be jammed or an effect of the illegal transmission by the rogue reader may be reversed or tags replaced.
US08237561B2
An improved radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and related reader system and process are provided, wherein the RFID tag includes an on-board battery for enhanced signal transmission range, relatively rapid signal transmission speed, and optimized completion of a data transaction between the tag and a reader. The RFID tag further includes a power management system for activating the tag battery on an as-needed basis, and for thereupon enabling limited portions of the tag circuitry as required for a specific communication protocol, thereby conserving battery power and prolonging battery service life. In one preferred form, the battery is integrated with an antenna structure of single or dual mode with respect to frequency or type. This combination battery-antenna may be designed for recharging from a source of ambient energy.
US08237554B2
In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.
US08237540B2
Programmable occupancy sensors that control the on/off operation of a fluorescent lamp automatically determine loss of lamp life as the lamp is used. The programmable occupancy sensors can provide lamp life status and can automatically alert a user when a lamp is nearing its end of life and should be replaced. The occupancy sensors are also programmable to automatically improve lamp life and energy savings by selecting an optimal time delay from among a number of selectable time delays at which to operate the sensor. The selection is based on an occupancy pattern sensed by the sensor over a given period of time. The optimal time delay, which prevents the lamp from turning off immediately after last sensing occupancy, extends lamp life by limiting the number of lamp off/on transitions, which shortens lamp life, in view of overall energy usage and lamp usage.
US08237534B2
A component coil for constructing transformers and the transformer constructed therefrom are disclosed. The component coil includes a substrate having an insulating layer of material having top and bottom surfaces. First and second traces are included on the top and bottom surfaces. Each trace includes a spiral conductor. The inner ends of the spiral conductors are connected by a conductor that passes through the insulating layer. The first and second spiral conductors are oriented such that magnetic fields generated by the first and second spiral conductors have components perpendicular to the top surface and in the same direction. The component coils can be used to construct a power transformer or a galvanic isolator.
US08237533B2
An integrated printed inductor has a set of open petal loops, connected together in series. For a given inductance value higher quality factor and higher frequency value result using an equal chip surface area. With the same fabrication cost and equal occupied area, higher quality factor values at higher frequency can be achieved. The innovative shape is such that secondary mutual coupling effects occur and contribute to increases of overall inductance values. Small current loops arranged as petals corresponding to inductance value LO are connected in series for the inductance value to add up to a higher value. The loops are connected along a circular path to minimize the total chip area occupied. A secondary loop in the center of the inductor results in a stronger magnetic flux and a higher inductance value, due to both self inductance of the secondary loop and mutual inductance of it with the petals.
US08237521B1
A MEMS contact acceleration switch may include a first non-conductive layer; a second, conductive layer next to the first layer; and a third, conductive layer next to the second layer. The third layer may include a generally circular, annular mass and a center anchor post disposed interior of the annular mass. At least one spiral spring may connect the annular mass to the center anchor post. The third layer may include an x-y plane detection electrode separated from the annular mass by a gap. A fourth conductive layer may be disposed next to the third layer. A fifth layer may be disposed next to the fourth layer and may include a z-axis detection electrode. A second z-axis detection electrode may be disposed on the first layer. A plurality of conductive vias may extend through the first layer and be in electrical communication with the detection electrodes.
US08237514B2
A quantum interference device includes: gaseous alkali metal atoms; and a light source for causing a resonant light pair having different frequencies that keep a frequency difference equivalent to an energy difference between two ground states of the alkali metal atoms, the quantum interference device causing the alkali metal atoms and the resonant light pair to interact each other to cause an electromagnetically induced transparency phenomenon (EIT), wherein there are a plurality of the resonant light pairs, and center frequencies of the respective resonant light pairs are different from one another.
US08237511B2
According to one embodiment, a local oscillator includes: an adder that adds an oscillator integer phase and an oscillator fraction phase and outputs the addition value as first phase information; a delayer that outputs an addition output of a frequency command word at one clock before and second phase information as estimated oscillator phase data; a correcting unit that outputs an addition of compensation information to the first phase information as the second phase information when |the first phase information−the estimated oscillator phase data|>|the first phase information+the compensation information−the estimated oscillator phase data| is satisfied and otherwise outputs the first phase information as the second phase information.
US08237510B2
A method and a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit for implementing enhanced locking capability with a wide range dynamic reference clock, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The PLL circuit includes a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) and a plurality of filter comparators receiving a differential filter VCO control voltage. The plurality of filter comparators comparing the differential filter VCO control voltage values, provides a respective gate enable signal responsive to the compared differential filter VCO control voltage values. A clock signal is applied to an up/down counter responsive to the respective gate enable signal and the wide range dynamic reference clock. The count values of the up/down counter are provided to the VCO to select a respective frequency range for the VCO.
US08237506B1
An amplifier having a Doherty-type architecture and a method for operation thereof are provided. The amplifier comprises a main amplifier path comprising a main amplifier, an auxiliary amplifier path comprising an auxiliary amplifier, and an signal preparation unit configured to develop a main amplifier input signal for the main amplifier path and an auxiliary amplifier input signal for the auxiliary amplifier path based on an amplifier input that is to be amplified and a transition threshold associated with the amplifier input. By driving the main and auxiliary amplifiers as a function of the transition threshold, the gain of the Doherty-type amplifier may be increased.
US08237499B2
The present disclosure illustrates a feedforward controlled envelope modulator and a feedforward control circuit thereof. The feedforward controlled envelope modulator comprises a linear amplifier circuit, a switching amplifier, and a feedforward control circuit. The linear amplifier circuit amplifies an input voltage signal, so as to output an output voltage signal to a load node. The switching amplifier receives a comparison signal, and outputs a switching current to the load node according to the comparison signal. The feedforward control circuit comprises a duplicate linear amplifier circuit and a hysteresis comparator. The duplicate linear amplifier circuit amplifies the input voltage signal, so as to output a reference voltage signal, wherein an amplifying gain of the duplicate linear amplifier circuit is identical to an amplifying gain of the linear amplifier circuit. The hysteresis comparator compares the output voltage signal and the reference voltage signal, so as to output the comparison signal.
US08237497B2
An amplifier processes a differential input received at a differential input port. The amplifier includes a first amplifier circuit and a second amplifier circuit. The first amplifier circuit is disposed in a first signal path between a first input node and a first output node of the amplifier, and arranged to amplify a first input signal received at the first input node and accordingly generate a first amplified signal to the first output node. The second amplifier circuit is disposed in a second signal path between a second input node and a second output node of the amplifier, and arranged to amplify a second input signal received at the second input node and accordingly generate a second amplified signal to the second output node. A driving capability of the first amplifier circuit is different from a driving capability of the second amplifier circuit.
US08237496B2
Disclosed is a switching amplifier having an enhanced supply rejection. The switching amplifier comprises a digital modulator that provides a modulated signal. The switching amplifier further comprises a closed-loop analog driver that is coupled to the digital modulator. As disclosed, the closed-loop analog driver is configured to re-modulate a modulation signal that corresponds to the modulated signal. An output stage of the switching amplifier is driven by the re-modulated signal, thereby providing enhanced supply rejection. In one embodiment, the modulated signal is produced by a digital pulse-width modulator (PWM) circuit of a Class-D amplifier, and has a pulse rate substantially less than a clock rate of the digital PWM circuit. In one embodiment, the switching amplifier is implemented as an audio amplifier in a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone.
US08237486B2
An internal clock frequency control circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a mode register set configured to receive a mode register set control signal and output a mode register set signal; a delay unit configured to generate an enable signal when a predetermined cycle has elapsed after the mode register set signal was activated; a division command decoder configured to receive and decode a synchronization command to generate a division start signal when the enable signal is activated; and a division selection unit configured to receive an input clock having a first frequency and output a selection clock having a second frequency, wherein a value of the second frequency is substantially the same as the first frequency or lower than the first frequency depending on a level of the division start signal.
US08237485B2
A system and method of clock generation to provide divided-by-2 clocks with prescribed phase shifts are disclosed. In a communication system with high-order harmonic mixing, the system requires LO signals with a set of prescribed phase shifts, such as 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°, or 0°, 60° and 120°. Often, the clock generation system involves a divide-by-2 divider to derive the clock signals with the prescribed phase shifts. In a conventional implementation of the divide-by-2 divider, the system is subject to phase uncertainty in the output signal. Accordingly, a system comprises multiple latch pairs and respective differential clocks are used to generate the clocks with the set of correct prescribed phase shifts.
US08237480B2
A clock generation circuit comprises: a first generation unit; a second generation unit; and a control unit that, using a plurality of third delay elements that respectively have a propagation delay time that correlates with the propagation delay time of a first delay element, and correlates with the propagation delay time of a second delay element, generates a control signal for controlling the third delay elements such that a total of propagation delay times of the plurality of third delay elements corresponds to a target value depending on a cycle of the external clock, and controls the propagation delay time of the first delay element, the propagation delay time of the second delay element, and the propagation delay times of the third delay elements using the control signal.
US08237479B2
A delay line calibration mechanism includes a first delay line, a second delay line, a phase detector, and a controller. The first delay line receives a first pulse and a first delay selection signal, and delays the first pulse for a first delay period according to the first delay selection signal to output a first delayed pulse. The second delay line receives a second pulse and a second delay selection signal, and delays the second pulse for a second delay period according to the second delay selection signal to output a second delayed pulse. The phase detector generates a phase difference signal indicating the phase difference between the first delayed pulse and the second delayed pulse by comparing the first delayed pulse and the second delayed pulse. The controller generates the second delay selection signal, and generates the first delay selection signal according to the phase difference signal.
US08237448B2
An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured to measure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester is configured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wireless receiver can be configured to receive pressure information from a transmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.
US08237443B2
The position of a movable downhole component such as a sleeve in a choke valve is monitored and determined using an array of sensors, preferably Hall Effect sensors that measure the strength of a magnetic field from a magnet that travels with the sleeve. The sensors measure the field strength and output a voltage related to the strength of the field that is detected. A plurality of sensors, with readings, transmits signals to a microprocessor to compute the magnet position directly. The sensors are in the tool body and are not mechanically coupled to the sleeve. The longitudinal position of the sleeve is directly computed using less than all available sensors to facilitate the speed of transmission of data and computation of actual position using known mathematical techniques.
US08237439B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a static magnetic field source, a plurality of radio frequency magnetic field sources and a plurality of gradient magnetic field sources for generating a gradient magnetic field is provided. The static magnetic field source generates a static magnetic field for aligning a spin vector of an object in a direction of the magnetic field and plurality of radio frequency magnetic field sources generate a radio frequency magnetic field for rotating the spin vector by an angle. The apparatus further includes a processor for generating a plurality of radio frequency excitation pulses for the plurality of radio frequency magnetic field sources and a plurality of gradient excitation pulses for the plurality of gradient magnetic field sources. The second half of each of the plurality of radio frequency excitation pulses comprises a time-reversed first half of a respective one of the plurality of radio frequency excitation pulses and the second half of each of the plurality of gradient excitation comprises a time-reversed and sign-reversed first half of a respective one of the plurality of gradient excitation pulses. The average value of each of the plurality of gradient excitation pulses is zero.
US08237430B2
The displacement sensor (100) includes a rod (103) including a conical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105) and a magnetic sensor (110) located in close proximity to the concical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105). The magnetic sensor (110) generates a positional signal that is related to the position of the concical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105) in relation to the magnetic sensor (110).
US08237426B2
The present invention discloses a flux linkage compensator, which applies to an UPS system and comprises a load transformer flux linkage observer, a compensation voltage command generator, and a flux linkage command generator. The load transformer flux linkage observer generates a load transformer flux linkage signal. The flux linkage command generator generates a flux linkage command signal. The difference between the load transformer flux linkage signal and the flux linkage command signal forms a flux linkage deviation signal. The compensation voltage command generator generates a voltage compensation signal to make the flux linkage deviation signal approach zero. Thereby, the flux linkage compensator can compensate for the flux linkage deviation occurring in starting the UPS system. Thus, the present invention can perform voltage compensation fast and reliably and inhibit the inrush current effectively.
US08237423B2
Point-of-load (POL) regulators may be configured as multiphase POL DC-to-DC (direct current to direct current) converters, operating in a multiphase configuration in order to boost the total current available to a system. Current balancing may be performed by utilizing an active low bandwidth current sharing algorithm that uses matched artificial line resistance (droop resistance) while maintaining multi-loop stability during both steady-state and dynamic transient states. The current sharing algorithm may be facilitated through digital communication between the devices, where the digital bus may be a single wire bus, a parallel bus or a clock-and-data bus.
US08237419B2
An AC to DC power supply for small heat sensitive electronic device. The power supply being dynamically controlled to operate symmetrically about the lowest point of the AC source voltage waveform for minimum excess heat production.
US08237416B2
A generator and associated power supply system has a prime mover for driving a shaft to rotate. A pair of permanent magnets is associated with the rotating shaft. A first stator winding is associated with a first of said permanent magnets, with a customer DC bus for providing a first relatively low voltage to the customer DC bus. A second of said permanent magnets is associated with a second stator winding, and an engine accessory DC bus. The engine accessory DC bus provides power to a motor controller and associated accessory motors associated with the prime mover. The engine accessory DC bus is provided with a second relatively high voltage from the second stator winding.
US08237411B2
A monitoring circuit for accurately monitoring a voltage level from each of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a processor. The ADC is configured to accept an analog voltage signal from each of the plurality of battery cells and convert each analog voltage signal to a digital signal representative of an accurate voltage level of each battery cell. The processor receives such signals and provides a safety alert signal based on at least one of the signals. The ADC resolution may be adjustable. A balancing circuit provides a balancing signal if at least two of the digital signals indicate a voltage difference between two cells is greater than a battery cell balance threshold. An electronic device including such monitoring and balancing circuits is also provided. Various methods are also provided.
US08237410B2
A handheld device with a fast-charging capability is adapted to be connected to a charger to obtain an electric power. The handheld device includes a battery, a charging circuit, a safety circuit, a control unit, and an input module. The charging circuit is electrically connected to the charger and transfers an electric power to the battery. The safety circuit is used for restricting an upper limit of the electric power transferred by the charging circuit. The input module is provided for a user to input an emergency charge command. Upon receiving the emergency charge command, the control unit instructs the safety circuit to lower the restriction on the charging circuit, so as to raise the upper limit of the electric power that can be obtained by the charging circuit, thereby accelerating the charging of the battery.
US08237405B2
A battery management system can include a battery having a plurality of cells, a plurality of devices coupled to the battery, and a control unit coupled to a first device of the devices. The devices can assess the statuses of the cells. The control unit can communicate with a destination device of the devices via a default path and can communicate with the destination device via a backup path if an undesirable condition occurs in the default path.
US08237402B2
Inductively coupled battery charging systems and methods are provided. Transmit circuitry can include a transmit coil operatively part of a transmit resonant circuit exhibiting resonance at a transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 20. Transmit coil can generate a magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency. Rechargeable battery assembly can include a receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to a storage cell. Receive coil can be part of a receive resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at about the transmit resonant frequency. Transmit circuitry can be configured to regulate alternating current produced in the transmit coil based on current flowing in the transmit resonant circuit and/or maintain the magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency by maintaining about a ninety degree phase shift between a square wave input and output.
US08237391B2
In accordance to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a substrate transport apparatus is provided. The substrate transport apparatus includes a frame defining a chamber, at least one stator module embedded at least partly into a peripheral wall of the chamber, the at least one stator module defining an axis of rotation. The substrate transport apparatus further includes at least one rotor substantially concentrically disposed relative to the at least one stator module about the axis of rotation, the at least one rotor being configured to interface with the at least one stator module and being suspended by a respective one of the at least one stator module substantially without contact within the chamber. The substrate transport apparatus further includes at least one substrate transport arm connected to the at least one rotor and having at least one end effector configured to hold at least one substrate.
US08237389B2
A robotic assembly comprises: a mobile vehicle including mechanical components configured to operate the mobile vehicle in a manual mode of operation; a main power circuit for distributing a power signal to the electromechanical components and to external modules; an automation module connected to the mechanical components and operable to control and operate the mechanical components, and a power circuit configured to distribute power to the mechanical components and the external modules; a safety control module connected to the main power circuit, the automation module, and the mechanical components; a mode selector connected to the main power circuit; and emergency stop switches configured to prevent a flow of current to substantially all of the mechanical components and external modules in response to actuation of the emergency stop buttons.
US08237388B2
A manipulator has a working unit including an end effector and a posture axis for changing the orientation of the manipulator, a compound mechanism provided on the working unit, and a controller for actuating a gripper axis, a yaw axis, and a roll axis by respectively controlling movement positions of three motors. The controller includes a torque generation detector for detecting a timing at which torque is generated on the gripper axis. When the controller detects the timing at which a torque τg′ is generated on the gripper axis under operation of a given motor, the movement positions of the plural motors are shifted and set, corresponding to the directions at which interference torques are generated with respect to the yaw axis and the roll axis, and to predetermined positions of the same directions.
US08237385B2
A system for determining a commutation state for a brushless DC motor includes a controller configured to control current that is applied to drive each of a plurality of phases of the motor. A time delay system is configured to measure, for a given commutation state, a time delay from when a voltage associated with a driven phase of the plurality of phases crosses a predetermined threshold and a voltage associated with a floating phase of the plurality of motor phases crosses the predetermined threshold. Logic is configured to determine the commutation state for the motor based on the measured time delay.
US08237381B2
An electrical interface module (EIM) is provided between an LED illumination device and a light fixture. The EIM includes an arrangement of contacts that are adapted to be coupled to an LED illumination device and a second arrangement of contacts that are adapted to be coupled to the light fixture and may include a power converter. Additionally, an LED selection module may be included to selectively turn on or off LEDs. A communication port may be included to transmit information associated with the LED illumination device, such as identification, indication of lifetime, flux, etc. The lifetime of the LED illumination device may be measured and communicated, e.g., by an RF signal, IR signal, wired signal or by controlling the light output of the LED illumination device. An optic that is replaceably mounted to the LED illumination device may include, e.g., a flux sensor that is connected to the electrical interface.
US08237380B2
A method of arranging light emitting diodes (LEDs) is disclosed. The method includes M virtual lateral lines and N virtual vertical lines, which form virtual intersection nodes at the intersections; disposing N-1 lateral LEDs in each virtual lateral line with one lateral LED placed between two adjacent virtual intersection nodes, connecting the positive terminal of one later LED to the positive terminal of one of the two adjacent lateral LEDs, and connecting the negative terminal of the one lateral LED to the negative terminal of the other adjacent lateral LED; disposing M-1 vertical LEDs in each virtual vertical line except for the first and last virtual vertical lines, connecting the positive and negative terminal of one vertical LED in the same way; and connecting the AC power to the first and last virtual vertical lines.
US08237375B2
The present invention discloses an illuminating system and a method thereof, comprising a light emitting module, a light sensor and a control module, wherein the control module connects to the light emitting module and the light sensor. The light emitting module emitting light with a first frequency, the light sensor detecting an intensity of incident light, and the control module controls the light emitting module to emit light with a second frequency according to the intensity of incident light.
US08237373B2
A drive device includes a primary-side rectifier circuit for rectifying a received alternating-current voltage, a first capacitor for smoothing the rectified voltage, a switching element coupled to a primary winding of a transformer, for converting the smoothed voltage into an alternating-current voltage by turning on and off to be supplied to the primary winding, a secondary-side rectifying-smoothing circuit for rectifying and smoothing an alternating-current voltage induced at a secondary winding of the transformer to be outputted to a load, a switching control circuit for turning on and off the switching element by supplying a drive voltage to a control electrode of the switching element, and a bias circuit for supplying a bias voltage to the control electrode of the switching element, based on a voltage induced at the primary winding.
US08237371B2
A differential driving circuit for powering a light source is disclosed. The differential driving circuit includes a first set of switches and a second set of switches. A first current from a power source flows through the first set of switches to charge a first energy storage element when the first set of switches are turned on. A second current from the first energy storage element flows through the second set of switches to power the light source when the second set of switches are turned on. The differential driving circuit further includes a second energy storage element coupled to the light source in parallel and for providing a differential voltage to the light source.
US08237363B2
A plasma display panel includes a front panel including a substrate, a display electrode formed on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed so as to cover the display electrode, and a protective layer formed on the dielectric layer; and a rear panel disposed facing the front panel so that discharge space is formed, and including an address electrode formed in a direction intersecting the display electrode and a barrier rib for partitioning the discharge space. The protective layer is formed by forming a base film on the dielectric layer and attaching a plurality of aggregated particles of a plurality of crystal particles of metal oxide to the base film so that a plurality of aggregated particles are distributed over the entire surface, and the base film is made of MgO containing Al.
US08237362B2
A plasma display panel (PDP) and a method of manufacturing the same with improved luminous efficiency. The PDP includes: a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a plurality of sustain electrode pairs between the first substrate and the second substrate and extending in a first direction; a plurality of address electrodes on the second substrate and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction; a first dielectric layer on the second substrate for covering the address electrodes; a discharge enhancement layer on the first dielectric layer; a plurality of barrier ribs on the discharge enhancement layer and defining discharge cells between the first and second substrates; and phosphor layers in the discharge cells, wherein the discharge enhancement layer has an opening in each of the discharge cells, and wherein the barrier ribs have a roughness less than that of the discharge enhancement layer.
US08237337B2
A holster for a handheld electronic device. The holster has integrated therein one or more piezoelectric elements that provide an output voltage to the handheld electronic device upon insertion of device in the holster. The output voltage can be used to charge the battery of the device, to power, at least in part, the device, or both. The output voltage is generated by harvesting vibration energy at the piezoelectric elements upon the holster being subjected to acceleration caused by a user carrying the holster when walking, running, or during any other suitable activity.
