US08405844B2
An image forming device includes a processor configured to process image data, an image forming unit configured to perform image formation based on the image data processed by the processor, a cover configured to, when being opened, allow an external access to the image forming unit therethrough, a detector configured to detect whether the cover is opened, and an interrupting unit configured to, when determining with the detector that the cover is kept opened for a first time period, interrupt the processing of the image data by the processor.
US08405842B2
An image forming system includes: a data receiving unit for receiving data to be printed and an identifier of a user who demanded printing of the data; a determining unit for determining whether or not a document represented by the data received by the data receiving unit is in accordance with a predetermined format; and a print controller for permitting or restricting printing of the data, depending on the result of determination by the determining unit.
US08405831B2
Methods and systems for indicating the displacement of a flexible web are described. An elongated, flexible web includes an integral scale having scale features configured to modulate energy directed towards the web. A transport mechanism provides relative movement between the web relative to a transducer. The transducer detects energy modulated by the scale features and generates a signal indicting a continuous web displacement based on the modulated energy.
US08405829B2
A portable electronic device includes a casing, a liquid crystal, a controlling module, and a button. The liquid crystal display is capable of emitting polarized light. The controlling module is received in the casing, the controlling module is configured for controlling the liquid crystal display to display a white screen when receiving a control signal. The button is configured for generating the control signal when triggered by a user.
US08405823B2
An improved optical infrared and ultraviolet imaging system including a first imaging device that is sensitive to a light which creates a photocurrent or changes in electric field or stresses within the first imaging device and a second infrared imaging device that is illuminated by light incident to the first imaging device which is reflected to the second imaging device which images optical changes in phase or polarization or amplitude or birefringence within the first imaging device.
US08405804B2
A liquid crystal display device of an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal layer, a specular reflection layer, the polarization layer disposed on the viewer's side, a retardation layer interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the polarization layer, and a light scattering layer disposed on the viewer's side of the polarization layer. The light scattering layer has a scattering surface. The scattering surface includes a macro uneven structure which has light scatterability and a micro uneven structure which is superimposedly formed over the macro uneven structure and which is smaller than visible light wavelengths.
US08405796B2
Each of light guides (2) has: a reflection surface (2e); and a light emitting surface (2c) that is opposite to the reflection surface (2e) and is not covered by a neighboring light guide (2). The light emitting surface (2c) is made up of a first emitting surface (7) and a second emitting surface (8). The first emitting surface (7) is substantially parallel with the reflection surface (2e). The second emitting surface (8) is substantially parallel with an irradiated surface. The each of the light guides (2) is provided with microprisms (9) serving as diffusing means at least in a first emitting surface region (12) in which there is the first emitting surface (7).
US08405786B2
A method of determining the distribution of radioactive material within a region is described. A plurality of radiological measurements and associated geometrical measurements taken at a plurality of positions in said region are input to a computer system. A 3D model of structures within said region is defined and the position within the model of each radiation measurement is obtained by using the geometrical measurements. The radiological measurements are then ascribed to a distribution of sources restricted to defined locations in the 3D model. The source distribution is parameterized over the defined source locations, and each parameter is related to the calculated observable radiation field, calculated using a physical model, at each measurement position. The parameters are adjusted to optimize the correspondence between the actual radiological measurements and the calculated observable radiation field, to yield the distribution of radioactive material as defined by the adjusted parameters.
US08405770B2
A method of displaying a video of a scene on a display with reduced motion blur includes: providing the video of a scene having first subframes that have a first input rate and second subframes that have a second input rate, wherein the first subframes correspond to a first region of the display and the second subframes correspond to a second region of the display; and selectively providing the first and second subframes to corresponding regions in the display, and providing the first region of the display with a first update rate and the second region of the display with a second update rate, wherein the first update rate is greater than the second update rate, so that the displayed image has reduced motion blur.
US08405762B2
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting traveling characteristics of a mechanical shutter. After performing a reset scan operation on a plurality of pixels of an imaging device, first quantities of light are detected by reading pixels of even rows or odd rows of the imaging device. The imaging device is shielded from light by causing a mechanical trailing curtain included in the shutter to travel. Second quantities of light are detected by reading pixels of rows that are different from the rows read to detect the first quantities of light. Traveling characteristics of the mechanical trailing curtain are obtained based on the first quantities of light and the second quantities of light.
US08405740B2
A method for providing guidance to a user as to what images should be captured by the user as the user moves from location to location, comprising receiving a first captured digital image having pixel data captured of a scene at a first location, using a processor to analyze the pixel data of the first captured digital image and determining based on such analysis a second possible image capture location for the user, wherein the second possible image capture location is selected from a plurality of different possible locations, and transmitting guidance to the user over a communications network, the guidance including information concerning a next scene to be captured at the second location.
US08405731B2
A method for compensating hardware misalignments in a camera is presented. The camera includes a maneuverable part and a fixed part, and the maneuverable part is controlled by a steering motor system. In a first step of the method mechanical coordinates from the steering motor system is received, wherein the mechanical coordinates correspond to a pan and tilt position, the pan and tilt position having a complementary pan and tilt position. Next, pre-determined calibration data corresponding to the received mechanical coordinates is read from a memory wherein the pre-determined calibration data describes a relationship between a pan and tilt position and a complementary pan and tilt position, and then compensated coordinates are determined based upon the received mechanical coordinates and the pre-determined calibration data.
US08405729B2
A hand-held wireless communications device includes a camera integrated within a housing of the wireless communications device, a front-facing lens assembly to focus light onto the camera, a display, and a controller connected to the camera and the display. The controller controls the camera to capture an image of another device that is in front of its display. The device can then analyze the image to extract information specific to the other device, and utilize that information to identify and authenticate the other device. Once identified and authenticated, the devices are able to share data and information with each other.
US08405721B2
A method, apparatus and system for monitoring loading of a payload into a load carrying container is disclosed. The method involves acquiring at least one image of a load transfer container during operation of the load transfer container by a first operator to load the payload into the load carrying container, and wirelessly transmitting an image signal representing the at least one image. The method also involves receiving the image signal and producing a display signal for causing the at least one image to be displayed for viewing by a second operator to facilitate monitoring of the loading of the payload.
US08405719B2
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for measuring corona discharge of power facilities by a UV sensor with an optical lens. The apparatus includes a UV sensor array receiving UV rays from an analyzing target of a power facility at a location separated a predetermined distance from the target, an optical lens unit focusing the UV rays to the UV sensor array, a signal detector detecting the UV rays in the form of a pulse voltage waveform signal, a UV image processor processing the detected pulse voltage waveform signal into a UV image, a real image measurement unit photographing a real image of the analyzing target, a real image processor displaying a photographed real image; a matching unit combining the photographed real image with the UV image, and an image/data output unit detecting a location of corona discharge based on the combined UV image and real image.
US08405718B2
An image taking system comprises a distance calculator 114 which calculates an object distance in each of a plurality of ranging areas 1 to 16, a velocity calculator 116 which calculates an object velocity in each of the ranging areas, an information generator 114, 116 which generates object information indicating at least one of the object distance, a difference between the object distances, the object velocity, and a difference between the object velocities, an extractor 117 which extracts a ranging area where the object velocity calculated by the velocity calculator is in a first range SA out of the plurality of ranging areas, and an output image generator 203 which generates an output image including a shot image generated by the camera and the object information corresponding to the ranging area extracted by the extractor.
US08405714B2
Provided is a pupil hidden state detecting apparatus which can detect directly a hidden state of a pupil without detecting a hiding object. The pupil hidden state detecting apparatus 20 is comprises: a visual line direction detecting section 22 operable to detect a direction of a visual line of a driver; a brightness gradient calculating section 23 operable to calculate a brightness gradient of an image of an eye area; a gradient intensity calculating section 24 operable to calculate a gradient intensity vertical distribution; a gradient intensity storing section 25 adapted to store therein the data of a reference gradient intensity vertical distribution under the state that the direction of the visual line of the driver is toward an instrument panel; a difference calculating section 26 operable to calculate a difference between the gradient intensity vertical distribution of the current frame and the reference gradient intensity vertical distribution; an evaluation value calculating section 27 operable to calculate an evaluation value indicating a degree of possibility that the pupil of the driver is hidden; and a pupil hidden judging section 29 operable to judge that the pupil is hidden, when the evaluation values indicative of the pupil being hidden is continued.
US08405712B2
A gesture recognition apparatus including a detector, a controller and a gesture recognizer, and is able to detect a portion to be detected using an image captured at a first resolution without reducing the number of images to be entered per unit of time to an object detector by detecting an auxiliary portion instead when the portion to be detected is not detected at a second resolution, estimating the position of the auxiliary portion based on the position of the auxiliary portion, and extracting the periphery thereof from the image captured at the first resolution.
US08405708B2
A method and apparatus for selectively blurring parts of an image set according to differences in disparity between successive images. As a result, the one-dimensional ‘ringing’ edge artifacts, intrinsic to autostereoscopic displays, are hidden, thereby improving the perceived image quality of a multi-view autostereoscopic image. The method may involve detecting regions of disparity between adjacent views, and then blurring those regions by weighted local pixel averaging. The relationship between the blur radius and the disparity is preferentially non-linear to maintain sharpness of low disparity regions.
US08405701B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to cordless video conferencing camera adaptors and video conferencing systems including the camera adaptors. Embodiments of the present invention overcome some of the inherent problems of known video conferencing products by being a part of a portable and configurable video conferencing system, which can be used in various meeting rooms, laboratories, training rooms, and conference halls. For example, embodiments of the invention allow use of low cost (e.g., under $100) cameras to provide any angle of video coverage in any conference room setting.
US08405690B2
A technique for modulating light by an optically addressed, electric charge accumulating spatial light modulator achieves substantially monotonic gray scale response. Embodiments digitally modulate the voltage across a photoreceptive material included in the spatial light modulator. The digital modulation scheme entails illuminating the photoreceptor with a series of light pulses propagating from an LCoS, in which the durations of the light pulses and their positions in time combine to produce binary-weighted equivalent rms voltages on the photoreceptor. The light pulses originate from a light-emitting diode or other switchable light source, and the timing of the light pulses is controlled such that they are emitted only when the associated LCoS is in a stable state. Emitting light pulses while the LCoS is in a stable state avoids non-monotonic behavior.
US08405689B2
A display has a modulator illuminated by a illuminator comprising an array of light sources. The array includes light sources of a plurality of colors. The light sources of different colors are individually controllable. Within each color, the light sources that illuminate different areas on the modulator are individually controllable. The display may provide a high dynamic range and a wide color gamut.
US08405688B2
A luminescence shock avoidance algorithm selectively limits the brightness level of a display device when the display device is activated in a dark environment to prevent the temporary vision impairment that can occur when a display device is activated in a dark environment. The algorithm receives the state of the display (e.g. on or in standby mode), and can optionally receive an ambient lighting value from an ambient light sensor and a user-selectable manual brightness adjustment setting to determine whether luminescence shock avoidance should even be triggered, and if it is triggered, how much should the brightness level of the display be limited.
US08405686B2
A display device according to the present invention includes a display which is provided on a front surface of the display device and is a display surface on which images are displayed, an illuminance sensor which is provided on a rear surface of the display device and is a first measuring unit measuring illuminance on the rear surface, and a control unit which is a first control unit controlling brightness of the images displayed on the display.
US08405681B2
A method for image comparison includes reading from a memory in a computerized image processor a source image and a target image. The source and target images are segmented, using the image processor, into respective pluralities of source and target arrays, respectively including source and target array elements, each array element including a matrix of one or more pixels from a respective image, each of the source arrays having a respective position in the source image, and each of the target arrays corresponding respectively to one of the source arrays based on the respective position. An asymmetric warping process is applied between each of the source arrays and each of the respectively corresponding target arrays so as to compute respective array similarity scores. The respective array similarity scores are combined so as to compute an image similarity score of the target image with respect to the source image.
US08405669B2
A display control device (110) is provided that increases the speed of a screen transition when acquiring screen data for display via a network. In the display control device (110), the display acquisition section (112) acquires not only display data corresponding to a transition target screen but also light simulation data that has small data size; and displays a simulated screen, which is a screen generated by the screen generation section (111) based on the light simulation data, until a screen based on the display data is displayed, to thereby provide a comfortable operational feeling without making a user feel a delay of a screen transition process, while reducing the memory consumption.
US08405668B2
In an embodiment, a display pipe includes one or more translation units corresponding to images that the display pipe is reading for display. Each translation unit may be configured to prefetch translations ahead of the image data fetches, which may prevent translation misses in the display pipe (at least in most cases). The translation units may maintain translations in first-in, first-out (FIFO) fashion, and the display pipe fetch hardware may inform the translation unit when a given translation or translation is no longer needed. The translation unit may invalidate the identified translations and prefetch additional translation for virtual pages that are contiguous with the most recently prefetched virtual page.
US08405664B1
A computer-implemented method includes identifying a representation of a feature of an animated character by inverting an skinned representation of the feature in one position. The inversion includes a non-linear inversion of the skinned representation of the feature. The method also includes skinning the identified feature representation to produce the animated character in another position.
US08405662B2
An apparatus and a method are provided for generating video data derived from the execution of a computer program. In a first mode, the apparatus is operable to (a) execute a computer program comprising one or more components executed in a sequence of execution frames, each execution frame having a given state; and (b) record video data comprising a sequence of video data frames corresponding to the sequence of execution frames. In a second mode, the apparatus is operable to (c) process video data which have been recorded during the previous execution of the program, to allow a visualization of the execution of that program; and (d) allow a user, at any frame of the sequence of video data frames, to change the mode to the first mode and to obtain from the video data the state of the corresponding execution frame of the program.
US08405659B2
A system, method and computer program product for parameterizing a 3D surface of genus g and arbitrary topology to the 2D plane. The method includes receiving an input 3D mesh of genus g; computing n discrete harmonic one-forms on the surface of the mesh to obtain n numbers for every edge in the graph represented by an input mesh; selecting two compatible linearly independent discrete harmonic one-forms for parameterization; assigning an arbitrary vertex in the mesh as an origin, and then summing each of the two harmonic one-forms along the edges of the graph using a traversal strategy to form 2D coordinates for every other vertex of the mesh to form the 2D parameterization of the 3D surface; detecting all singularities in the 2D parameterization; and, removing faces connected to the singularity and parameterizing the vertices of the removed faces using a 2D parameterization method, and connecting these vertices using a 2D polygonalization algorithm. Using the 3D mapping methodology employed, a correspondence function is computed that can be used to match two 3D object surfaces and repair meshes of arbitrary genus.
US08405656B2
Method, computer program and system for tracking movement of a subject. The method includes receiving data from a distributed network of camera sensors employing one or more emitted light sources associated with one or more of the one or more camera sensors to generate a volumetric three-dimensional representation of the subject, identifying a plurality of clusters within the volumetric three-dimensional representation that correspond to motion features indicative of movement of the motion features of the subject, presenting one or more objects on one or more three dimensional display screens, and using the plurality of fixed position sensors to track motion of the motion features of the subject and track manipulation of the motion features of the volumetric three-dimensional representation to determine interaction of one or more of the motion features of the subject and one or more of the one or more objects on the three dimensional display.
US08405639B1
A touch screen display includes a screen, a bezel around the screen, and a MEMS package located within the bezel. The MEMS package comprises a MEMS scanning mirror and the top of the MEMS package is located below the top of the screen. At rest, a reflecting surface of the MEMS scanning mirror is parallel or slightly tilted relative to the screen but not substantially perpendicular to the screen. The display further includes a fixed mirror located in the bezel above the MEMS scanning mirror.
US08405634B2
A capacitive touch panel is disclosed. The structure of the touch panel is designed that the arrangement of the sensing units is not visible from outside. Moreover, the capacitive touch panel also has the advantage of having reduced thickness and simplified fabrication, and is easy to be combined with a liquid crystal display module.
US08405632B2
A light sensitive screen includes at least one sensing element each being configured to detect a force applied to a position of the light sensitive screen and generate an electrical signal when a force is detected, and a sensor module configured to receive and process the electrical signal from the at least one sensing element. The sensor module may amplify the electrical signal from one of the at least one sensing element and generate an amplified signal, compare the amplified signal with a threshold and generate a comparing result, and generate a digital signal based on the comparing result, the digital signal including information as to whether the position of the light sensitive screen is touched.
US08405627B2
A user device may display content items in a content area on a touch screen display of the user device. The user device may detect a touch and determine a location of a contact area corresponding to the touch. If the contact area includes more than one target, the user device may request further user input, with respect to the selection, and defer performing a function corresponding to the selection.
US08405626B2
In an image projection apparatus capable of detecting user operations on a projected image, detecting a moving direction to/from the projected image of an object (for example, a hand) that a user uses to operate a GUI from, for example, an image taken of a region of a projection surface that includes the projected image. Then, depending on the detected direction, the display position or the display direction of the GUI is decided and images projected, thus improving usability.
US08405616B2
A user interface apparatus and method of using a touch screen are provided. The apparatus includes a touch screen division unit for dividing a screen area of the touch screen into zones, an allocation unit for allocating a user interface unit to each of the zones and a plurality of user interface units for sensing job commands input through the zones according to the allocation result of the allocation unit, wherein an operation corresponding to each of the sensed job commands is performed. Accordingly, since a plurality of users can simultaneously use an image-forming device by dividing the screen area of the touch screen into two or more zones, job processing time can be reduced, and a usage rate of a high specification image-forming device can be increased.
US08405615B1
A pair of essentially similarly configured computer input controllers including a first controller and a second controller. Each of the controllers has a front, a rear, an intermediate section, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top, and a bottom. A hand rest area is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the front. Each controller is at a lower elevation adjacent to the front and a higher elevation adjacent to the intermediate section. A track ball is rotationally supported in the interior surface adjacent to the intermediate section of the second controller. A keyboard portion is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the rear. A plurality of buttons is on the top of each of the controllers.
US08405612B2
A method and apparatus of using a wearable remote interface device capable of detecting inputs from movements are disclosed. The wearable remote interface device, which could be attached to a finger or a hand or any parts of a body, includes a sensor, a filter, an input identifier, and a transmitter. The sensor, in one embodiment, is capable of sensing the movement of the finger or any part of body in which the wearable remote interface device is attached with. Upon detecting the various movements associated with the finger, the filter subsequently removes any extraneous gestures from the detected movements. The input identifier, which could be a part of the filter, identifies one or more user inputs from the filtered movements. The transmitter transmits the input(s) to a processing device via a wireless communications network.
US08405605B2
There is provided an electronic apparatus including: an input mechanism including a sheet-shaped base material having flexibility and a bending detector which detects an elastic bending deformation of the base material; a power supply device; a bending deformation judging mechanism judging whether or not a first bending deformation mode is generated in the base material; a controller; and a mode changing mechanism changing an operation mode of the electronic apparatus from a normal mode to a low power mode in which the electronic apparatus is operated in a power lower than the normal mode, when the first bending deformation mode is generated in the base material.
US08405604B2
This application discloses active movement based and other video games which may be played over the internet as well in the home or elsewhere. One or two or more persons can play, generally using one or more cameras to determine the relation of an object or a part of a person to a video display on which game related graphics are displayed. Determination of object position and orientation in up to 6 degrees of freedom is disclosed, at data rates sufficient to make game play rewarding.
US08405601B1
A communication system comprises means defining a communication region, such as a touch-pad (151), having associated therewith a plurality of symbols (155) or the like and being responsive to a user-controlled pointing device whereby a desired symbol or the like can be selected by movement of the pointing device in a predetermined direction within the region (151).
US08405598B2
In an overdrive method, target level values of an entire frame are inputted and retained in a first frame memory. According to a combination of a target level value and a currently predicted level value, an overdrive value is obtained from a first data table and an expected predicted level value after a predetermined number of frames varying with temperature is obtained from a second data table, both tables being established depending on temperature. The expected predicted level values of an entire frame are retained in a second frame memory. The same target level value is repetitively provided for the first and the second data tables, and the same expected predicted level value is repetitively provided for the first and the second data tables as the currently predicted level value. According to the overdrive value, a driving voltage is applied to the LCD element.