US08237326B2
A surface acoustic wave device, includes: an interdigital transducer serving as an electrode pattern to excite a Rayleigh surface acoustic wave, the interdigital transducer including a comb-tooth-shaped electrode having a plurality of electrode fingers; a piezoelectric substrate on which the interdigital transducer is formed, the piezoelectric substrate being made of a quartz substrate that is cut out at a cut angle represented by an Euler angle representation (φ, θ, ψ) of (0°, 95°≦θ≦155°, 33°≦|ψ|≦46°); electrode finger grooves formed between the electrode fingers of the comb-tooth-shaped electrode; and electrode finger bases being quartz portions sandwiched between the electrode finger grooves and having upper surfaces on which the electrode fingers are positioned. The surface acoustic wave device provides an excitation in an upper limit mode of a stop band of the surface acoustic wave.
US08237324B2
A bistable electroactive polymer transducer is provided for electrically actuated deformation of rigid electroactive polymer members. The polymers have glass transition temperatures (Tg) above ambient conditions and turn into rubbery elastomers above Tg and have high dielectric breakdown strength in the rubbery state. They can be electrically deformed to various rigid shapes with maximum strain greater than 100% and as high as 400%. The actuation is made bistable by cooling below Tg to preserve the deformation. The dielectric actuation mechanism includes a pair of compliant electrodes in contact with a dielectric elastomer which deforms when a voltage bias is applied between the pair of electrodes. In some of the configurations, the dielectric elastomer is also a shape memory polymer. The deformations of such bistable electroactive polymers can be repeated rapidly for numerous cycles.
US08237322B2
To provide a well balanced squirrel-cage rotor for an electric motor, quantities of braze used to bond various rotor components are different from each other so as to serve as balance weight in order to improve balance.
US08237318B2
A motor positioning structure is constructed by providing a plurality of positioning pins 28, 29 for positioning a circuit board 22 on a case 21 of a circuit main body 3 and also providing receiving holes 35, 36 for receiving the positioning pins 28, 29 in a frame 4 on the side of a stator in a motor main body 2.
US08237314B2
Disclosed herein is a horizontal linear vibrator. The horizontal linear vibrator includes: a case and a bracket that are assembled with each other to form an inner space; a hollow coil that is installed in the case or the bracket; a vibrator that includes a magnetic field unit including one or more magnet disposed to penetrate through the inside of the hollow coil and a yoke formed to enclose the hollow coil and the magnets to generate magnetic field and a weight mounted in the magnetic field unit; a buffer member that is provided between the hollow coil and the yoke; and a spring member whose one end is fixed to the case or the bracket and other end is fixed to the vibrator and elastically supports the vibrator so as to horizontally move the vibrator. Thereby, there is provided the horizontal linear vibrator that has a horizontal vibration structure capable of maintaining the lifetime and response characteristics of the horizontal linear vibrator, implementing the sliminess thereof, increasing the vibration quantity thereof while controlling the motion displacement and improving the durability thereof.
US08237312B2
A technique includes operating a converter to convert a first voltage produced by an electrochemical cell stack in a power producing mode into a second voltage. The technique includes operating the converter to convert a third voltage into a fourth voltage to drive the electrochemical cell stack in a pumping mode.
US08237310B2
A redundant power system determines a rate of decline of a voltage supplied by a remote power source. The redundant power system further supplies power from a redundant power source to the remote power source based on the determined rate of decline of the voltage supplied by the remote power source.
US08237293B2
An improved semiconductor package includes thermal tape placed over a top side of a die that is attached to a substrate with an underfill material. The tape extends to the substrate. The tape deforms with heat and entraps the die and underfill material. Air bubbles are trapped between the tape and the die and underfill material. The tape can be weighted and lined with an adhesive material. The tape aids in preventing the die from cracking due to mishandling.
US08237285B2
Semiconductor device includes semiconductor substrate, through hole having first opening and second opening, and including an expansion portion so that an opening area of first opening is greater than an opening area of lowermost portion of expansion portion, first insulating layer, and having an opening which communicates with through hole and has an area smaller than opening area of first opening, first wiring layer provided on first insulating layer, second insulating layer provided on expansion portion of through hole, and to cover first opening and an inner wall surface of through hole, second insulating layer having an opening communicating with opening of first insulating layer so as to expose first wiring layer through opening of first insulating layer, and second wiring layer provided on second insulating layer to extend from inside of through hole, and being connected to first wiring layer via openings of first and second insulating layers.
US08237282B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a main surface; a plurality of first interconnections formed in a capacitance forming region defined on the main surface and extending in a predetermined direction; a plurality of second interconnections each adjacent to the first interconnection located at an edge of the capacitance forming region, extending in the predetermined direction, and having a fixed potential; and an insulating layer formed on the main surface and filling in between each of the first interconnections and between the first interconnection and the second interconnection adjacent to each other. The first interconnections and the second interconnections are located at substantially equal intervals in a plane parallel to the main surface, and located to align in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction.
US08237273B2
A metal post chip connecting device without soldering materials is revealed, primarily comprising a chip and a substrate. A plurality of metal pillars are disposed on and extruded from a surface of the chip where each metal pillar has an end surface and two corresponding parallel sidewalls. The substrate has an upper surface and a plurality of bonding pads disposed on the upper surface where each bonding pad has a concaved bottom surface and two corresponding concaved sidewalls. The chip is bonded onto the upper surface of the substrate through heat, pressure, and ultrasonic power so that the end surfaces of the metal pillars self-solder to the concaved bottom surfaces and two parallel sidewalls of the metal pillars partially self-solder to two concaved sidewalls to form U-shape cross-sections of metal bonding between the metal pillars and the bonding pads. Therefore, there is no need for the conventional solder paste as chip connection to increase conductivity of the soldering points, especially, to save the soldering cost for MPS-C2 products and to greatly enhance the bonding strength of the soldering points. The manufacturing method of the above described metal post chip connecting device is also revealed.
US08237261B2
A semiconductor device has: a radiator plate that is maintained at a predetermined potential; an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) chip mounted on the radiator plate; and thermal grease applied to an interface between the radiator plate and the SOI chip. The SOI chip has: a first silicon substrate forming a circuit element part; a second silicon substrate facing the radiator plate; and an insulating film formed between the first silicon substrate and the second silicon substrate. The first silicon substrate and the second silicon substrate are electrically connected to each other. The thermal grease is conductive and electrically connects the second silicon substrate and the radiator plate.
US08237257B2
The present invention discloses a structure of device package comprising a first substrate with a die metal pad, a first wiring circuit on top surface of said first substrate and a second wiring circuit on bottom surface of said first substrate. A die is disposed on the die metal pad. A second substrate has a die opening window for receiving the die, a third wiring circuit on top surface of the second substrate and a fourth wiring circuit on bottom surface of the second substrate. An adhesive material is filled into the gap between back side of the die and top surface of the first substrate and between the side wall of the die and the side wall of the die receiving through hole and the bottom side of the second substrate.
US08237256B2
A device substrate has a device major surface, a semiconductor element on the device major surface, and electrically conductive device connectors extending across the device major surface. An interconnection substrate has an interconnection substrate having an interconnection major surface, the interconnection substrate defining at least one sealing recess recessed from the interconnection major surface, the sealing recess being surrounded by a sealing ring. The device substrate is mounted on the interconnection substrate with the interconnection major surface facing the device major surface, the sealing ring around the semiconductor element and with the device major surface sealed against the sealing ring so that the recess forms a sealed cavity containing the semiconductor element. Electrical interconnects extend across the interconnection major surface. Interconnection bumps are provided outside the sealing ring to electrically connect the device to the interconnect substrate.
US08237245B2
To provide a nitride semiconductor crystal, comprising: laminated homogeneous nitride semiconductor layers, with a thickness of 2 mm or more, wherein the laminated homogeneous nitride semiconductor layers are constituted so that a nitride semiconductor layer with low dopant concentration and a nitride semiconductor layer with high dopant concentration are alternately laminated by two cycles or more.
US08237243B2
On-chip capacitors with a variable capacitance, as well as design structures for a radio frequency integrated circuit, and method of fabricating and method of tuning on-chip capacitors. The on-chip capacitor includes first and second ports powered with opposite polarities, first and second electrodes, and first and second voltage-controlled units. Each of the first and second voltage-controlled units is switched between a first state in which the first and second electrodes are electrically isolated from the first and second ports and a second state. When the first voltage-controlled unit is switched to the second state, the first electrode is electrically connected with the first port. When the second voltage-controlled unit is switched to the second state the second electrode is electrically connected with the second port. The on-chip capacitor has a larger capacitance value when the first and second voltage-controlled units are in the second state.
US08237231B2
A semiconductor structure with a metal gate structure includes a first type field-effect transistor having a first gate including: a high k dielectric material on a substrate, a first metal layer on the high k dielectric material layer and having a first work function, and a first aluminum layer on the first metal layer. The first aluminum layer includes an interfacial layer including aluminum, nitrogen and oxygen. The device also includes a second type field-effect transistor having a second gate including: the high k dielectric material on the substrate, a second metal layer on the high k dielectric material layer and having a second work function different from the first work function, and a second aluminum layer on the second metal layer.
US08237228B2
A system includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer comprising first transistors, wherein the first transistors are interconnected by at least one metal layer comprising aluminum or copper. The second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer includes second transistors and is overlaying the at least one metal layer, wherein the second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer is less than 150 nm in thickness, and at least one of the second transistors is an N-type transistor and at least one of the second transistors is a P-type transistor.
US08237226B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: forming a fin and a film on a semiconductor substrate, the film being located at least either on the fin or under the fin and on the semiconductor substrate; forming a gate electrode so as to sandwich both side faces of the fin via a gate insulating film; and expanding or shrinking the film, thereby generating a strain in a height direction of the fin in a channel region.
US08237224B2
The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device that includes a high voltage MOS transistor with high operating voltage under both high and low gate voltages with low-cost is disclosed. When manufacturing the high voltage MOS transistor, a portion of a gate insulation film is removed to form an opening that exposes an outside area of the active area, which is outside of the central area where a gate electrode will be formed. A shallow grade layer is formed by implanting impurities into an opening with an energy that does not permit penetration of impurity ions through the gate insulation film.
US08237219B2
A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first source/drain region and a first sidewall spacer, and a second transistor including a second source/drain region and a second sidewall spacer, the first sidewall spacer has a first width and the second sidewall spacer has a second width wider than the first width, and the first source/drain region has a first area and the second source/drain region has a second area larger than the first area.
US08237217B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a charge storage layer on a first insulating film, a second insulating film which is provided on the charge storage layer, formed of layers, and a control gate electrode on the second insulating film. The second insulating film includes a bottom layer (A) provided just above the charge storage layer, a top layer (C) provided just below the control gate electrode, and a middle layer (B) provided between the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The middle layer (B) has higher barrier height and lower dielectric constant than both the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The average coordination number of the middle layer (B) is smaller than both the average coordination number of the top layer (C) and the average coordination number of the bottom layer (A).
US08237213B2
Memory arrays and methods of their formation are disclosed. One such memory array has memory-cell strings are formed adjacent to separated substantially vertical, adjacent semiconductor structures, where the separated semiconductor structures couple the memory cells of the respective strings in series. For some embodiments, two dielectric pillars may be formed from a dielectric formed in a single opening, where each of the dielectric pillars has a pair of memory-cell strings adjacent thereto and where at least one memory cell of one of the strings on one of the pillars and at least one memory cell of one of the strings on the other pillar are commonly coupled to an access line.
US08237211B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a memory string including a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device also has a protruding layer formed to protrude upward with respect to a substrate. The memory string includes: a plurality of first conductive layers laminated on the substrate; a first semiconductor layer formed to penetrate the plurality of first conductive layers; and an electric charge storage layer formed between the first conductive layers and the first semiconductor layer, and configured to be able to store electric charges. Each of the plurality of first conductive layers includes: a bottom portion extending in parallel to the substrate; and a side portion extending upward with respect to the substrate along the protruding layer at the bottom portion. The protruding layer has a width in a first direction parallel to the substrate that is less than or equal to its length in a lamination direction.
US08237202B2
Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device include forming an NMOS transistor on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first interlayer dielectric layer on the NMOS transistor, and dehydrogenating the first interlayer dielectric layer. Dehydrogenating the first interlayer dielectric layer may change a stress of the first interlayer dielectric layer. In particular, the first interlayer dielectric layer may have a tensile stress of 200 MPa or more after dehydrogenization. Semiconductor devices including dehydrogenated interlayer dielectric layers are also provided.
US08237194B2
A nitride semiconductor substrate is featured in comprising: a GaN semiconductor layer grown on a base layer, which has a substantially triangular cross-section along the thickness direction thereof, a periodic stripe shapes, and uneven surfaces arranged on the stripes inclined surfaces; and an overgrown layer composed of AlGaN or InAlGaN on the GaN semiconductor layer.
US08237191B2
Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture semiconductors are provided which relate to heterojunction bipolar transistors. The method includes forming two devices connected by metal wires on a same wiring level. The metal wire of a first of the two devices is formed by selectively forming a metal cap layer on copper wiring structures.
US08237190B2
An exemplary image sensor package includes a base substrate, an image sensor, and a number of wires. The base substrate contains carbon nanotubes and alumina, and includes a number of base pads. The image sensor is mounted on the base substrate, and includes a sensing portion and a number of contacts. The wires electrically connect the base pads to the respective contacts.
US08237183B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes: a support substrate; a metal layer provided on the support substrate; a semiconductor layer provided on the metal layer and including a light emitting layer; a contact layer containing a semiconductor, selectively provided between the semiconductor layer and the metal layer, and being in contact with the semiconductor layer and the metal layer; and an insulating film provided between the semiconductor layer and the metal layer at a position not overlapping the contact layer.
US08237181B2
Provided are a semiconductor light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, a first thin insulating layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer. The active layer is formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer. The first thin insulating layer is formed on the active layer. The second conductive type semiconductor layer is formed on the thin insulating layer.
US08237176B2
The present invention provides a structure in which a pixel region 13 is surrounded by a first sealing material (having higher viscosity than a second sealing material) 16 including a spacer (filler, minute particles and/or the like) which maintains a gap between the two substrates, filled with a few drops of the transparent second sealing material 17a which is spread in the region; and sealed by using the first sealing material 16 and the second sealing material 17.
US08237174B2
The present invention discloses an LED structure, wherein an N-type current spreading layer is interposed between N-type semiconductor layers to uniformly distribute current flowing through the N-type semiconductor layer. The N-type current spreading layer includes at least three sub-layers stacked in a sequence of from a lower band gap to a higher band gap, wherein the sub-layer having the lower band gap is near the substrate, and the sub-layer having the higher band gap is near the light emitting layer. Each sub-layer of the N-type current spreading layer is expressed by a general formula InxAlyGa(1-x-y)N, wherein 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, and 0≦x+y≦1.
US08237168B2
An organic light emitting display device including a plurality of scan lines arranged in a first direction, a plurality of data lines arranged in a second direction, the plurality of data lines intersecting with the plurality of scan lines, and pixels respectively disposed at intersection portions of the scan and data lines, each pixel including at least one thin film transistor (TFT) and an organic light emitting diode, wherein the TFT is an oxide TFT, the oxide TFT including a first oxide semiconductor layer as an active layer, and a second oxide semiconductor layer is disposed between intersecting scan and data lines.
US08237164B2
(OBJECT) The object is to provide a lightened semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof by pasting a layer to be peeled to various base materials.(MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM) In the present invention, a layer to be peeled is formed on a substrate, then a seal substrate provided with an etching stopper film is pasted with a binding material on the layer to be peeled, followed by removing only the seal substrate by etching or polishing. The remaining etching stopper film is functioned as a blocking film. In addition, a magnet sheet may be pasted as a pasting member.
US08237162B2
The present invention provides a thin film transistor substrate realizing reduced interlayer short-circuit defects in a capacitor, and a display device having the thin film transistor substrate. The thin film transistor substrate includes: a substrate; a thin film transistor having, over the substrate, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a source-drain electrode in order; and a capacitor having, over the substrate, a bottom electrode, a capacitor insulating film, and a top electrode made of oxide semiconductor in order.
US08237157B2
An organic device including at least two electrodes; at least one organic active layer, wherein the organic active layer is disposed in between two electrodes; and an electrode modification layer, wherein the electrode modification layer is disposed in between two electrodes and in contact with one of the electrodes; and the electrode modification layer includes a fluorocarbon compound selected from the materials having a chemical structure of (CxFy)n, wherein the “x”, “y”, and “n” are integers, and wherein 1
US08237150B2
A p-type semiconductor nanowire transistor is formed on the first semiconductor nanowire and an n-type semiconductor nanowire transistor is formed on the second semiconductor nanowire. The first and second semiconductor nanowires have a rectangular cross-sectional area with different width-to-height ratios. The type of semiconductor nanowires for each semiconductor nanowire transistor is selected such that top and bottom surfaces provide a greater on-current per unit width than sidewall surfaces in a semiconductor nanowire having a greater width-to-height ratio, while sidewall surfaces provide a greater on-current per unit width than top and bottom surfaces in the other semiconductor nanowire having a lesser width-to-height ratio. Different types of stress-generating material layers may be formed on the first and second semiconductor nanowire transistors to provide opposite types of stress, which may be employed to enhance the on-current of the first and second semiconductor nanowire transistors.
US08237148B2
Arrays of memory cells are described along with devices thereof and method for manufacturing. Memory cells described herein include self-aligned side wall memory members comprising an active programmable resistive material. In preferred embodiments the area of the memory cell is 4F2, F being the feature size for a lithographic process used to manufacture the memory cell, and more preferably F being equal to a minimum feature size. Arrays of memory cells described herein include memory cells arranged in a cross point array, the array having a plurality of word lines and source lines arranged in parallel in a first direction and having a plurality of bit lines arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08237127B2
An electronic cassette has a casing that houses a radiation converter thereinside. The radiation converter detects radiation from a radiation source that has been transmitted through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiographic image information. Plural handles are disposed on the casing of the electronic cassette, so that a person can grip the plural handles and carry the electronic cassette. Thus, the person can grip and carry the electronic cassette while dispersing the weight of the electronic cassette, so carrying the electronic cassette becomes easy. Further, when the person loads the electronic cassette into a shooting table or the like, the person can grip either of the plural handles and load the electronic cassette. For this reason, handling of the electronic cassette becomes easy.
US08237119B2
Design data and sample characteristic information corresponding to individual areas on the design data are used to perform an image quality improvement operation to make appropriate improvements on image quality according to sample characteristic corresponding to the individual areas on the image, allowing a high speed area division on the image. Further, the use of a database that stores image information associated with the design data allows for an image quality improvement operation that automatically emphasizes portions of the image that greatly differ from past images of the similar design data.
US08237115B2
An electrospray ion source apparatus comprises: a plurality of emitter capillaries, each comprising an internal bore for transporting a portion of a liquid sample from a source, an electrode portion for providing a first applied electric potential and an emitter tip for emitting charged particles generated from the liquid sample portion; a counter electrode for providing a second applied electric potential different from the first applied electric potential; and at least one shield electrode disposed at least partially between the counter electrode and the emitter tip of at least one of the emitter capillaries for providing a third applied electric potential intermediate to the first and second applied electric potentials, wherein the at least one shield electrode is configured such that provision of the third applied electric potential to the at least one shield electrode provides a uniformity of emission of charged particles from the plurality of emitter tips.
US08237111B2
A multi-reflecting ion optical device includes electrostatic field generating means configured to generate electrostatic field defined by a superposition of first and second distributions of electrostatic potential ΦEF, ΦLS. The first distribution ΦEF subjects ions to energy focusing in a flight direction and the second distribution ΦLS subjects ions to stability in one lateral direction, to stability in another lateral direction for the duration of at least a finite number of oscillations in the one lateral direction and to subject ions to energy focusing in the one lateral direction for a predetermined energy range.
US08237095B2
A laser lead designator for guiding a laser guided weapon (LGW) to strike a moving target includes a laser source for providing a laser beam and a controller coupled to receive a position and a velocity of the moving target. The controller provides a control signal for pointing the laser beam a specified lead distance ahead of the position of the moving target to position a laser spot on a ground location ahead of the moving target. The lead distance compensates for an impact shortfall value that is a function of at least one shortfall parameter including a speed of the moving target so that the LGW shortfalls the laser spot on the moving target. The laser designator is separate from the LGW.
US08237088B2
A tandem pulse arc welding control apparatus includes a voltage detector; a voltage setting unit; a pulse-peak-current-reference-value setting circuit; a pulse-base-current-reference-value setting circuit; an error amplifier that calculates a pulse-peak-current variation value and a pulse-base-current variation value; an adder that calculates a pulse-peak-current value; an adder that calculates a pulse-base-current value; a pulse-waveform selection circuit that outputs the pulse-peak-current value in a pulse peak period, and that outputs the pulse-base-current value in a pulse base period; and an output control circuit that controls a current value for a second welding wire. Because an appropriate welding voltage can be obtained with this configuration, a high welding quality can be realized.
US08237084B2
A system for laser microperforated fresh produce trays for use in modifying or controlling the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and/out of a fresh produce container, where the microperforations are specifically tailored such as by size, location and number for the specific produce. The packaging system tailors microperforated trays for particular produce to optimally preserve the produce, using a method of making registered microperforations on the trays using at least some of the following: a conveyor, a thickness measuring devise, a sensor mechanism, and a laser system including optics.
US08237077B2
An electrode tube holding apparatus is mounted to an electric discharge machine (EDM). The holding apparatus is slidable upward and downward along with the spindle of the EDM and maintained within the midsection of an electrode tube for reducing the deformation of the electrode tube during its movement.
US08237070B2
A set of circuit breakers with interlock means, particularly a set of circuit breakers capable of realizing any mechanical interlock and unlock between two or more circuit breakers, wherein in the set of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker has an interlock means, said interlock means comprising a base plate 5, a driving lever (22; 23; 24), a control lever 8, two control arms 27, 28, three tension springs 10, 11, 12, and six cables 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, two cables connected to two ends of the driving lever of each circuit breaker are respectively connected to a control arm of the other two circuit breakers.
US08237068B2
A touch-sensitive panel is described herein that includes a first sensor layer and a second sensor layer and at least one shield electrode integrated into the first sensor layer and/or the second sensor layer. The at least one shield electrode is operable to cancel parasitic capacitance between at least one sense electrode in the first sensor layer and at least one sense electrode in the second sensor layer. The integrated shield electrode(s) in the first sensor layer and/or the second sensor layer can be used in place of an additional shield layer to combat parasitic capacitance in the touch-sensitive panel, thereby reducing the cost and materials necessary to manufacture the touch-sensitive panel. A touch-screen display that includes such a touch-sensitive panel and a method of operating such a touch-sensitive panel are also described.
US08237060B2
A method for manufacturing a multilayer printed wiring board having an electronic component housed therein includes forming a first conductor circuit on a first surface of a substrate. A first alignment mark is formed on the first surface of the substrate separate from the conductor circuit and forming a through bore in the substrate, the through bore extending from the first surface of the substrate to a second surface of the substrate. A seal member is disposed on the second surface of the substrate, the seal member sealing an opening on the second surface of the through bore to provide a sealed through bore. An electronic component is inserted in the sealed through bore using the first alignment mark on the first surface of the substrate.
US08237049B2
A photovoltaic cell comprising a selectively patterned, transparent, conductive coating (TCC) on a sunward surface. The selectively patterned TCC is contiguous with at least some highly conductive gridlines on the sunward surface. A portion of the sunward surface of the semiconductor wafer is not covered by either the gridlines or the TCC. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising a selectively patterned, transparent, conductive coating (TCC) on a sunward surface. The methods include the step of modeling the optical and electrical properties of the semiconductor, the gridlines, and the TCC to determine a pattern for the TCC that results in a low relative power loss for the photovoltaic cell.
US08237039B2
An adjustable, spring-activated wing nut-less cymbal mount having a rotating stop arm that may be quickly opened and closed for easy mounting and dismounting of a cymbal and cymbal felts. The device is hand operated without tools and can be adjusted for cymbal play action, as well to better adapt to different weight cymbals. The device is self-contained to avoid misplacing parts during cymbal changeovers.
US08237030B1
A novel maize variety designated 10028290 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10028290 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10028290 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10028290, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10028290. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10028290.
US08237029B1
A novel maize variety designated PH11TJ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH11TJ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH11TJ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH11TJ or a locus conversion of PH11TJ with another maize variety.
US08237027B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB39B10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB39B10, cells from soybean variety XB39B10, plants of soybean XB39B10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB39B10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB39B10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB39B10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB39B10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB39B10 are further provided.
US08237025B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB32V10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB32V10, cells from soybean variety XB32V10, plants of soybean XB32V10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB32V10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB32V10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB32V10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB32V10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB32V10 are further provided.
US08237020B2
A novel pesticidal toxin that is highly active against a wide range of lepidopteran insect pests is disclosed. The DNA encoding the pesticidal toxin can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the pesticidal toxin. These recombinant organisms can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.
US08237017B2
Naturally occurring and synthetic novel stress-related miRNAs are provided which can be used to modify the stress tolerance of plants.
US08237013B2
Described are means and methods for controlling flowering in plants. In particular, described are nucleic acid molecules which, when expressed in sense orientation or in antisense orientation, respectively, in plants lead to a prevention of flowering. Moreover, a method for controlling flowering in plants is provided which comprises the inducible restoration of flowering in plants in which flowering is prevented.
US08237007B2
Wound dressings and methods of manufacturing wound dressings are provided. The wound dressings include portions that are converted from a moisture vapor permeable material to a material having reduced moisture vapor permeability. The conversion may be accomplished in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, a solvent is used to dissolve a porous material to thereby form a non-porous film. In other embodiments, heat is applied to melt a porous material to thereby form a non-porous film. The heat may be applied using a heated gas or a heating element to directly or indirectly heat the material.
US08236983B2
The present invention includes methods of making and methods of using peptidomimetics compositions that mimic α-helical BH3 sequences in cells. The peptidomimetics can be used to mimic α-helical BH3 sequences and kill cancer cells.
US08236975B2
A process for converting a crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof to a chlorohydrin, by contacting the crude glycerol, crude mixtures of naturally derived multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbons or esters thereof starting material with a source of a superatmospheric partial pressure of hydrogen chloride for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature, and wherein such contracting step is carried out without substantial removal of water, to produce the desired chlorohydrin product; wherein the desired product or products can be made in high yield without substantial formation of undesired overchlorinated byproducts; wherein said crude glycerol, said ester of crude glycerol, or mixture thereof is derived from a renewable raw material. Chlorohydrins made by the process of the present invention are useful in preparing epoxides such as epichlorohydrins.
US08236966B2
Novel salt forms of [R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid characterized by their X-ray powder diffraction pattern and solid-state NMR spectra are described, as well as methods for the preparation and pharmaceutical composition of the same, which are useful as agents for treating hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and Alzheimer's Disease.
US08236963B2
The present invention is related to the use of spiro derivatives of Formula (I) for the treatment and/or prevention of allergic diseases, inflammatory dermatoses and other diseases with an inflammatory component. Specifically, the present invention is related to the use of spiro derivatives for the modulation of CRTH2 activity.
US08236962B2
The instant invention describes compounds having metalloenzyme modulating activity, and methods of treating diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof mediated by such metalloenzymes.
US08236961B2
A process for the preparation of 4-[1-oxo-4-[4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl]butyl]-α,α-dimethylbenzeneacetic acid, useful as an intermediate for the preparation of fexofenadine, is provided.
US08236955B2
The present invention relates to a compound having a good agonistic activity to melanocortin receptor, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or isomer thereof, and an agonistic composition for melanocortin receptor comprising the same as an active ingredient.
US08236954B2
A process for preparing benzimidazole thiophenes including 5-{6-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}-3-{(1R)-1-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}thiophene-2-carboxamide.
US08236953B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of conditions or disorders which are mediated via the GPR38 receptor.
US08236949B2
Coupling reactions, suitable for use in organic or aqueous media, are performed by contacting a 1,2,4,5-tetrazine with a dienophile. The dienophile may be covalently bonded to a protein, and the coupling reaction may be performed in biological media such as those containing cells or cell lysates. The reactions may be performed in the presence of primary amines, thiols, acetylenes, azides, phosphines, and products of Staudinger and/or Sharpless-Huisgen reactions Novel 3-substituted cyclopropene compounds and trans-cyclooctenes are exemplary dienophiles for these reactions.
US08236946B2
Process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined herein by (i) triflating a ketone of formula (II) as defined herein to form a triflate of formula (III) as defined herein and (ii) reacting the compound of the formula (III) to form a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. The triflating step is conducted in the presence of a base comprising a tertiary or heterocyclic amine such that the pKa of the conjugate acid at 25° C. is within the range 5.21 to 12. The base is selected from pyridine, 2,6-lutidine, N-methylmorpholine, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), trimethylamine, triethylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA), quinuclidine and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU).
US08236943B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the delivery of interfering RNAs that silence APOB expression to liver cells. In particular, the nucleic acid-lipid particles provide efficient encapsulation of nucleic acids and efficient delivery of the encapsulated nucleic acid to cells in vivo. The compositions of the present invention are highly potent, thereby allowing effective knock-down of APOB at relatively low doses. In addition, the compositions and methods of the present invention are less toxic and provide a greater therapeutic index compared to compositions and methods previously known in the art.
US08236935B2
The invention relates to a gem-difluoride glycoconjugated compound with formula (I): where R represents II or a benzyl, acetyl, benzoyl alkyl group, R1 and R2 may be identical or different and represent H or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, pivaloyl, trialkylsilyl, tertiobutyldiphenylsilyl protective group or an acetal group of the CR′R′ type, where R′ and R′ may be identical or different and represent H or an alkyl, aryl, benzyl or thiophene group, R3 represents H or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, pivaloyl, trialkylsilyl or tertiobutyldiphenylsilyl protective group, R4 represents OR″, NGR′GR′, N3, or a phthalimide, where R″ represents H or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, pivaloyl, trialkylsilyl or tertiobutyldiphenylsilyl protective group, GR′ and GR′ may be identical or different and represent II or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl group, R5 represents a free or protected hydroxyl group or a halogen, R6 represents H or an alkyl, acetyl, benzyl, PO3H or PO3Na group. It is applicable to the preparation of compounds that can be used particularly for the treatment of cancer.
US08236934B2
The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.
US08236926B2
The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for generating vancomycin analogs. Specifically the invention relates to generating a vancomycin library through chemoselective ligation of a sugar moiety with a vancomycin aglycon. In particular, the present invention provides a library of vancomycin analogs, where the member of the library comprises at least one vancomycin analog selected from 2′-N-acyldecanoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside, 3′-N-acyldecanoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside, 4′-N-acyldecanoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside, 6′-N-acyldecanoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside, 2′-N-acylbiphenyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside, 3′-N-acylbiphenoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside, 4′-N-acylbiphenoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside and 6′-N-acylbiphenoyl-glucosyl vancomycin neoglycoside.
US08236921B1
The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA.
US08236916B1
Polysilanes, inks containing the same, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The polysilane generally has the formula H-[(AHR)n(c-AmHpm-2)q]—H, where each instance of A is independently Si or Ge; R is H, -AaHa+1Ra, halogen, aryl or substituted aryl; (n+a)≧10 if q=0, q≧3 if n=0, and (n+q)≧6 if both n and q≠0; p is 1 or 2; and m is from 3 to 12. In one aspect, the method generally includes the steps of combining a silane compound of the formula AHaR14-a, the formula AkHgR1′h and/or the formula c-AmHpmR1rm with a catalyst of the formula R4xR5yMXz (or an immobilized derivative thereof) to form a poly(aryl)silane; then washing the poly(aryl)silane with an aqueous washing composition and contacting the poly(aryl)silane with an adsorbent to remove the metal M. In another aspect, the method includes the steps of halogenating a polyarylsilane to form a halopolysilane; and reducing the halopolysilane with a metal hydride to form the polysilane. The synthesis of semiconductor inks via dehydrocoupling of silanes and/or germanes allows for tuning of the ink properties (e.g., viscosity, boiling point, and surface tension) and for deposition of silicon films or islands by spincoating, inkjetting, dropcasting, etc., with or without the use of UV irradiation.
US08236912B2
Provided is a gas-barrier film having a high barrier property when it is folded. The gas barrier film is characterized in that an organic layer comprises a resin obtained by curing a monomer as a polymerizing ingredient and the monomer has a structure of pentahydric alcohol or more polyhydric alcohol having a molecular weight of from 200 to 800 in which at least 5 hydroxyl groups are substituted with an aliphatic carbonyloxy group of the following general formula (1): wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; L represents a linking group having a chain length of at least 4 atoms; n indicates 0 or 1; provided that at least 3 hydroxyl groups of the polyhydric alcohol are substituted with the aliphatic carbonyloxy group of formula (1), when n =1.
US08236903B2
An acid-functional polymer is reacted with a transition metal compound having an average particle size small enough to react with the polymer at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polymer, e.g., at room temperature, to produce cross-linked polymer. The process produces a liquid polymer product that dries to a cross-linked film without the required presence of volatile ligands. Improved coatings such as floor polishes that can be formed from these cross-linked polymers are also disclosed.
US08236899B2
Zwitterionic block copolymers having oppositely charged or chargeable terminal groups, and methods of making and using the same, are disclosed. The zwitterionic block copolymers can undergo microphase separation.
US08236881B2
The present invention relates to flame retardant polymer compositions which comprise mixtures of phosphinic acid salts and dihydro-oxa-phospho-phenantrene derivatives. The compositions are especially useful for the manufacture of flame retardant compounds based on polycondensates like polyesters, polyamides and polycarbonates.
US08236878B2
A process for preparing a functionalized polymer composition and a functionalized polymer composition. The process comprises the steps of providing a hydrocarbon resin, a polyolefin and a graft monomer, and dispersing the hydrocarbon resin in the polyolefin, followed by adding the graft monomer under shear to prepare the functionalized polymer composition. The polyolefin can comprise a polyethylene polymer or a C3 to C40 polymer having a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 20000.
US08236875B2
The invention relates to a rubber mixture, in particular for vehicle air-inflated tires, seat belts, belts and hoses. The rubber mixture is characterized by the following composition: at least one polar or non-polar rubber and at least one bright and/or dark filler and at least one softener, wherein the softener is free of polycyclic aromatics according to Directive 76/769/EEC, and wherein the carbon source for the softener comes from non-fossil sources, and other additives.
US08236863B2
A saline solution for a clinical or cosmetic use which consists essentially of a solution in water of sodium ions in major amount and potassium ions in minor amount, together with physiologically acceptable counter ions, being isotonic or optionally slightly hypertonic or hypotonic with respect to blood plasma or tears or an otherwise relevant biological fluid, and being substantially free of calcium ions, magnesium ions, phosphate ions, bicarbonate ions and also glucose, sucrose, food starch or other glucose-releasing saccharides, for use as a more cell-friendly alternative to normal saline.
US08236862B2
This invention provides a compositions for transport of a therapeutic agent. The compositions contain a therapeutic agent and a monoterpene or an analog thereof. In one aspect, the monoterpene is perillyl alcohol (POH) or an analog thereof. In one aspect, the therapeutic agent is provided in an amount effective to treat the disease or subject of choice.
US08236861B2
This invention relates to a method for enhancing the bioavailability of a therapeutically active compound of the formula (I) or a geometric isomer, a stereoisomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester thereof or a metabolite thereof, wherein said compound is administered orally to the individual in connection with the intake of food.
US08236859B2
A cosmetic or dermatological preparation which is suitable for application to skin and comprises 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane-1-one in a concentration which is effective for at least one of increasing skin moisture content, moisturizing skin, improving the surface structure of the skin, reducing cellulite, increasing the resilience and elasticity of skin, strengthening the connective tissue of skin, and reducing stretch marks on skin. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08236858B2
This invention is directed to substituted aryl compounds, which are linked to a substituted indole moiety by various linkers, and the kynurenine/kynuramine-like metabolites of these agents, their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. This invention further is directed to the pharmaceutical use of the compounds for inhibiting GSK3β kinase and/or modulating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channel activities for the treatment of neurodegenerative and other disorders.
US08236854B2
A lipid-improving agent containing a triglyceride(s) where a poly-unsaturated fatty acid is bonded to 2-position of a triglyceride(s).
US08236844B2
A novel histidine derivative represented by the following formula (I), and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and hydrate thereof, useful as a pharmaceutical agent such as analgesics for the treatment of various kinds of acute or chronic pain diseases and of neuropathic pain diseases: wherein, R1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon(s) or benzyl which may be substituted with alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon(s) or halogen; R2 is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon(s); R3 and R4 are same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon(s) or phenyl which may be substituted with any one or two of alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon(s), alkoxy having 1 to 6 carbon(s), halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro and cyano; and R5 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon(s).
US08236838B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-2 or encompassed by formulas I-II) or compositions thereof, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.
US08236837B2
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases related to the action of melatonin, or a salt thereof and the like.
US08236829B2
Bicyclic derivatives useful as ion channel antagonists are disclosed herein. The compositions thereof are useful for treating or relieving pain-related conditions.
US08236828B2
A compound of formula (I) wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, G1, G2, R1, R2, R3, R4, Q1, Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or TV-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal or molluscicidal compositions comprising them and to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, nematode or mollusc pests.
US08236825B2
This invention relates to inhibitors of mitotic kinesins, particularly KSP, and methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing the inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.
US08236823B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formulas I and II, wherein B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, ring D, L1, L2 and R1-4 are defined herein, synthetic intermediates, and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising such compounds. The compounds and compositions are capable of modulating various protein kinase receptors such as Tie-2 and Aurora and, therefore, influencing kinase related disease states and conditions. The compounds, for example, are capable of treating cancer caused by unregulated angiogenesis, and inflammation as well as other proliferative disorders.
US08236821B2
The present invention provides novel pyrazolines that are useful as cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemias, cardiovascular disorders, hepatic disorders, and a combination thereof.
US08236820B2
Compounds of the general formula are disclosed with activity towards treating diseases related to inflammation, such as cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also described.
US08236817B2
Two novel crystalline forms, designated form A and form B of the antibacterial agent 1-cyclopropyl-7-(S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy -4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride of formula, the preparation thereof, and their pharmaceutical compositions are described. These crystalline forms, which are characterized by greater ability and ease of preparation and of formulation, can be produced by industrially applicable methods which comprises the steps of: a) suspending 1-cyclopropyl-7-(S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo-[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro -8-methoxy-4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride in a solvent selected from an alcohol and a polyalcohol, b) heating the mixture under reflux, c) cooling, d) isolating the product which is separated, (form A) and, additionally, e), reslurrying the solid at reflux in a solvent selected from alcohols and polyols or mixtures thereof, in which the resulting mixture has an overall water content of between 2.5% and 0.01% by weight, f) isolating the product (form B).
US08236816B2
Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for the topical or transdermal delivery of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]-quinolin-4-amine or 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine, i.e., imiquimod, to treat actinic keratosis with short durations of therapy, than currently prescribed for the commercially available ALDARA 5% imiquimod cream, as now approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), are disclosed and described. More specifically, lower dosage strength imiquimod formulations to deliver an efficacious dose of imiquimod for treating actinic keratosis with an acceptable safety profile and dosing regimens that are short and more convenient for patient use than the dosing regimen currently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) for ALDARA 5% imiquimod cream to treat actinic keratosis are also disclosed and described.
US08236814B2
Provided is a composition comprising 5-FU and salicylic acid. This composition is useful as a treatment for warts. As opposed to conventional compositions and methods, this composition need only be applied once a day. Also provided are methods for the preparation and use of the composition for treatment of warts.
US08236809B2
Substituted 1,2,3-triazolopyrimidines for the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidases and platelet activation
The invention relates to compounds of formula het-X-AB containing a N-heteroaryl moiety “het”, which is linked via X=sulfur to the 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-7-yl moiety AB of the formula (II). The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of said compounds and the use thereof in drugs for the treatment of NAD(P)H oxidase-related diseases and disorders and inhibition of platelet activation.
US08236805B2
Compounds of Formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or esters thereof, are useful in treating diseases or conditions mediated by CB1 receptors, such as metabolic syndrome and obesity, neuroinflammatory disorders, cognitive disorders and psychosis, addiction (e.g., smoking cessation), gastrointestinal disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
US08236798B2
The present invention relates to novel carboxamide compounds and their use for the manufacture of a medicament. The carboxamide compounds are inhibitors of calpain (calcium dependant cysteine proteases). The invention therefore also relates to the use of these carboxamide compounds for treating a disorder associated with an elevated calpain activity.The carboxamide compounds are compounds of the general formula I in which R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, Q, Y, A and X have the meanings mentioned in the claims and the description, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof. In particular, the compounds have the general formula Ia and Ib in which R1, r, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4, Y and X have the meanings mentioned in the claims, including the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof. Of these compounds those are preferred wherein Y is a moiety CH2—CH2, CH2—CH2—CH2, N(Ry#)—CH2, N(Ry#)—CH2—CH2 or CH═CH—CH═, each optionally having 1 or 2 H-atoms replaced with identical or different radicals Ry, wherein Ry and Ry# have the meanings mentioned in the claims.
US08236797B2
This invention relates to a bromo-phenyl substituted thiazolyl dihydropyrimidine, its preparation method and use as a medicament for treating and preventing hepatitis B infections. The invention also relates to a composition comprising the dihydropyrimidine, one or more antiviral agents and, optionally, an immunomodulator for treating and preventing HBV infections.
US08236791B2
Provided are methods of determining whether a compound is an inhibitor of an S100 protein. The methods utilize a biosensor that comprises the S100 protein that has a covalently bound fluorescent dye at an amino acid residue of the S100 protein that becomes less exposed to the aqueous solution upon activation of the S100 protein, where the fluorescent dye has decreased fluorescence when exposed to the aqueous solution than when protected from exposure to the aqueous solution. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having metastatic cancer.
US08236789B2
It is to provide a novel compound useful for preventing and/or treating diseases that involves 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, particularly diabetes, insulin resistance, diabetes complication, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, fatty liver, or metabolic syndrome. It is an 1-adamantyl azetidin-2-one derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or salt thereof, or their solvate. [wherein A ring represents C6-10 aryl group, 5- to 14-membered heteroaryl group, R1 is a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group or carbamoyl group; R2 and R3 are the same or different and are a C1-6 alkyl group; R4, R5, and R6 are same or different, and are a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, C1-6 alkyl group, C1-6 alkoxy group, C6-10 aryl group, or R4 and R5, or R5 and R6 may together form a C1-3 alkylenedioxy group, R7 and R8 are the same of different and represent a hydrogen atom or C1-6 alkyl group, or may together form a C3-6 cyclic hydrocarbon group, n represents an integer of 0 or 1].
US08236787B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a coordination complex, comprising a first biologically active moiety, a second biologically active moiety, and a metal, wherein the first biologically active moiety and second biologically active moiety are bound to the metal by covalent coordination bonds, and wherein the first biologically active moiety and second biologically active moiety are different. These complexes may enhance the pharmacodynamic properties of biologically active moieties.
US08236780B2
Methods and compositions for reducing fibrosis are provided, wherein an admixture of at least a galactose-pronged polymer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is obtained and administered, wherein the administration of a sufficient amount of the admixture is measured by a quantitative change in a fibrosis tissue marker.
US08236778B2
The present invention relates to combinations of 5′-methylthioadenosine and glatiramer acetate, and to their use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a product comprising 5′-methylthioadenosine and glatiramer acetate as a combined preparation for the simultaneous, separate, or sequential use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis.
US08236776B2
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. The invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer. One such foreign DNA sequence is modified CEA nucleic acid.
US08236773B2
The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.