US08405595B2
A display device comprises a display panel in which data lines and gate lines cross each other, a timing controller which outputs a single gate pulse modulation control signal (“FLK signal”) and I-phase (where I is an integer equal to or more than 2) gate shift clocks which are sequentially delayed, an FLK dividing circuit which divides the single FLK signal to output J (where J is an integer equal to or more than 2 and smaller than I) FLK signals, a data driving circuit which converts digital video data into data voltages to supply the data voltages for the data lines, and a gate driving circuit which generates gate pulses by level-shifting voltages of the gate shift clocks, to modulate falling edge voltages of the gate pulses in response to the divided FLK signals, and to sequentially supply the modulated gate pulses for the gate lines.
US08405587B2
Method and system for programming and driving active matrix light emitting device pixel is provided. The pixel is a voltage programmed pixel circuit, and has a light emitting device, a driving transistor and a storage capacitor. The pixel has a programming cycle having a plurality of operating cycles, and a driving cycle. During the programming cycle, the voltage of the connection between the OLED and the driving transistor is controlled so that the desired gate-source voltage of a driving transistor is stored in a storage capacitor.
US08405586B2
A display device includes: a display unit including first and second lines, light emitting elements and pixel circuits; a first drive unit sequentially applying a selection pulse to the first lines; and a second drive unit applying a signal pulse including first to third voltages to each of the second lines. Each of the pixel circuits includes a first transistor sampling the signal pulse, and a second transistor driving one of the light emitting elements. The first drive unit applies the selection pulse when the first voltage is being applied by the second drive unit, before a correction of a threshold voltage of the second transistor is initiated and within a period that the one of the light emitting elements is being turned out, and the first drive unit applies the selection pulse when the second voltage is being applied by the second drive unit.
US08405581B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for displaying images using multi-line addressing (MLA) or total matrix addressing (TMA) techniques, with reduced noise. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for driving OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays.
US08405572B1
A display device can include a housing, a processor, and a display assembly. The processor can be arranged within the housing. The display assembly can be operably coupled to the processor and arranged within the housing. The display assembly can include a first display, a privacy filter, and a second display. The first display can output a first portion of the display. The second display can output a second portion of the display. The privacy filter and the first and second displays can be arranged such that the first portion of the display assembly is filtered by the privacy filter to be viewable in a first viewable arc. The second portion of the display assembly can be viewable in a second viewable arc that is different than the first viewable arc. The first and second displays can be LCD's.
US08405569B2
A bracket assembly is provided for attaching to a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device has a use range at which the mobile device is typically positioned when in use. The use range varies between a low end angle and a high end angle. The mobile computing device also has a housing having a reference plane. The bracket assembly is configured to support a first antenna at a first angle and a second antenna at a second angle, each of the first angle and the second angle being measured with respect to the reference surface when the bracket assembly is attached to the mobile computing device. The first angle is selected so that the first antenna is in a vertical plane when the mobile computing device is positioned at the low end angle. The second angle is selected so that the second antenna is in a vertical plane when the mobile computing device is positioned at the high end angle.
US08405563B2
An embodiment of the present invention an apparatus, comprising an apparatus, comprising an adaptively-tuned antenna including a variable reactance network connected to the antenna, an RF field probe located near the antenna, an RF detector to sense voltage from the field probe, a controller that monitors the RF voltage and supplies control signals to a driver circuit and wherein the driver circuit converts the control signals to bias signals for the variable reactance network.
US08405560B2
An antenna evaluation apparatus includes receiving antennas to be evaluated, scatterer antennas surrounding the receiving antennas, a signal generator, a divider, a phase-shift circuit, and a computer. The computer generates first and second initial phase vectors each corresponding to a different set of multipath waves, determines a third initial phase vector including arbitrary initial phases each between a pair of corresponding initial phases in the first and second initial phase vectors, adjusts the phases of the radio frequency signals using the phase-shift circuit such that the phases of the radio frequency signals have corresponding initial phases in the third initial phase vector, and makes the adjusted radio frequency signals radiate.
US08405550B2
A system and method for geolocating an RF emitter disposed on or near the ground includes receiving a signal from the RF emitter at each antenna of an array of N non-collinear antennas, wherein N is an integer greater than 2; routing the signal received at each of the antennas to one of a bank of N corresponding receivers; downconverting the N received signals to N downconverted signals; digitizing the N downconverted signals to digitized signals on N corresponding channels; using a processor to determine phase and amplitude variations across the N channels and to determine a Direction Vector corresponding to the signal received from the RF emitter; using a 2-dimensional pre-determined calibration table to look up a best match to the Direction Vector to determine a Bearing Vector to the RF emitter; transforming the Bearing Vector into locally level reference frame; and geolocating the RF emitter by determining an intersection between the locally level reference frame Bearing Vector and a dataset containing local terrain data.
US08405549B2
A method for determining whether a target is within a direction sector of interest of a direction finder and a device for carrying out the method are disclosed. The method calls for (a) predefining the sector of interest; (b) providing at least two antennas; (c) generating an in-phase reference pattern, and establishing wireless communication between the direction finder and the target; (d) attenuating the wireless communication signal between the direction finder and the target and recording the attenuation value which corresponds to the loss of wireless communication as the R reference value; (e) generating an out-of-phase null pattern, and re-establishing wireless communication between the direction finder and the target; (f) repeat step (d) except this time recording the attenuation value which corresponds to the loss of wireless communication as the N null value; (g) determining whether the difference R−N is above or below the threshold difference.
US08405548B2
According to one embodiment, an antenna apparatus includes first and second antenna arrays configured in a support structure. Each antenna array has multiple antenna elements that transmit and/or receive electro-magnetic radiation. The elements of the first antenna array are oriented in a boresight direction that is different from the boresight direction in which the elements of the second antenna array are oriented. A plurality of switches alternatively couples the first antenna elements or the second antenna elements to a signal distribution circuit.
US08405540B2
A method detects a target in a sequence of radar images, wherein each image is partitioned into a grid of cells, and wherein each cell has a corresponding position in an image coordinate system associated with a location in a world coordinate system. For each most recent image in a sliding temporal window of images, intensities of each cell are determined, and the subset of the cells having highest intensities is stored as a set of current needles. A set of hypotheses, obtained by using a state transition model and corresponding maximum limits, is determined for the current set of needles and appended to a set of queues. The hypotheses for the previous sets of needles to the corresponding set of queues are updated, and a maximum likelihood in the set of queues are selected to detect the location of targets.
US08405533B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a de-serializer to receive serial data at a first rate and to output a parallel data frame corresponding to the serial data aligned to a frame alignment boundary in response to a phase control signal received from a feedback loop coupled between the de-serializer and a receiver logic coupled to an output of the de-serializer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08405527B2
A touch sensor system. The touch sensor system may include a touch sensor configured to provide an output in response to contact with a touch area, a controller coupled to the touch sensor and configured to provide a code representative of the output and a memory coupled to the controller. The memory may be configured to receive and store the code in a first time interval and to provide the code in a second time interval wherein the second time interval begins after the first time interval ends. Adjacent key suppression algorithms are also provided.
US08405525B2
A touch sensing method for a resistive type touch apparatus includes a touch panel and a driving circuit. In the touch sensing method, a single-touch mode or a multi-touch mode can be selected. In addition, the touch sensing method includes an analog driving method and a digital driving method to equip the resistive type touch apparatus with at least two sorts of resolutions.
US08405512B2
A technique is provided for accessing diagnostic information in an electronic device. In accordance with this technique, a system is provided for determining diagnostic information about a power source. In one embodiment, the system provides an interface to provide access to the diagnostic information. The system may further provide a memory, wherein the diagnostic information may be stored. The system may further be configured to provide access to the diagnostic information when the electronic device is non-operational.
US08405508B2
A system and method for utilizing RFID tags in environments where radiation is used is disclosed. RFID tags are secured to various components of a pharmaceutical system, thereby enabling the customer to download pertinent information about the component, such as lot number, date of manufacturer, test parameters, etc. The tags can be applied to the component during or immediately after manufacture and can be subjected to the sterilization process without risk of data loss or corruption. The memory device within the tag utilizes a technology that does not rely upon charge storage as its mechanism to store information.
US08405505B2
Apparatuses and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a plurality of sensors within a mobile device. A method may include receiving a request from a sensor client regarding a sensor, determining whether the sensor client requested registration/deregistration, controlling a power supply and an operational mode of the sensor, based upon the registration/deregistration request, for reducing power consumption of the sensor, determining whether the sensor client provided a start/stop request for data from the sensor, and controlling power to the sensor, a device/driver configuration, and an operational mode of the sensor, based upon the start/stop request for data, for reducing the power consumption of the sensor. An apparatus may include a processor, a power supply coupled to the processor, a sensor coupled to the power supply, and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions for causing the processor to execute the aforementioned method.
US08405484B2
A vehicle for carrying responsive objects is outfitted with a proxy for the responsive objects. The vehicle is also outfitted with a sensor that detects which responsive objects it is carrying and sensor that detect environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, etc.) inside and outside of the vehicle. When an inquiry is directed to a responsive object in the vehicle, the proxy intercepts the inquiry and responds with the status of the vehicle. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the responsive objects use different protocols, and the proxy is multi-lingual in the sense that it can communicate with the inquirer with the same protocol that is used to communicate with the responsive object. In this way, the illustrative embodiment provides a mechanism for monitoring the location and condition of responsive without some of the costs and disadvantages for doing so in the prior art.
US08405483B2
A fuse used in a semiconductor memory device. The fuse is formed with a “X” shape where one circuit may be connected simultaneously to a plurality of other circuits. As a result, a fuse region is reduced, and the cutting number is also decreased, thereby lowering the possibility of defects resulting from cutting errors.
US08405482B2
An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a surface. An inductor is disposed over the surface of the substrate. The inductor is operable to generate a magnetic field through itself that is substantially parallel with the surface.
US08405481B2
Low-cost, high performance woven conductors and associated inductive apparatus, and methods for manufacturing and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, an eight (8) conductor wiring strand is used that results in a pattern in which a given conductor resides, on average, at an equal position throughout the braid grouping as any other conductor within the wire strand over a given length. Such a configuration enhances coupling among the conductors, which minimizes deleterious parasitic effects such as leakage inductance and distributed capacitance. Segmented woven wiring strands are also disclosed which are composed of both woven and non-woven portions. Examples of devices which can utilize the woven conductors include, without limitation, bobbins or other formers, headers, encapsulated electronic packages, modular jacks, form-less inductive devices and transmission lines.
US08405475B2
A method for calibrating multi carriage-multi probe impedance tuners for synthesizing distinct, user defined impedances at a number of harmonic frequencies, employs two-port s-parameter characterization of the tuning sections on a pre-calibrated vector network analyzer at a pre-selected number of probe positions. All tuner probes are wideband and capable of creating high reflection factor at all harmonic frequencies considered. The data are saved in memory and all permutations of the s-parameters at all harmonic frequencies are generated. Subsequently the data are organized blocks based on reflection factor values fitting in a number of segments of the Smith chart; this allows accelerated numeric search through a pre-selection of data block depending on the target reflection factor chosen. The method can be used for two three and four probe tuners.
US08405473B2
A variable frequency resonator includes a series resonance circuit and a parallel resonance circuit. The series resonance circuit includes a first inductor, a first capacitor and a variable capacitance diode which are connected together in series. A reverse bias voltage is applied to the variable capacitance diode. A signal source is connected to the series resonance circuit. The parallel resonance circuit includes a second inductor and a second capacitor which are connected together in parallel. One terminal of the parallel resonance circuit is connected to a connection point between the first inductor and the first capacitor, and the other terminal of the parallel resonance circuit is connected to a connection point between the variable capacitor and the one terminal of the signal source.
US08405469B2
High-frequency couplers and coupling techniques are described utilizing artificial composite right/left-handed transmission line (CRLH-TL). Three specific forms of couplers are described; (1) a coupled-line backward coupler is described with arbitrary tight/loose coupling and broad bandwidth; (2) a compact enhanced-bandwidth hybrid ring coupler is described with increased bandwidth and decreased size; and (3) a dual-band branch-line coupler that is not limited to a harmonic relation between the bands. These variations are preferably implemented in a microstrip fabrication process and may use lumped-element components. The couplers and coupling techniques are directed at increasing the utility while decreasing the size of high-frequency couplers, and are suitable for use with separate coupler or couplers integrated within integrated devices.
US08405463B2
An electronic device is provided which includes a base, a through-electrode that passes through the base and from which an insulating material on an end face thereof is removed by polishing, a circuit pattern that is formed on an end face of the through-electrode, an electronic component that is disposed via an internal wiring formed on the circuit pattern, an electrode pattern that is formed on the surface of the base opposite to the surface on which the electronic component is disposed and that is connected to the other end face of the through-electrode, an external electrode that is formed on the electrode pattern, and a cap that is bonded to the base so as to protect the electronic component on the base.
US08405462B2
A cascode amplifier comprising at least two phase-shift stages controllable between an input transistor having a control terminal connected to an input terminal of the amplifier, and an output terminal of the amplifier.
US08405446B2
The temperature dependence of detection characteristics in a wave detector circuit is suppressed. A bias resistor and/or a load resistor are/is constituted by a resistive element having a high temperature coefficient, whereby a shift in detected output along with a change in temperature of a wave detector diode included in a diode detector circuit is canceled by a shift in detected output along with a change in temperature of the bias resistor and/or a shift in detected output along with a change in temperature of the load resistor.
US08405442B2
An integrated circuit includes a level shifter configured to receive a first voltage signal that swings between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, outputting a second voltage signal that swings between the first voltage level and a third voltage level. The third voltage level is higher than the second voltage level. An inverter is coupled with the level shifter. The inverter can receive the second voltage, outputting a third voltage signal that swings between the third voltage level and a fourth voltage level. The fourth voltage level is lower than the third voltage level and higher than the first voltage level.
US08405423B2
A bus driver has a ground terminal and a first and a second terminal. In a first operation mode the bus driver provides at the first terminal a first output voltage comprising a first data signal; and at the second terminal the bus driver provides a second output voltage comprising a second data signal. In a second operation mode the bus driver provides at the first terminal a first output voltage comprising a third data signal; and at the second terminal the bus driver provides a second output voltage, wherein a curve of the second output voltage is synchronous however inverted in relation to a curve of the first output voltage. An engine comprises a bus driver as set out above.
US08405422B2
A level shift circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a series circuit of a resistor and a switching device connected between a high voltage side power supply voltage in a secondary side voltage system and a low voltage side power supply voltage in a primary side voltage system, a series circuit of a resistor and a switching device connected between the high voltage side power supply voltage in the secondary side voltage system and the low voltage side power supply voltage in the primary side voltage system, and a latch malfunction protecting circuit operated in the secondary side voltage system to have voltages at a connection point of the resistor and the switching device and at a connection point of the resistor and the switching device inputted.
US08405415B2
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a plurality of test modules that test the device under test; a synchronization module that is connected to each of the plurality of test modules, and that synchronizes the plurality of test modules; and a test control section that is connected to the plurality of test modules and the synchronization module, and that controls the test modules and the synchronization module. The synchronization module includes a receiving section that receives, from each of the plurality of test modules, a state signal indicating a state of the test module; an aggregating section that generates an aggregate state signal by calculating an aggregate of the state signals received by the receiving section; and a transmitting section that transmits, to the plurality of test modules, a control signal ordering an operation corresponding to the aggregate state signal.
US08405409B2
The high speed, high accuracy capacitive gauging system employs an oscillator fed through steep slope filter that is discriminates between very small changes in capacitance even in the presence of electrical noise. During intervals when the probe tip is retracted, the oscillator frequency is calibrated to match the sweet spot in the center of the linear operative region of the steep slope filter. This calibrates the system to overcome the effects of varying temperature and humidity in the manufacturing environment.
US08405407B2
Current measurement circuit and measuring method thereof including a binary weighted capacitor array
A current measurement circuit for measuring a current is provided. The current measurement circuit includes a current integrating unit with a capacitor array, a comparator coupled to the current integrating unit, and a control unit coupled to the comparator and the current integrating unit. The current integrating unit integrates the current on the capacitor array to obtain an input voltage. The comparator compares the input voltage with a specific voltage to generate a compare output. The control unit generates a control signal to apply to the capacitor array of the current integrating unit according to the compare output. A magnitude of the current is obtained according to the control signal and the capacitance of the capacitor array.
US08405390B2
A device comprises a mixed sensor design with at least one superconducting loop (1) containing at least one constriction (3) and a magneto-resistive element (2) located next to the constriction (3). The device contains at least one heating element (5) that allows switching at sufficiently high frequency of at least one part of the superconducting loop (1) above its critical temperature, such that the super-current flowing through the at least one constriction (3) containing the at least one magneto-resistive element (2) is temporarily suppressed.
US08405388B2
A rotation angle sensor includes a rotation shaft, a yoke which is made from a magnetic permeable material and includes a first disk portion, a second disk portion and a connection portion magnetically connecting the first disk portion and the second disk portion, the first disk portion and the second disk portion being provided on the rotation shaft in an axial direction of the rotation shaft separately, a permanent magnet which is provided between the first disk portion and the second disk portion, and has an annular shape, and a magnetic field detection section which generates an output signal in response to an intensity of a magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet during a rotation of the rotation shaft. A center of the permanent magnet is deviated from a center of the rotation shaft so that a distance between the magnetic field detection section and an outer circumference of the permanent magnet in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction of the rotation shaft is gradually changed in accordance to the rotation of the shaft.
US08405380B2
A digital multimeter includes a body having a function selector and a first coupler and includes a head having a display and a second coupler. The function selector selects a parameter to be measured, and the display displays a measurement corresponding to the parameter to be measured. The first and second couplers are engaged in a first arrangement joining the body and the head, and the first and second couplers are disengaged in a second arrangement separating the body and the head.
US08405379B1
A method for detecting electromagnetic waves derived from bacterial DNA, comprising extracting and purifying nucleic acids from a sample; diluting the extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; measuring a low frequency electromagnetic emission over time from the diluted extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; performing a signal analysis of the low frequency electromagnetic emission over time; and producing an output, based on the signal analysis, in dependence on the DNA in the sample. The DNA may be extracted from at least one of blood, feces, urine, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, sweat, seminal and vaginal fluids of a patient, or water to determine, e.g., potability. The samples may be frozen. The extracting and purifying may comprise diluting the sample with an aqueous buffer and mixing; degrading proteins in the diluted sample; precipitating DNA from the buffer solution; and resuspending the precipitated DNA in an aqueous solution.
US08405374B2
A power amplification device configured to switching-amplify a high-frequency input signal and output a switching-amplified signal. The device includes a feedback circuit configured to output a feedback signal including a portion of the switching-amplified signal; a subtractor configured to output an error signal indicating a difference between the input signal and the feedback signal; a comparator configured to compare the error signal with a threshold voltage and generate an on/off pulse signal based on a result of the comparison; a one-shot circuit configured to be set in an on-state for a time period using a rising timing of the pulse signal as a trigger; and an amplifier configured to switching-amplify the input signal by a logical OR between the generated on/off pulse signal and an output signal from the one-shot circuit, and output the switching-amplified signal.
US08405367B2
We describe a power conditioning unit with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a dc power source, in particular a photovoltaic panel. A power injection control block has a sense input coupled to an energy storage capacitor on a dc link and controls a dc-to-ac converter to control the injected mains power. The power injection control block tracks the maximum power point by measuring a signal on the dc link which depends on the power drawn from the dc power source, and thus there is no need to measure the dc voltage and current from the dc source. In embodiments the signal is a ripple voltage level and the power injection control block controls an amplitude of an ac current output such that an amount of power transferred to the grid mains is dependent on an amplitude of a sinusoidal voltage component on the energy storage capacitor.
US08405361B2
The present invention includes a system and method of charging a rechargeable battery. The system can further include a processor that is adapted to control one of the high power charger or the low power charger to charge the battery in response to the high power input voltage relative to a predetermined high power voltage value and the low power input voltage relative to a predetermined low power voltage value. The method can include the steps of determining a high power input voltage of the high power source, determining a low power input voltage of the low power source, causing a high power charger to charge the battery in response to a sufficient high power input voltage, and causing a low power charger to charge the battery in response to an insufficient high power input voltage and a sufficient low power input voltage.
US08405360B2
The energy-efficient fast charging method is applicable to an energy-efficient fast charging device having a power conversion module and at least a fast chargeable energy storage device. The power conversion module obtains and converts an input power from an external power source, and produces an internal DC power. The method contains the following steps. First, whether an external energy storage device is connected is detected. Then, if the presence of the external energy storage device is not detected, the internal fast chargeable energy storage device is charged by the internal DC power output from the power conversion module. Otherwise, the external energy storage device is charged by the internal DC power output from the power conversion module and the stored power of the fast chargeable energy storage device simultaneously.