US08236771B2
Vector compositions and methods are provided for transfecting donor cell populations and tissues for grafts, for reducing expression of mismatched proteins, thereby reducing immunogenicity of the grafted cells and tissues in a recipient subject.
US08236763B2
The invention relates to the use of antagonists to the CB1 receptor for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of hepatic diseases and preferably to the use of N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methylpyrazole-3-carboxamide.
US08236758B2
Disclosed are: an insulin secretion inducer; an insulin secretion-inducing composition; a process for the production of the composition; an accelerator for increasing the number of pancreatic β-cells; a composition for increasing the number of pancreatic β-cells; a process for the production of the composition; and a viral vector for gene therapy. The insulin secretion inducer or the accelerator for increasing the number of pancreatic β-cells comprises a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence encoded by DNA that is known to encode a membrane protein Tm4sf20 (transmembrane 4 L six family member 20) or the like or a fragment of the polypeptide as an active ingredient.
US08236757B2
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS:2, 11 and 13, or the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1, 10 and 12, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US08236755B2
The present invention relates to pre-formulations comprising low viscosity, non-liquid crystalline, mixtures of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid and/or at least one tocopherol; b) at least one phospholipid; c) at least one biocompatible, oxygen containing, low viscosity organic solvent; wherein at least one opioid bioactive agent is dissolved or dispersed in the low viscosity mixture and wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The preformulations are suitable for generating parenteral, non-parenteral and topical depot compositions for sustained release of active agents. The invention additionally relates to a method of delivery of an active agent comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention, a method of treatment comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention and the use of a preformulation of the invention in a method for the manufacture of a medicament. The method of treatments is especially for opioid addiction, dependence and/or withdrawal.
US08236752B1
The invention relates to a method for treating disorders or diseases of a tight junction comprising delivering a pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles to the tight junction, wherein the nanoparticles consist of positively charged chitosan, a negatively charged substrate, optionally a zero-charge compound, and at least one bioactive agent for treating said disorders or diseases of the tight junction of an animal subject.
US08236750B2
The invention relates to the combination of a pulmonary surfactant and a TNF-derived peptide and its use for the treatment of respiratory disease.
US08236749B2
Acetal derivatives of 2,2,3,6-tetramethyl-1-cyclohexane/ene-carbaldehyde of formula (I): for use in the perfumery industry as well as the resulting compositions or articles containing one or more of these compounds. In formula (I), one dotted line indicates the presence of a carbon-carbon single or double bond and the other dotted line indicates the presence of a carbon-carbon single bond, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group; and each R, taken alone, simultaneously or independently, represents a C1-3 alkyl or alkenyl group, or the R groups, taken together, represent a C2-6 hydrocarbon group optionally including an oxygen atom.
US08236742B2
A metal working oil composition which is used for a very small amount of oil-feeding type metal working methods comprising a base oil selected from the group consisting of natural fats, derivatives thereof and synthetic ester oils, and a phospholipid is disclosed. The metal working oil composition of the present invention has good lubricating properties and is suitable for processing metallic materials such as cast irons steel, stainless steel and the like by the very small amount of oil-feeding type metal working method.
US08236741B2
Haze formation in heavy Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) base stock is mitigated by the addition to said GTL base stock of one or more particular additives.
US08236728B2
A heat-sensitive transfer sheet containing a base film, a dye layer formed over one surface of the base film and containing a heat-transferable dye and a resin, and a heat-resistant lubricating layer formed over the other surface of the base film and containing a lubricant and a resin, wherein the heat-resistant lubricating layer contains a specific phosphate ester as the lubricant, and the maximum value of the following characteristic X-ray intensities is at least 5 times the minimum value thereof: characteristic X-ray intensities obtained by radiating an electron beam which is accelerated to 20 kV and has a beam diameter of 1 μm or less onto plural positions of the heat-sensitive transfer sheet from the heat-resistant lubricating layer side of this sheet, and measuring the resultant characteristic X-rays originating from the K-line of the phosphorus element in the heat-resistant lubricating layer by an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.
US08236724B2
An adhesive layer 3 is disposed between a carbon particle 2 and a catalyst substance 1 of a catalyst-supporting particle for a fuel cell containing the carbon particle 2 and the catalyst substance 1. Thereby, the catalyst-supporting particle for fuel cell can be obtained in which a contact resistance between the catalyst substance and the carbon particle supporting the same is lower, and the aggregation of the catalyst substance is suppressed. A catalyst electrode for a fuel cell and the fuel cell using the above particle have a higher output power and an excellent durability.
US08236718B1
The application discloses and claims an oxidation resistant, continuous-fiber-reinforced ceramic composition, durable at temperatures above 1000° C., and capable of taking on any arbitrary near net shape formed without machining and tooling. The composition of the invention comprises a fine grained ceramic matrix which in turn comprises a mixture of a ZrB2 phase and a SiC phase with the matrix being reinforced with SiC or C or an oxide fiber, resulting in a fine grained ZrB2—SiC matrix with domain sizes ≦0.5 μm. The ZrB2 phase of the invention is capable of forming small microcrystalline domains ≦0.5 μm upon heat treatment. The composition the invention also comprises a fiber reinforced composite with a high degree of filling and densification of its preform resulting in a composition containing a low level of porosity and high fiber volume fraction.
US08236705B2
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for depositing a viscous material on a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of depositing a viscous material on a substrate surface, the method comprising: applying a pre-wet material to a surface of a substrate; depositing a viscous material atop the pre-wet material; rotating the substrate about an axis to spread the viscous material along the surface of the substrate toward a substrate edge; and depositing additional pre-wet material in a path along the surface and adjacent the spreading viscous material.
US08236703B2
Methods for removing contaminants from a semiconductor device that includes a plurality of aluminum-comprising bond pads on a semiconductor surface of a substrate. A plurality of aluminum-including bond pads are formed on the semiconductor surface of the substrate. A patterned passivation layer is then formed on the semiconductor surface, wherein the patterned passivation layer provides an exposed area for the plurality of bond pads. Wet etching with a basic etch solution is used to etch a surface of the exposed area of the aluminum-including bond pads, wherein the wet etching removes at least 100 Angstroms from the surface of the bond pads to form a cleaned surface.
US08236694B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an acceleration sensor. In the method, thin SOI-wafer structures are used, in which grooves are etched, the walls of which are oxidized. A thick layer of electrode material, covering all other material, is grown on top of the structures, after which the surface is ground and polished chemo-mechanically, thin release holes are etched in the structure, structural patterns are formed, and finally etching using a hydrofluoric acid solution is performed to release the structures intended to move and to open a capacitive gap.
US08236689B2
A method for applying a predetermined structure of a structural material to a semiconductor element. The method includes the following steps: A) partially covering a surface of the semiconductor element with a masking layer, B) applying a film of a structural material to the masking layer and to the surface of the semiconductor element in the zones that are devoid of the masking layer and C) removing the masking layer together with the structural material present on the masking layer. The method according to the invention provides that between process steps B and C, the film of structural material is partially removed in a process step B2.
US08236680B2
An article of manufacture comprising a nanowire and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the nanowire includes a Ga-doped trace formed on a surface of an indium oxide layer having a thickness in nano-scale, and wherein the Ga-doped trace is formed with a dimension that has a depth is less than a quarter of the thickness of the indium oxide layer. In one embodiment, the indium oxide layer, which is optically transparent and electrically insulating, comprises an In2O3 film, and the thickness of the indium oxide layer is about 40 nm, and the depth of the nanowire is less than 10 nm.
US08236665B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A barrier film is formed in a device separating structure, and the device separating structure is etched at a predetermined thickness to expose a semiconductor substrate. Then, a SEG film is grown to form an active region whose area is increased. As a result, a current driving power of a transistor located at a cell region and peripheral circuit regions is improved.
US08236659B2
An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device is disclosed. The disclosed method provides improved control over a surface proximity and tip depth of integrated circuit device. In an embodiment, the method achieves improved control by forming a doped region and a lightly doped source and drain (LDD) region in a source and drain region of the device. The doped region is implanted with a dopant type opposite the LDD region.
US08236658B2
A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device providing reduced short channel effects is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate comprising a first material; forming at least one gate stack over the substrate; forming one or more recesses in the substrate, wherein the one or more recesses define at least one source region and at least one drain region; and forming a pocket, a first layer comprising a second material, and a second layer comprising a third material in the one or more recesses, the pocket being disposed between the first layer and the substrate.
US08236656B2
A high-voltage junction field-effect transistor (JFET) includes a semiconductor substrate, a well region, first, second, and third doped regions, and first, second, and third terminals. The first doped region is disposed in the well region and the second dope region is laterally displaced from the well region. The third doped region is disposed in the well region between the first and second doped regions. A portion of the well region is substantially depleted of free charge carriers when a first voltage between the first and second terminals is greater than or equal to a pinch-off voltage. A voltage output at the third terminal is substantially proportional to the first voltage when the first voltage is less than the pinch-off voltage, and the voltage output at the third terminal is substantially fixed and less than the first voltage when the first voltage is greater than or equal to the pinch-off voltage.
US08236645B1
Integrated circuits having place-efficient capacitors and methods for fabricating the same are provided. A dielectric layer is formed overlying a conductive feature on a semiconductor substrate. A via opening is formed into the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the conductive feature. A partial opening is etched into the dielectric layer and positioned over the conductive feature. Etch resistant particles are deposited overlying the dielectric layer and in the partial opening. The dielectric layer is further etched using the etch resistant particles as an etch mask to extend the partial opening. A first conductive layer is formed overlying the extended partial opening and electrically contacting the conductive feature. A capacitor insulating layer is formed overlying the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed overlying the insulating layer.
US08236644B2
Disclosed are embodiments of an improved deep trench capacitor structure and memory device that incorporates this deep trench capacitor structure. The deep trench capacitor and memory device embodiments are formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer such that the insulator layer remains intact during subsequent deep trench etch processes and, optionally, such that the deep trench of the deep trench capacitor has different shapes and sizes at different depths. By forming the deep trench with different shapes and sizes at different depths the capacitance of the capacitor can be selectively varied and the resistance of the buried conductive strap which connects the capacitor to a transistor in a memory device can be reduced.
US08236641B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a source region, a drain region, a source extension region a drain extension region, a first gate insulation film, a second gate insulation film, and a gate electrode. The source region, drain region, source extension region and drain extension region are formed in a surface portion of the semiconductor region. The first gate insulation film is formed on the semiconductor region between the source extension region and the drain extension region. The first gate insulation film is formed of a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film having a nitrogen concentration of 15 atomic % or less. The second gate insulation film is formed on the first gate insulation film and contains nitrogen at a concentration of between 20 atomic % and 57 atomic %. The gate electrode is formed on the second gate insulation film.
US08236639B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method is a method of forming a semiconductor device that includes a cell part that includes plural transistor cells in each of which a gate of a trench type is formed in a semiconductor layer, and diffused layers are formed on both sides of the gate, and a guard ring part that surrounds the cell part. The semiconductor device manufacturing method includes forming an interlayer dielectric film on a surface of the semiconductor layer in which the gate and the diffused layers are formed; reducing a thickness of the interlayer dielectric film formed in the cell part through etch back; forming a contact part having a shape of a hole or a groove in the interlayer dielectric film at a position above the diffused layer; and forming a metal film on the interlayer dialectic film.
US08236637B2
A planar silicide structure and method of fabrication is disclosed. A FET having a silicided raised source-drain structure is formed where the height of the source-drain structures are the same as the height of the gates, simplifying the process of forming contacts on the FET. One embodiment utilizes a replacement metal gate FET and another embodiment utilizes a gate-first FET.
US08236635B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a channel-etched inverted-staggered thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film and a conductive film are etched using a mask layer formed with the use of a multi-tone mask which is a light-exposure mask through which light is transmitted so as to have a plurality of intensities. The etching step is performed by dry etching in which an etching gas is used.
US08236634B1
Thin semiconductor regions and thick semiconductor regions are formed oven an insulator layer. Thick semiconductor regions include at least one semiconductor fin. A gate conductor layer is patterned to form disposable planar gate electrodes over ETSOI regions and disposable side gate electrodes on sidewalls of semiconductor fins. End portions of the semiconductor fins are vertically recessed to provide thinned fin portions adjacent to an unthinned fin center portion. After appropriate masking by dielectric layers, selective epitaxy is performed on planar source and drain regions of ETSOI field effect transistors (FETs) to form raised source and drain regions. Further, fin source and drain regions are grown on the thinned fin portions. Source and drain regions, fins, and the disposable gate electrodes are planarized. The disposable gate electrodes are replaced with metal gate electrodes. FinFETs and ETSOI FETs are provided on the same semiconductor substrate.
US08236631B2
A four-transistor Schmitt trigger inverter is provided. The Schmitt trigger inverter is made from an n-channel MOS (NMOS) dual-gate thin-film transistor (DG-TFT) and a p-channel MOS (PMOS) DG-TFT, both DG-TFTs having a top gate, a back gate, and source/drain regions. A (conventional) NMOS TFT has a gate connected to an NMOS DG-TFT first S/D region and a PMOS DG-TFT first S/D region. The NMOS TFT also has a first S/D region connected to the NMOS DG-TFT back gate and the PMOS DG-TFT back gate. A (conventional) PMOS TFT has a gate connected to the NMOS TFT gate, and a first S/D region connected to the NMOS TFT first S/D region.
US08236616B2
There is provided a low-cost semiconductor device that commercial and quality-assured (inspected) chip size packages can be stacked and has a small co-planarity value and a high mounting reliability. A semiconductor device in which a flexible circuit substrate is adhered to at least a part of a lateral side of a semiconductor package, and the flexible circuit substrate, which is on a side facing solder balls of the semiconductor package, is folded at a region inside of an edge of the semiconductor package.
US08236614B2
Provided are a semiconductor device producing method with simple production steps while preventing contamination of a bonding pad and preventing warp generation in an adherend such as a substrate, a lead frame, or a semiconductor element, thereby improving yield; an adhesive sheet used in this method; and a semiconductor device obtained by this method. The invention includes a pre-setting step of pre-setting a semiconductor element 13 to an adherend 11 through an adhesive sheet 12, and a wire bonding step of wire bonding the element 13 in the bonding temperatures range of 80 to 250° C. without performing any heating step, wherein, as the adhesive sheet 12, a sheet having a storage elastic modulus of 1 MPa or more in the temperature range of 80 to 250° C. or a storage elastic modulus of 1 MPa or more at any temperature in the temperature range before curing the sheet 12 is used.
US08236608B2
The semiconductor device package structure includes a first die with a through silicon via (TSV) open from back side of the first die to expose bonding pads; a build up layer coupled between the bonding pads to terminal metal pads by the through silicon via (TSV); a substrate with a second die embedded inside and top circuit wiring and bottom circuit wiring on top and bottom side of the substrate respectively; and a conductive through hole structure coupled between the terminal metal pads to the top circuit wiring and the bottom circuit wiring.
US08236601B2
Methods for forming a TCO layer on a substrate are generally provided and include sputtering a TCO layer on a substrate from a target including cadmium stannate. A cap material (e.g., including cadmium) is deposited onto an outer surface of an indirect anneal system, and the TCO layer can be annealed at an anneal temperature while in contact with or within about 10 cm of the cap material. An anneal oven is also generally provided and includes an indirect anneal system defining a deposition surface and an anneal surface such that a cap material deposited on the anneal surface of the indirect anneal system is positioned to be in contact with or within about 10 cm of a thin film on the substrate. A cap material source can be positioned to deposit the cap material onto the deposition surface such that the anneal surface comprises the cap material.
US08236598B2
Formulations and methods of making semiconductor devices and solar cell contacts are disclosed. The invention provides a method of making a semiconductor device or solar cell contact including ink-jet printing onto a silicon wafer an ink composition, typically including a high solids loading (20-80 wt %) of glass frit and preferably a conductive metal such as silver. The wafer is then fired such that the glass frit fuses to form a glass, thereby forming a contact layer to silicon.
US08236593B2
The invention provides methods which can be applied during the epitaxial growth of two or more layers of semiconductor materials so that the qualities of successive layer are successively improved. In preferred embodiments, surface defects present in one epitaxial layer are capped with a masking material. A following layer is then grown so it extends laterally above the caps according to the known phenomena of epitaxial lateral overgrowth. The methods of the invention can be repeated by capping surface defects in the following layer and then epitaxially growing a second following layer according to ELO. The invention also includes semiconductor structures fabricated by these methods.
US08236583B2
A method of forming a light-emitting diode (LED) device and separating the LED device from a growth substrate is provided. The LED device is formed by forming an LED structure over a growth substrate. The method includes forming and patterning a mask layer on the growth substrate. A first contact layer is formed over the patterned mask layer with an air bridge between the first contact layer and the patterned mask layer. The first contact layer may be a contact layer of the LED structure. After the formation of the LED structure, the growth substrate is detached from the LED structure along the air bridge.
US08236579B2
Methods and systems for lithographically exposing a substrate based on a curvature profile of the substrate.
US08236563B2
The present invention provides a method of differentiating progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. A method of the invention includes the steps of contacting the progenitor cells with a differentiating agent; and introducing into the progenitor cells a nucleic acid molecule encoding a MEF2 polypeptide or an active fragment thereof, thereby differentiating the progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. In one embodiment, the MEF2 polypeptide is human MEF2C or an active fragment thereof.
US08236555B2
The present invention is directed to methods for conducting multiplexed assays. The methods are particularly well suited for measuring a plurality of analytes that may be present in very different abundances. The invention also relates to systems, devices, equipment, kits and reagents for use in such methods.
US08236542B2
The present disclosure relates to cellulase variants. In particular the present disclosure relates to cellulase variants having reduced binding to non-cellulosic materials. Also described are nucleic acids encoding the cellulase, compositions comprising said cellulase, methods of identifying cellulose variants and methods of using the compositions.
US08236529B2
Disclosed herein are autocleaved peptide linkers for producing purified proteins. The autocleaved peptide linkers are inserted between a chitin binding protein (CBP) and a target protein to form a fusion protein. Upon expression of the fusion protein, it is allowed to pass a chitin matrix so that the CBP portion of the fusion protein may be bound with the chitin matrix, the peptide linker then undergoes auto-cleavage in a buffer solution at a pH value of about 5.5-7.5 to release the target protein. The chitin matrix may be regenerated with another buffer solution at a pH value of about 3-4, that is, to release the bound CBP and return to its unbound form. The chitin matrix may be reused for at least 6 times without losing its function.
US08236527B2
The present invention relates to novel expression cassettes and vectors for efficiently producing authentic recombinant human proteins from stable cultures of novel human cell lines, the authentic recombinant proteins produced therefrom, and antibodies raised against those authentic recombinant proteins.
US08236525B2
A method of producing biological products using bacteria with an inactivated ptsHI and wild type err and no added glucose transport activity and which consumes nearly all glucose in the media is described. The ΔptsHI bacteria produce large quantities of recombinant protein without producing significant amounts of acetate. The bacteria grow well on standard LB broth without additional supplementation.
US08236520B2
The present invention relates to beta-galactosidase derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae, a BgaC protein exhibiting the enzyme activity, and a method for using the same. The protein can be used in the modification and analysis of sugar chain and used as an anti-cancer agent.
US08236519B2
In general, the present invention provides a reliable assay for the quantitative determination of p-aminophenol in an aqueous sample. More particularly, the present invention provides a rapid enzyme-based assay for the quantitative determination of acetaminophen in a sample. The assay employs a xylenol chromophore and a catalyst that is preferably a weak oxidizer. The assay provides reliable results in the presence or absence of N-acetylcystiene (NAC) and can therefore be used to monitor acetaminophen levels during NAC treatment. Methods and kits for determining acetaminophen concentration in an aqueous sample are also provided.
US08236512B1
The present disclosure relates to methods of developing terpene synthase variants through engineered host cells. Particularly, the disclosure provides methods of developing terpene synthase variants with improved in vivo performance that are useful in the commercial production of terpene products. Further encompassed in the present disclosure are superior terpene synthase variants and host cells comprising such terpene synthase variants.
US08236506B2
The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoma, in particular of non-small cell bronchial carcinoma, characterized in that it comprises the stage of detecting, in a biological sample derived from a patient suspected to be suffering from said bronchopulmonary carcinoma, at least one of the major alternative transcripts of the KLK8 gene encoding kallikrein 8. This method is particularly useful for the survival prognostication of patients suffering from bronchopulmonary carcinoma.
US08236502B2
The present invention provides oligonucleotide probes and oligonucleotide probe collections and protein labeling for detecting or localizing a plurality nucleic acid target genes or antigens within a cell or tissue sample. Specifically, the invention provides collections of oligonucleotide probes for use in in situ hybridization analyses in which each probe has a label-domain with the sequence formulas of (CTATTTT)nCT, (AAAATAG)n or (TTTTATC)n or (GATAAAA)n in which all cases “n” would equal 1 or greater. The present invention provides collections or “cocktails” of oligonucleotide probes for detecting or localizing specific nucleic acid target genes within a cell or tissue sample. The cocktails are useful for detecting the following: the Kappa gene (SEQ ID NOS: 1-16 inclusive); the Lambda gene (SEQ ID NOS: 17 through 29 inclusive); the CMV (cytomegalovirus) gene (SEQ ID NOS: 30 through 50 inclusive); EBER (Epstein-Barr early RNA) gene (SEQ ID NOS: 51-54 inclusive); Alu (SEQ ID NOS: 55-56); PolyA (SEQ ID NO: 57); and the detection tail (SEQ ID NO: 58).
US08236487B2
The present invention describes oligosaccharide sequences, which are specifically expressed by human tumors. The present invention is related to a method of determining an oligosaccharide sequence, which comprises a tumor specific terminal N-acetylglucosamine residue, in a biological sample, the presence of said sequence in said sample being an indication of the presence of cancer. The present invention provides antigenic substances comprising said oligosaccharide sequences in a polyvalent form and it further provides diagnostic agents, pharmaceutical compositions and cancer vaccines comprising said oligosaccharide sequences or substances binding to said oligosaccharide sequences. The present invention is also related to methods for the treatment of cancer.