US08405359B2
Provided are a battery protection IC adaptable to any number of batteries connected in series without increasing a breakdown voltage thereof, and a battery device including the battery protection IC mounted thereon. A charge control signal input terminal and a discharge control signal input terminal of one battery protection IC are provided with a clamp circuit (121), and hence an output driver (112) of another battery protection IC connected to those terminals is not applied with a voltage equal to or higher than a breakdown voltage. Accordingly, the breakdown voltage of the battery protection IC is not required to be high.
US08405347B2
An automotive vehicle power system includes a battery charger having an input and output. The battery charger receives electrical energy via the input when the input is electrically connected with an electrical energy source. The battery charger also reduces a current provided at the output from a commanded value to a target value that varies according to a voltage at the input if the voltage at the input falls within a predetermined range of voltages.
US08405325B2
Problem to be Solved: In left and right independent lighting power sources, even when left and right light-emitting units each including one or a plurality of LEDs light up with a time difference, the quality of emission as headlamps is increased by making it difficult to visually identify the time difference.Solution: A DC/DC converter for supplying the electric power supplied by a battery to the light-emitting unit is operated to change the current supplied to the light-emitting unit such that the current is gradually increased to attain a rated current, to thus avoid the case where one of the left and right headlamps enters a lighting state, when the other does not light up yet.
US08405322B1
A method and apparatus are present for increasing an intensity of light. Light is sent into an input of a housing in which a vacuum is substantially provided in the housing. The light sent into the input of the housing is converted into initial electrons. Movement of the initial electrons is caused to diverge from an axis through the housing to form diverged electrons. Additional electrons are generated to form an increased number of electrons in response to receiving at least a portion of the diverged electrons. The increased number of electrons is converted into output light that exits an output of the housing.
US08405321B2
A drive unit has a load driving portion driving a load by a PWM drive method; a soft-start function portion for achieving a soft-start function; and a soft-start disabling portion counting a time elapsed after a PWM signal is turned on at start-up of the unit, and disabling the soft-start function when a count value reaches a predetermined value.
US08405312B2
Increase of an address voltage change amount of a PDP is suppressed. X and Y electrodes which are a display electrode pair arranged on a plate; a dielectric layer covering the X and Y electrodes; and a protective layer covering the dielectric layer are provided. The protective layer includes an MgO film deposited on a surface of the dielectric layer and a plurality of MgO crystalline particles attached on the MgO film. Also, by using (110) orientation as a crystal orientation of the MgO film, a crystal density of the MgO film can be increased, so that an increase of the address voltage change amount can be suppressed.
US08405311B2
A discharge lamp includes an arc tube made of quartz glass and enclosing a light emitting substance, and an electrode mainly made of tungsten and arranged in the arc tube, the electrode including at least one getter material that binds with oxygen.
US08405288B2
The present invention is directed to a light-emitting diode (LED) illumination apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing, an LED substrate, at least two electrical-insulation clamping members and associated screws, and a heat-conduction pad. At least one LED chip is fixed on the surface of the LED substrate. Each electrical-insulation clamping member has a threaded hole for screwing the screw in order to fasten the electrical-insulation clamping member to the housing; and each electrical-insulation clamping member has a recess for clamping the LED substrate. The heat-conduction pad is disposed between the housing and the LED substrate, and is used to conduct heat generated by the LED chip.
US08405284B2
Piezoelectric devices are disclosed that include a chip plate sandwiched between a lid plate and a base plate. The chip plate includes a tuning-fork type piezoelectric vibrating piece surrounded by an outer frame. The lid plate includes a concavity on its inner major surface, and the base plate includes a concavity on its inner major surface. The lid plate, chip plate, and base plate are bonded together to form a package containing the piezoelectric vibrating piece. The tuning-fork type piezoelectric vibrating piece includes a base having an X-direction width and at least pair of vibrating arms extending from the base in a Y-direction. The tuning-fork type piezoelectric vibrating piece is coupled to the outer frame by supporting arms extending in the Y-direction outboard of the vibrating arms. The concavity of the lid plate includes at least one base-movement “buffer” extending in the X-direction at a location corresponding to the base of the vibrating piece. The concavity of the base plate includes at least one base-movement buffer extending in the X-direction at a location corresponding to the base.
US08405276B2
The motor comprises a stator, a rotor, and magnets. The stator has a plurality of magnetic poles circumferentially arranged at first spaced intervals. The rotor is rotatably arranged in a position opposing to the stator. The magnets are arranged at second spaced intervals circumferentially on a surface of the rotor. The stator is formed by laminating plate materials, and a plurality of laminated plate materials at least including outermost layers of a laminated body thereof are bent in a direction substantially parallel to the magnet in order to form extended portions. And, when a magnet opposed area of pole tip portion being closest to a magnet including the extended portion is S, and a sectional area of magnetic pole is A, then area ratio (S/A) fulfills the relation of 4.8>(S/A).
US08405275B2
Electrical machines, for example transverse flux machines and/or commutated flux machines, may be configured to achieve increased efficiency, increased output torque, and/or reduced operating losses via use of laminated materials, for example laminated materials configured with cuts and/or segmentations. Segmentations may also assist with manufacturability, mechanical retention of components, and the like.
US08405270B2
Supposing a straight line joining rotation center O of a rotor and a magnetic pole middle, that is, a middle of permanent magnets (25) to be a d-axis, and a straight line joining rotation center O and an intermediate point of mutually adjacent permanent magnets (25) to be a q-axis, mutually adjacent arcs A1 and A2 are composed such that radius R1 of arc A1 at the d-axis side is larger than radius R2 of arc A2 at the q-axis side, and that, at intersection point β of mutual arcs A1 and A2, angle α of tangent u of arc A2 at the q-axis side with respect to tangent t of arc A1 at the d-axis side is set by −3 degrees≦α≦2 degrees.
US08405269B2
A rotor (1) for an electric motor with permanent magnets (10) has a principal axis (D), comprises a laminated core (2) delimited by a first and a second end wall (4, 5) and by a lateral surface (6) and has a hole (7) for coupling to a motor shaft (8) and a plurality of longitudinal slots (9) for housing the magnets (10); the rotor also comprises positioning devices (20) for stabilizing the magnets (10) in the slots (9).
US08405266B2
A vibrating motor has a shaft, a stator including a yoke having pole teeth extending toward an axis of the shaft from an inner circumference and coils wound around the pole teeth, a rotor including an eccentric weight formed on a radially outer surface of the shaft, and a permanent magnet integrally formed with the eccentric weight, and a bearing device rotatably supporting the rotor maintaining clearance between the inner circumference of the pole teeth and the rotor. The rotor has a structure in which the shaft, the eccentric weight, and the permanent magnet are integrally formed with each other by a thermoplastic magnetic material composing the permanent magnet.
US08405263B2
A generator hub is basically provided with a hub shaft, a generator mechanism, a connector and a positioning device. The generator mechanism is provided on the hub shaft. The connector is disposed on the hub shaft and electrically connected to the generator mechanism. The positioning device is disposed on the hub shaft, the positioning device being configured and arranged to position the connector with respect to a frame of a bicycle in a rotational direction about the hub shaft.
US08405261B2
A housing attachment for an electric machine is constructed in compliance with protection class IP 23 and includes a first projected edge disposed at a first border wall such that water located in the middle section at the first border wall drips off no later than at the first projected edge and is led directly or indirectly to the first air inlet opening. Proximate to the first air inlet opening are first laminates which deflect incoming air flowing into the feed air channel to a second edge area. Proximate to the second air outlet opening are second laminates that impart to the flow direction of the outgoing air leaving the outlet air channel a component directed to the top of the electric machine. Third laminates are disposed in an end area of the outlet air channel to deflect the outlet air flowing in the outlet air channel away from the top of the electric machine.
US08405260B2
An electric power tool includes a motor, a speed reduction mechanism, a power output unit, a control circuit unit, and a housing. The housing provided with an air supply-exhaust hole. The motor includes a stator core wound with coils, a rotor core and an electronic circuit unit. The electronic circuit unit includes a circuit board, electronic components arranged in the circuit board and including a switching element, coil connection portions arranged in the circuit board and connected to the coils and a control circuit connection portion arranged in the circuit board and connected to the control circuit unit. The motor further includes a radiator member for dissipating heat generated in the switching element of the electronic circuit unit and an insulating cover member molded to cover the electronic components, the coil connection portions, the control circuit connection portion, the circuit board and the radiator member.
US08405257B2
The invention relates to a DC current machine, in particular a DC current motor for driving a blower of a motor vehicle, with a pole housing forming the stator of the machine, a rotor that is rotatably mounted in two bearing plates, and with a brush support for supplying current to the rotor. According to the invention, a support is integrated into the brush support, with de-tensioning for the electrical connecting cables of the machine, which means that a secure fastening, de-tensioning, and insulation of the connecting cables is achieved without additional components and without additional expense in the assembly of the machine.
US08405255B2
Disclosed is an electric power generating apparatus. The electric power generating apparatus includes a casing that is made of a nonmagnetic material and has an outer surface and an interior space, a guide shaft that is made of a nonmagnetic material and provided in the interior space while being supported by the casing, a permanent magnet provided to the guide shaft so that the permanent magnet is capable of being reciprocated, a coil provided on an outer circumference of the interior space, a shield case to cover the outer surface of the casing, the shield case being made of a magnetic material, and an electric circuit unit to output an electric energy generated in the coil by reciprocating the permanent magnet.
US08405254B2
A power supply circuit includes a slave mode in which a power supply is turned on/off by an external device without any standby power supply and a master mode of turning on/off the power supply circuit in the slave mode. A power relay is provided in the power supply circuit between a power supply and a load circuit. The power supply circuit supplies a drive voltage to the power relay upon reception of a power-on command from an external device. A power supply input terminal receives the drive voltage for driving the power relay.
US08405242B2
A system for capturing and converting and/or storing wind energy includes a vessel adapted to receive at least one wind machine for capturing wind and a device for converting wind energy to storable energy. A method of adapting a vessel, such as a surplus cargo ship or an oil tanker, for use as a offshore power generating system comprises equipping a vessel with devices for capturing a renewable energy source, positioning the vessel at sea to capture the renewable energy source, converting the renewable energy to a storable energy source, and storing the converted energy, and repositioning the vessel to capture further renewable energy or transport the stored, converted energy.
US08405241B2
A seesaw-type wave power generating device (1) includes: a first buoy (10); a second buoy (20) disposed on one side of the first buoy (10); an impeller generator (30) disposed between the first buoy (10) and the second buoy (20); a first connecting pipe (42) having both ends communicated with the first buoy (10) and the impeller generator (30); and a second connecting pipe (42) having both ends communicated with the second buoy (20) and the impeller generator (30). A liquid (2) is filled in the first buoy (10) and the second buoy (20). The first buoy (10) and the second buoy (20) bob on the water and water waves (4) causes the liquid (2) to flow back and forth between the first connecting pipe (41) and the second connecting pipe (42), thereby driving the impeller generator (30) to generate electricity. The present invention is easy for implementation and maintenance.
US08405232B2
A chip package structure including a carrier, a chip and a molding compound is provided. The chip is disposed on the carrier. The molding compound encapsulates a portion of the carrier and the chip. The top surface of the molding compound has a pin one dot and a pin gate contact. The pin one dot is located at a first corner on the top surface. The pin gate contact is located at a second corner except the first corner. The invention further provides a chip package mold chase and a chip package process using to form the chip package structure.
US08405216B2
The present invention discloses an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the first conductive layer is formed above the semiconductor substrate. A first via contact is formed on the first conductive layer. A second via contact is formed on the first via contact. A second conductive layer is formed on the second via contact. One of the first and second via contacts has a cross-sectional area substantially larger that of another for improving a landing margin thereof, thereby eliminating a need of using a landing pad between the first and second via contacts.
US08405215B2
A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a lower interconnect level including a first dielectric material having at least one conductive feature embedded therein; a dielectric capping layer located on the first dielectric material and some, but not all, portions of the at least one conductive feature; and an upper interconnect level including a second dielectric material having at least one conductively filled via and an overlying conductively filled line disposed therein, wherein the conductively filled via is in contact with an exposed surface of the at least one conductive feature of the first interconnect level by an anchoring area. Moreover, the conductively filled via and conductively filled line of the inventive structure are separated from the second dielectric material by a single continuous diffusion barrier layer. As such, the second dielectric material includes no damaged regions in areas adjacent to the conductively filled line. A method of forming such an interconnect structure is also provided.
US08405199B2
An embodiment of the disclosure includes a conductive pillar on a semiconductor die. A substrate is provided. A bond pad is over the substrate. A conductive pillar is over the bond pad. The conductive pillar has a top surface, edge sidewalls and a height. A cap layer is over the top surface of the conductive pillar. The cap layer extends along the edge sidewalls of the conductive pillar for a length. A solder material is over a top surface of the cap layer.
US08405194B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a first heat sink, a second heat sink, and a resin member. The semiconductor element has first and second surfaces. The first heat sink has a first heat radiation surface and a first end surface. The first end surface is coupled with the first surface. The second heat sink has a second heat radiation surface, the second end surface being opposite the second heat radiation surface, and a depressed section depressed toward the second heat radiation surface. The second surface of the semiconductor element is coupled with a bottom surface of the depressed section. The resin member is disposed in the depressed section and seals the semiconductor element, the first heat sink, and the second heat sink in such a manner that the first heat radiation surface is exposed outside the resin member.
US08405192B2
The present disclosure provides a dielectric material including a low dielectric constant material and an additive. The additive includes a compound having a Si—X—Si bridge, where X is a number of carbon atoms between 1 and 8. The additive may include terminal Si—CH3 groups. The dielectric material including the additive may be used as an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer of a semiconductor device. The dielectric material including the additive may be formed using a CVD or sol-gel process. One example of the additive is bis(triethoxysilyl)ethene.
US08405191B2
The present invention relates to methods for forming through-wafer interconnects in semiconductor substrates and the resulting structures. In one embodiment, a method for forming a through-wafer interconnect includes providing a substrate having a pad on a surface thereof, depositing a passivation layer over the pad and the surface of the substrate, and forming an aperture through the passivation layer and the pad using a substantially continuous process. An insulative layer is deposited in the aperture followed by a conductive layer and a conductive fill. In another embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor device is formed including a first interconnect structure that extends through a conductive pad and is electrically coupled with the conductive pad while a second interconnect structure is formed through another conductive pad while being electrically isolated therefrom. Semiconductor devices and assemblies produced with the methods are also disclosed.
US08405189B1
An example of a carbon nanotube capacitor may include (i) a carbon nanotube film having carbon nanotubes and voids with dielectric material, (ii) conductive contacts and (iii) a dielectric layer. The carbon nanotube film may switch from a conductive state to a non-conductive state when a voltage is applied by creating an electrical break within the carbon nanotube film and providing a first conductive region and a second conductive region within the carbon nanotube film. The electrical break may separate the first conductive region from the second conductive region. The first and second conductive regions may store charge. An integrated device may include one or more transistors and one or more carbon nanotube capacitors. A method of making a carbon nanotube capacitor is also disclosed.
US08405187B2
Various semiconductor chip packages and methods of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a substrate that has a first side and a first plurality of passive devices on the first side. A stiffener frame is coupled on the first side. The stiffener frame has first and second spaced apart opposing walls that define a channel in which the first plurality of passive devices is positioned, and a central opening that does not cover a central portion of the first side of the substrate.
US08405185B2
Integrated circuit devices include a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of trench isolation regions therein that define respective semiconductor active regions therebetween. A trench is provided in the semiconductor substrate. The trench has first and second opposing sidewalls that define opposing interfaces with a first trench isolation region and a first active region, respectively. A first electrical interconnect is provided at a bottom of the trench. An electrically insulating capping pattern is provided, which extends between the first electrical interconnect and a top of the trench. An interconnect insulating layer is also provided, which lines the first and second sidewalls and bottom of the trench. The interconnect insulating layer extends between the first electrical interconnect and the first active region. A recess is provided in the first active region. The recess has a sidewall that defines an interface with the interconnect insulating layer. A second electrical interconnect is also provided, which extends on: (i) an upper surface of the first trench isolation region, (ii) the electrically insulating capping pattern; and (iii) the sidewall of the recess. The first and second electrical interconnects extend across the semiconductor substrate in first and second orthogonal directions, respectively.
US08405180B2
A solid-state imaging device includes the following elements. A photoelectric conversion section is arranged in a semiconductor layer having a first surface through which light enters the photoelectric conversion section. A signal circuit section is arranged in a second surface of the semiconductor layer opposite to the first surface. The signal circuit section processes signal charge obtained by photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion section. A reflective layer is arranged on the second surface of the semiconductor layer opposite to the first surface. The reflective layer reflects light transmitted through the photoelectric conversion section back thereto. The reflective layer is composed of a single tungsten layer or a laminate containing a tungsten layer.
US08405179B2
A solid-state imaging device comprises a plurality of pixels that includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a charge-voltage converter that receives the charge and converts the charge to a voltage, an amplifier that outputs a signal corresponding to a potential of the charge-voltage converter, a transfer portion that transfers a charge from the photoelectric conversion portion to the charge-voltage converter, and a reset transistor that resets a potential of the charge-voltage converter; a connection transistor that connects or disconnects the charge-voltage converter of at least one of the pixels and the charge-voltage converter of at least one of the other pixels. A threshold voltage of the connection transistor is higher than a threshold voltage of the reset transistor.
US08405152B2
An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programmable attenuation and a programmable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator. The VCOs in the PLLs are centered using a control circuit to center the tuning capacitance range.
US08405151B2
A protection circuit for a semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode formed on a substrate of a first conductivity type, and a source and a drain of a second conductivity type having an opposite polarity to the first conductivity type. The source and the drain are commonly coupled to a ground voltage terminal, and the first gate electrode is coupled to a power supply voltage terminal.
US08405149B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit having a high withstand voltage TFT and a TFT which is capable of operating at high speed in a circuit of thin film transistors (TFT) and methods for fabricating such circuit will be provided. A gate insulating film of the TFT required to operate at high speed (e.g., TFT used for a logic circuit) is relatively thinned less than a gate insulating film of the TFT which is required to have high withstand voltage (e.g., TFT used for switching high voltage signals).
US08405148B1
An integrated circuit structure having an LDMOS transistor and a CMOS transistor includes a p-type substrate having a surface, an n-well implanted in the substrate, the first n-well providing a CMOS n-well, a CMOS transistor including a CMOS source with a first p+ region implanted in the n-well, a CMOS drain with a second p+ region implanted in the n-well, and a CMOS gate between the first p+ region and the second p+ region, and an LDMOS transistor including an LDMOS source with an LDMOS source including a p-body implanted in the n-well, a third p+ region implanted in the p-body, and a first n+ region implanted in the p-body, an LDMOS drain including an n-doped shallow drain implanted in the n-well, and a second n+ region implanted in the n-doped shallow drain, and an LDMOS gate between the third p+ region and the second n+ region.
US08405138B2
A method of forming a film of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of: (a) providing a first substrate with a conducting surface and a second substrate that is positioned apart from the first substrate, (b) applying a voltage between the first substrate and the second substrate, (c) immersing the first substrate and the second substrate in a solution that comprises a plurality of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles suspended in a non-polar solvent or apolar solvent for a first duration of time effective to form a film of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles on the conducting surface of the first substrate, and (d) after the immersing step, removing the first substrate from the solution and exposing the first substrate to air while maintaining the applied voltage for a second duration of time to dry the film of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles formed on the conducting surface of the first substrate.
US08405127B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for fabricating a heterojunction bipolar transistor. One embodiment of a heterojunction bipolar transistor includes a collector layer, a base region formed over the collector layer, a self-aligned emitter formed on top of the base region and collector layer, a poly-germanium extrinsic base surrounding the emitter, and a metal germanide layer formed over the extrinsic base.
US08405107B2
A light emitting element includes a carrier, a conductive connecting structure disposed on the carrier, an epitaxial stack structure including at least a first lighting stack and a second lighting stack disposed on the conductive connecting structure, an insulation section disposed between the epitaxial stack structure and the conductive connecting structure, and at least a metal line laid on the surface of the light emitting element, wherein the first light emitting stack further includes two electrodes having different polarity formed thereon; the second lighting stack is electrically connected to the conductive connecting structure at the bottom thereof and includes an electrode formed thereon. The insulation section is disposed below the first lighting stack to make the first lighting stack be insulated from the conductive connecting structure. The metal lines and the conductive connecting structure are electrically connected to each of the lighting stacks in parallel connection or series connection.
US08405106B2
A light-emitting device including: a light-emitting stacked layer having first conductivity type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer formed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer formed on the light-emitting layer, wherein the upper surface of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer is a textured surface; a first planarization layer formed on a first partial of the upper surface of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a first transparent conductive oxide layer formed on the first planarization layer and a second partial of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer, including a first portion in contact with the first planarization layer and a second portion having a first plurality of cavities in contact with the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; and a first electrode formed on the first portion of the first transparent conductive oxide layer.
US08405096B2
An LED package structure includes an LED die, a lead frame and a housing connecting to the lead frame. The LED die is located on a surface of the lead frame. The housing includes an inner face surrounding the LED die. The inner face has a bottom edge connected to the surface of the lead frame, a top edge and a waist line between the bottom edge and top edge. The bottom edge surrounds an area less than an area surrounded by the waist line. The area surrounded by the waist line is less than an area surrounded by the top edge. The inner face has a curved surface between the waist line and the bottom edge.
US08405095B2
The embodiment is to provide a light emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same, in which the light emitting device includes a first conductive semiconductor layer; an active layer formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer; a second conductive semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; and a phosphor layer formed on the second conductive semiconductor layer; in which the phosphor layer includes a phosphor receiving member including a plurality of cavities and phosphor particles fixed in the cavities.
US08405090B2
A semiconductor device with high reliability is provided using an SOI substrate. When the SOI substrate is fabricated by using a technique typified by SIMOX, ELTRAN, or Smart-Cut, a single crystal semiconductor substrate having a main surface (crystal face) of a {110} plane is used. In such an SOI substrate, adhesion between a buried insulating layer as an under layer and a single crystal silicon layer is high, and it becomes possible to realize a semiconductor device with high reliability.
US08405065B2
An LED semiconductor body includes a semiconductor layer sequence which comprises a quantum structure which is intended to produce radiation and comprises at least one quantum layer and at least one barrier layer, wherein the quantum layer and the barrier layer are strained with mutually opposite mathematical signs.
US08405064B2
An inventive nitride semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a first buffer layer provided on the substrate, and having a superlattice structure which includes two types of Group III nitride semiconductor sublayers having different compositions and alternately stacked in pairs; a second buffer layer provided on the first buffer layer in contact with the first buffer layer, and having a superlattice structure which includes two types of Group III nitride semiconductor sublayers having different compositions and alternately stacked in pairs; and a device operation layer of a Group III nitride semiconductor provided on the second buffer layer; wherein an average lattice constant LC1 of the first buffer layer, an average lattice constant LC2 of the second buffer layer and an average lattice constant LC3 of the device operation layer satisfy the following expression (1): LC1
US08405056B2
The ion acceleration system or complex (T) for medical and/or other applications is composed in essence by an ion source (1), a pre-accelerator (3) and one or more linear accelerators or linacs (6, 8, 10, 13), at least one of which is mounted on a rotating mechanical gantry-like structure (17). The isocentrical gantry (17) is equipped with a beam delivery system, which can be either ‘active’ or ‘passive’, for medical and/or other applications. The ion source (1) and the pre-accelerator (3) can be either installed on the floor, which is connected with the gantry basement, or mounted, fully or partially, on the rotating mechanical structure (17). The output beam can vary in energy and intensity pulse-by-pulse by adjusting the radio-frequency field in the accelerating modules of the linac(s) and the beam parameters at the input of the linear accelerators.
US08405050B2
A method of determining an actual, especially an actual effective, radiation dose distribution of a moving target volume includes detecting first and further positions of volume elements of the target volume in a first and at least one further motional state of the moving target volume, determining transformation parameters by transformation of the first positions into the further positions, irradiating the moving target volume in accordance with an irradiation plan which comprises a plurality of raster points to be irradiated, wherein during the irradiation of a raster point it is detected which of the motional states is occupied by the moving target volume, assigning raster points to subirradiation plans and determining the actual effective dose for each of the plurality of volume elements, in each case from contributions from the raster points of the subirradiation plans using the transformation parameters. Calculation and application of correction parameters which compensate for changes, caused by movement, to the position of the Bragg maximum and to the biologically effective dose applied.
US08405048B2
A fluorescence detection device includes a flow cell body including a flow channel through which a measurement object flows, a laser light source unit that irradiates, with a laser beam, the measurement object passing through a measurement point in the flow channel, a light-receiving unit that receives fluorescence emitted from the measurement object irradiated with the laser beam and outputs a light-reception signal, and a processing unit that outputs an output value of fluorescence intensity based on the light-reception signal outputted by the light-receiving unit. The flow cell body has a lens provided on a surface thereof so as to traverse an optical path of the laser beam.
US08405045B2
A particle beam device includes a particle beam generator, an objective lens, and first and second deflection systems for deflecting the particle beam in an object plane defined by the objective lens. In a first operating mode, the first deflection system generates a first deflection field and the second deflection system generates a second deflection field. In a second operating mode, the first deflection system generates a third deflection field and the second deflection system generates a fourth deflection field.
US08405042B2
The objective of the present invention is to reduce the effect of the hysteresis of a scanning electromagnet so as to obtain a particle beam therapy system that realizes high-accuracy beam irradiation. There are included an irradiation management apparatus (32) that controls the scanning electromagnet (3), based on target irradiation position coordinates (Pi) of a charged particle beam (1b), and a position monitor (7) that measures measurement position coordinates (Ps) of the charged particle beam (1b). The irradiation management apparatus (32) has a command value creator (25) that outputs a control input (Io (Ir)) to the scanning electromagnet (3), based on the target irradiation position coordinates (Pi) and correction data (Ia) created on the basis of the measurement position coordinates (Ps), measured by the position monitor (7) in the preliminary irradiation in which the excitation pattern of the scanning electromagnet is the same as that of the main irradiation plan, and the target irradiation position coordinates (Pi).
US08405035B1
Phoswich scintillator detectors, related devices and methods, as well as evaporation-based methods and structures for fabricating phoswich scintillators.
US08405034B2
A neutron measurement apparatus 1A includes a neutron detection unit 10, a photodetection unit 20 that detects scintillation light emitted from the neutron detection unit 10, a light guide optical system 15 that guides the scintillation light from the neutron detection unit 10 to the photodetection unit 20, and a shielding member 30 which is located between the neutron detection unit 10 and the photodetection unit 20 for shielding radiation passing in a direction toward the photodetection unit 20. Further, a scintillator formed of a lithium glass material in which PrF3 is doped to a glass material 20Al(PO3)3-80LiF is used as a neutron detection scintillator composing the neutron detection unit 10. Thereby, the neutron detection scintillator and the neutron measurement apparatus which are capable of suitably performing neutron measurement such as measurement of scattered neutrons from an implosion plasma can be realized.
US08405033B2
This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations through the side wall of a container. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that do not travel far through the medium. Detected scatter is related to actual particle concentration or standard O.D. values. The methods and devices allow particle concentration readings through containers not normally intended for use in such assays.
US08405031B2
Provided is a terahertz wave generator that improves efficiency of generating a terahertz wave. The terahertz wave generator includes a generating layer for generating the terahertz wave, a waveguide layer for propagating excitation light entering the generating layer and a terahertz wave generated by the excitation light entering the generating layer, and a first confinement layer for confining in the waveguide layer the excitation light propagating in the waveguide layer and the terahertz wave propagating in the waveguide layer. The generating layer, the waveguide layer, and the first confinement layer are laminated in the stated order.
US08405028B2
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for infrared (IR) detection. Organic layers can be utilized to produce a phototransistor for the detection of IR radiation. The wavelength range of the IR detector can be modified by incorporating materials sensitive to photons of different wavelengths. Quantum dots of materials sensitive to photons of different wavelengths than the host organic material of the absorbing layer of the phototransistor can be incorporated into the absorbing layer so as to enhance the absorption of photons having wavelengths associated with the material of the quantum dots. A photoconductor structure can be used instead of a phototransistor. The photoconductor can incorporate PbSe or PbS quantum dots. The photoconductor can incorporate organic materials and part of an OLED structure. A detected IR image can be displayed to a user. Organic materials can be used to create an organic light-emitting device.
US08405018B2
A semiconductor imager device is arranged for receiving a series of charge packets. It comprises a charge-to-voltage conversion circuit for receiving the charge packets on a reception capacitance and has an interconnected arrangement of a floating diffusion, a first reset gate, a reset drain and a source follower for readout. In particular, the device has a series arrangement of at least the first reset gate as a proximate reset gate and furthermore a distal reset gate, wherein in a high-gain configuration the proximate reset gate is cyclically controlled and the distal reset gate is continuously on, thus limiting the reception capacitance to a relatively low value. Alternatively, in a low-gain configuration the proximate reset gate is continuously on, thus extending the capacitance to a relatively high value and the distal reset gate replaces the proximate reset gate as being cyclically controlled for conversion of the series of charge packets.
US08405006B2
A device for heating a biological sample, the device having a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip. A sample chamber, or other medium to be heated, is positioned adjacent the heating source, wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and a sensor positioned inside, at, or near the sample chamber. The microcontroller supplies a load current to the heating source to generate heat from the heating source, and the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source. The device may also support different heating profiles that are software and/or hardware selectable.
US08405002B2
An icemaker and a refrigerator having an icemaker are discussed. The icemaker has pulse-electrothermal ice release and includes an ice-making tray having several ice forming portions in which water is stored and ice is formed; and a housing surrounding the ice-making tray provided with at least one cold air inlet and/or ice ejection port through which cold air is supplied and ice released along a bent channel. The cold air inlet and/or ice ejection ports are baffled to prevent contact with a user's fingers and thereby reduce the possibility of electric shock.
US08404994B2
A laser beam welding device and a laser beam welding method are described. It is provided that a laser beam converted to have an annular cross-sectional area by using an optical system is deflected for the purpose of producing a radial weld.
US08404989B2
Disclosed herein is a membrane switch sheet for a switch matrix-type key input apparatus. The membrane switch sheet is used in a switch matrix-type key input apparatus, including a plurality of switch contacts, so as to prevent the occurrence of a ghost key phenomenon. The membrane switch sheet includes at least one film wired through a single patterning process using only ink having low conductivity so as to have resistors having a same resistance value, with distances between start points of lines of a switch matrix in a column scan direction and the switch contacts being set to the same value.
US08404986B2
The invention relates to a manual drive for a tap changer for a tap-changing transformer having a locking unit. The locking unit has a catch which can pivot and has different locking means; the catch can be operated from the outside before an intended switching operation. The locking unit offers high a degree as possible of safety against inadvertent or else deliberate incorrect operations of the manual drive.
US08404980B2
A relay board provided in a semiconductor device includes a first terminal, and a plurality of second terminals connecting to the first terminal by a wiring. The wiring connecting to the first terminal is split on the way so that the wiring connects to each of the second terminals.
US08404978B2
A flex-rigid wiring board including an insulative substrate having a wiring layer which is formed on the insulative substrate and includes a conductor, a flexible wiring board positioned beside the insulative substrate and having a wiring layer, the wiring layer of the flexible wiring board including a conductor and being contained inside the flexible wiring board, and a first insulation layer positioned on the insulative substrate and the flexible wiring board such that a portion of the flexible wiring board is left exposed from the first insulation layer. The first insulation layer has a wiring layer which is formed on the first insulation layer and includes a conductor. The wiring layer of the first insulation layer has a thickness which is formed thicker than a thickness of the wiring layer of the flexible wiring board and a thickness of the wiring layer of the insulative substrate.
US08404975B2
The present invention relates to a cable structure, comprises a cable having a first, a second and a third conductive wires made of metal wire material, the third conductive wire is covered by a third insulation layer, the first conductive wire is interlaced on the third insulation layer and is covered by a second insulation layer, the second conductive wire is interlaced on the second insulation layer and is covered by a first insulation layer; the second conductive wire and the second insulation layer are exposed at one end of the first insulation layer, and the first conductive wire and the third conductive wire covered by the third insulation layer are exposed out of the second insulation layer; and a positioning sleeve passes through the first conductive wire and the third conductive wire having the third insulation layer and is sleeved and riveted on the second insulation layer so that the positioning sleeve is clamped and fastened on the second insulation layer and is served to abut against a cut portion of the first insulation layer for preventing the second insulation layer from retreating into the first insulation layer so short circuit of the first and the second conductive wires is effectively avoided.
US08404972B1
An electrical device mounting box assembly including an electrical device mounting box and a removable mud cover coupled to the electrical device mounting box via at least one living hinge is disclosed herein. The living hinge may be severed by fatiguing the living hinge or by mechanical severance. The removable mud cover may include a latch to maintain the removable mud cover in a closed position. A rear face of the removable mud cover, which faces a front opening of the electrical device mounting box when the removable mud cover is in a closed position, may include a cavity configured to receive a face of an electrical device mounted in the electrical device mounting box when the removable mud cover is in a closed position. The removable mud cover may include a narrow imprinter configured to imprint drywall when drywall is pressed against the narrow imprinter.
US08404968B2
A photovoltaic power generating system of the present invention includes a solar cell module 1, an installation platform 2 for holding a pair of ends of the solar cell module 1, and at least one supporting member 3 disposed on a side of a non-light-receiving surface 1B of the solar cell module 1, wherein the supporting member 3 is disposed at such a distance from the non-light-receiving surface 1B of the solar cell module 1 that the supporting member 3 can abut against the non-light-receiving surface 1B by deformation of the solar cell module 1. A deforming amount of the solar cell module 1 is increased in accordance with an external force applied to the solar cell module 1.
US08404966B2
A solar cell module (1a) is constituted such that a solar cell panel (9) is held using a main frame member (10) that holds one side of the solar cell panel (9) and a sub-frame member (20) that holds an adjoining side that adjoins this one side, the main frame member (10) is constituted from a solar cell panel main holding portion (11), a main wall portion (12), and a main bottom piece (16), the sub-frame member (20) is constituted from a solar cell panel sub-holding portion (21), a sub-wall portion (22), and a sub-bottom piece (26), the sub-bottom piece (26) of the sub-frame member (20) is positioned above the main bottom piece (16) of the main frame member (10), the lower surface near the side end of this sub-bottom piece (26) abuts against the upper surface near the side end of the main bottom piece (16), and a water barrier piece (28) bent upward is formed at the inner side edge of this sub-bottom piece (26).
US08404961B2
A mold includes a first mold half, a second mold half opposite to the first mold half, and a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator includes a high temperature conductive portion, a semiconductor electricity-generating portion, and a low temperature conductive portion. The high temperature conductive portion is positioned in contact with the first mold half and configured to conduct heat from the first mold half to the semiconductor electricity-generating portion. The low temperature conductive portion is exposed to the air. The semiconductor electricity-generating portion is sandwiched between the high temperature conductive portion and the low temperature conductive portion, and positioned in contact with the high temperature conductive portion and the low temperature conductive portion; the semiconductor electricity-generating portion is configured for forming a voltage difference.
US08404955B1
An inbred corn line, designated SRN66, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line SRN66, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line SRN66 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line SRN66 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SRN66, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SRN66 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08404954B1
An inbred corn line, designated SLA21, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line SLA21, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line SLA21 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line SLA21 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SLA21, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SLA21 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08404953B1
An inbred corn line, designated D054530, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line D054530, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line D054530 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line D054530 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line D054530, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line D054530 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08404951B2
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PS01544291 and the parent lines thereof, such as inbred parent line FDS 15-2102. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PS01544291 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08404950B2
A cotton cultivar, designated L-373, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cotton cultivar L-373, to the plants of cotton L-373 and to methods for producing a cotton plant produced by crossing the cultivar L-373 with itself or another cotton variety. The invention further relates to hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar L-373 with another cotton cultivar.
US08404949B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024103. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024103. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024103 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024103 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08404943B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023694. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023694. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023694 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023694 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08404933B2
The subject invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoding a methyltransferase. The subject invention provides novel plants that express the methyltrasferase disclosed herein and are resistant to auxin-based herbicides. The subject invention also provides transgenic plants have been transformed with one or more other herbicide resistance genes such that the plants are resistant to the application of auxin-based herbicides and one or more other herbicides.
US08404931B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improving the efficiency of Agrobacterium- and Rhizobium-mediated plant cell transformation by use of additional transformation enhancer sequences, such as overdrive or TSS sequences, operably linked to a T-DNA border sequence on a recombinant construct that comprises T-DNA.
US08404921B2
The present invention relates to a wound dressing and in particular a wound dressing for application to the sacrum of a patient. The wound dressing is an absorbent pad having one or more lines about which the dressing can fold.
US08404912B1
A process for making a high VI lubricating base oil from a blend of (1) a heavy wax derived from pyrolyzing a plastic feed and (2) a lube oil feedstock is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of hydrocracking the blend and dewaxing at least a portion of the hydrocracked stream under hydroisomerization conditions to produce a lubricating base oil.
US08404909B2
A method of biomass pyrolysis is described which includes chemical looping of combustion char so that carbon dioxide can be captured from the combustion of the char as well as producing useable compounds from pyrolyzing biomass in a pyrolysis reactor including a metal oxide carrier particles which is in operative cooperation with a char combustor and oxidation reactor and separator for separating carbon dioxide from the flue gas produced by the char combustor.
US08404908B2
A process is presented for the production of high value chemicals from lignin. The process comprises combining several internal steps to use the hydrogen generated by the process, rather than adding an external source of hydrogen. The process can combine the decomposition of oxygenates formed during the deoxygenation process with hydrogenation of deoxygenated lignin compounds.
US08404906B2
The present invention provides a process for producing 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorohexafluorobutane having a high purity at a low cost industrially and efficiently. The process for producing 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorohexafluorobutane according to the present invention comprises a step of allowing 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobutane to react with a fluorine gas to prepare a reaction product containing 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorohexafluorobutane and hydrogen-containing compounds as an impurity, and a step of introducing the reaction product into single or plural distillation columns and distilling to separate the hydrogen-containing compounds from the reaction product and thereby preparing purified 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorohexafluorobutane wherein the at least one of distillation columns has a theoretical plate number of 15 or more.
US08404903B2
A process of controlling heavies in a recycle catalyst stream, particularly, for use in a continuous hydroformylation process of converting an olefin with synthesis gas in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst to form an aldehyde product stream with subsequent separation of the catalyst for recycle to the hydroformylation step. Heavies are controlled, and preferably reduced, by means of feeding a recycle gas stream, taken as a portion of an over-head stream from a condenser, back to a vaporizer wherein the aldehyde product stream is separated.
US08404902B2
The invention relates to a method for separating 1-butene from C4-containing hydrocarbon mixtures, comprising isobutene and 1-butene, by hydroformylation, wherein the catalytic system used is made of one of the transition metals of the group 8 to 10, preferably rhodium, and a bisphosphite ligand of the formula (I), where X is a divalent substituted or unsubstituted bisalkylene or bisarylene group having one or more heteroatom(s), Y is a divalent substituted or unsubstituted bisarylene or bisalkylene group having one or more heteroatom(s), Z is oxygen or NR9, and R1, R2, R3, R4 are identical or different, substituted or unsubstituted, linked, unlinked or condensed aryl or heteroaryl groups, and R9 is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl group having one or more heteroatom(s), wherein the bisphosphite ligand of the formula (I) is used in an excess of a molar ratio of 100:1 to 1:1 to the transition metal, and that with a 1-butene conversion of more than 95% less than 5% of the present isobutene is reacted method for separating 1-butene from c4-containing hydrocarbon streams by hydroformylation.
US08404900B2
An absorbent for separating acidic gases is disclosed. The absorbent or an absorbent composition for separating acidic gases has more than 3 kinds of compounds along with Chemical Formula 1 and 2, and has ability of rapid carbon dioxide elimination, excellent absorption ability, and less energy consumption for regenerating an absorbent due to easy desorption of carbon dioxide.
US08404898B2
An integrated process is provided for preparing 2,3,5,6-tetraminotoluene and salts thereof starting with nitration of 2,6-dihalotoluene. The process design eliminates costly intermediate drying and recrystallization steps. Handling of solid materials with possible skin sensitizing properties and toxicity is avoided, thereby eliminating human and environmental exposure.