US08236480B2
A method for microfabrication of a microfluidic device having sub-millimeter three dimensional relief structures is disclosed. In this method, homogeneous surfaces, which do not exhibit apparent pixel geometry, emerge from the interaction of the overlapping of diffracted light under opaque pixels and the nonlinear polymerization properties of the photoresist material. The method requires a single photolithographic step and allows for the fabrication of microstructures over large areas (centimeters) with topographic modulation of features smaller than 100 micrometers. The method generates topography that is useful in a broad range of microfluidic applications.
US08236476B2
A method and a composition are provided. The composition includes a polymer and a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation. The second amount of acid is greater than said first amount of acid. The second dose is greater than the first dose. The composition includes a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose and a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose, where the first amount of base is greater than the first amount of acid and the second amount of base is less than the second amount of acid. A method for exposing to radiation a film of a photoresist on a substrate is included.
US08236467B2
An exposure method comprises: forming an immersion region on a substrate; exposing the substrate by irradiating the substrate with an exposure light via a liquid of the immersion region; and preventing an integration value of a contact time during which the liquid of the immersion region and a first region on the substrate are in contact, from exceeding a predetermined tolerance value.
US08236466B2
Exemplary embodiments provide compositions and methods for making and using an erasable medium that can include a photochromic layer disposed over a substrate. The photochromic layer can include one or more photochromic molecule-polymer systems, wherein each of the one or more photochromic molecule-polymer systems can include a photochromic molecule covalently bonded within a polymer main chain, the photochromic molecule including one or more photochromic moieties (PM) linked together via a linker.
US08236458B2
A dual stack fuel cell system comprising a first fuel cell stack comprising a first anode side, adapted to receive fuel and to output a first anode exhaust, and a first cathode side, a second fuel cell stack comprising a second anode side, adapted to receive processed anode exhaust derived from the first anode exhaust and to output a second anode exhaust, and a second cathode side, adapted to receive oxidant gas and to output a first cathode exhaust, wherein the first cathode side receives at least the first cathode exhaust outputted from the second cathode side; and wherein the first fuel cell stack includes indirect internal reforming and the second fuel cell stack may not include any indirect internal reforming.
US08236446B2
The present invention is directed to lithium-ion batteries in general and more particularly to lithium-ion batteries based on aligned graphene ribbon anodes, V2O5 graphene ribbon composite cathodes, and ionic liquid electrolytes. The lithium-ion batteries have excellent performance metrics of cell voltages, energy densities, and power densities.
US08236445B2
An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.
US08236444B2
A low volume collector assembly and an electrochemical cell employing a collector assembly are provided. The electrochemical cell includes an electrically conductive can having inner and outer electrodes disposed therein. The cell also includes a collector assembly assembled to an open end of the can to provide closure to the open end of the can. The collector assembly includes a seal and a cover assembled to the seal to provide a sealed closure to the open end of the can. The cover includes an integrally formed current collector portion that contacts one end of the inner electrode. The cover serves as a current collector and also serves as a contact terminal of the cell.
US08236441B2
In some embodiments, a battery cell can include an assembly having an anode sheet and a cathode sheet separated by separator membranes, each sheet having an electroactive layer on a current collector. At least one of the current collectors can be in electrical communication with conducting tabs that extend from at least one of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet, the conducting tabs extends from an end face of the spirally wound assembly. In addition, the cell can include a first tab insulator having concentrically positioned outer and inner members, each of the outer and inner members having at least one slot that allows one or more of the plurality of conducting tabs to pass through. The inner and outer members are adjustable with respect to relative angular orientation of the at least one slot on the outer and inner members of the first tab insulator.
US08236432B2
Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials, methods for making these articles and materials, and methods for protecting articles using coatings made from these materials. One particular embodiment is an article that comprises a coating having a surface connected porosity content of up to about 5 percent by volume. The coating comprises a material that comprises a primary oxide and a secondary oxide, wherein (i) the primary oxide comprises a cerium cation, and (ii) the secondary oxide comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of the praseodymium and neodymium. The material is transparent to electromagnetic radiation of at least one type selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation.
US08236431B2
A coating for paperboard comprises an aqueous dispersion of a hollow core binder comprising a first polymer that, when dry, has at least one void, the first polymer being substantially encapsulated by at least one second polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from more than −15° C. and up to and including 30° C., wherein the weight ratio of the said second polymer to the said first polymer ranges from 1:1 to 4:1. One or both of the first polymer and the second polymer may be formed from, as polymerized units, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The hollow core binder allows for glossy, bright and smooth paperboard coatings while reducing the amount of binder and opacifying pigment necessary to achieve such coating properties. The present invention also provides coated paperboard articles, as well as paper and paperboard that is made from a mixture of pulp with the inventive hollow core binder.
US08236424B2
An electro-optical device having at least one base and a multilayer coating surface disposed on at least one surface of the base. The at least one base may comprise either an optically or electronically active portion or a flexible polymeric material. The multilayer coating set comprises at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer. The base and multilayer coating set are transparent. The multilayer coating set provides a barrier to moisture and oxygen and provides chemical resistance. The multilayer coating set is also mechanically flexible and thermally stable up to a glass transition temperature of the base.
US08236421B2
In a metallic structure including a metallic nano-chain with plasmon resonance absorption, a metallic nanoparticle forming the metallic nano-chain is formed in a circular, triangle, or rhomboid shape. The wavelength selectivity can be increased also by forming a closed region by mutually linking all of metallic nanoparticles that are mutually linked with bottlenecks. In a photodetector, a photodetection unit including a current detection probe, a nano-chain unit, and a current detection probe is arranged on a substrate. The nano-chain unit is a metallic structure with plasmon resonance absorption, where metallic nanoparticles are mutually linked with bottlenecks. Each current detection probe has a corner whose tip is formed with a predetermined angle, and this corner is arranged to face the tip of the nano-chain unit, i.e., a corner of the metallic nanoparticle. Photodetection with high wavelength selectivity is performed based on a change in the initial voltage of the current-voltage characteristic.
US08236418B2
A fire retardant material is described that includes a polyamide and a brominated hydrocarbon. The brominated hydrocarbon makes up between about two percent and about 25 percent of the fire retardant material.
US08236416B2
An adhesive sheet and a method for producing electronic components using the sheet are provided.An adhesive sheet comprising a substrate layer; an antistatic layer formed on one surface of the substrate layer and containing an organic binder, an antistatic agent, an antifriction agent and a curing agent; and an adhesive layer formed on the other surface of the substrate layer; and a method for producing electronic components using the adhesive sheet.
US08236411B2
An object of embodiments according to the invention is to provide a cutting tool having good wear resistance, good sliding property and good fracture resistance.A cutting tool 1 comprising a substrate 2 and a coating layer 6 or a coating layer 9 which covers a surface of the substrate 2. The coating layer 6 or the coating layer 9 comprising a first layer 7 and a second layer 8. The first layer 7 comprises Ti1-a-b-c-dAlaWbSicMd(C1-xNx) when M is at least one selected from Nb, Mo, Hf and Y, 0.45≦a≦0.55, 0.01≦b≦0.1, 0≦c≦0.05, 0.01≦d≦0.1, 0≦x≦1). The second layer 8 comprises Ti1-e-f-gAleSifM′g(C1-yNy) when M′ is at least one selected from Nb, Mo, Ta, Hf and Y, 0.50≦e≦0.60, 0≦f≦0.1, 0.05≦g≦0.15, 0≦y≦1).
US08236407B2
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for producing a polymeric film that accurately replicates a complex mold surface at least a portion of which surface has microstructured or nano-structured dimensions. A polymeric powder is electrodeposited on an underlying mold surface. Then the powder is cured to create a polymeric film. Finally the film is removed from the mold surface.
US08236404B2
A honeycomb structure comprising a plurality of columnar honeycomb segments in which two kinds of plural through-holes different in end face area are formed side by side by being surrounded by partition walls, each honeycomb segment having, at one end face, an inlet side of high opening ratio, wherein through-holes of smaller end face area are plugged and, at other end face, an outlet side of low opening ratio, and wherein through-holes of larger end face area are plugged, the plurality of honeycomb segments being bonded to each other via a bonding material in the longitudinal direction of each honeycomb segment. The Young's modulus of the bonding material when sintered is smaller than that of each honeycomb segment when sintered, and the bonded width of the bonding material is larger at the outlet side of honeycomb structure than at the inlet side is presented.
US08236402B1
An inexpensive and disposable urine collecting pad for placement on a floor surface directly below a urinal for collecting fluid not deposited within the confines of the urinal which would otherwise drip on the floor. Fluid collected by the pad is prevented from reaching the underlying floor area thereby eliminating the problems associated with fluids being deposited on the floor. The pad includes an upper fluid collecting layer of material and a lower non-skid fluid impervious layer of material that are glued together. The configuration of the pad includes a dual end, each end having a trapezoidal shape with flat parallel ends and tapered sides so that the urine collecting pad cannot be improperly aligned during installation. The trapezoidal and tapered side edges allow a person to stand in front of the urinal without the person's shoes standing on the collecting pad.
US08236398B2
A cup-type polypropylene container obtained by compression-molding a polypropylene and having at least a body portion and a bottom portion, wherein the body portion has a thickness of not larger than 1.0 mm and a value K1 relating to peak intensity ratio and/or a value K2 relating to diffraction intensity ratio as defined herein. The cup-type polypropylene container features improved falling strength in the body portion and at the open end such as flange, improved pressure strength and excellent mechanical strength in the body portion. Also disclosed is a method of molding the cup-type polypropylene container.
US08236392B2
An underlayment layer is configured to support an artificial turf assembly. The underlayment layer comprises a core with a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of spaced apart, upwardly oriented projections that define channels suitable for water flow along the top side of the core when the underlayment layer is positioned beneath an overlying artificial turf assembly.
US08236387B2
A process of readily producing a patterned birefringent product excellent in resolution and heat-resistance is provided. Said process comprises at least the following steps [1] to [3] in order: [1] preparing a birefringence pattern builder which comprises an optically anisotropic layer comprising a polymer, and said optically anisotropic layer has a retardation disappearance temperature in the range higher than 20° C., at said retardation disappearance temperature in-plane retardation becomes 30% or lower of the retardation at 20° C. of the same optically anisotropic layer, and said retardation disappearance temperature rises by light exposure; [2] subjecting the birefringence pattern builder to patterned light exposure; [3] heating the laminated structure obtained after the step [2] at 50° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower.
US08236379B2
The present invention is related to a chemical vapor deposition method of depositing layers of materials to provide super-hydrophilic surface properties, or super-hydrophobic surface properties, or combinations of such properties at various locations on a given surface. The invention also relates to electronic applications which make use of super-hydrophobic surface properties, and to biological applications which make use of super-hydrophilic surface properties.
US08236375B2
The specification describes a method for selectively depositing carbon nanotubes on the end face of an optical fiber. The end face of the optical fiber is exposed to a dispersion of carbon nanotubes while light is propagated through the optical fiber. Carbon nanotubes deposit selectively on the light emitting core of the optical fiber.
US08236369B2
An apparatus and method for coating abluminal surface of a stent is described. A method for coating a stent can include stent mounting, stent movement, and droplet excitation. A method can include applying a coating to a stent, the applying including generating waves in a coating solution to eject droplets of the coating solution from a surface of the coating solution toward the stent, the generating performed by transducers submerged in the coating solution.
US08236367B2
The method comprises chemical modification of an optionally metallized polymer surface, for example a polycarbonate surface or a polymethacryllate surface functionalized with amino groups, said surfaces being optionally metallized, by treating said polymer surface with a mercaptoalkanoic acid or the salts or derivates thereof. The surfaces obtained by said method may be used as solid supports for immobilizing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins or membranes.
US08236360B2
The present invention provides, in one aspect, to products made from a novel and non-obvious supercritical CO2 extract of the roots of Glycyrrhiza sp., effective as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-adherent agent, including, but not limited to, products for oral care and body care.
US08236353B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations for the release of an active principle (AP) over a sustained period of time. The invention relates to a liquid formulation comprising at least one active principle (AP) and an aqueous suspension based on colloidal particles of a polymer (PO), wherein said formulation satisfies the following four conditions: (a) the PO is a polyamino acid comprising glutamic residues, wherein some glutamic residues each carry a pendant cationic group (CG), said CG being identical or different from one another, and other glutamic residues each carry a pendent hydrophobic group (GH), said GH being identical or different from one another, (b) the pHf value of the pH of said formulation is between 3.0 and 6.5; (c) at the pHf value, the PO forms a colloidal solution which associates spontaneously and noncovalently with the AP; (d) 1 ml of said formulation precipitates during mixing with a volume of 1 ml of a test buffer solution Tp.
US08236349B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprises multiparticulates comprising a drug, a matrix material, and swelling agent. In one aspect, the multiparticulates comprise a core comprising a drug, and a coating surrounding the core. The coating is selected from the group consisting of (i) a water-permeable, substantially drug-impermeable coating, and (ii) an anti-enteric coating.
US08236346B2
The present invention provides methods for reducing Aβ deposition, Aβ neurotoxicity and microgliosis in an animal or human afflicted with a cerebral amyloidogenic disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by administering therapeutically effective amounts of the (R)-enantiomer of the dihydropyridine compound nilvadipine, also known as (−)-nilvadipine, to the animal or human. Further provided are methods for reducing the risk of Aβ deposition, Aβ neurotoxicity and microgliosis in animals or humans suffering from traumatic brain injury by administering (−)-nilvadipine after the traumatic brain injury and continuing treatment for a prescribed period of time thereafter.
US08236344B2
The present invention provides engineered proteins and biomedical products made from the engineered proteins. The biomedical products include lenses useful for ophthalmic purposes.
US08236341B2
Described herein are nitric oxide (NO)-donating poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) polymers and polymer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. The NO-donating PTFE polymers can be used to fabricate at least a portion of an implantable medical device, coat at least a portion of an implantable medical device or form at least a portion of an implantable medical device. The NO-donating PTFE polymers provide controlled release of NO once implanted at or within the target site.
US08236339B2
Metal carbonyls are used to deliver CO having biological activity, for example vasodilatation and inhibition of transplant rejection. The metal of the carbonyl is typically of groups 7 to 10, e.g. Fe and Ru. The carbonyl preferably has one or store ligands other than CO, such as amine acids, to modulate the CO release property and solubility.
US08236336B2
An adjuvant for use with systemic herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, ovicides and fungicides and method of application on animals, birds, trees, plants, fruits and vegetables to enhance the action and effect of systemic herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, ovicides and fungicides with which the adjuvant is combined wherein the adjuvant comprises at least one surfactant and at least one high terpene containing natural oil.
US08236326B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode an antigen, a vector which comprises such nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell comprising such vector. Furthermore, the invention provides antigens from a Klebsiella species, as well as fragments and variants thereof, a process for producing such antigens, and a process for producing a cell, which expresses such antigen. Moreover, the present invention provides antibodies binding to such antigen, a hybridoma cell producing such antibodies, methods for producing such antibodies, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody, the use of such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, methods for identifying an antagonist capable of binding such antigen or of reducing or inhibiting the interaction activity of such antigen, methods for diagnosing an infection and methods for the treatment or prevention of an infection. More specifically such antigens are produced by or associated with bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections or bacterial infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
US08236325B2
Hyperimmune serum reactive antigens and fragments thereof are disclosed. In addition, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof, including the treatment of S. epidermidis infections, are disclosed.
US08236320B2
Provided are methods for stimulating an immune response to an antigen by administering a composition to an individual in an amount effective to stimulate an immune response to the antigen. The stimulated immune response to the antigen is greater than the immune response stimulated by the antigen in the absence of CA9 protein. The compositions provided contain a complex that includes an antigen and an isolated CA9 protein.
US08236316B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting thrombosis without compromising hemostasis. Compositions include anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies (aXIMabs) capable of binding to an epitope on the heavy chain of human FXI, particularly the A3 domain of the heavy chain of human FXI. Compositions also include epitope-binding fragments, variants, and derivatives of the monoclonal antibodies, cell lines producing these antibody compositions, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the amino acid sequences of the antibodies. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies of the invention, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of the invention comprise administering the compositions described above to a subject in need thereof for the purpose of inhibiting thrombosis, reducing a required dose of an antithrombotic agent in the treatment of thrombosis, treating metastatic cancer, or treating an acute inflammatory reaction. Methods for making an anti-factor XI monoclonal antibody, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, are also provided.
US08236311B2
Antibodies that specifically bind to toxins of C. difficile, antigen binding portions thereof, and methods of making and using the antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof are provided herein.
US08236303B2
A method for the augmentation of immune function is described. The invention comprises a combination of β-1,3(4)-endoglucanohydrolase, β-1,3(4)glucan, diatomaceous earth, mineral clay and glucomannan, which is fed to or consumed by mammalian or avian species in amounts sufficient to augment immune function. The invention described may be admixed with feeds or foods, incorporated into pelleted feeds or foods or administered orally to mammalian and avian species.
US08236302B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.
US08236297B2
The present invention relates to genetically engineered bacteria that are able to colonize the mammalian intestine and actively produce mammalian lactase (lactose-phlorizin hydrolase or LPH). This lactose-digesting enzyme is stable and active under the conditions normally found in the mammalian small intestine. Experimental subjects colonized with the genetically engineered bacteria show improved ability to digest lactose in dairy foods.
US08236296B2
This invention provides a bypass bridge comprising a tract of gap junction-coupled cells having a first end and a second end, both ends capable of being attached to two selected sites in a heart so as to allow the conduction of a pacemaker and/or electrical signal/current across the tract between the two sites, wherein the cells functionally express a sodium channel. The invention also provides related methods of making the bypass bridge, methods of implanting same in a heart, and methods of treating a disorder associated with an impaired conduction in a subject's heart.
US08236292B2
The present invention relates to pre-formulations comprising low viscosity, non-liquid crystalline, mixtures of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid and/or at least one tocopherol; b) at least one phospholipid; c) at least one biocompatible, oxygen containing, low viscosity organic solvent; wherein at least one bioactive agent is dissolved or dispersed in the low viscosity mixture and wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The preformulations are suitable for generating parenteral, non-parenteral and topical depot compositions for sustained release of active agents. The invention additionally relates to a method of delivery of an active agent comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention, a method of treatment comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention and the use of a preformulation of the invention in a method for the manufacture of a medicament.
US08236283B2
This invention relates to a method for imaging of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using a contrast agent comprising a vector attached to an optical imaging reporter, wherein the vector has affinity for receptors associated with angiogenesis. The invention further provides such methods for monitoring the effect of treatment of AMD.
US08236279B2
The invention provides, in a general sense, a new labeling strategy employing 99mTc chelated with ethylenedicysteine (EC). EC is conjugated with a variety of ligands and chelated to 99mTc for use as an imaging agent for tissue-specific diseases. The drug conjugates of the invention may also be used as a prognostic tool or as a tool to deliver therapeutics to specific sites within a mammalian body. Kits for use in tissue-specific disease imaging are also provided.
US08236277B2
A process comprises (a) combining (1) at least one base and (2) at least one metal carboxylate salt comprising (i) a metal cation selected from metal cations that form amphoteric metal oxides or oxyhydroxides and (ii) a carboxylate anion comprising from one to four alkyleneoxy moieties, or metal carboxylate salt precursors comprising (i) at least one metal salt comprising the metal cation and a non-interfering anion and (ii) at least one carboxylic acid comprising from one to four alkyleneoxy moieties, at least one salt of the carboxylic acid and a non-interfering, non-metal cation, or a mixture thereof; and (b) allowing the base and the metal carboxylate salt or metal carboxylate salt precursors to react.
US08236266B2
A method for improving yield of an upgraded metallurgical-grade (UMG) silicon purification process is disclosed. In the UMG silicon (UMGSi) purification process, in a reaction chamber, purification is performed on a silicon melt therein by one, all or a plurality of the following techniques in the same apparatus at the same time, including: a crucible ratio approach, the addition of water-soluble substances, the control of power, the control of vacuum pressure, the upward venting of exhaust, isolation by high-pressure gas jet, and carbon removal by sandblasting, thereby reducing oxygen, carbon and other impurities in the silicon melt, meeting a high-purity silicon standard of solar cells, increasing yield while maintaining low cost, and avoiding EMF reduction over time. An exhaust venting device for purification processes is also disclosed, which allows exhaust to be vented from the top of the reactor chamber, thereby avoiding backflow of exhaust into the silicon melt and erosion of the reactor.
US08236262B2
A particulate desulfurization material includes one or more nickel compounds, a zinc oxide support material, and one or more alkali metal compounds wherein the nickel content of the material is in the range 0.3 to 10% by weight and the alkali metal content of the material is in the range 0.2 to 10% by weight. A method of making the desulfurization material includes the steps: (i) contacting a nickel compound with a particulate zinc support material and an alkali metal compound to form an alkali-doped composition, (ii) shaping the alkali-doped composition, and (iii) drying, calcining, and optionally reducing the resulting material. The desulfurization material may be used to desulfurize hydrocarbon gas streams with reduced levels of hydrocarbon hydrogenolysis.
US08236242B2
A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.
US08236241B2
A method of treating a biological tissue including crosslinking with glutaraldehyde; immersing the biological tissue in a first solution containing glutaraldehyde and heat in the first solution to a temperature of about 50° C. for a first period of time; immersing the biological tissue in a second solution containing a mixture of a crosslinking agent, a denaturing agent and a surfactant; and immersing the biological tissue in a sterilizing solution containing glutaraldehyde and heating the sterilizing solution to a temperature of 37.5±2.5° C. for a sterilizing period of time. The method may include a terminal sterilization step in a method for fixation of biological tissues, and bioprosthetic devices may be prepared by such fixation method. The fixation method may include the steps of A) fixing the tissue, B) treating the tissue with a mixture of i) a denaturant, ii) a surfactant and iii) a crosslinking agent, C) fabricating or forming the bioprosthesis (e.g., forming the tissue and attaching any non-biological components thereto) and D) subjecting the bioprosthesis to the terminal sterilization method.