US08404892B2
Aromatic non-polymeric amic acid salts are designed to be thermally converted into corresponding arylene diimides. These aromatic, non-polymeric amic acid salts can be used to prepare semiconducting thin films that can be used in various articles including thin-film transistor devices that can be incorporated into a variety of electronic devices. In this manner, the arylene diimide need not be coated but is generated in situ from a solvent-soluble, easily coated aromatic, non-polymeric amic acid salt at relatively lower temperature because the cation portion of the amic acid salt acts as an internal catalyst.
US08404891B2
The present invention concerns a liquid formulation that is stable to oxidation and that is based on paracetamol in an aqueous solvent obtainable by the following steps: (i) dissolving in a reaction vessel paracetamol in an aqueous solvent having a temperature between 65° C. and 95° C., and having pH between 5.0 and 6.0; (ii) cooling the solution so formed to a temperature equal to or above 35° C. and below 40° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen; (iii) adding cysteine hydrochloride and sodium hydroxide simultaneously to the solution without stirring; (iv) closing the reaction vessel, and stirring the solution of step iii) in a nitrogen atmosphere. It further relates to a method for preparing the formulation.
US08404883B2
Oxysulfide and fluorinated organic compounds, for example, perfluoroalkanesulfinic and sulfonic acids, and preferably trifluoromethanesulfinic and trifluoromethanesulfonic acids in salt form, are prepared by reacting, in the presence of an aprotic polar organic solvent: (i) a fluorocarboxylic acid having the formula Ea-CF2—COOH (I), wherein Ea is an atom or an electroattracting group at least partially forming a salt with an organic or inorganic cation; with (ii) a sulfur oxide, preferably sulfur dioxide, and further wherein the ratio of the number of moles of sulfur oxide to the number of moles of fluorocarboxylic acid is less than 1, preferably less than 0.99.
US08404882B2
The present invention relates to a one-terminal reactive organopolysiloxane further having a hydrophilic polyalkyleneoxide group at the omega-terminal and a method for its production. Thus, the present invention provides a one-terminal reactive organopolysiloxane which is characterized by having a polyalkyleneoxide at the omega-terminal, and composed of blocks arranged in the following order: A-B—C—Y wherein A is a monovalent polyalkyleneoxide group having an alkoxy group at a terminal, B is a substituted or unsubstituted divalent alkylene group, C is a divalent polysiloxane group, Y is a monovalent group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having a reactive group, a hydrogen atom, a styryl group and a trialkoxysiloxy group, and provides a method for the preparation thereof.
US08404878B2
Disclosed are titanium-containing precursors and methods of synthesizing the same. The compounds may be used to deposit titanium, titanium oxide, strontium-titanium oxide, and barium strontium titanate containing layers using vapor deposition methods such as chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition.
US08404867B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R1, R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, or R4 is sulfurized or epoxidized. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.
US08404858B2
An EP2 agonist which may have an EP3 agonistic effect has an effect of regenerating and/or protecting nerves, and is therefore useful as a therapeutic agent for a disease of the peripheral nervous system, such as a lower or upper motor neuron disease, a nerve root disease, plexopathy, thoracic outlet compression syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, neurofibromatosis and neuromuscular transmission disease. An EP2 agonist which has an EP3 agonistic effect is a safe and effective agent for the regeneration and/or protection of nerves which has little influence on the circulatory system.
US08404853B2
A process for preparation of optically pure or optically enriched enantiomers of sulphoxide compounds of formula (I), such as omeprazole and structurally related compounds, as well as their salts and hydrates. The said process comprises a) providing, a mixture of enantiomers of the sulphoxide compound of formula (I) as starting material, in an organic solvent; said enantiomers having R and S configurations at the sulfur atom of the sulphoxide group; b) treating the mixture of enantiomers, in the organic solvent, with a chiral host; c) separating the adduct formed by the enantiomer and the chiral host; d) if desired, repeating the operation of step (b); e) treating the adduct obtained in step (c) or (d) with metal base selected from Group I and Group II metal, thereby obtaining metal salt of one of the optical isomers of the sulphoxide compound in optically pure or optically enriched form; f) optionally, converting the Group I metal salt of optically pure or optically enriched form the optical isomers of the sulphoxide compound obtained in step (e) to magnesium salt.
US08404845B2
The present invention relates to 2,3-Substituted Azaindole Derivatives, compositions comprising at least one 2,3-Substituted Azaindole Derivatives, and methods of using the 2,3-Substituted Azaindole Derivatives for treating or preventing a viral infection or a virus-related disorder in a patient.
US08404842B2
The present invention discloses organic and inorganic photosensitizer dyes as the following formulas (1) to (3), wherein the substituents “A, B, D and G” are as defined in claim 1.
US08404841B2
Novel process for the preparation of statins and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof represented by the general formula-(1) through novel intermediate compounds of general formula-(4).
US08404838B2
The teachings relate to methods of identifying inhibitors of dimerization of tyrosine receptor kinases such as EGFR. The methods comprise providing, on a digital computer, a molecular model comprising a complex of extracellular dimerization domains of an RTK, docking a chemical databases to the molecular model, scoring the compounds comprised by the database, and identifying one or more high-scoring compounds. The methods further comprise testing a compound for RTK inhibitory activity in vitro, and testing a compound for specificity as an RTK inhibitor. Also disclosed are compounds selected by the described methods, and methods of treatment using the compounds. Two compounds (NSC11241 and NSC56452) are disclosed that inhibit EGF receptor kinase activation in a dose-dependent manner.
US08404822B2
A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NO. 55 or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.
US08404812B2
The present invention relates to epitope of CD66c specific to lung adenocarcinoma and antibody recognizing the same. The present invention relates to identifying epitope of CD66c specific to lung adenocarcinoma, antibody recognizing the same, cell lines producing the same and the applications in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma by using the same. The above CD66c epitope is specific to lung adenocarcinoma cells, and therefore the antibody or its fragment recognizing the epitope can be used in compositions to diagnose, treat and prevent lung adenocarcinoma cells.
US08404810B2
This invention relates to the polynucleotides and the encoded polypeptides, including novel sequences, of human or non-human primate genes that are amplified in breast and/or other tumor tissues melanoma, as compared to the corresponding normal tissue. The invention also relates to modulators of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, for example, antibodies, that specifically bind to and/or interfere with the activity of this polypeptide, polynucleotide, its fragments, variants, and antagonists. The invention further relates to compositions containing such a polypeptide, polynucleotide, or modulators thereof and uses of such compositions in methods of treating or preventing cancer, by detecting this polynucleotide, polypeptide, or antibodies thereto in patient samples. The invention also provides diagnostic tests for breast cancer and melanoma, by identifying polypeptides and polynucleotides encoded by the cDNA sequence of the invention that correlate with those disorders.
US08404809B2
Conjugates between Factor IX and PEG moieties are disclosed in the present application. The conjugates are linked via a glycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently attached to the peptide and the modifying group. Conjugates are formed from glycosylated peptides by the action of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase ligates a modified sugar moiety onto a glycosyl residue on the peptide. Also provided are methods for preparing the conjugates, methods for treating various disease conditions with the conjugates, and pharmaceutical formulations including the conjugates.
US08404808B2
A DNA polymerase chimera comprising an amino-terminal (N-terminal) region encoding a Φ29 type DNA polymerase and a carboxyl-terminal (C-terminal) region comprising at least one HhH domain which are bound by a connecting amino acid sequence is disclosed along with and the use thereof for replicating, amplifying or sequencing a template DNA. Also disclosed is a method for replicating, amplifying or sequencing a deoxyribonucleic acid with the DNA polymerase chimera and kits for carrying out the methods.
US08404805B2
The presently disclosed subject matter discloses characterization of interactions between ligands and Hsp90 proteins, including GRP94, wherein ligand binding to the N-terminal nucleotide binding domain of GRP94 elicits a conformational change that converts the GRP94 from an inactive to an active conformation, and wherein the chaperone and peptide-binding activities of the GRP94 are markedly stimulated. Also disclosed are purification, screening, and therapeutic methods pertaining to the biological activity of GRP94, and in some instances HSP90, based upon the characterization of ligand interactions of Hsp90 peptide-binding proteins, including GRP94.
US08404803B2
First, to solve the problems of the present invention, the present inventors confirmed the presence of ovarian cancer antigen-specific T cells in the peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients by using an experimental system that detects combinations of CD4 and IL-4 or IFNγ. Next, using analogue peptides of the core protein MUC 16 of the ovarian cancer-associated antigen CA 125, the present inventors revealed that antigen-specific CD4-positive T cells are present at an average frequency of about 4% in the peripheral mononuclear cells of patients and healthy subjects. Then, the present inventors analyzed the epitope for T cells in the core protein MUC 16 of the ovarian cancer-associated antigen CA 125, and determined the amino acid sequence FTLNFTITN (SEQ ID NO: 1) to be a shorter epitope. The present inventors further discovered that the analogue peptide OVCA11: GHTAPGPLLVPFTLNFTITN (SEQ ID NO:11) is suitable for T cell activation.
US08404797B2
An end-modified soluble polyfunctional vinyl aromatic copolymer, which is improved in heat resistance, thermal stability, solvent solubility, and compatibility with acrylate compounds, and a curable resin composition using the same are disclosed. The end-modified soluble polyfunctional vinyl aromatic copolymer is obtained by allowing a divinyl aromatic compound (a), a monovinyl aromatic compound (b), and an aromatic ether compound (c) to react with each other, and has, at an end, an end group derived from the aromatic ether compound and having an acrylate bond. The copolymer has a number average molecular weight Mn of 500 to 100,000, an introduction amount (c1) of the end group derived from the aromatic ether compound satisfies (c1)≧1.0 (group/molecule), a molar fraction a′ of a structural unit derived from the divinyl aromatic compound and a molar fraction b′ of a structural unit derived from the monovinyl aromatic compound in the copolymer satisfy 0.05≦a′/(a′+b′)≦0.95. Besides, the curable resin composition includes the copolymer and an unsaturated acrylate monomer.
US08404791B2
A silicone rubber composition, which comprises 100 parts by weight of vinyl group-introduced methylphenylvinyl-based silicone rubber obtained by copolymerization of dimethylsiloxane copolymerization units as the main component with 3-30 mol. % of methylphenylsiloxane copolymerization units, and 0.2-8 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, where introduction of vinyl groups into the silicone rubber can be attained generally by copolymerization of 0.1-5 mol. % of methylvinylsiloxane. When silica is used as a filler, it is desirable to use a surfactant for silica, and water together. Owing to distinguished low-temperature characteristics and blister resistance, the present silicone rubber composition can be used a suitable seal material for a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage tank, for example, to storage under 70 MPa, and particularly as suitable vulcanization-molding materials for O rings, packings, gaskets, oil seals, valves, etc.
US08404790B2
A method of making a fluoropolymer in the presence of a fluorinated surfactant.
US08404778B2
A pre-adhesive syrup polymer composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an aminoalkyl (meth)acryloyl solvent monomer, which when polymerized, provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.
US08404774B2
Adhesive and sealant systems Adhesive and sealant systems on the basis of unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane, silane-terminated polymers, vinyl ester resins, acrylates, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl ethers, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyvinyl acetates, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, polysulphide, polyethylene, polypropylene, fluorinated hydrocarbons, polyamides, saturated polyesters and copolyesters, phenol-formaldehyde resins, cresol-/resorcinol-formaldehyde resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, polyimides, polybenzimidazoles or polysulphones and containing 1% to 15% by weight of a hydrophilic fumed silica structurally modified by grinding.
US08404773B2
The instant invention is a coating composition, method of producing the same, articles made therefrom, and method of making such articles. The coating composition according to the instant invention comprises (a) 10 to 55 percent by weight of an ethylene based copolymer composition; (b) 5 to 25 percent by weight of a propylene polymer composition; (c) 15 to 60 percent by weight of a chlorinated olefin polymer composition; (d) optionally less than 40 percent by weight of a filler; and (e) optionally 1 to 20 weight percent by weight of an adhesion promoting agent.
US08404771B2
Desirable composites of polysiloxane polymers and inorganic nanoparticles can be formed based on the appropriate selection of the surface properties of the particles and the chemical properties of the polymer. High loadings of particles can be achieved with good dispersion through the polymer. The composites can have good optical properties. In some embodiments, the inorganic particles are substantially free of surface modification.
US08404760B2
Polymerizable dental material which contains (a) at least one radically polymerizable compound according to the general formula I (b) initiators for radical polymerization; and (c) filler.
US08404751B2
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail bed and is difficult to treat topically because penetration of the nail plate is difficult, and systemic antifungal treatments are prone to side effects and drug interactions. The present invention treats onychomycosis by applying an antifungal composition to the nail bed directly using a solid, semi-solid, or flowable carrier. The carrier can be in the form of a semi-solid into which the user digs and scrapes the nail, a solid carrier can be inserted directly under the nail in contact with the nail bed, or a flowable composition can be injected in contact with the nail bed.
US08404746B2
The present invention relates to the use of chicoric acid and/or at least one of these metabolites selected among mono-caffeoyl-tartaric acid and/or m-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, and/or 4-vinylcatechol and/or 4-ethylcatechol for manufacturing a composition intended for prevention or treatment in an insulin-resistant patient or hypoinsulinemia and/or associated pathologies.
US08404742B2
Diosmetin compounds, a process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom or the group of formula (A): Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in the prevention and/or treatment of venous diseases and other conditions.
US08404738B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or stereoisomers thereof, wherein R1 to R4, A and Y have the meanings given herein, as well as methods for making those compounds and their use as medicament, in particular as medicament for the treatment of cancer.
US08404737B2
This invention relates to novel substituted isoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to novel substituted isoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives that are analogues of apremilast. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and a carrier and the use of disclosed compounds and compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering apremilast.
US08404736B2
The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) (or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof) as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in manufactures and methods for modulating biological processes including antagonism of Prostaglandin EP4 receptor as a therapeutic treatment.
US08404731B2
The present invention provides imidazole derivatives of Formula (I-IV), methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula (I-IV), and their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and thus can be useful for the management, treatment, control, or the adjunct treatment of diseases mediated by PTPase activity. Such diseases include Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes.
US08404730B2
Racemic or enantiomerically enriched 3-substituted propanamine compounds represented by the following structural formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the subject compounds are also disclosed. The subject compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, such as depression, anxiety and pain disorders.
US08404727B2
The present patent application relates to a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration that includes a certain pyrrolidine derivative as DPP-IV inhibitor, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. More particularly, the present invention contemplates pharmaceutical compositions that include melogliptin and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient as well as to processes for preparing the pharmaceutical composition and the use of the composition in reducing glucose level in a subject. The present invention also contemplates an impurity associated with melogliptin.
US08404726B2
A compound represented by the following general formula (II) or a salt thereof is used as an activator of PPARδ. wherein Ga is O, CH2 or the like; Aa is thiazole, oxazole, or thiophene, which can have a substituent such as C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, halogen, C1-8 alkyl substituted with halogen or the like; Ba is a C1-8 alkylene or C2-8 alkenylene chain; and each of R1a and R2a independently is hydrogen, C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, halogen, C1-8 alkyl substituted with halogen or the like.
US08404714B2
The present invention provides combinations of dietary supplements and methods of using of these combinations to improve the health and production performance of animals. In particular, the combinations of the invention comprise antioxidants, trace minerals, organic acids, essential amino acids, and mixtures thereof.
US08404710B2
A phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor serving as an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia.The PDE10A inhibitor contains as an active ingredient a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative represented by the following general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons; and R3 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons, or a lower alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbons.
US08404683B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as an inhibitor of a p53-MDM2 interaction as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein n, m, p, s, t, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, X, Y, Q and Z have defined meanings.
US08404679B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, Ar and n are as defined herein and pharmaceutically active salts, racemic mixtures, enantiomers, optical isomers or tautomeric forms thereof. The compounds can be used for the treatment of depression, anxiety or schizophrenia.
US08404671B2
The invention relates to heterosubstituted N-thiolated beta-lactams, compositions comprising these compounds, methods for their production, and methods of use as antibiotics to inhibit the growth of bacteria. In one embodiment, the compounds have the structure shown in formula (A) or formula (B) or formula (C): wherein the R groups are as defined in the specification. The antibacterial agents of the invention can be administered to a human or animal to treat or inhibit bacterial infection, such as that of Staphylococcus species, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
US08404670B2
Provided herein are fused imidazolyl compounds, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or management of various disorders, such as neurological disorders and metabolic disorders. Compounds provided herein inhibit the activity of histamine H3 receptors and modulate the release of various neurotransmitters, such as histamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine (e.g. at the synapse). Pharmaceutical formulations containing the compounds and their methods of use are also provided herein.
US08404667B2
Oral and topical pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods of treatment thereof for treating various skin disorder including acne, psoriasis, ichthyosis, photoaging, photodamaged skin, and, skin cancer. Exemplary vitamin D analogs as active pharmaceutical ingredients include 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-1α-hydroxy-bishomopregnacalciferol, 19-nor-26,27-dimethylene-20(S)-2-methylene-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 2-methylene-1α,25-dihydroxy-(17E)-17(20)-dehydro-19-nor-vitamin D3, 2-methylene-19-nor-(24R)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2, 2-methylene-(20R,25S)-19,26-dinor-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 2-methylene-19-nor-1α-hydroxy-pregnacalciferol, 1α-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-homopregnacalciferol, (20R)-1α-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-bishomopregnacalciferol, 2-methylene-19-nor-(20S)-1α-hydroxy-trishomopregnacalciferol, 2-methylene-23,23-difluoro-1α-hydroxy-19-nor-bishomopregnacalciferol, 2-methylene-(20S)-23,23-difluoro-1α-hydroxy-19-nor-bishomopregnancalciferol, (2-(3′hydroxypropyl-1′,2′-idene)-19,23,24-trinor-(20S)-1α-hydroxyvitamin D3, 2-methylene-18,19-dinor-(20S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, a stereoisomer thereof, a prodrug thereof in oral compositions, a salt thereof, and/or a solute thereof. Compounds that activate retinoic acid receptors, such as retinoyls and retinoyl esters, include 13-cis-retinoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid, (2E,4E,6Z,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexeneyl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid, 9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid, 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-napthoic acid, 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-tetralin-2-yl)ethenyl]benzoic acid, retinobenzoic acid, ethyl 6-[2-(4,4-dimethylthiochroman-6-yl)ethynyl]pyridine-3-carboxylate, retinoyl t-butyrate, retinoyl pinacol, retinoyl cholesterol, an isomer thereof, a prodrug thereof for oral compositions, an ester thereof, a salt thereof, and/or, a solute thereof. Combinations of such active ingredients demonstrate synergistic efficacy.
US08404659B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods of treatment of diseases that are sensitive to drugs that downregulate the function of microRNA's, mRNA, non-coding RNA, or viral genomes. In particular, it has been discovered that a very long term effect of an anti microRNA oligonucleotide may be obtained when administered to a primate. Therefore, the present invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment of primates, including humans wherein the compositions are administered with a long time interval.
US08404657B2
The present invention relates to the use of an inhibitor of tailless gene expression or tailless protein activity for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing the brain tumor in a subject. Preferably an inhibitor of tailless expression is a single or double stranded RNA. An inhibitor of tailless protein activity is preferably an antibody which specifically binds thereto. Finally, the invention includes methods for identifying anti-brain tumor drugs.
US08404656B2
Disclosed are methods of treating or preventing diet-induced obesity and/or one or more sequelae thereof in a subject. These methods comprise administering to a subject in need of treatment or at risk for developing diet-induced obesity and/or one or more sequelae thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one inhibitor of RP 105 and/or MD-I activity. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds that inhibit development of diet-induced obesity and/or one or more sequelae thereof. In some aspects, these methods comprise: providing at least one first cell comprising TLR4, MD-2. RP105. MD-K and a TLR4-responsive promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a reporter, contacting the at least one first cell with lipopolysaccharide and with a candidate compound; and determining a level of expression of the reporter in the presence of the LPS and the candidate compound, in some aspects, these methods comprise: providing at least one first cell comprising TLR2, TLR1, TLR6, MD-2, RP H/S, MD-K and a TLR2-responsive promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a reporter, contacting the at least one first cell with a lipopepude ligand of TLR2 and with a candidate compound, and determining a level of expression of the reporter in the presence of the lipopeptide ligand of TLR2 and the candidate compound.