US08236236B2
A bio-air sterilization system and method of use thereof is provided that can remove and render benign harmful contaminants and particulates, such as bacteria, viruses, and molds, from air within an enclosed area, as well as, in principle, from the exposed surfaces located within the enclosed area. In one aspect, the sterilization system includes a self contained, mobile sterilization unit that includes at least an ultraviolet array, an air flow control mechanism for diverting the air flow within the system through either a filter or through an ozone removal zone, an ozone generator, and a blower apparatus to pull the air through the system and out through ports, such as a nozzle system, to the surrounding environment.
US08236235B2
A nozzle for introducing pressurized fluids into an industrial vessel is releasably attachable to and detachable from a mounting member securedly attached to an exterior surface of the vessel. The mounting member is attached, via extension piping, to a source of pressurized gas, such as the exhaust valve of an air cannon. Both the nozzle and the mounting member include respective mating collars which engage each other in a twist lock manner. Additional securing members are provided to securely retain the nozzle and mounting member in twist lock engagement. Removal of the nozzle is performed by releasing the securing members, twisting the nozzle from inside of the vessel to unlock it from the mounting member, and uncoupling the nozzle from the mounting member. Installation of a replacement nozzle is performed by performing the foregoing steps in the reverse order. For high temperature applications, the removal of existing refractory material may be necessary prior to removal of a worn nozzle, and new refractory material may be applied to the interior surface of the vessel following attachment of the replacement nozzle.
US08236228B2
An apparatus and method for loading a tread press are provided. More specifically, the present invention provides for loading a tread band onto a tread press while suspending the tread band above the mold elements as the tread band is moved into the proper longitudinal position within the tread press. Lateral positioning can also be provided using the present invention.
US08236221B2
A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon. The length of the fibers of the second group varies progressively in accordance to their proximity to the fibers of the first group; the fibers of the second group closest to the fibers of the first group being longer than the fibers of the second group further from the fibers of the first group. The fiber of the second fiber layer winds circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the balloon substantially over the entire length of the balloon including the neck walls, the cone walls and the barrel wall.
US08236220B2
An embedded-object composite product including a solid-state mass of PET, an object embedded in the PET material mass, and a zone possessing a continuous material-density gradient in the PET material mass, with more-dense PET material residing closely adjacent the embedded object, and less-dense PET material residing more distant from that object. This product is produced effectively by non-destructively heating the PET mass from its solid state to allow it to flow as a liquid, by then pressing the object into the heated PET mass to perform object embedment and to create a declining PET-material density in the region adjacent, and progressing from adjacent, the embedded object, and by thereafter cooling the mass to re-solidify it.
US08236219B2
A process for forcibly infusing liquid potting compound into the strands of a cable in order to attach an anchor to the cable. The process uses a strand cavity within an anchor that encloses the exposed strands. The strand cavity is sealed. Liquid potting compound is then forced into the strand cavity, where it runs around and through the exposed strands. A second venting passage is preferably employed, so that the liquid potting compound flows through the mold without trapping any substantial air pockets.
US08236218B2
The present invention is applicable to the field of sport and leisure accessories and particularly relates to a process for making integral elastic supports as well as to integral elastic supports obtainable by such process. The invention also relates to a mold for making such supports, as well as a molding apparatus including such mold, for carrying out the above process. The process includes the step of forming at least one pad element from a resilient material, to be associated to a frame made of a substantially rigid or semirigid material whose outer edge defines a peripheral portion in combination with said pad. The process is characterized further includes the step of forming a bead from a substantially waterproof material near the peripheral portion to prevent any undesired infiltration into such portion.
US08236211B1
A method for preparing an asymmetric porous material by depositing a porous material film on a flexible substrate, and applying an anisotropic stress to the porous media on the flexible substrate, where the anisotropic stress results from a stress such as an applied mechanical force, a thermal gradient, and an applied voltage, to form an asymmetric porous material.
US08236208B2
An optical cellulose ester film comprising a cellulose ester (A); at least one ester based plasticizer (B) selected from ester based plasticizers composed of a polyhydric alcohol and a univalent carboxylic acid, or ester based plasticizers composed of a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a monohydric alcohol; at least one stabilizer (C) selected from the group consisting of a phenol based stabilizer, a hindered amine based stabilizer, or a phosphorous based stabilizer; and a hydrogen bonding solvent (D).
US08236205B1
A composition with a corrosion inhibitor component having one or more tetrahydrobenzotriazoles and one or more other triazoles; wherein the tetrahydrobenzotriazoles are in a weight ratio to the other triazoles such that the composition decreases the General Corrosion rate, as measured by copper electrodes in the presence of 10 ppm sodium hypochlorite, by at least about 0.05 mpy relative to a corrosion inhibitor component which is 100% of the other triazoles. Also, a method of using this composition to inhibit corrosion of a metal component which has a metal or metal alloy which is corrodible in the presence of copper or copper corroding agents.
US08236200B2
A transparent, nano-composite material and methods for making structures from this material are provided. In one embodiment, the material is made from a polycrystalline matrix containing dispersed particles of a harder material. The particles are less then about 100 nm. In other embodiments, methods for making structures from the material are provided. In one aspect, the methods include blending precursor powders for the matrix and reinforcing phases prior to forming and sintering to make a final structure. In other aspects, a precursor powder for the matrix is pressed into a green shape, which is partially sintered and exposed to a solution containing a precursor for the reinforcing phase, prior to be sintered into the final material. In another aspect, the precursor powder for the matrix is coated with a sol-gel precursor for the reinforcing material, then pressed into a green shape and sintered to form the final structure.
US08236199B2
Phosphor and fluorescent compositions and methods of producing them are provided.
US08236198B2
A nanoscale pigment particle composition includes a fluorescent compound, such as a benzothioxanthene pigment, including at least one functional moiety, and a stabilizer compound including at least one functional group, wherein the functional moiety associates non-covalently with the functional group; and the presence of the associated stabilizer limits the extent of particle growth and aggregation, to afford nanoscale-sized particles.
US08236196B1
Some or all of the needs above can be addressed by embodiments of the invention. According to embodiments of the invention, systems and methods for facilitating hydrogen storage using naturally occurring nanostructure assemblies can be implemented. In one embodiment, a method for storing hydrogen can be provided. The method can include providing diatoms comprising diatomaceous earth or diatoms from a predefined culture. In addition, the method can include heating the diatoms in a sealed environment in the presence of at least one of titanium, a transition metal, or a noble metal to provide a porous hydrogen storage medium. Furthermore, the method can include exposing the porous hydrogen storage medium to hydrogen. In addition, the method can include storing at least a portion of the hydrogen in the porous hydrogen storage medium.
US08236195B2
A fluorine-containing curable composition containing (A) A fluorine-containing amino compound having primary or secondary amino groups at both ends, said compound being represented by the formula (1): Y-Q-Rf—(X—Rf)n-Q-Y (1) wherein Rf is a divalent perfluorooxyalkylene group, each Q is independently a divalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and, optionally, containing an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom, X is a divalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and, optionally, containing an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom, Y is an organic group having a primary or secondary amino group and 1 to 20 carbon atoms and, optionally, containing an oxygen atom, and n is an integer of from 1 to 20, (B) An epoxy compound having at least two epoxy groups in a molecule, in an amount such that the amount of the epoxy groups is 0.1 to 10 moles per mole of the amino groups of component (A), and (C) At least one alcohol containing fluorine atoms and represented by the following formula (2) in an amount such that the amount of the alcoholic hydroxyl group is 0.001 to 0.5 mole per mole of the amino groups of component (A): Rf′(CH2OH)m (2), wherein m is an integer of 1 or 2, Rf′ is a monovalent or divalent group containing 2 to 300 fluorine atoms, and at least one fluorine atom or at least one trifluoromethyl group is bonded to a carbon atom to which site the methylol group is bonded.
US08236186B2
A production method of a suspension board with circuit includes the steps of forming, on a metal supporting board, an insulating layer formed with a first opening, forming a metal thin film on the insulating layer and on the metal supporting board exposed from the first opening, forming, on a surface of the metal thin film, a conductive layer having terminal portions forming, on the terminal portions, a metal plating layer by electrolytic plating using the metal supporting board as a lead, forming a second opening in a portion of the metal supporting board opposing the first opening, and partially etching the metal supporting board to form the suspension board with circuit and a support frame. In the step of forming the insulating layer, the first opening is formed in the insulating layer in which the supporting frame is formed.
US08236179B2
A chromatography or supercritical extraction method is disclosed, in which the eluent comprises a mixture of a fluid and a modifier and in which the fluid is recycled. One exemplary method comprises an operation consisting in determining at least one quantity linked to the level of modifier that is mixed with the recycled fluid and, if necessary, a correction operation in order to limit variations in the level of modifier in the eluent at the inlet of the column or the extractor. The disclosure also relates to a chromatography or extraction installation.
US08236169B2
A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. At least an additive material selected from inhibitor additives, anti-foam agents, stabilizers, metal scavengers, metal contaminant removers, metal passivators, and sacrificial materials, in an amount of less than 1 wt. % of the heavy oil feedstock, is added to at least one of the contacting zones. In one embodiment, the additive material is an anti-foam agent. In another embodiment, the additive material is a sacrificial material for trapping heavy metals in the heavy oil feed and/or deposited coke, thus prolonging the life of the slurry catalyst.
US08236158B2
Described herein are a method and system for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy. A “five stream” dialytic stack is described that can be used to desalinate saltwater at a relatively high recovery ratio. The dialytic stack may include, for example, one or more drive cells having a paired concentrate and a diluent-c chamber in ionic communication with a product chamber that is adjacent to an anion and a cation discharge chamber each filled with diluent-p. The drive cell applies a drive voltage across the product chamber, and when the drive voltage exceeds a desalination voltage of the product chamber, the saltwater in the product chamber is desalinated. The diluent-p may be at a lower ionic concentration than the diluent-c, which may be at a lower concentration than the concentrate. The relatively high concentrations of the concentrate and the diluent-c facilitate a relatively high recovery ratio, while the relatively low concentration of the diluent-p facilitates a relatively low desalination voltage. The dialytic stack may accept brine discharged from a first desalination plant and may use this brine as a source of the concentrate, diluent-c, or diluent-p. Alternatively, the dialytic stack may accept the brine as saltwater to be desalinated, and may then output desalinated brine back to the first desalination plant for further desalination. Processing the brine in the dialytic stack may decrease its volume, decreasing costs associated with treating or otherwise disposing of the brine.
US08236154B2
The present invention provides a surface-modified electrode strip for measuring an electrochemical signal that is synergistically amplified by means of a nano-scaled gold particle layer and a lipid-soluble electron mediator layer. A biosensor comprising the electrode strip is also provided.
US08236152B2
A deposition system includes a chamber, a plurality of targets in a center region in the chamber and a plurality of substrates in the chamber. The targets are sequentially positioned when viewed in a first direction. At least one of the targets includes a sputtering surface facing outward. The substrates are sequentially positioned when viewed in the first direction. At least one of the substrates includes a deposition surface configured to receive material sputtered off the sputtering surface.
US08236151B1
A carrier provides the ability to perform wet chemical processing on substrates using low cost equipment inspired by the electroplating methods typically utilized in leadframe-based semiconductor packaging or printed circuit board industries. Two frame pieces are mated together to form the carrier which enables transport of at least one substrate through wet chemical processing and includes a non-conductive frame with an exposed conductive flange to allow electrical coupling with processing equipment. Electrical contacts within the non-conductive frame make contact with the at least one substrate and are coupled to the conductive flange allowing an electrical potential to develop across the substrate while undergoing processing within the electroplating equipment.
US08236148B2
An electrolysis device for preparation of hypochlorous water is provided, comprising an electrolytic cell, and cathodic and anodic electrolytic sheets arranged in the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell is separated to form an inner tank for containing hydrochloric acid and an outer tank for circulating tap water, a central portion of the inner tank is sealed and separated relative to the outer tank, and a chlorine discharge outlet connected to the outer tank is provided at the upper end of the inner tank; the cathodic and anodic electrolytic sheets are located on both sides of the inner tank. The electrolysis device without a membrane utilizes tap water and hydrochloric acid as raw materials, having an inner tank for containing hydrochloric acid and an outer tank for circulating tap water. Chlorine generated through electrolysis of hydrochloric acid is discharged from the chlorine discharge outlet and combined with tap water in the outer tank to generate hypochlorous acid. This electrolysis device has simple structure, and can effectively improve productivity of hypochlorous water. Hypochlorous water produced by this electrolysis device has functions of sterilization and environmental protection.
US08236141B2
An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors at least partially embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors includes: a first electrode overlying the top surface of a substrate and a second electrode underlying the bottom surface of the substrate, wherein the first electrode overlies the top surface of the substrate and the second electrode underlies only a portion of the bottom surface of the substrate, thereby forming a gap adjacent the bottom surface and a side surface of the substrate; a first sheet of conductive material attached to the first electrode and the side surface of the substrate and extended in a first direction away from the bottom surface of the substrate; and a second sheet of conductive material attached to the second electrode and extended in a second direction away from the bottom surface of the substrate, the second surface being opposite the first direction.
US08236140B2
A belt press for a paper machine, the belt press including a roll having an exterior surface and a permeable belt. The permeable belt including a first side being guided over a portion of the exterior surface of the roll. The permeable belt having a tension of at least approximately 30 kN/m. The first side of the belt having an open area of at least approximately 25% and a contact area of at least approximately 10%. A web travels between the permeable belt and the exterior surface of the roll.
US08236128B2
Adhesive material and adhesive parts are formed according to the present invention along with used therefore. The adhesive parts typically include a handling layer.
US08236123B2
A heat transfer paper configured to reduce the amount of stray toner on a heat transfer material, especially when the image is formed via a laser printer or laser copier, is generally disclosed. The heat transfer material includes an image-receptive coating overlying a splittable layer and a base sheet. The image-receptive coating includes thermoplastic polyolefin wax microparticles, a thermoplastic binder, and a humectant. The thermoplastic polyolefin wax microparticles have an average particle size of from about 30 microns to about 50 microns and melt at temperatures between about 130° C. and about 200° C.
US08236121B2
A process for making a corrugated stretch laminate comprising the steps of providing a first carrier web having a first surface and a second surface; applying a first elastomeric composition in a fluid or molten state to the first surface of the carrier web to form at least one first elastic member; incrementally stretching in a first direction at least a portion of the carrier web to form a stretch composite preform; elongating the stretch composite preform in the first direction; joining a first substrate to the elongated stretch composite preform; and allowing the elongated stretch composite preform to recover to form said corrugated stretch laminate.
US08236118B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating (TCC). In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films grown on large areas hetero-epitaxially, e.g., on a catalyst thin film, from a hydrocarbon gas (such as, for example, C2H2, CH4, or the like). The graphene thin films of certain example embodiments may be doped or undoped. In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films, once formed, may be lifted off of their carrier substrates and transferred to receiving substrates, e.g., for inclusion in an intermediate or final product. Graphene grown, lifted, and transferred in this way may exhibit low sheet resistances (e.g., less than 150 ohms/square and lower when doped) and high transmission values (e.g., at least in the visible and infrared spectra).
US08236110B2
The invention produces a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having a primary recrystallization structure in which Goss-oriented crystal grains and crystal grains having a coincidence orientation relationship to the Goss orientation are aligned in the rolling direction. It is characterized heating a slab containing, in mass %, C: 0.025 to 0.10%, Si: 2.5 to 4.5%, Mn: 0.03 to 0.55%, and Al: 0.007 to 0.040% to 1,100 to 1,450° C. or greater; hot rolling the slab to obtain a hot-rolled sheet; annealing the hot-rolled sheet; cold rolling the annealed sheet multiple times with a split-housing reversible cluster rolling mill; and subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to primary recrystallization annealing followed by secondary recrystallization annealing, in which method: (a) a first cold rolling or first and second cold rollings are performed using a small-diameter work roll of 55 mm to less than 105 mm diameter; (b) a second or third cold rolling to a penultimate cold rolling are performed using a large-diameter work roll of 105 mm to less than 150 mm diameter; and (c) a final cold rolling is conducted using a small work roll of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter work roll.
US08236107B2
A system that forms an alignment layer of a liquid crystal device has an applicator that applies an alignment layer of material on a substrate, a magnetic field generator that applies a magnetic field to directionally align the alignment layer material, and a firing device to fire the directionally aligned material.
US08236100B2
Methods of characterizing the self-healing properties of a set cement based material in contact with hydrocarbons in an oil- and/or gas-well are described. The methods comprise: providing a test cell (10); providing said test cell (10) with a sample (31, 40) of the set cement based material; damaging the sample to simulate a loss of zonal isolation resulting from damages made to the set cement based material in the oil- or gas-well; injecting a hydrocarbon fluid in the test cell; allowing the cement based material to heal by itself; measuring the differential pressure (ΔP) across the sample (31, 40); and characterizing the self-healing properties of the cement based material from the measure of said differential pressure (ΔP).
US08236098B2
A composition capable of setting to produce a building material is disclosed. The composition can include from 1% to 30% by weight of an activator, from 1% to 55% by weight of a pozzolan, such as fly ash; from 40% to 90% by weight of an aggregate; and liquid landfill leachate in a sufficient amount such that the composition sets to a building material having a compressive strength of at least 2 MPa, wherein all weight percentages are percent by weight of the total composition. The liquid landfill leachate replaces all or part of the tap water in a conventional composition for forming a building material. The liquid landfill leachate can be recovered after a liquid (typically water) percolates through a landfill and contacts at least one landfilled coal combustion product selected from fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization material. The building material can be a concrete, or a masonry unit.
US08236080B2
A ratchet clip for lockably and releasably closing a cover onto a base of a air filter housing is disclosed. The ratchet clip includes an elongated retention member secured at one portion of the housing and having a plurality of teeth forming a series of pockets and ridges. A rocker member is pivotally secured to a different housing portion and is aligned to lockably engage the retention member. A latching member on the rocker member is sized, configured and positioned to lockably engage into the pockets thereby inhibiting movement of the latching member in an opening direction relative to the retention member. A spring biases the rocker member to lockably and releasably engage the retention member thereby preventing movement in an opening direction of the rocker member relative to the retention member. The teeth have surfaces configured to permit the latching member to slide over the teeth in a closing direction relative to the retention member, even while the spring biases. The rocker body is operable to overcome biasing of the spring, permitting the rocker member to disengage the latching member thereby allowing the latching member to slide freely relative to the retention member.
US08236070B2
A heat exchanger includes: a stacked core formed by stacking a plurality of unit plate members in each of which passage formation portions are formed independently of each other to extend from a heat-exchange passage formation portion along a plane; a case formed in accordance with the outer shape of the stacked core, and which houses the stacked core such that heat-exchange media flow into and flow out of the stacked core; and a join portion that serves as a sealing mechanism that supports the stacked core such that the stacked core does not contact the case, and that forms a heat-insulation layer between the case and the stacked core, wherein the heat-insulation layer is a closed space separated from the outside.
US08236067B2
A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates.
US08236060B2
An implant for resurfacing at least a portion of an articulation surface of a bone includes a body having a first side with a top articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface. The bone apposition surface is adapted to bias against a natural or resected articulation surface of a bone. An elongated flexible first line is coupled to and extends from the body.
US08236058B2
An implant has a first contact surface to contact a first vertebral body endplate and a second contact surface to contact a second vertebral body endplate adjacent the first vertebral body. The implant is deployable, when positioned within an intradiscal space between the first and second vertebral bodies, from a first non-expanded condition where the first contact surface has a first effective footprint area A1 to a second expanded condition where the first contact surface has a second effective footprint area A2. The ratio A2/A1 is at least 1.05.
US08236051B2
An apparatus for implantation in an annulus of a tricuspid valve. The apparatus has an anterior annulus aspect, a posterior annulus aspect, and an atrioventricular (AV) node located adjacent the anterior annulus aspect. The apparatus includes an ovoid main body portion. The main body portion has an anterior body segment adapted for placement adjacent the anterior annulus aspect, a posterior body segment located opposite the anterior body portion and adapted for placement adjacent the posterior annulus aspect, and oppositely disposed left and right side body segments extending between the anterior and posterior body segments. At least two valve leaflets are secured within the main body portion and are coaptable to permit unidirectional flow of blood. A cushioned section is attached to the main body portion, coextends with a portion of the main body portion, and is adapted for placement adjacent the AV node.
US08236046B2
An endoprosthesis can include a body including an underlying portion and a surface portion overlying the underlying portion. The underlying portion can include a bioerodible metal in the form of a matrix and corrosion enhancing deposits within the matrix. The surface portion including the bioerodible metal of the matrix. The surface portion having a first erosion rate when exposed to a physiological environment and the underlying portion having a second erosion rate when exposed to a physiological environment that is greater than the first erosion rate.
US08236045B2
An implantable prosthetic valve assembly having a support stent, or frame, having circumferential struts with multiple bends forming obtuse angles when the valve assembly is expanded to its functional size. The frame can be manufactured with one or more of the circumferential struts in a partially collapsed state and a flexible valve member can be mounted to the partially collapsed frame. The partially collapsed struts can be formed with multiple bends having angles selected to facilitate crimping of the frame to a profile suitable for percutaneous delivery. When the frame is expanded, the bends can expand to form obtuse angles, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the frame to better resist closing forces exerted on the valve assembly.
US08236044B2
A stent comprises at least one curve deployment section. The at least one curve deployment section comprises at least one expansion ring having a circumferential length, a longitudinal length and comprising a first circumferential section and a second circumferential section. The first circumferential section comprises an expansion column and the second circumferential section comprises at least two expansion columns longitudinally offset from one another. The expansion column of the first circumferential section is engaged to the at least two expansion columns of the second circumferential section.