US08404641B2
A method of inhibiting cell migration or treating an inflammatory condition, comprising administering a compound disclosed herein to the subject, is provided. The compound can be administered systemically, locally, or a combination thereof. For example, the compound can be locally delivered from a temporary device or an implant, such as a vascular prosthesis.
US08404629B2
A fluid sample device comprising at least two superposed sheets (1, 2) that are connected together by a retaining element (3), each of the sheets including an inside face (1a, 2a), the inside faces (1a, 2a) facing each other in such a manner as to come into contact, the inside face (1a) of at least one sheet (1) including a zone (4) that is provided with microcapsules (4, 4′) containing a fluid, the sample device being characterized in that the inside faces (1a, 2a) slide relative to each other with friction between a masked position and an exposed position of the zone (4) of microcapsules, being connected by the retaining element (3), in such a manner as to break the microcapsules and release the fluid contained therein progressively.
US08404627B2
A detergent including one or more neutral or overbased alkaline earth metal C10 to C40 hydrocarbyl substituted hydroxybenzoates, in which: (i) the one or more neutral or overbased alkaline earth metal C10 to C40 hydrocarbyl substituted hydroxybenzoates is or includes one or more C10 to C40 hydrocarb-1-yl substituted hydroxybenzoates; or, (ii) greater than 50 mole % of the one or more neutral or overbased alkaline earth metal C10 to C40 hydrocarbyl substituted hydroxybenzoates, based on the total number of moles of said C10 to C40 hydrocarbyl substituted hydroxybenzoates, is or includes one or more C10 to C40 hydrocarb-2-yl substituted hydroxybenzoates.
US08404625B2
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and a compound obtained/obtainable by a process comprising reacting a glycolic acid, a 2-halo-acetic acid, or a lactic acid, or an alkali or alkaline metal salts thereof, (typically glycolic acid or a 2-halo-acetic acid) with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an amine, an alcohol, and an aminoalcohol. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition in an internal combustion engine.
US08404619B2
A sparingly water-soluble plant quality improver characterized by containing a polyvalent metal, an organic acid having a carboxylic group, an alkali metal and/or ammonia, and phosphate ions and/or carbonate ions. The sparingly water-soluble plant quality improver inhibits or alleviates physiological disorders of plants and further has the function of improving qualities of the plants, such as sugar content and acidity. It is also characterized in that it causes little fruit surface soiling to heighten the merchandice value, and that it is lowly phytotoxic and highly safe.
US08404617B2
An object of the invention is to provide a photocatalyst material having a higher catalyst effect than conventional photocatalyst materials. The photocatalyst material of the invention contains, as its major component, a tungsten oxide powder excited by a light source which emits light having a wavelength of 430 to 500 nm, the photocatalyst material having a decomposition ability of 50% or more wherein the decomposition ability is given by the following equation based on the following test: [Test for decomposition ability]: 1 g of a tungsten oxide powder and 20 ppm of acetaldehyde (amount A) are poured into a 3-liter glass container, and acetaldehyde (amount B) is measured after light having a peak wavelength of 460 nm±10 nm is irradiated to the mixture for 2 hours to measure the decomposition ability (%): Decomposition ability (%)=[(acetaldehyde amount A−acetaldehyde amount B)/acetaldehyde amount A]×100.
US08404614B2
A process for preparing a catalyst by selecting an active catalyst and contacting the active catalyst with one or more fluids containing an organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents. In one embodiment, each organic solvent has a dielectric constant within a range of about 5 to about 55 when measured at a temperature of 20° C. to 25° C. The catalyst thus prepared may be used in a process for preparing maleic anhydride.
US08404613B2
High-surface-area carbon nanostructures coated with a smooth and conformal submonolayer-to-multilayer thin metal films and their method of manufacture are described. The preferred manufacturing process involves the initial oxidation of the carbon nanostructures followed by immersion in a solution with the desired pH to create negative surface dipoles. The nanostructures are subsequently immersed in an alkaline solution containing non-noble metal ions which adsorb at surface reaction sites. The metal ions are then reduced via chemical or electrical means and the nanostructures are exposed to a solution containing a salt of one or more noble metals which replace adsorbed non-noble surface metal atoms by galvanic displacement. Subsequent film growth may be performed via the initial quasi-underpotential deposition of a non-noble metal followed by immersion in a solution comprising a more noble metal. The resulting coated nanostructures may be used, for example, as high-performance electrodes in supercapacitors, batteries, or other electric storage devices.
US08404603B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. In the method, an aluminum-containing insulation film is formed on an electrode film of a substrate by alternately repeating a process of supplying an aluminum precursor into a processing chamber in which the substrate is accommodated and exhausting the aluminum precursor from the processing chamber and a process of supplying an oxidizing or nitriding precursor into the processing chamber and exhausting the oxidizing or nitriding precursor from the processing chamber; and a high permittivity insulation film different from the aluminum-containing insulation film is formed on the aluminum-containing insulation film by alternately repeating a process of supplying a precursor into the processing chamber and exhausting the precursor from the processing chamber and a process of supplying an oxidizing precursor into the processing chamber and exhausting the oxidizing precursor from the processing chamber. In addition, heat treatment is performed on the substrate.
US08404593B2
In a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, the semiconductor device comprises: a first insulating layer on an underlying contact region of the semiconductor device, the first insulating layer having an upper surface; a first conductive pattern in a first opening through the first insulating layer, an upper portion of the first conductive pattern being of a first width, an upper surface of the first conductive pattern being recessed relative to the upper surface of the first insulating layer so that the upper surface of the first conductive pattern has a height relative to the underlying contact region that is less than a height of the upper surface of the first insulating layer relative to the underlying contact region; and a second conductive pattern contacting the upper surface of the first conductive pattern, a lower portion of the second conductive pattern being of a second width that is less than the first width.
US08404564B2
There is provided an adhesive film for a semiconductor, which can be attached to a semiconductor wafer at low temperature and which allows semiconductor chips to be obtained at high yield from the semiconductor wafer while sufficiently inhibiting generation of chip cracks and burrs. The adhesive film for a semiconductor comprises a polyimide resin that can be obtained by reaction between a tetracarboxylic dianhydride containing 4,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride represented by chemical formula (I) below and a diamine containing a siloxanediamine represented by the following general formula (II) below, and that can be attached to a semiconductor wafer at 100° C. or below.
US08404562B2
According to an embodiment, a composite wafer includes a carrier substrate having a graphite core and a monocrystalline semiconductor layer attached to the carrier substrate.
US08404559B2
A semiconductor device production method according to the present invention includes the steps of: forming a LOCOS oxide film in a surface of a silicon layer by a LOCOS method; forming an impurity region in the silicon layer by introducing an impurity into the silicon layer; and sequentially removing parts of the LOCOS oxide film and the silicon layer to form a trench for isolation of the impurity region after the formation of the LOCOS oxide film and the impurity region.
US08404555B2
A fabricating method of a semiconductor device is provided. Pillars are formed on a substrate. A first oxide layer is continuously formed on upper surfaces and side walls of the pillars by non-conformal liner atomic layer deposition. The first oxide layer continuously covers the pillars and has at least one first opening. The first oxide layer is partially removed to expose the upper surfaces of the pillars, and a first supporting element is formed on the side wall of each of the pillars. The first supporting element is located at a first height on the side wall of the corresponding pillar and surrounds the periphery of the corresponding pillar. The first supporting elements around two adjacent pillars are connected and the first supporting elements around two opposite pillars do not mutually come into contact and have a second opening therebetween.
US08404553B2
A method of forming a disturb-resistant non volatile memory device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a surface region and forming a first dielectric material overlying the surface region. A first wiring material overlies the first dielectric material, a doped polysilicon material overlies the first wiring material, and an amorphous silicon switching material overlies the said polysilicon material. The switching material is subjected to a first patterning and etching process to separating a first strip of switching material from a second strip of switching spatially oriented in a first direction. The first strip of switching material, the second strip of switching material, the contact material, and the first wiring material are subjected to a second patterning and etching process to form at least a first switching element from the first strip of switching material and at least a second switching element from the second strip of switching material, and a first wiring structure comprising at least the first wiring material and the contact material. The first wiring structure being is in a second direction at an angle to the first direction.
US08404546B2
A semiconductor device system, structure, and method of manufacture of a source/drain to retard dopant out-diffusion from a stressor are disclosed. An illustrative embodiment comprises a semiconductor substrate, device, and method to retard sidewall dopant out-diffusion in source/drain regions. A semiconductor substrate is provided with a gate structure, and a source and drain on opposing sides of the gate structure. Recessed regions are etched in a portion of the source and drain. Doped stressors are embedded into the recessed regions. A barrier dopant is incorporated into a remaining portion of the source and drain.
US08404542B2
A semiconductor device includes transistors with a vertical gate electrode. In a transistor structure, a semiconductor pattern has first and second sides facing in a transverse direction, and third and fourth sides facing in a longitudinal direction. Gate patterns are disposed adjacent to the first and second sides of the semiconductor pattern. Impurity patterns directly contact the third and fourth sides of the semiconductor pattern. A gate insulating pattern is interposed between the gate patterns and the semiconductor pattern.
US08404541B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a memory cell formed on the substrate. The memory cell includes a word line. The semiconductor device also includes a protection area formed in the substrate, a conductive structure configured to extend the word line to the protection area, and a contact configured to short the word line and the protection area.
US08404538B2
A method includes providing a substrate comprising a substrate material, a gate dielectric film above the substrate, and a first spacer adjacent the gate dielectric film. The spacer has a first portion in contact with a surface of the substrate and a second portion in contact with a side of the gate dielectric film. A recess is formed in a region of the substrate adjacent to the spacer. The recess is defined by a first sidewall of the substrate material. At least a portion of the first sidewall underlies at least a portion of the spacer. The substrate material beneath the first portion of the spacer is reflowed, so that a top portion of the first sidewall of the substrate material defining the recess is substantially aligned with a boundary between the gate dielectric film and the spacer. The recess is filled with a stressor material.
US08404536B2
A stacked non-volatile memory device uses amorphous silicon based thin film transistors stacked vertically. Each layer of transistors or cells is formed from a deposited a-Si channel region layer having a predetermined concentration of carbon to form a carbon rich silicon film or silicon carbide film, depending on the carbon content. The dielectric stack is formed over the channel region layer. In one embodiment, the dielectric stack is an ONO structure. The control gate is formed over the dielectric stack. This structure is repeated vertically to form the stacked structure. In one embodiment, the carbon content of the channel region layer is reduced for each subsequently formed layer.
US08404531B2
A method for fabricating a power transistor includes: (a) forming a trench in a substrate with a first electrical type; (b) diffusing second electrical type carriers into the substrate from the trench such that the substrate is formed into a first part and a second part that is diffused with the second electrical type carriers and that adjoins the trench, the first and second parts being crystal lattice continuous to each other; (c) forming a filling portion in the trench, the filling portion adjoining the second part; (d) performing a carrier-implanting process in the second part and the filling portion; and (e) forming over the substrate a gate structure that has a dielectric layer and a conductive layer.
US08404529B2
A thin film transistor for an organic light emitting diode includes a substrate including a pixel portion and an interconnection portion, a buffer layer on the substrate, a gate electrode and a gate interconnection on the buffer layer, wherein the gate electrode is located at the pixel portion and the gate interconnection is located at the interconnection portion, a gate insulating layer on the substrate, a semiconductor layer on the gate electrode, source and drain electrodes electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and a metal pattern on the gate interconnection.
US08404526B2
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive type first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, and a second conductive type lateral RESURF region. The first semiconductor region is arranged on a first electrode side. The second semiconductor region includes first conductive type first pillar regions and a terminal part. The second pillar regions are alternately arranged on an element part. The terminal part is formed around the element part along a surface of the first semiconductor region on a second electrode side opposite to the first electrode side of the first semiconductor region. Furthermore, the second conductive type lateral RESURF region is formed in the second semiconductor region on the terminal part.
US08404518B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system including: fabricating a base package substrate having component pads and stacking pads; coupling a base integrated circuit die to the component pads; forming a penetrable encapsulation material for enclosing the base integrated circuit die and the component pads on the base package substrate; and coupling stacked interconnects on the stacking pads adjacent to and not contacting the penetrable encapsulation material.
US08404516B2
A carrier substrate has a mounting location with a number of electrical connection pads on a top side and external contacts connected thereto on an underside. A metal frame encloses the connection pads of the mounting location. A MEMS chip has electrical contacts on an underside. The MEMS chip is placed on the mounting location of the carrier substrate in such a way that the MEMS chip is seated with an edge region of its underside on the metal frame. Using a flip-chip process, the electrical contacts of the MEMS chip are connected to the connection pads of the carrier substrate by means of bumps the metal frame is connected to the MEMS chip such that a closed cavity is formed between MEMS chip and carrier substrate.
US08404512B1
The present invention provides methods for forming a doped Group IBIIIAVIA absorber layer for a solar cell. The method includes forming precursor layers that include a dopant rich layer and then annealing the precursor layers. The annealing process results in dopants diffusing through the layers to an exterior surface. The annealing process is periodically halted to remove dopants from the exposed surface.
US08404508B2
An enhancement-mode GaN transistor and a method of forming it. The enhancement-mode GaN transistor includes a substrate, transition layers, a buffer layer comprised of a III Nitride material, a barrier layer comprised of a III Nitride material, drain and source contacts, a gate III-V compound containing acceptor type dopant elements, and a gate metal, where the gate III-V compound and the gate metal are formed with a single photo mask process to be self-aligned and the bottom of the gate metal and the top of the gate compound have the same dimension. The enhancement mode GaN transistor may also have a field plate made of Ohmic metal, where a drain Ohmic metal, a source Ohmic metal, and the field plate are formed by a single photo mask process.
US08404506B2
In a method for the production of a single photon source with a given operational performance, the given operational performance for the individual photon source may be fixed by a directed setting of the fine structure gap of the excitonic energy level for at least one quantum dot. The at least one quantum dot is produced with a quantum dot size corresponding to the fine structure gap for setting.
US08404503B1
A method for making light emitting diode is provided. The method includes following steps. A light emitting diode chip is provided, wherein the light emitting diode chip comprises a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layers stacked together in that order. A patterned mask layer is located on a surface of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the patterned mask layer includes a number of bar-shaped protruding structures aligned side by side, and a slot is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures to expose a portion of the first semiconductor layer. The exposed portion of the first semiconductor layer is etched to form a protruding pair. A number of M-shaped three-dimensional nano-structures are formed by removing the mask layer. A first electrode is electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer.
US08404494B2
A non-specific adsorption inhibitor of formula (1), wherein n is a real number of 4 to 2,000, R1 and R2 individually represent a hydrogen atom or a group comprising 1 to 11 amino group(s) or imino group(s), or both, provided that the total number of amino groups and imino groups contained in R1 and R2 is 2 to 11. Non-specific adsorption inhibitor composition, probe-bonded particles.
US08404491B2
A luminescent chemical sensor integrated with at least one molecular trap. The luminescent chemical sensor includes at least one molecular trap and at least one metallic-nanofinger device integrated with at least one molecular trap. The molecular trap includes a plurality of electrodes that trap at least one analyte molecule. The metallic-nanofinger device includes a substrate, and a plurality of nanofingers coupled with the substrate. A nanofinger of the plurality includes a flexible column, and a metallic cap coupled to an apex of the flexible column. At least the nanofinger and a second nanofinger of the plurality of nanofingers are to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with the analyte molecule. A method for using, and a chemical-analysis apparatus including the luminescent chemical sensor are also provided.
US08404482B2
The present invention is directed to an in vitro method for promoting differentiation and proliferation of human T helper lymphocytes that express IL17 (Th-IL17+ cells). The instant method may be used to generate a population of human T helper lymphocytes that express IL17 (Th-IL17+ cells) in vitro. Methods for screening to identify agents capable of modulating Th-IL17+ cell differentiation are also encompassed by the present invention. Isolated, pure populations of homogeneous Th-IL17+ cells that do not express cellular markers characteristic of Th1, Th2, or Treg cells are also encompassed herein.
US08404481B2
The present invention is directed to methods for readily generating hepatocyte precursor cell lines that retain hepatocyte-specific functions after extensive in vitro culturing. The methods comprise isolating and culturing hepatocyte precursor cell lines under permissive culture conditions that suppress asymmetric cell kinetics and allow exponential growth of the precursor cells, followed by transferring the hepatocyte precursor cell lines to non-permissive culture conditions that allow expression of asymmetric cell kinetics and induce expression of hepatocyte-specific characteristics.
US08404478B2
A diagnostic test tape for liquid samples is provided comprising a flexible transport tape and a plurality of test fields applied to the transport tape that are distributed in the longitudinal direction of the tape, where said test fields comprise a detection layer and a spreading net spanning the detection layer for a planar uptake of liquid sample, wherein the spreading net is formed from a lattice-like fabric comprising fabric threads that cross at right angles. In order to prevent the fabric from arching up under tape tension it is proposed that the fabric is oriented obliquely to the transport tape such that all fabric threads run obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the tape.
US08404477B2
The present invention discloses an isolated pure culture of a novel strain CK1 of Bacillus licheniformis, DSM 025954, capable of detoxification of zearalenone (ZEN). Using physiological, biochemical, morphological identification and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis methods, the strain CK1 was identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Through extracellular xylanase, CMCase protease assays and evaluations for zearalenone detoxification, the strain CK1 strain was identified to possess good ZEN-detoxifying ability, to be non-hemolytic, non-enterotoxin producing, and displayed high levels of extracellular xylanase, cellulase, and protease activities. Accordingly, Bacillus licheniformis CK1 can be applied as food and feed supplement for bio-detoxification of ZEN.
US08404469B2
A biodegradable material, capable of carrying a bioactive agent, comprising a polymer matrix and an enzyme capable of degrading the polymer matrix to enable the release of the bioactive agent.
US08404462B2
The invention provides the amino acid sequences comprised in or constituting the synthetic pathway enzymes participating in the production of Argyrins, as well as the nucleic acid sequences encoding the synthetic pathway enzymes participating in the production of Argyrins, as well as genetically manipulated micro-organisms containing nucleic acid sequences encoding the synthetic pathway enzymes for the production of Argyrins, e.g. for inserting one or more of these coding sequences, mutating in a targeted manner one or more of these nucleic acid sequences, in a wild type producer micro-organism or in a heterologous micro-organism, for the production of Argyrins.
US08404456B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing antibody mediated graft rejection and blood typing.
US08404450B2
The present invention relates to an optical imaging system communicatively connected to a microwave energy producing source wherein the combination provides for increases in chemical reaction times and the ability to monitor the reactions in real time with sufficient resolution to view the location of intracellular components labeled with luminescent molecules as well as interaction with other biomolecules and responses to localized environmental variables in living cells and tissues during the application of a microwave field.
US08404444B2
This invention relates generally to methods for detecting cell damage as a consequence of pathophysiological or traumatic insults such as in a nuclear accident, bioterror attack, tumorigenesis, infections or in individuals with cardiovascular disease.
US08404440B2
The present invention provides an integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet (1) for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit (4) for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid (7) for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit (5) downstream of the lysis unit, and (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid (8, 9, 10) for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the device further comprises (f) a mixing unit (6) downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (g) a source of mixing fluid (11) for the mixing unit. The reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid may be provided parallel to one anther so that they may be actuated by a single pump.
US08404439B2
The present invention concerns the use of methods and compositions for the isolation of small RNA molecules (100 nucleotides or fewer), such as microRNA and siRNA molecules. Such molecules are routinely lost in commonly used isolation procedures and therefore the present invention allows for a much higher level of enrichment or isolation of these small RNA molecules.
US08404437B2
The present invention is based on the findings that a novel function for miR142-3p in the regulation of Sox2, adenylyl cyclase 9 (AC9), and CD133 expressions, and consequently the overall stemness of recurrent GBM cells as well as CSCs, and that miR142-3p modulated tumor-initiating properties in recurrent GBM. The present invention consequently supports the development of novel miRNA-based strategies for brain tumor treatment.
US08404424B2
Printed products, printing methods and methods for verifying authenticity of a printed product are provided. In one aspect, the printed product has a receiver and an image formed thereon by an electrophotographic process using toner particles, said image having at least one raised portion, wherein at least parts of said raised portion of said image comprise phosphorescent or fluorescent toner particles.
US08404423B2
The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to layers that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrophotographic, including digital apparatuses. Embodiments pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member used in customer replaceable units (CRU) comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises healing materials that act as a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced wear and deletions in high humidity conditions.
US08404421B2
A toner particle for liquid development is provided, the toner particle having a plurality of projections and a coat above at least a part of a surface of the toner particle, the toner particle further containing a crystal that forms at least one of the plurality of projections.
US08404418B2
A toner for electrostatic image development containing (a) a toner matrix particle containing a resin binder, and (b) an external additive added to the toner matrix particles, wherein the resin binder contains a polyester A obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component containing isophthalic acid and/or an ester thereof, and wherein the external additive contains fine silica particles containing a metal or a metal oxide; and A method of forming fixed images including the step of applying the toner for electrostatic image development to an image-forming apparatus according to a non-contact fusing method. The toner for electrostatic image development of the present invention is suitably used in developing latent images formed in, for example, electrophotography, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US08404415B2
Disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor including: an electroconductive substrate; a photosensitive layer arranged on or above the electroconductive substrate; and a surface layer arranged on or above the photosensitive layer, and containing about 90% or more by atom of gallium (Ga), oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H), and having an atomic number density of about 7.8×1022 cm−3 or more.
US08404414B2
Electrophotographic photoconductor including a conductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer provided on the conductive substrate and including at least a charge generation material; a charge transport material; and a resin binder including a copolymer polyarylate resin represented by general formula (I) below: and manufacturing method therefore. Good images with less cracking occurrence are obtained during recycling of a photosensitive drum and peripheral members thereof that includes the electrophotographic photoconductor, and also when a liquid development process is employed.
US08404407B2
According to certain embodiments, a mask blank for an electron beam writing is provided, capable of forming a resist pattern of a 3-dimensional topology through an one-time writing. The mask blank includes a substrate, a thin film formed on the substrate, and an electron beam resist film formed on the thin film. The electron beam resist film is made of a laminated film including at least a lower resist film and an upper resist film. The lower resist film and the upper resist film have different resist sensitivities with respect to an electron beam.
US08404402B2
A photopolymerizable system comprises an organic-inorganic compound with a metal and an organic unit having a organic photopolymerizable subunit capable of undergoing a polymerization, a support matrix compound being polymer or capable of forming a polymer upon polymerization, and a photoinitiator system adapted to initiate the polymerization of the photopolymerizable subunits. The molecules of the organic-inorganic compound are distributed on a molecular level in the photopolymerizable system.
US08404397B2
The present invention features a fuel cell stack that preferably includes an electricity generating assembly having a plurality of unit cells that are suitably disposed one after another; a pair of end plates pressedly disposed respectively at upper and lower ends of the electricity generating assembly; and a joining device suitably engaging the end plates by a rope, where pressure is applied to the electricity generating assembly by means of tension of the rope, and the length and tension of the rope is suitably controlled.
US08404395B2
A power generator comprises a hydrogen producing fuel, multiple fuel cells arranged in a ring, and a rotatable ring valve. Each fuel cell has a proton exchange membrane and an opening separating the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient. The rotatable ring valve has multiple openings corresponding to the openings of the fuels cells such that ambient water is controllably prevented from entering the fuel cell by rotation of the ring valve.
US08404392B2
A method for operating a fuel cell stack where electrical energy from regenerative braking is used to operate system loads instead of using fuel cell stack power to conserve hydrogen. A fuel cell stack and an ultracapacitor are electrically coupled to a high voltage electrical bus. A by-pass line is provided around a blocking diode including a by-pass contactor. A stack contactor is provided to disconnect the fuel cell stack from the electrical bus. A stand-by mode request is made if the voltage at a node proximate to the blocking diode closest to the ultracapacitor is higher than the voltage at a node proximate to the blocking diode closest to the fuel cell stack. Steps are then made to electrically prepare the high voltage electrical bus. Then, the stack contactor is opened and the by-pass contactor is closed to allow the regenerate braking energy to power the system loads.
US08404386B2
The invention provides a method of readily manufacturing a lithium secondary battery including a solid electrolyte layer having space for accommodating deposited lithium. A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element and a solid electrolyte layer placed between them. A method of manufacturing the battery includes a first step of stacking at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles to form the solid electrolyte layer, the second group of particles having an average particle diameter larger than that of the first group of particles, and a second step of stacking the positive and negative electrode elements on the solid electrolyte layer such that the negative electrode element is in contact with a surface of the second group of particles in the solid electrolyte layer.
US08404384B2
The present application is generally directed to ultrapure synthetic carbon materials having both high surface area and high porosity, ultrapure polymer gels and devices containing the same. The disclosed ultrapure synthetic carbon materials find utility in any number of devices, for example, in electric double layer capacitance devices and batteries. Methods for making ultrapure synthetic carbon materials and ultrapure polymer gels are also disclosed.
US08404381B2
A material or compound is provided having a spinel structure and corresponding to the formula LiyNi0.5Mn1.5−xIVMnxIIIAzO4−d, where: 0.02≦x≦0.35; d>0; A is selected from the group comprising Na, K, Mg, Nb, Al, Ni, Co, Zr, Cr, Fe, Cu, Ti, Zn, Si and Mo; 0.8≦y≦1.2; 0≦z≦0.1; and has a mesh parameter of between 8.174 and 8.179 Å.
US08404380B2
An inter-connector interposed between two serially connected unit cells provides mechanical strength and conductivity to the serial connection between the unit cells. Embodiments of the inter-connector comprise a supporting frame providing mechanical support for the two unit cells; a welding projection for welding the interconnector to a unit cell; and a welding projection surrounding area located between the welding projection and the supporting frame, wherein the supporting frame is thicker than the welding projection surrounding area, and the welding projection is thicker than the welding projection surrounding area.
US08404379B2
A battery system for a vehicle capable of being driven by electric power is disclosed. The vehicle includes at least one motor/generator and a battery system for supplying electrical power to and receiving electrical power from the motor/generator. The battery system includes multiple battery packs, each comprising a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells in each battery pack are electrically connected with one another. Multiple battery pack housings are provided to house the plurality of cells. Each battery pack housing facilitates electrical connection to one or more other battery pack. The system also includes a compartment containing the multiple battery packs in their housings. The compartment facilitates electrical connection to the motor/generator.
US08404376B2
The present invention relates to metal foil encapsulation of an electrochemical device. The metal foil encapsulation may also provide contact tabs for the electrochemical device. The present invention may also include a selectively conductive bonding layer between a contact and a cell structure.
US08404374B2
An electronic device with a battery cover waterproof structure includes a body having a first end and a second end, a battery compartment disposed in the body, a waterproof gasket disposed in the battery compartment, and a battery cover coupled to the body. The waterproof gasket includes an oblique engage surface, and one end of the oblique engage surface near the first end is elevated higher than the other end of the oblique engage surface near the second end. The battery cover has an oblique rib arranged corresponding to in the oblique engage surface. One end of the oblique rib near the first end is elevated higher than the other end of the oblique rib near the second end. The oblique rib will interfere with the oblique engage surface for sealing the battery compartment when the battery cover is pushed towards one end of the battery compartment near the first end.
US08404372B2
A safety device for use in a lithium ion battery includes a top cover defining a central hole and a number of peripheral holes set around the central hole, a rupture plate fixed to the bottom surface of the top cover and sealing the peripheral holes and the central hole, and a vent plate defining an air hole electrically connected to the rupture plate via an electrical connection point. Other part of the rupture plate is electrically insulated from the vent plate via an insulating gasket. The central hole and the peripheral holes around the central hole can prevent the deformed rupture plate from blocking the air vent passage of the lithium ion battery to improve the safety performance of the lithium ion battery.
US08404371B2
A biaxially oriented polyester film which has a Young's modulus (YMD) in the film machine direction (YMD) of 6.5 GPa or more and a Young's modulus in the width direction (YTD) of 8.2 to 9.8 GPa and is used as a base film for magnetic recording tapes of linear recording system, and a magnetic recording tape of linear recording system comprising the same as a base film.There are provided a biaxially oriented polyester film which has excellent dimensional stability, especially dimensional stability in the width direction and is suitable for use as a base film for magnetic recording tapes of linear recording system and a magnetic recording tape comprising the same.
US08404369B2
A disk for a hard disk drive is provided. The disk comprises a substrate comprising aluminum, and a coating layer disposed over the substrate. The coating layer comprises an alloy of Ni, X1 and X2, wherein X1 comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, B, Cr, Cu, Ga, In, Mn, Mo, Nb, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, W, Zn and Zr, and wherein X2 comprises either B or P, and wherein X1 and X2 do not comprise the same elements.
US08404368B2
In some embodiments, an article comprising a first magnetic recording layer, the first magnetic recording layer including a granular layer having a first magnetic anisotropy and a multi-layer stack adjacent the granular layer, the multi-layer stack comprising one or more substantially magnetic film layers alternating with one or more polarization conductor layers, wherein the multi-layer stack has a second magnetic anisotropy that is greater than the first magnetic anisotropy.
US08404363B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic light emitting device having a long-life optical output. The organic light emitting device according to the present invention is provided with an emission layer including at least a host material, a light emitting material, and another material, wherein the another material has a smaller ionization potential than and almost the same hole mobility as or a greater hole mobility than an ionization potential and a hole mobility of a compound which forms an emission layer-side-interface.
US08404361B2
A device comprising an electroluminescent copolymer comprising a light-emitting repeat unit in the polymer backbone and wherein the repeat unit is conjugatively separate from the polymer backbone.
US08404355B2
A method comprising: (a) providing a lignocellulosic substrate; (b) contacting said lignocellulosic substrate with an extractant comprising a water-soluble organic solvent to form an extracted substrate and a miscella; (c) removing miscella from said extracted substrate; and (d) hydrolyzing said extracted substrate using a chemically catalyzed process.
US08404354B2
The invention discloses water-based paint compositions which comprise a copolymer of polymerizable unsaturated monomer having polyoxyalkylene chain; hydroxyl-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomer having no polyoxyalkylene chain; polymerizable unsaturated monomer having at least one cationic functional group selected from the group consisting of tertiary amino groups and quaternary ammonium salt groups; at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bridged alicyclic hydrocarbon group-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomers and C6-18 alkyl group-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomers; and other polymerizable unsaturated monomer: a hydroxyl-containing resin: and a melamine resin having a weight-average molecular weight within the range of 1,000-5,000. The invention also discloses film-forming methods using the compositions.
US08404351B2
An interlayer film for a laminated glass providing excellent overall sound insulation at temperatures in the range of from 10 to 60° C., which includes, a sound insulation layer 1; a middle layer; and a sound insulation layer 2, the layers each containing a polyvinyl acetal resin and a plasticizer and being laminated in the stated order, wherein the amount of the plasticizer per 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl acetal resin in sound insulation layer 1 is different by from 5 to 60 parts by weight from the amount of the plasticizer per 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl acetal resin in sound insulation layer 2, and the amounts of acetyl groups in the polyvinyl acetal resin contained in sound insulation layer 1 and sound insulation layer 2 each are larger than the amount of acetyl groups in the polyvinyl acetal resin contained in the middle layer.
US08404347B2
Amphiphilic, magnetic composite particles are comprised of cores and shells. The core contains both hydrophobic vinylic graft copolymer, hydrophobic vinylic homopolymer and magnetic nanoparticles, and the shell to which the hydrophobic vinylic polymer is grafted is a hydrophilic, nitrogen-containing polymer. Typically, the composite particles are made by a process which involves generating radicals on nitrogen atoms of the water-soluble polymer, and then initiating free-radical copolymerization of said vinylic monomer(s) and vinylic-coated magnetic nanoparticles, whereby vinylic polymer(s) undergo(es) phase separation and the vinylic coated magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated within the vinylic polymer to form a composite latex.
US08404341B2
An article comprises a substrate, a first functional polymeric phase change material, and a plurality of containment structures that contain the first functional polymeric phase change material. The article may further comprise a second phase change material chemically bound to at least one of the plurality of containment structures or the substrate. In certain embodiments, the article further comprises a second phase change material and a binder that contains at least one of the first polymeric phase change material and the second phase change material. The containment structure may be a microcapsule or a particulate confinement material.
US08404338B2
An article and thermoplastic composition including polycarbonate, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate and an x-ray detectable or metal detectable agent having good magnetic permeability and/or electrical conductivity wherein the composition may be used in articles for food preparation. The thermoplastic compositions are useful in forming molds for manufacturing a food product, such as chocolate molds.
US08404336B2
Layered materials are provided that have surprisingly low thermal conductivities. A plurality of layers of a selected material such as, for example, tungsten diselenide, is formed by a modulated elemental reactants method to produce a low thermal conductivity material. The layers are generally stacked but substantially randomly arranged as stacked.
US08404328B2
A honeycomb structure 1 includes: a periphery-ground article obtained by grinding an outer peripheral portion of a cell structure 3 where a plurality of honeycomb segments 11 are bonded by means of a bonding layer 12 at an outer wall 10 of each of them, and an outer peripheral coat layer 9 disposed on an outer peripheral face 8 of the periphery-ground article; wherein at least one of the bonding layer 12 and the outer peripheral coat layer 9 is formed by the use of honeycomb-forming slurry containing: biologically soluble fibers containing a metal oxide capable of extricating a metal ion, an inorganic binder containing a colloidal oxide having silica sol, and a chelate compound capable of multi-coordinating with the metal ion or an additive containing a first buffer solution or acid.
US08404321B2
A thermal transfer recording medium including a support, a release layer and an ink layer, the release layer and the ink layer being disposed in this order over the support, wherein the ink layer contains carnauba wax, an organic fatty acid having an acid value of 90 to 200, and at least one of a long-chain alcohol represented by Formula (1) and a long-chain alcohol represented by Formula (2), where R denotes a group containing 28 to 38 carbon atoms.
US08404319B2
The invention relates to a transparent substrate with low birefringence. The transparent substrate comprises polyimide having a repeat unit of formula (I) and has a birefringence below 0.005: wherein each A of the repeat unit, being the same or different, represents an aromatic or aliphatic group, and at least one A is an aromatic or aliphatic group containing sulfonyl functionality; each B of the repeated unit, being the same or different, represents an aromatic or cycloaliphatic group; and n is an integer greater than one.
US08404318B2
The present invention comprises a device and method for ordering molecules of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals to aligned structure of a dried film. An example of an aligned film may be transparent to visible light but not transparent to polarized light in the ultraviolet and/or infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A shearing device having a shearing tool and a repelling pad may repel the solvent and provide a shear force to shear the LCLC dissolved in the solvent as a film on the surface of a substrate. A method of making an aligned lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal-based film comprises providing a mixture of a lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal material in a solvent for the liquid crystal material, applying the mixture to a substrate, shearing the lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal with a shearing device and removing the solvent to produce an aligned lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal-based film.
US08404303B2
A solar control member for determining solar control for a window includes an optically massive layer between a gray metal layer and a titanium nitride layer. The optically massive layer has sufficient thickness to retard or prevent constructive and destructive interference of reflected light. The optically massive layer may be an adhesive, but also may be one or more polymeric substrates. The gray metal layer is preferably nickel chromium, but other gray metal materials provide superior results as compared to the prior art. Also in the preferred embodiment, the titanium nitride layer is closer to the window (e.g., glass) than the gray metal layer.
US08404296B1
A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids.
US08404294B2
The invention relates to a disposable brewing device including at least one inner compartment formed by a liquid-permeable material and containing aroma material, at least one outer compartment forming a brewing container where the brewing container is formed by a liquid-impermeable material, the at least one liquid-permeable inner compartment being integrated within the brewing container.
US08404292B2
A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray.
US08404291B2
A method for using a novel dense PTFE article in the form of a surface for a food preparation device is described in one embodiment, the surface being fabricated from a sheet of PTFE with a thermal resistance of 1.3° C. in2/W or less and having desirable tensile strength.
US08404290B2
The subject of the invention is a method for shaping at least one food product by cryoextrusion, the extruder being provided with a double-walled jacket surrounding the extrusion screw and through which jacket a coolant flows, this jacket consisting of a single module or several independent modules, the cryoextrusion being temperature-regulated on the basis of a curve, determined for said product to be cryoextruded, representing, plotted on the X-axis, the difference D between the actual temperature of the product and the desired temperature setting for the product at the exit and, plotted on the Y-axis, the setting to be applied for the gas temperature at the exit of the module or modules, the curve being split into three linear zones: an abrupt (steep-slope) zone, around a difference D close to 0, surrounded by two quasi-plateau zones.
US08404285B2
The present invention discloses a guava pulp (also referred to as pulp composition) of a particle size not greater than 0.25 mm which does not contain seeds and peels from the guava and has a lycopene concentration which is 1 to 2 folds higher than the lycopene concentration in the guavas from which the pulp is obtained. The invention further discloses uses of the pulp composition as starting material for obtaining guava oleoresin and lycopene, and as antioxidant.
US08404274B2
There is provided an aseptic combination preparation to be mixed at the time of use, characterized in that the same medicinal ingredients are divided and preserved in two or more chambers. The aseptic combination preparations according to the present invention are a mixing type at the time of their use and are useful as infusions, various dialysis fluids, intraocular perfusion/washing solutions, coronary perfusion solutions, myocardial protective solutions, peritoneal lavage solutions, solutions for organ preservations, etc., which can eliminate adverse effects caused by medical error on a living body.
US08404266B2
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions having alkaline pH comprising S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) as active ingredient together with usual additives, optionally with one or more polysaccharide-type polymer(s). Another subject of the invention is a method for stabilizing a solution or non-solid composition containing GSNO wherein the pH of the solution or composition is adjusted to an alkaline value.
US08404265B2
An appliance for the delivery of at least one bioactive agent to the eye has at least one diffusion attenuator within a hydrophilic or silicone-hydrogel contact lens. The bioactive agent can be a drug or a nutraceutical. The diffusion attenuator can be a plurality of solid particles or phase separated liquid aggregates within at least one continuous phase of the lens where the diffusion attenuators promote a tortuous path for the diffusion of the bioactive agent to mediate the rate by which the bioactive agent diffuses from the contact lens. The diffusion attenuator can be homogeneously dispersed throughout at least one continuous phase of the lens to modify the diffusivity of the bioactive agent through that phase. The diffusion attenuator can have little or no affinity for the bioactive agent or can be miscible with the bioactive agent. The diffusion attenuator can be incorporated while forming the contact lens by polymerization of a monomer mixture containing the diffusion attenuator. For liquid diffusion attenuators, the liquid can be co-absorbed with a solvent into the lens followed by removal of the solvent, where the bioactive agent can be co-absorbed or subsequently absorbed after the loading of the diffusion attenuator. The diffusion attenuator can be Vitamin E.
US08404258B2
A skin treatment composition that characteristically contains alkylene polyglycol dineopentanoate having a specific structure.The object is to provide a skin treatment composition that gives a refreshing sensation at the time of application and contains an oil component that is highly safe with low skin irritation.The skin treatment composition specifically contains diethyleneglycol dineopentanoate, triethyleneglycol dineopentanoate, tetraethyleneglycol dineopentanoate, dipropyleneglycol dineopentanoate, tripropyleneglycol dineopentanoate, etc.Dipropyleneglycol dineopentanoate and tripropyleneglycol dineopentanoate are particularly preferable in terms of the sensation at the time of application; they provide a skin treatment composition that is particularly superior in absorption into the skin and a sensation of permeation and highly safe.
US08404250B2
Gram positive bacteria preparations for the treatment of diseases comprising an immune dysregulation
This application relates to compositions comprising components prepared from Gram positive bacteria such as Gram positive facultative intracellular bacteria for treatment of disorders comprising an immune dysregulation in humans and animals.
US08404249B2
A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.
US08404248B2
Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.
US08404244B2
The invention comprises a method for inducing broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies against cutaneous and mucosal papillomavirus types or against heterologous papillomavirus types in humans comprising administering to a human in need thereof an immunogenic peptide or protein (or polynucleotide encoding therefor), where the immunogenic peptide or protein is: (a) a peptide or protein of at least 10 amino acid residues in length having a sequence corresponding to either a sequence from the N terminal amino acids 1-200 of papillomavirus L2 protein (for cross-neutralizing antibodies against cutaneous and mucosal papillomavirus types) or a sequence from the N terminal amino acids 1-88 of papillomavirus L2 protein (for cross-neutralizing antibodies against heterologous papillomavirus types), (b) a peptide or protein of at least 10 amino acid residues in length with at least 55% identity with the sequence from (a), or (c) a peptide or protein as defined in either (a) or (b) which is conjugated or fused to a protein or peptide other than a papillomavirus L2 protein or peptide.