US08236040B2
A deployment catheter for deploying an endoluminal vascular prosthesis that has at least a main graft portion and a first branch graft portion. The deployment catheter preferably comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an outer sheath and an inner core that is axially moveable with respect to the outer sheath. The catheter preferably comprises a main graft restraint that has a main graft release mechanism comprising a main graft sheath and a suture threaded through a plurality of the openings in the main graft sheath. The catheter further comprises at least one branch graft restraint comprising at least one branch graft release mechanism.
US08236039B2
The present invention is a luminal filter having wall contacts. The filter is formed to include: a plurality of filter elements interconnected so as to form a filter body shaped in a free recovery form and having a plurality of apertures disposed between and defined by the interconnected filter elements. The apertures are dimensioned so as to inhibit a thrombus of a selected size from passing through the apertures and being dimensioned so as to allow blood components smaller than the selected size to pass through the apertures. The polymeric wall contact is coupled to the filter and disposed on an external surface thereof. Optionally, a fastener can be used to secure the wall contact to the filter.
US08236026B2
A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.
US08236023B2
A gastric balloon and method of adding and removing fluid therefrom are disclosed. The gastric balloon includes a shell, a receiver, and a retractable tubing housed in the receiver and extendable from the stomach of a patient to the mouth of the patient. The shell is inflated and deflated from outside the body of the patient. The method of adding or removing fluid from the implanted gastric balloon includes steps of inserting a gastroscopic tool into the stomach of a patient and grasping an end of a retractable tubing housed in a receiver of the gastric balloon. Further steps of the method include withdrawing at least a portion of the retractable tubing from the stomach and out of a patient's mouth and adding or removing fluid from the gastric balloon via the retractable tubing withdrawn from the patient.
US08236018B2
An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer producing ultrasonic vibration, a transmission member transmitted ultrasonic vibration from the proximal end to the distal end, a sheath in which the transmission member is inserted, a procedural unit provided to the distal end of the transmission member so that it projects from the distal end of the sheath, and treating a surgical target portion using ultrasonic vibration, a procedural unit main body provided in the procedural unit, a procedural member provided in the sheath so that it projects from the distal end of the sheath to treat the surgical target portion, and a procedural member main body provided at the distal end of the procedural member. In the ultrasonic surgical instrument, the procedural member main body overlaps with the procedural unit main body, and thereby, the procedural member main body and the procedural unit main body treat the portion.
US08236010B2
Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope. Movement of the flexible neck can be used to control positioning of a tool extending through the flexible neck.
US08236005B2
A method and system for monitoring impaction of a femoral component of a hip prosthesis into a femur in which impaction data generated during the impaction of the femoral component into the femur is received from at least one measurement transducer attached to the femoral component and is normalized by a data acquisition and analysis device. An impaction monitoring metric is calculated based on the normalized impaction data, and femoral component fit and stability data is then generated and output to a user interface based on the impaction monitoring metric.
US08236002B2
The invention related to a distraction and damping system which combines two devices, namely a first distractor device and one or more other damping devices. The aforementioned distractor device is for children's bones and can support and lengthen said bones by means of rods which are mounted to an adjustment means. Moreover, said distraction and damping system is hooked to the bones at the ends of the rods which are connected to hooks. The above-mentioned damping devices consist of flexible and rigid means. The inventive system, which results from the combination of said two devices, comprises the implantation of novel means such as serrated rods, one of the ends of which takes the form of a piston head. Said system his intended to be used in order to straighten and support a child's torso and his/her vertebral column, by acting on the central means by tightening the screws; dampen dynamic loads; be adjustable according to growth, the system being re-adjusted as often as necessary; and prevent significant stresses from being created in the bones, in particular, at the hooks, without impeding growth.
US08235998B2
Systems, instruments and methods are provided for bending an elongate spinal implant used in a medical procedure. In one form, an instrument for bending an elongate spinal implant includes a proximal handle portion and a bending mechanism having an implant engaging member movably coupled to the proximal handle portion. The bending mechanism is operable to articulate the implant engaging member relative to the proximal handle portion while a second implant engaging member associated with the articulating implant engaging member holding the elongate spinal implant in position. In another form, systems and methods are provided to bend in situ an elongate spinal implant associated with an orthopedic construct.
US08235988B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to ablation catheter systems configured, for example, to ablate tissue adjacent an ostium of the pulmonary vein in a left atria of a heart. In one embodiment, an ablation catheter system includes a handle including an actuator and a catheter coupled to the handle defining a lumen extending through a length of the catheter, the catheter including a tip portion at a distal end thereof. The ablation catheter system may also include an electrode coupled to the handle with lines extending through the lumen of the catheter, the electrode being configured to be constrained within the tip portion of the catheter and configured to be deployed from the tip portion and self expand to an expanded configuration. With this arrangement, the electrode is configured to self expand to a conical configuration with a tip portion configured to be disposed within the pulmonary vein.
US08235984B2
Methods and apparatus for ablating a target tissue are discussed. Such methods and apparatus include those that simplify tissue ablation. For example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator, such as a trigger mechanism, coupled to a power source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes the electrode to be introduced into the target tissue and causes energy to be delivered from the power supply to the tissue via the electrode. By way of additional example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator coupled to a fluid source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes conductive fluid to flow from the fluid source to the target tissue location and causes the electrode to be introduced to the target tissue location. The fluid source may be a conductive fluid, such as saline, which may increase the efficiency of ablation. Various other configurations and methods that simplify tissue ablation are also discussed.
US08235977B2
Described herein are various methods and devices for delivering cryoablative therapy. One such device includes a cryoablation chamber and a volume displacement chamber. In use, the volume displacement chamber can be expanded to occupy a non-therapeutic volume.
US08235974B2
A method for hair removal from a skin area by selective photo-inactivation of the pilo-sebaceous apparatus using derivatives of ALA with alkylene-glycol chains. Selectivity of the method is further enhanced by treatment of the epidermis by agents reducing PpIX levels in the epidermis. Side effects are diminished by using short drug/light intervals.
US08235959B2
A process is claimed for making a composite sheet useful as topsheet with one or more openings to receive fecal material useful for an absorbent article, said composite sheet comprising a wrinkled, patterned elasticized region that comprises a patterned first sheet and an elastic material said first sheet being patterned with troughs, that are typically compacter, i.e. of higher density, prior to attachment to the elastic material. The troughs are attached to the elastic material. The resulting composite sheet has a uniform wrinkle pattern. Also claimed are specific absorbent articles. Also claimed are composite sheets with a specific residual strain and peel force value.
US08235953B2
A metering device, a metering element, and a method for operating same, the metering element having a storage container open on one side for receiving the substances to be metered and a plunger which is axially movable and reversibly seals the opening of the storage container and which preferably has at least one centrally located metering opening for metering the substances provided in the storage container, the plunger including a separation device for particles.
US08235948B2
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that receives a catheter (or other medical instrument) and secures the catheter in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some embodiments, the anchor device can secure the catheter in an operative position relative to the skin without the use of sutures or skin tapes.
US08235939B2
A reduced pressure delivery system for applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site is provided. The system includes a manifold having a plurality of flow channels. The manifold is configured to be placed adjacent the tissue site. A first conduit is in fluid communication with the flow channels of the manifold to deliver a reduced pressure to the flow channels. A second conduit is in fluid communication with the flow channels of the manifold and is operably connected to a valve. The valve selectively purges the second conduit with ambient air when the valve is positioned in an open position, and a controller is operably connected to the valve to place the valve in the open position for a selected amount of time at a selected interval during delivery of reduced pressure through the first conduit.
US08235934B2
The object of the invention is to provide a functional thin tube device in which a pump and a liquid drawing device are constituted to be not separate without a sophisticated channel design and to correspond to various applications. A functional thin tube device includes a hollow tubular body, a plurality of vibrating ring bodies mounted as being kept in contact with the tubular body spaced an interval along an axial direction on an outer circumference of the tubular body, and an energy supply means of energy for vibrating the vibrating ring bodies. The energy supply means is constituted to supply energy such that the displacement caused by vibrations is mutually different among the vibrating ring bodies.
US08235926B2
A shoulder brace comprises a girdle, at least one tether connected to the girdle, and an arm band connected to the at least one tether. In one embodiment, the girdle includes at least one pad holder in the form of a pocket. The at least one tether is fastened at one end to the girdle. The opposite end of the tether is fastened to an arm band. The arm band of the brace may be provided as part of a separate flexible strip of material or may be integral with the opposite end of the tether. The arm band is fashioned to wrap around the arm of an athlete. With the tether secured to both the girdle and the arm band, the range of movement of the athlete's arm and shoulder is restricted.
US08235922B2
A pump supplies pressurized air to inflate compression garments, mattresses, cushions, or similar at the desired times and to desired pressures appropriate to the therapy. The garments are each identified by small steps generated in the pressure waveform during inflation, with the identifying means including a flat sheet valve in the connector chamber having vents to atmosphere and being situated along the flow path from the pump to the garment(s). As the air flows through the connection tubing and through the connector a pressure wave is generated by the valve and fed back upstream to a pressure sensor in the pump. The shape of the pressure waveform identifies a particular compression garment, the pump supplying the appropriate inflation regime upon detection of this pressure waveform.
US08235919B2
An apparatus and method are provided for generating ultrasonic energy from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound; and delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium. The generated ultrasonic energy has a significantly large amplitude such that the ultrasonic energy has an intensity capable of penetrating the wound tissue to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time for the wound.
US08235918B2
A sensory data integration system for integrating sensory data generated by a first sensory substitution device and sensory data generated by a second sensory substitution device. The system includes a processor configured to generate an orientation signal indicative of a difference between a subject's orientation and an acceptable orientation. The orientation signal is based on the sensory data generated by the first sensory substitution device and the sensory data generated by the second sensory substitution device.
US08235917B2
The present disclosure relates to a wireless, bite activated switch for electrosurgery related electrosurgical systems, and methods of use thereof. During an electrosurgical procedure, a biocompatible switching device is gently held in the surgeon's mouth, typically between the teeth. The surgeon may activate an electrosurgical device by biting down on the switch. In embodiments, the wireless, bite activated switch includes a passive RFID tag that is powered by a radiofrequency signal transmitted by an interrogator included within an electrosurgical system unit. The wireless, bite activated may include a unique identifier which enables the electrosurgical system unit to respond only to a designated wireless device.
US08235916B2
A method for accessing a target site in the body by transferring a guidewire from an initial insertion site on the body to a different insertion site on the body is provided. In one aspect, a method for transferring a medical device or component, such as a sensor lead, from an initial insertion site to another insertion site is also provided. A guidewire of sufficient length, pliancy and deformability to perform a transfer from one insertion site to another insertion site is provided. In one aspect, the guidewire comprises a removable core mandrel to increase rigidity, facilitate insertion and/or improve steerability. A kit or system, comprising introducers, guidewires and catheters for performing a guidewire or device transfer is also provided.
US08235907B2
A medical system includes a carrier and a multiplicity of electromechanical transducers mounted to the carrier, the transducers being disposable in effective pressure-wave-transmitting contact with a patient. Energization componentry is operatively connected to a first plurality of the transducers for supplying the same with electrical signals of at least one pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce first pressure waves in the patient. A control unit is operatively connected to the energization componentry and includes an electronic analyzer operatively connected to a second plurality of the transducers for performing electronic 3D volumetric data acquisition and imaging (which includes determining three-dimensional shapes) of internal tissue structures of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the second plurality of the transducers in response to second pressure waves produced at the internal tissue structures in response to the first pressure waves. The control unit includes phased-array signal processing circuitry for effectuating an electronic scanning of the internal tissue structures which facilitates one-dimensional (vector), 2D (planar), and 3D (volume) data acquisition. The control unit further includes circuitry for defining multiple data gathering apertures and for coherently combining structural data from the respective apertures to increase spatial resolution. When the data gathering apertures are contained in a flexible web or carrier so that the instantaneous positions of the data gathering apertures are unknown, a self-cohering algorithm is used to determine their positions so that coherent aperture combining can be performed.
US08235894B2
The invention provides an emotional state determination method capable of quantitatively and accurately measuring an emotional state of a human being without requiring a special measuring environment. At least one of oxy-hemoglobin densities and deoxy-hemoglobin densities in blood of a plurality of measurement regions of a human brain cortex of a subject 1 are measured in time series, respectively, using a near-infrared spectroscopy. Then, cross-correlation coefficients of plural sets of time-variable change data are computed for each time (for each sampling period). Each of the plural sets of the time-variable change data comprises two of the time-variable change data which are selected by permutations and combinations from among at least one of the time-variable change data on the measured oxy-hemoglobin densities and the time-variable change data on the measured deoxy-hemoglobin densities. Then, by analyzing time-variable change patterns of the computed cross-correlation coefficients of the plural sets of the time-variable change data using a predetermined determination method, the emotional state of the subject is quantitatively measured.
US08235892B2
A dental protection device for a laryngoscope includes an elongated pad with a top surface and a bottom surface, an adhesive applied to the bottom surface and a pull-tab attached to the pad.
US08235876B2
An abdominal training apparatus provides focused training on the abdominal muscles using a resistance provided by a resistance device. The user may be supported in an elevated position by a seat support. A cable may transfer the resistance from the resistance device to the user. One or more pulleys may guide the resistance such to the user such that a force vector below and away from the user is provided to the user. In use, the user may perform abdominal training by engaging or grasping the cable to engage the resistance. The user may also support or secure one or both legs using a leg support of the apparatus. The force vector of the resistance is highly beneficial in that it allows the resistance to target and strengthen the abdominal muscles.
US08235871B2
Methods and systems for use in connection with a fitness routine and/or an exercise apparatus. In one such method, fitness information is stored in a fitness analysis system and operative communication is established with an exercise apparatus and/or a wireless communication device. A fitness information request is received at the fitness analysis system, and the system sends a setting associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a workout using an exercise apparatus. The system receives exercise information corresponding to the workout, and updates fitness information during the workout. The updated fitness information is analyzed to generate associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a subsequent workout.
US08235867B2
A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. The drivetrain comprising a drive aggregate with at least one electric machine. During operation of the drivetrain according to the method, when an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are not actuated, the drivetrain is operated in a speed-regulated crawling mode and during this mode a nominal speed value is compared with an actual speed value and, on the basis of the difference between these speed values, a crawling torque is produced as a control output. During a purely electrical speed-regulated crawling operation, if a positive crawling torque is produced as the control output, then the torque produced by the electric machine is regulated such that the actual speed value is approximately equal to the nominal speed value and, during such operation, an electrical energy accumulator of the drivetrain is discharged more intensively since the electric machine is operated as a motor.
US08235863B2
A device having a tray defining at least one reservoir designed to contain a liquid, a platform, designed to be placed on the tray and to support a growing substrate, the platform including a flat main portion provided with wells having, at the bottom, an orifice communicating with the liquid contained in the tray, and means for carrying liquid in the reservoir, where a plurality of reinforcing walls protrude perpendicularly upwards from the main portion of the platform, where these walls have sufficient height so that, when the platform is placed on the tray, their top edge forms the highest portion of the device, and where the reinforcing walls are distributed on the surface of the platform so as to allow a distribution of the loads applied to this device.
US08235862B2
A planetary gear has at least two, first and second gears having different numbers of teeth. One of sun outer gears or sun inner gears having two fundamental axes has at least two, third and fourth gears capable of respectively meshing with the first and second gears of the planetary gear and of rotating relative to each other. The ratio of the numbers of the teeth of the first gear and the third gear is different from that of the second gear and the fourth gear. The other of sun outer or sun inner gears having one fundamental shaft coaxially integrally has at least two, fifth and sixth gears respectively meshing with the first and second gears.
US08235860B2
A transfer case includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts, and a planetary gearset including a sun gear, a ring gear and planet gears rotatably supported on a carrier coupled to the first output shaft. A collar is driven by the sun gear and selectively drives the carrier. The ring gear is moveable between first and second positions. The collar is coupled to the ring gear for movement therewith between first and second positions. The collar is operable in its first position to couple the sun gear to the carrier and operable in its second position to be released from engagement with the carrier. The ring gear is operable in its first position to be released from coupled engagement with a stationary member and operable in its second position to be coupled to the stationary member. A mechanism moves the ring gear between its first and second positions.
US08235858B1
A compact gear drive assembly for powered equipment includes a housing having a first tubular extension, and an input shaft having a first end located in the housing and a second end extending from the housing through the first tubular extension. The gear drive assembly further includes a first stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first end of the input shaft, a second stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first stage gear reduction, and an axle engaged to and driven by the second stage gear reduction.
US08235852B2
A power transmission belt having a body with a rubber layer defining spaced friction drive surfaces at laterally oppositely facing side surfaces. Short reinforcing fibers are embedded in the rubber layer in an amount of 15-50 parts by weight per 100 weight percent of rubber in the rubber layer. The short reinforcing fibers include polyamide short reinforcing fibers that make up at least 50 weight percent of the short reinforcing fibers embedded in the rubber layer. A plurality of the polyamide short reinforcing fibers project from the friction drive surfaces and have exposed, flattened ends. Flat particles of inorganic powder are adhered to the friction drive surfaces to reside captively between the flattened ends of the polyamide short reinforcing fibers and locations on the friction drive surfaces at which the short reinforcing fibers do not project.
US08235851B2
The invention relates to a tensioning or deflector pulley, in particular for the belt drive on an internal combustion engine, essentially comprising a plastic or steel running pulley, formed by an inner hub ring, an outer running ring and a pulley disc, connecting both rings to each other, with a radial roller bearing fixed in the hub ring of the running pulley, made up of an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring with a number of rolling bodies running between the bearing rings in channeled running tracks, retained at regular separations from each other by a bearing cage with a seal to both sides of the roller bodies, by means of which the cavity, formed between the bearing rings and designed as a grease reservoir, is sealed.
US08235849B2
A combined chain guide and chain ring protector for a bicycle for off-road use having a lower bracket sleeve, a chain ring around which a drive chain extends and a chain ring outer radius. The protector includes a mounting bracket secured at the lower bracket sleeve and a guard mounted thereto. An outer edge of the guard extends beyond the outer radius of the chain ring, thereby protecting a portion of the chain ring from inadvertent impacts. The chain guide extends from the mounting bracket along a path of the drive chain, and preferably includes an upper guide having an inner barrier positioned inboard of the bicycle chain an outer barrier positioned outboard of the inner barrier and an upper barrier positioned above the bicycle chain for preventing the chain from derailing from the chain ring in an upward direction.
US08235823B2
A target output control section causes, after a game has started, a target which a user needs to achieve in the game to be output. A target output standby section holds the target output by the target output control section on standby based on an achievement status for the target.
US08235822B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for transmitting content in wagering networks are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a first source for a first block of a wagering content file. The method can also include determining a second source for a second block of the wagering content file. The method can also include receiving the first block from the first source, receiving the second block from the second source, and using the first block and the second block to create a copy of the wagering content file.
US08235810B2
Trusted Energy Saving (TES) methods applied to server based distributed downloadable gaming for allowing casino operators to significantly reduce their energy bills by placing the main controller of selected unused gaining machines into low-power mode while retaining total control and trust. Trusted Energy Saving is accomplished by: (1) establishing a secure “out-of-band” communication (or equivalent) between gaming machines and the casino's management system such that full network security is maintained while the main controller is in low power standby mode, (2) employing intelligent strategies to wake-up and turn-off the main controller of selected gaming machines by anticipating player use, (3) waiving the lengthy security verification required by regulation upon every gaming machine start-up and optionally (4) by displaying video promotional content on each turned-off gaming machine to continue to attract prospective players and to use the timing of each player approach to intelligently structure game menus based on the promotional content that has successfully attracted the player. The mapping of the TES gaming machines that are turned-on and in low-power mode may be periodically forwarded to the air-conditioning management system and/or to the lighting management system for energy optimization.
US08235805B2
A system and method for operating one or more games for a plurality of players including identifying at least two players participating in a selected one of the games at the expiration of a predetermined time period, and establishing a wager pool corresponding to a total of wager amounts from each of the identified players. The wager pool is reduced by a takeout amount. One or more random numbers are generated, and one or more winners of the selected game are determined based on the one or more random numbers. Funds are distributed from the wager pool to the determined one or more winners of the selected game.
US08235802B2
A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a normal game in which the plurality of symbols are variably displayed and then stop-displayed by the symbol display device after game media have been BET in number equal to or less than a previously set maximum number of BETs, and a payout value is determined according to the stop-displayed symbols or a combination thereof; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media have been inserted; (C) counting the number of normal games played after the mode has been shifted to the insurance mode, in the insurance mode; and (D) paying out a predetermined number of game media and also conducting a free game that is executed even without a game medium BET thereon, when the number of normal games counted in the processing (C) has reached a specific number.
US08235799B2
In the gaming machine according to the present invention, when symbols are displayed within display regions of a display means, a determination means determines, from a combination of symbols displayed, establishment/non-establishment of the shift condition. More specifically, the determination means determines that the shift condition is established when a predetermined number or more first symbols are displayed within the at least one display regions. Further, a condition control means for controlling, when the first symbols displayed within the at least one display regions are less than the predetermined number and when a second symbols are displayed within the display regions, to establish the shift condition by the first symbols and the second symbols. Accordingly, even when the first symbols displayed within the display regions are less than predetermined number, the player can look forward to the shift to the bonus game and therefore feel interest more than in a conventional gaming machine.
US08235795B2
A system for providing a multi-game gaming machine having mechanical reel strips is displayed. A mechanical-reel gaming machine may include light responsive polymer material layers on its reel strips having multiple symbol images visible in polarized light and methods for displaying such symbol images is disclosed. The multi-game gaming machine has access to changing reel strips, and as such a number of sets of symbols can be displayed based on a game selection and corresponding image polarizer orientation. The uniform light sources per reel work with the image polarizer associated per reel, with polarizer location between preferably the reel and the game patron or the light sources and the reel. The polarizer orientation changes based on a game selection, with different game symbols displayed according to that selected game.
US08235794B2
A system for providing a multi-game gaming machine having mechanical reel strips is displayed. A mechanical-reel gaming machine may include light responsive polymer material layers on its reel strips having multiple symbol images visible in polarized light and methods for displaying such symbol images is disclosed. The multi-game gaming machine has access to changing reel strips, and as such a number of sets of symbols can be displayed based on a game selection and corresponding image polarizer orientation. The uniform light sources per reel work with the image polarizer associated per reel, with polarizer location between preferably the reel and the game patron or the light sources and the reel. The polarizer orientation changes based on a game selection, with different game symbols displayed according to that selected game.
US08235791B2
The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first player may be permitted to bet on one set of reel lines and a second player may bet on another set of reel lines. Also, for example, both players may bet on some reel lines and other reel lines may only be available to certain players. A community reel line may also be made available to both players or perhaps just one player upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The ability to have multiple players bet on a common reel display advantageously adds to the excitement and enjoyment of a gaming session.
US08235787B2
A method includes displaying playing card face representations at an electronic player station. The displayed playing card face representations include card face representations that are included in a group of card face representations that has been assigned to the player in response to a bingo pattern achieved by the player in a bingo game. The player may then select one or more of the displayed card face representations to be replaced with one or more card face representations that are also included in the assigned group but have been concealed from the player. A prize is ultimately awarded to the player based on the card face representations remaining in the player's hand after replacement of the selected card face representations. This prize represents the player's prize for achieving the bingo pattern, but is based on the player's card hand produced after the player makes their selections and replaces the desired cards.
US08235775B1
A bone breaking or crushing tool for use by a hunter is designed to break the pelvic bone of a game animal. The bone breaking tool includes a U-shaped body having first and second arms joined by a front end. A handle projects at an angle from an outer side of a first arm of the U-shaped main body. A projection is formed on an inner side of the first arm of the U-shaped main body. The bone breaking tool is configured so that the first and second arms of the U-shaped main body can be slid around either side of a portion of the pelvic bone of a game animal. A hunter can then apply a force to an end of the handle to drive the projection on the inner side of the first arm into the pelvic bone to break or crush the pelvic bone.
US08235765B2
Feminine undergarments, particularly brassieres and other body shaping garments that are fabricated using a multi-layered fabric laminate that is formed by gluing multiple fabric layers together, preferably to permit body shaping garments to be substantially fabricated from a single main piece of material or blank cut from the multi-layered fabric laminate and which has finished edges which do not require separate binding or narrow edge finishing, together with a method of making such garments, both on an individual, batch basis, as well as an automated process for making the fabric laminate and multiple garments on a continuous basis, are disclosed. Multi-layer composite fabric laminate materials wherein different portions of at least one fabric layer thereof are made of different fabrics, and a method for making them, are also disclosed.
US08235759B1
A liquid cooled internal combustion engine has a cooling system with a coolant liquid flow passage having a drain port and a clog-preventing drain plug having an anti-clog protrusion finger extending through the drain port and into the coolant liquid flow passage when the clog-preventing drain plug is in its closed position. The anti-clog protrusion finger leaves a hole in a clog layer of debris and/or engine combustion products upon removal of the anti-clog protrusion finger from the coolant liquid flow passage upon moving the clog-preventing drain plug to its open position.
US08235757B2
An electrical connector for terminating a cable formed of twisted pairs, including a termination assembly having a divider for dividing and guiding the pairs to a respective termination location and a pair of contacts positioned adjacent each location where wires of each pair are separated for termination. The electrical connector is preferably an RJ plug and the divider is preferably mounted on a printed circuit board which is provided with a laser trimmed tuneable circuit to compensate for crosstalk.
US08235748B2
The modular electrical wiring device includes an electrical wiring device and an external plug that is electrically coupled by one or more wires to the wiring device. The modular plug is releasably coupled to a connector in a male-female relationship. Both the modular plug and connector include internal contacts for electrically coupling one to the other. The connector is electrically coupled to and directly terminates one or more building wires, which are used to provide power to one or more of the wiring devices. The external plug is removably coupled to the connector to provide electrical power to the wiring device by establishing and electrical pathway from a source of electrical power, through the building wires, the connector and the modular plug to the wiring device.
US08235746B2
A USB connector structure for connecting an electronic device to a computer includes a cable, a first plug group and a second plug group. The first plug group and the second plug group are connected to opposite ends of the cable. The first plug group includes a first standard USB plug and a first mini USB plug electrically connected to the first standard USB plug. The second plug group is connected to another end of the cable, and includes a second standard USB plug and a second mini USB plug electrically connected to the second standard USB plug. Any two of the first standard USB plugs, the first mini USB plug, the second standard USB plug and the second mini USB plug can be respectively electrically connected with the electronic device and the computer.
US08235744B1
A first connector is matable to a second connector in an electrical connection system. The first connector has a connector body that contains a primary and a secondary latch. The respective latches and the connector body of the first connector are molded to form a single unitary piece. The single unitary piece is constructed to define a space intermediate the primary latch and the connector body. The space is adapted to fit a latch position assurance lock to prevent displacement of the primary latch. The primary and the secondary latch respectively communicate with at least one primary and at least one secondary latch ramp disposed on the second connector when at least the first connector is unmated from the second connector. A method to assemble an electrical connection system using the single unitary piece of the first connector is also provided.
US08235731B1
A substrate operable to construct a male-type connector, a female-type connector, and/or a multi-outlet module. The substrate has a plurality of circuits and an edge card male connector including contacts for each circuit. For each circuit, the substrate has a ground plane connected to one or more of the contacts for the circuit. The ground planes may be implemented as localized, electrically floating, isolated ground planes. The substrate may include multiple layers upon which portions of the circuits and ground planes may be disposed. The ground plane corresponding to each of the plurality of circuits may be located in close proximity to conductive elements of the circuit so as to provide a localized common ground to which energy can be conveyed from the conductive elements to thereby limit an amount of energy radiated outwardly from the conductive elements to surrounding conductors.
US08235726B2
The invention relates to a method for the simulation or digital synthesis of echographic images, characterized by the direct transformation in real time, or quasi real time, of the information contained in an IRM-type medical or veterinary image, without delimitation or segmentation of the bodies or structures contained in the volume of data of the IRM image, according to at least one two-dimensional observation window which can be modified in real time, or quasi real time, in terms of the dimension, position, direction and orientation thereof, the characteristics thereof depending on the type of virtual echographic probe determined, and reproducing all of the attenuation, reflection, refraction and dispersion effects, and the regulation effects of a real echographic image, each echographic image supplied cumulating the results of the simulations of the pre-cited effects.
US08235724B2
Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user's performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user's goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities.
US08235711B2
Method and device for removing volatile organic components (VOC) from waste gases of a cement clinker kiln installation. Cooled waste gases are subjected to post-combustion carried out to an extent ensuring a concentration reduction of the VOC below admissible values. Post-combustion is carried out for production of vapor, dimensioned for a gas volume to be post-combusted, ensuring that a partial quantity of the waste gas corresponding to the gas volume allows for the reduction of emitted VOC per unit time in the waste gas below admissible concentration values by rarefaction. The partial quantity of the waste gas is simultaneously dimensioned for production of an amount of vapor sufficient for economical operation of a steam turbine. The device includes a branch line connected to a waste gas line between a pre-calciner and a waste gas suction fan, and a combustion chamber and a turbine connected to the branch line.
US08235709B2
A valve useful in distributing gas received in one inlet to several outlets in a sequence, and burner apparatus including this valve for feeding material in sequence to outlets of a burner thereby forming a non-stationary flame at the burner.
US08235703B2
An apparatus for transferring doses includes a forming arrangement for forming an object from a dose of flowable material and a transferring arrangement for transferring the dose to the forming arrangement. The transferring arrangement has a recess for receiving the dose. The recess is provided with a rolling arrangement for guiding the dose inside the transferring arrangement.
US08235696B2
An in-mold forming apparatus including a first mold and a second mold for injection molding and a film feeding mechanism for feeding in-mold foil between the first mold and the second mold. A transfer foil is formed on the in-mold foil. The in-mold forming apparatus further includes a mold closing mechanism for closing the first mold and the second mold, thereby to fix the in-mold foil inside a cavity formed between the first mold and the second mold, a resin injection forming mechanism for injecting fused resin into the cavity, thereby to unit the transfer foil formed on the in-mold foil with the resin, and a charger arranged in the neighborhood of at least one of the first mold, the second mold, and the in-mold foil. The charger includes a charging unit for freeing ions and charging particles in the neighborhood of the in-mold foil, and an electrode for adsorbing the particles charged by the ions.
US08235687B2
An electric compressor incorporating an electric motor for driving a compression mechanism and containing, in a compressor housing, a joint between an external terminal for supplying power to the electric motor and an end of a wire from a stator of the electric motor. The electric compressor has a vibration proof structure mechanically preventing at least one of disconnection, electrical instantaneous interruption, and damage on an insulating member that are caused by vibration at the joint and/or the vicinity of the joint. The vibration proof structure can adopt various structures. When such a mechanical vibration proof structure is provided in the electric compressor, vibration proof performance can be enhanced at the joint of a motor terminal with good productivity achieved, and occurrence of disconnection and instantaneous interruption of the terminal joint can be prevented.
US08235684B2
An air pump includes a sliding member disposed movably a housing and cooperating with the housing and a partition casing in the housing to define first and second chambers thereamong. The air pump is operable between a deflation state, where air from an inflatable product connected to an air nozzle on the housing into an air impeller chamber in the partition casing through the first chamber and an air inlet in the partition casing is driven by rotation of an air impeller to flow outside the air pump through an air outlet in the partition casing, the second chamber and an first vent unit in housing, and an inflation state, where air flowing from the outside into the air impeller chamber through a second vent unit in the sliding member, an air pipe of the sliding member and the air inlet is driven to flow into the inflatable product through the air outlet, the first chamber and the air nozzle.
US08235681B2
A first swash plate (30) and a second swash plate (40) are disposed on either side of a cylinder block (4), and a plurality of cylinders (6) are disposed in the cylinder block (4). A first piston (8) and a second piston (9) are inserted opposite to each other in each cylinder (6) such that the first piston (8) slides on the first swash plate (30) and the second piston (9) slides on the second swash plate (40). By providing a servo mechanism (33) that tilts the first swash plate (30) and a tilt linking mechanism (40, 70) that tilts the second swash plate (40) in conjunction with the tilting of the first swash plate (30), tilt angles of the two swash plates (30, 40) can be controlled by the single servo mechanism (33).
US08235676B2
Methods for controlling the net-displacement of a rotary fluid pressure device are disclosed. One of the net-displacement control methods (47) includes obtaining a desired input parameter (23) and a relative position (21) of a first member (43) and a second member (35) of a fluid displacement mechanism. A determination of a first and second output value is then made for each of a plurality of volume chambers (45) when the volume chambers (45) are supplied with fluid at fluid inlet and fluid outlet conditions, respectively. A total output value is then computed for each of a plurality of control valve configurations (63) and compared to the desired input parameter (23). The control valve configuration (63) with the total output value most similar to the desired input parameter (23) is then selected. A plurality of control valves (15) are then actuated in accordance with the selected control valve configuration (63).
US08235675B2
System and method for providing a thermal transpiration gas pump using a nanoporous ceramic material
A system and method for using an element made of porous ceramic materials such as zeolite to constrain the flow of gas molecules to the free molecular or transitional flow regime. A preferred embodiment of the gas pump may include the zeolite element, a heater, a cooler, passive thermal elements, and encapsulation. The zeolite element may be further comprised of multiple types of porous matrix sub-elements, which may be coated with other materials and may be connected in series or in parallel. The gas pump may further include sensors and a control mechanism that is responsive to the output of the sensors. The control mechanism may further provide the ability to turn on and off certain heaters in order to reverse the flow in the gas pump. In one embodiment, the pump may operate by utilizing waste heat from an external system to induce transpiration driven flow across the zeolite. In another embodiment, the pump may selectively drive and direct gas molecules depending on the molecular size and the interaction between the gas molecule and the zeolite element.
US08235663B2
A method, system and article adapted for ultrasonic inspection of the article. The article is disk-shaped and has axially-oriented slots circumferentially spaced from each other at a periphery of the article, with members secured at the periphery of the article such that each member has a retention feature that extends into and engages a corresponding one of the slots so as to secure the members to the slots. Cavities are defined by and between the slots and radially-inward extremities of the retention features within the slots. The inspection method and system entail the use of at least one ultrasonic transducer placed within at least a first of the cavities defined by a first of the slots. The transducer is configured and oriented to perform a diagnostic technique on the article by emitting an ultrasonic signal that intersects an interior surface of a second of the slots immediately adjacent the first slot.
US08235661B2
The present invention provides a turbine blade that is exposed to a high temperature atmosphere at relatively high temperatures and to a low temperature atmosphere at relatively low temperatures, including: a concave-curve-like pressure surface that is concaved along a flow direction of fluid; a convex-curve-like suction surface that is convexed along the flow direction of the fluid; and a concave and convex formation device which causes a concave and convex portion along the flow of the fluid to appear on the suction surface when the turbine blade is exposed to the low temperature atmosphere, and which turns the suction surface into a smooth surface along a convex curve surface of the suction surface when the turbine blade is exposed to the high temperature atmosphere. With this construction, it is possible to reduce a pressure loss of the turbine blade at high Reynolds numbers in the low temperature atmosphere without increasing a pressure loss of the turbine blade at low Reynolds numbers in the high temperature atmosphere.
US08235660B2
Described is a fan with a blade suitable for use as a ceiling fan. The blade may be regarded as a single blade, although shaft is not attached to blade at one end thereof; rather, shaft is attached to blade at a point between first end and second end. Blade is balanced by counterweights located in blade. In one embodiment, blade is connected to shaft by means that permit angular movement, such as a teeter hinge.
US08235657B2
A turbojet for an aircraft includes an engine housed in a nacelle and a thermal exchanger that can be traversed by a hot fluid designed to be cooled by thermal exchange with a cold fluid external to the thermal exchanger. The thermal exchanger is disposed in an internal volume of the nacelle, between an internal wall of the nacelle and an external wall of the engine, in such a way as to present two thermal exchange surfaces in the flow of the air stream from the turbojet. The disclosed embodiments also relate to an aircraft equipped with such a jet turbine engine.
US08235654B2
A gas-turbine axial compressor has a casing 3 and a rotatable shaft 6, which form an annular duct, in which at least one stator 2 and one rotor 4 are arranged. A shroud 21 is arranged at a free end of the stator 2 vanes, which extends over part of the axial length of the stator 2. A rotor platform 23 of at least one rotor 4 extends axially beneath a further part of the axial length of the stator 2, at which no shroud 21 is arranged.
US08235653B2
A variable coolant pump for a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine. The variable coolant pump includes a pump head having an inlet, an annular channel and an outlet; a pump housing rotatably supporting a pump shaft having an axial end; a pump blade wheel mounted on the axial end of the pump shaft and disposed in the pump head; and a plurality of adjustable guide blades arranged concentrically about the pump blade wheel between the annular channel and the pump blade wheel. Each adjustable guide blade has two longitudinal sides and outer edge and includes a first pivot, a second pivot and a third pivot. The first and second pivots extend at right angles to a respective one of the two longitudinal sides in a vicinity of the outer edge. The first and second pivots define an axis of rotation and rotatably support the respective guideblade in the pump head about the axis of rotation. The third pivot is disposed in parallel with the first and second pivots in an area in the adjustable guide blade remote from the axis of rotation and protrude into an oblong recess in an adjustment ring rotatably arranged in the pump head. The oblong recess has a radial and a tangential component.
US08235647B2
A gas turbine has a rear bearing chamber 2 including a bearing arrangement 1. A vent valve 14 vents the bearing chamber 2 as a function of relative pressure of the bearing chamber.
US08235645B2
The present invention relates to a carriage assembly having a housing, having a cam disc and having a carriage which is guided in a linearly movable fashion, with the cam disc and carriage being operatively connected to one another. In order to specify a carriage assembly which is of the smallest possible construction, the invention proposes that a cam disc is arranged orthogonally with respect to a rear side of the housing.
US08235641B2
For use with lazy-portrait narrow-end to narrow-end (LPEE) formatted document pages printed on a continuous web of material, an apparatus and method of use for assembling correctly page-sequenced document sets that utilizes a slitter for separating the LPEE formatted document pages into two separate streams of continuous sheets that are loaded onto a document transfer cart that has two side-by-side and hinged-together document receiving trays, for each tray a removable bottom support plate assembly having casters on the lower portion of one of the bottom support plates, a top document delivery roller for each tray, a central hinge connecting the two trays to each another, support rack pivot rods, a handle secured to each tray, and cart transfer wheels.
US08235640B2
An apparatus for moving containers into or from a chamber provided with at least a supporting surface for the containers, comprises a pushing element for engaging the containers and a driving arrangement for moving the pushing element through the chamber along a sliding direction, the driving arrangement comprising, a modular rod assembly for supporting the pushing element and including a set of rod elements which can be mutually and removably associated, an assembling arrangement for connecting or disconnecting the rod elements to or from the modular rod assembly so as to change a length thereof and to move the pushing element.
US08235637B2
The anti-loosen self-tapping screw includes a head, rod and a thread. The rod extends from the head and an end of the rod forms a conic tapping tip. The thread is around the rod from the tapping tip to a position near the head. The thread is provided with an axial groove to cut off the thread. The divided ends along one side of the groove are separately provided with expanded portions whose cross-sections are expanded.
US08235628B2
A pipeline segment 5, used for the manufacture of a thin-walled underwater pipeline 50. Terminal pipe sections 20 are at either end of main pipe section 10. Terminal pipe sections 20 are thick-walled or otherwise resistant to collapse due to external pressure. A pressure isolation device 30 maintains an internal pressure in main pipe section 10 above a shut off pressure. A pressure compensation system 35 can protect main pipe section 10 from collapse due to external pressure. Pipeline segments 5 can be manufactured by connecting and winding stalks 100 onto storage device 110 forming main pipe section 10. Terminal pipe section 20 can be connected to the lead end of main pipe section 10, and main pipe section 10 can be unwound from storage device 110 while towing.
US08235623B2
A connector for pipe or tubing. The connector includes a unitary expansion member, formed from a body, a first expansion leg extending from the body, an optional second expansion leg extending from the body, and at least one opening extending through the body. In use, the connector is fastened in place by a fastener that is inserted through the at least one opening to contact at least one of the first and second expansion legs and force at least one of them to deform and contact the inside of the pipe or tubing, thereby securing the connector within the pipe or tubing.
US08235622B2
A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) is provided with a joint pin (2), whose head area (3) is mobile in relation to a receiving joint shell (4). The joint shell (4) is arranged in the mounted position in a receiving space acting as a housing (5). At least one border (10) with axial barriers (11) surrounds the joint shell (4) in some areas and is arranged between the joint shell (4) and the housing (5).
US08235621B2
The present invention relates to a grout dispensing system comprising: a suction mechanism that draws grout material into an elongated tube; a dispensing channel attached to a first end of the elongated tube; a suction handle extending through the elongated tube, where the suction handle draws grout into the tube when moved in a first direction and dispenses grout into the dispensing channel when moved in a second direction; a plurality of dispensing tips disposed below the dispensing channel; and a squeegee on one side of the dispensing channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the suction mechanism includes a suction cup at one end of the suction handle, where said suction cup is within said elongated tube; a suction opening at a lower end of the elongated tube; and a suction tube extending from the suction opening. The distal end of suction tube lies in a deposit of grout.
US08235616B2
A molded, plastic safety closure adapted for use on a nail polish bottle. Closure includes an inner cap, and an overcap that fits over the inner cap in a telescoping manner. Inner cap includes a hollow cylindrical section, a top wall, a plurality of teeth spaced about the top wall, a post extends upwardly from said top wall, and pawls are spaced around the post. Overcap includes a plurality of complementary teeth spaced about its interior, and vanes spaced around the interior of the overcap. The two sets of teeth are normally maintained apart by spring fingers that provide an upwardly directed biasing force. When the closure is subjected to a downwardly directed force, the two sets of teeth are brought in alignment, and the vanes and pawl cooperate to provide a ratchet mechanism. The inner cap and outer cap are rotated as a unit, and provide sufficient torque to unseat the closure, and allow access to the contents of the nail polish bottle.
US08235614B2
An image forming apparatus including an image forming portion that forms an image on a surface of a sheet, a feeding device that feeds the sheet in a sheet feeding direction, a sheet receiving portion, and an engagement portion selectively moves between a first position and a second position. When the engagement portion is in the first position, the engagement portion engages the leading end of the sheet. When the engagement portion is in the second position, the engagement portion does not engage the sheet. When the engagement portion is in the first position, the engagement portion engages a leading end of the sheet before a trailing end of the sheet passes the feeding device. The sheet receiving portion receives the sheet after the engagement portion engages the leading end of the sheet.
US08235610B2
This invention relates to a printing apparatus and a conveyance control method capable of allowing even an arrangement having a plurality of conveyance rollers in a printing medium conveyance path to accurately control conveyance of a printing medium. According to this invention, a first encoder detects a conveyance amount by a first conveyance roller, provided in a conveyance path, for conveying a printing medium. A second encoder detects a conveyance amount by a second conveyance roller provided in the conveyance path in the conveyance direction of the printing medium at the downstream side of the first conveyance roller for conveying the printing medium. On the other hand, a signal output from the first or second encoder is selected on the basis of the position of the printing medium on the conveyance path. Conveyance of the printing medium is controlled on the basis of the selected output signal.
US08235609B2
A method of adjusting the spacing between a portion of a printhead and a portion of a media support in a printing system. The spacing is easily adjustable at least at the time of manufacture for locking a printhead at a selected distance from the media support. A rotatable variable spacer is abutted against an anti-rotation rail to lock into place the printhead at the selected distance.