US08404243B2
Adjuvant compositions comprising specific 5mer polypeptides in combination with antigen delivery systems and/or immunostimulatory molecules, such as immunostimulatory nucleic acid sequences, for enhancing the immune response of a coadministered antigen, are described.
US08404234B2
The present invention concerns fixed dosing of HER antibodies, such as Pertuzumab.
US08404226B2
Methods and compositions are provided for treating a mammal having inflammation by protecting or enhancing a responsive cell, tissue, organ or body part exhibiting or associated with the inflammation, by systemic or local administration of a composition comprising a tissue protective cytokine. The invention also encompasses combination treatments comprising administering a composition comprising a tissue protective cytokine of the invention and administering at least one anti-inflammatory or least one immunomodulatory agent.
US08404216B2
The invention relates to dendritic chelated compounds, to methods for producing the same and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. The dendritic chelated complexes of the present invention have the following formula (I): [[MC]En-[D]m-X1p1X2p2X3p3X4p4]z−zB+ (I), where m is a magnetic or scintigraphic marker, C is a chelating agent of the marker M, E is a spacer, n=0 or 1, D is compound capable of forming a dendritic structure, m is an integer equal to 1 or 2 or 4, X1 is a group increasing the complex lipophily, p1 is an integer from 0 to 12, X2 is a group increasing the complex specificity for a particular organ, p2 is an integer equal to 1 or 2 or 4, X3 is a group having a therapeutic activity, p3 is an integer equal to 0, 1, 2 or 4, X4 is a CH3 group, p4 is an integer from 0 to 12, B is a counter-ion, z is an integer equal to 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. The invention can be used in the field of pharmacy, more precisely in medical imaging.
US08404213B2
This invention relates to novel thioflavin derivatives, methods of using the derivatives in, for example, in vivo imaging of patients having neuritic plaques, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the thioflavin derivatives and method of synthesizing the compounds. The compounds find particular use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients having diseases where accumulation of neuritic plaques are prevalent. The disease states or maladies include but are not limited to Alzheimer's disease, familial Alzheimer's disease, Down's Syndrome and homozygotes for the apolipoprotein E4 allele.
US08404208B2
A method for producing a carbon fiber, comprising a step of dissolving or dispersing [I] a compound containing Co element; [II] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn; and [III] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of W and Mo in a solvent to obtain a solution or a fluid dispersion, a step of impregnating a particulate carrier with the solution or the fluid dispersion to prepare a catalyst, and a step of bringing a carbon source into contact with the catalyst in a vapor phase.
US08404201B2
The oxidation of nitrogen oxide (NO) in an oxygen-containing exhaust gas flow from a diesel or other lean-burn engine may be catalyzed using particles of co-precipitated and calcined manganese (Mn), cerium (Ce) and zirconium (Zr) mixed oxides. In preferred embodiments, the molar ratios of Mn, Ce and Zr to the total amount of base metals in the ternary mixed oxide catalyst are in the range of 0.25-0.35, 0.40-0.50 and 0.20-0.25, respectively. Further, this ternary mixed oxide catalyst is less susceptible to sulfur poisoning than previously-disclosed binary mixed oxide catalysts. The ternary mixed oxide catalyst may also be regenerated—and the inhibiting effect of SO2 reversed—by briefly exposing the catalyst to a reducing exhaust gas environment.
US08404199B2
The present disclosure generally relates to Vanadium Boride nanoparticle synthesis. In some examples, a method is described that includes fluorine based Vanadium Boride nanoparticle synthesis. In some examples, the method includes providing Vanadium Boride battery waste products, treating the battery waste products to treat precursors for fluorination, heating the precursors for fluorination to form VF3 and BH3 and heating the VF3 and BH3 to form VB2 nanorods in a liquid mixture, wherein the method is performed at less than approximately 700° C.
US08404198B2
The present invention provides systems, devices, apparatuses and methods for automated bioprocessing. Examples of protocols and bioprocessing procedures suitable for the present invention include but are not limited to: immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, recombinant protein isolation, nucleic acid separation and isolation, protein labeling, separation and isolation, cell separation and isolation, food safety analysis and automatic bead based separation. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods of western blot processing. Other embodiments include automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods for separation, preparation and purification of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA or fragments thereof, including plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, bacterial DNA, viral DNA and any other DNA, and for automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods for processing, separation and purification of proteins, peptides and the like.
US08404193B2
A microchip which comprises: a resinous base having a plurality of fine channels formed on one side thereof, one or more cylindrical parts disposed so as to protrude from the other side, and a through-hole which pierces each cylindrical part along the axis thereof and communicates with the fine channel so that the diameter of the inner wall of the through-hole gradually decreases from the tip end of the cylindrical part toward the fine channel at a first inclination angle; and a resinous covering member bonded to that side of the resinous base on which the fine channels have been formed. The microchip has been configured so that a liquid sample can be introduced from the tip end of each cylindrical part through the through-hole. The wall thickness of the cylindrical part on the end side where a liquid sample is to be introduced has been made smaller than the wall thickness thereof on the base side where the cylindrical part has been formed, by forming a step therebetween.
US08404190B2
A hydrocarbon-containing gas is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas in a gas mixer in the presence of a water mist. The water mist surrounds and contacts entrained particles in either the oxygen-containing gas stream or the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The water acts to suppress and prevent ignition of the hydrocarbon gas in the mixer by serving as a sink for heat created by energetic collisions between such particles and structures within the gas mixer. The water mist also acts to quench ignition caused by such collisions. The water mist can be introduced into the gas mixer in a number of different configurations, including via nozzles injecting a mist into a hydrocarbon gas manifold or an oxygen gas manifold, nozzles placed within the gas mixer adjacent to ends of the oxygen supply pipes, and nozzles placed coaxially within the oxygen supply pipes in the gas mixer.
US08404186B2
An ultraviolet flux multiplying air sterilization chamber comprises inner surfaces having a diffuse reflective behavior. The sterilization chamber includes an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture for air to flow through said chamber and a light source emitting an ultraviolet light. Due to the reflectivity of the inner surfaces of the chamber, a flux of the ultraviolet light is multiplied by reflecting multiple times from the inner surfaces of the chamber. The inlet and outlet apertures are advantageously configured to reduce the amount of light that escapes from the chamber and increase the amount of photons available in the chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, perforated end panels having diffuse, reflective interior surfaces may be provided over at least a portion of the inlet and outlet apertures.
US08404182B2
A sterilizing method and apparatus in which neutral atoms and anions are coupled to produce a sterilizing substance which is, in turn, used to remove an object to be removed by sterilization. The sterilizing apparatus includes a cation generator and an anion generator, which are separate from each other. Also disclosed as an air cleaning method and apparatus using the sterilizing method and apparatus.
US08404181B2
The present invention relates to a method of preventing or alleviating the problems associated with corrosion and to novel formulations for use in such a method.
US08404172B2
Methods of processing high service temperature crosslinked thermoplastic gels are provided. The methods include combining (a) an oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel comprising at least one functional group configured to chemically crosslink in the presence of a crosslinker and (b) a crosslinker; maintaining the combination of the physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel and the crosslinker at a temperature at which they remain substantially unreacted; subsequently heating the combination to a temperature at which the oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel reacts with the crosslinker.
US08404157B2
Of the many methods provided herein, a method comprising: (a) combining a corrosion inhibitor composition with an aqueous acid solution, the corrosion inhibitor composition comprising a benzylideneaniline compound corresponding to Formula 1 below: wherein R is H, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, bromo, chloro, fluoro, mercapto, dimethylamino, or diethylamino groups and/or a cinnamylideneaniline compound corresponding to Formula 2 below: wherein R is H methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, bromo, chloro, fluoro, mercapto, dimethylamino, or diethylamino groups; and contacting a metal surface with the aqueous acid solution.
US08404154B2
A semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting blue light upon excitation. Also disclosed are devices, populations of semiconductor nanocrystals, and compositions including a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting blue light upon excitation. In one embodiment, a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting blue light including a maximum peak emission at a wavelength not greater than about 470 nm with a photoluminescence quantum efficiency greater than about 65% upon excitation. In another embodiment, a semiconductor nanocrystal includes a core comprising a first semiconductor material comprising at least three chemical elements and a shell disposed over at least a portion of the core, the shell comprising a second semiconductor material, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal is capable of emitting blue light with a photoluminescence quantum efficiency greater than about 65% upon excitation. In a further embodiment, a semiconductor nanocrystal includes a core comprising a first semiconductor material comprising at least three chemical elements and a shell disposed over at least a portion of the core, the shell comprising a second semiconductor material comprising at least three chemical elements, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal is capable of emitting light including a maximum peak emission in the blue region of the spectrum upon excitation.
US08404152B2
Offered is a fluorescent substance consisting of Eu-activated β-sialon and capable of enhancing the brightness of a light emitting device such as a white LED using blue or ultraviolet light as a light source. The fluorescent substance has as its main constituent a β-sialon represented by the general formula Si6-zAlzOzN8-z and containing Eu, wherein the spin density is 2.0×1017/g or less as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy corresponding to an absorption of g=2.00±0.02 at 25° C. In the above fluorescent substance, it is preferable that lattice constant a of the β-sialon be 0.7608-0.7620 nm, the lattice constant c be 0.2908-0.2920 nm, and the Eu content be 0.1-3 mass %.
US08404146B2
A polishing liquid is provided which has good storage stability and is capable of inhibiting generation of scratching caused by aggregation of solid abrasive grains or the like during use. A polishing method using the polishing liquid is also provided. The polishing liquid includes: (a) an aqueous solution A including colloidal silica particles in an amount of from 5 mass % to 40 mass % with respect to the total mass of the aqueous solution A, and having a pH of from 1 to 7; and (b) an aqueous solution B including a quaternary ammonium cation, wherein the aqueous solution A and the aqueous solution B are separately prepared and mixed to provide the polishing liquid immediately before used in polishing.
US08404145B2
An indium cap layer is formed by blanket depositing indium onto a surface of metallic interconnects separated by interlayer dielectric, and then selectively chemically etching the indium located on the interlayer dielectric leaving an indium cap layer. Etchants containing a strong acid are provided for selectively removing the indium.
US08404140B2
The invention relates to a composite material formed by millimeter-scale particles of magnetic material A and a conductive liquid B. The material is characterized in that the material A is chosen from magnetic compounds and magnetic alloys and is in the form of particles, the mean size of which is between 0.1 and 2 mm, and in that the support fluid B is a conductive fluid chosen from metals, metal alloys and salts that are liquid at temperatures below the Curie temperature of the material A, or from mixtures thereof.
US08404139B2
The invention relates to a composite material formed by microparticles of magnetic material A and a conductive liquid B. The material is characterized in that the material A is chosen from magnetic compounds and magnetic alloys and is in the form of particles, the mean size of which is between 1 and 10 μm, and in that the support fluid B is a conductive fluid chosen from metals, metal alloys and salts that are liquid at temperatures below the Curie temperature of the material A, or from mixtures thereof.
US08404136B2
There is provided a method for manufacturing a diffractive optical element that can suppress the generation of heat from the inside of an insulative substrate and stabilize an etching rate. A method for manufacturing a diffractive optical element composed of an insulative substrate whose surface has a bumpy structure includes a selecting step of selecting an insulative substrate having an electrical resistivity equal to or higher than a certain value by measuring electrical resistivity of insulative substrates; and an etching step of forming a bumpy structure by dry etching in a surface of the insulative substrate selected in the selecting step.
US08404130B2
A method of manufacturing a discrete track medium type perpendicular magnetic recording layer with reduced magnetic interference between tracks and enhanced magnetic recording density is disclosed in which protruding parts of a pattern of protrusions and recesses provided in a composite magnetic recording layer are formed in high quality having a similar film thickness and equivalent perpendicular magnetic recording performance to a perpendicular magnetic recording layer designed for a continuous film type medium. The method includes a first step of laminating at least a magnetic recording layer, a sacrifice layer, and a carbon protective layer on a nonmagnetic substrate in this order; a second step of selectively removing the resist film and the carbon protective layer at openings for forming recessed parts using a mask of a resist film pattern formed concentric to form protruding parts for constructing recording tracks; a third step of modifying the sacrifice layer and the magnetic recording layer exposing at the recessed parts into a nonmagnetic state; a fourth step of removing the resist film, the carbon protective layer, and the sacrifice layer at the protruding parts between the recessed parts; and a fifth step of depositing a carbon protective layer and a lubricant layer in this order on the recessed parts and the protruding parts.
US08404121B2
The disclosure relates to a separation process. An aerated inlet mixture of fluid and solids is fed to a flotation separation vessel and is separated into an upper float layer and a lower clarified layer. The upper float layer is withdrawn from the vessel when the height of the upper float layer exceeds the height of an overflow conduit and forms a concentrated solids effluent. The lower clarified layer is withdrawn from the separation vessel as a clarified fluid effluent. The separation process is performed continuously using a control process that maintains a relatively stable distribution between the lower clarified layer and the upper float layer. The control process is a closed loop process that monitors the instantaneous height of the vessel contents and computes an error function based on the instantaneous height and a set-point height. The error function is used to periodically adjust the outlet flowrate of the clarified fluid effluent. The resulting process has improved stability (e.g., being continuously operable without interruption and/or operable for extended periods between intermittent cleaning processes) and provides a concentrated solids effluent with solids concentrations higher than those previously attainable in similar separation processes.
US08404115B2
A filter element has filter media supported by a filter frame having differential channel depth receiving initially flowable sealing material. The filter frame has a widened mouth for receiving and funneling sealing material. A filter frame is provided with leading and trailing edge construction ensuring proper installation orientation. A filter frame is provided with removal assist construction for service personnel.
US08404110B2
An apparatus for diverting rainwater includes a body having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion. A diverter is disposed within the central portion, and has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the diverter, together with one or more walls of the body, defines a containment configured to capture rainwater that enters through the top portion. An opening in at least one of the walls of the body is configured to divert rainwater from the containment. The body also includes a bypass flow area extending through the central portion adjacent to, and separate from, the containment, where the bypass flow area has a cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to or greater than a cross sectional area of the top and bottom portions.
US08404090B2
A multi-layer cathode block (30) for an electrolytic cell (10) has at least a surface layer (32) with a surface expansion index and a second layer (34) with a second expansion index. The surface layer (32) includes a surface wetting agent in a first total amount. The second layer (34) includes a wetting agent in a second total amount. The surface layer (32) is directly superposed to the second layer (34). The second wetting agent in the second layer (34) includes metal boride precursors that react together to generate a metal boride component in situ when the cathode block (30) is exposed to start-up and operation conditions of the electrolytic cell (10). The second total amount is lower than the first total amount and is selected so as to minimize the difference between the expansion indexes of the surface layer (32) and the second layer (34).
US08404088B2
The present invention provides a new strategies for the synthesis of compounds of the rocaglamide family and related natural products. The synthetic approach generally involves photochemical generation of an oxidopyrylium species from a 3-hydroxychromone derivative followed by an enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the oxidopyrylium species to a dipolarophile in the presence of a TADDOL derivative. This approach can be used for the formation of adducts containing an aglain core structure. Methods of the conversion of aglain core structures to aglain, rocaglamide and forbaglin ring systems are also provided. The present invention also relates to the use of rocaglamide/aglain/forbaglin derivatives for the manufacture of medicaments for use in the treatment of cancer or cancerous conditions, disorders associated with cellular hyperproliferation, or NF-κB-dependent conditions.
US08404086B2
Effect separation of a composition of matter that includes at least two seed or plant oil derivatives into at least one desired product stream using at least two separation operations, which are independently selected from among several potential separation operations, in conjunction with at least one recycle stream from a separation operation.
US08404085B2
Separation and purification of hydroquinone from crude mixtures thereof essentially containing hydroquinone in combination with very small amounts of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, include a topping distillation allowing the resorcinol to be removed as the distillation top product, and allowing a crude mixture essentially containing hydroquinone and the heavy impurities to be recovered at the column bottom, such mixture then being subjected to a bottoming distillation which allows the pyrogallol to be removed at the column bottom and allows hydroquinone in a purified form to be recovered at the column top.
US08404075B2
A bonding method between at least two substrates comprises deposition of at least one drop of liquid adhesive on one of the two substrates and bringing the two substrates into contact causing spreading of the liquid adhesive followed by formation of a solidified adhesive layer between the two substrates. One of the two substrates is further provided, at the surface thereof, with at least one salient rim in which at least one slit is formed, designed to remove the excess liquid adhesive when the two substrates are brought into contact. Finally, the volume of liquid adhesive deposited on one of the two substrates is greater than the volume of the bonding space delineated by said rim between the contacted substrates, and the deposited drop of liquid adhesive presents a strictly greater height than the height of the rim. A defect-free solidified adhesive layer of calibrated thickness can thus be obtained.
US08404074B2
A method for making a conductive film includes: providing a carbon nanotube film defining a plurality of holes therein; attaching the carbon nanotube film on a substrate; adjusting a temperature of the carbon nanotube film in a range from about 7° C. to about 9° C.; dropping and rubbing a nanoparticle aqueous solution in the carbon nanotube film, the nanoparticles aqueous solution containing a plurality of nanoparticles; and adjusting the temperature of the carbon nanotube film in a range from about 24° C. to about 26° C. and drying the carbon nanotube film to obtain the conductive film on the substrate.
US08404073B2
A durable decorative sheet high in the ability to follow a curved surface with small appearance change by heat or elongation. A decorative sheet comprising a transparent resin film having two main surfaces, a transparent resin layer formed on the first main surface of the transparent resin film, a pattern printed layer arranged on the transparent resin layer, and a colored base film arranged on the second main surface of the transparent resin film. The transparent resin layer includes first beads, the pattern printed layer include second beads. The first beads are different from the second beads in content, color and/or particle size. The first beads and the second beads are embedded in the transparent resin layer and the pattern printed layer.
US08404067B2
A production method according to the present invention is characterized in that the method comprises a step of obtaining a vinyl chloride resin paste sol by mixing a plasticizer and a vinyl chloride resin, a granulated material mixing step of mixing a granulated material having a grain size of 300 μm or less obtained by granulating a discarded carpet material containing a vinyl chloride resin with the vinyl chloride resin paste sol, a filling material adding step of obtaining a backing composition by mixing an inorganic filling material with a paste sol obtained at the granulated material mixing step, and a step of integrally laminating the backing composition on a back surface of a surface skin member.
US08404060B2
A method for manufacturing a hot-rolled sheet is provided, wherein the method attains grain refinement of the steel sheet containing C, Si, and Mn, wherein the grain size thereof is set to particularly below average of 2 μm, which has ferrite grain with equiaxed morphology, which has high formability in forming, and the ferrite grain-size deviation in the thickness direction is uniformed down to the level not higher than a predetermined amount whereby uniform formability in forming is high. The method includes a first rolling for rolling the sheet such that the total rolling reduction is 80% or more or the average grain size is 30 μm or less in a form of single phase of austenite, a second rolling of a single-pass, a third rolling being conducted thereafter, and a following cooling.
US08404059B2
The aluminum alloy for anodic oxidation treatment directed to the present invention comprises as alloy elements 0.1 to 2.0% Mg, 0.1 to 2.0% Si, and 0.1 to 2.0% Mn, wherein each content of Fe, Cr, and Cu is limited to 0.03 mass % or less, and wherein the remainder is composed of Al and inevitable impurities. An aluminum alloy more excellent in the durability can be obtained by subjecting the aluminum alloy ingot having the above element composition to a homogenization treatment at a temperature of more than 550° C. to 600° C. or less. An aluminum alloy member can be obtained by forming an anodic oxidation coating on the surface of the aluminum alloy.
US08404054B2
A method of operating a dishwasher having multiple wash chambers, with each wash chamber executing a different cycle of operation, and liquid from one chamber may be reused in the other chamber.
US08404044B2
An epitaxial growth film formation method allowing to adequately prevent the sticking phenomenon spreading over both a wafer and a susceptor when a horizontal disc-like susceptor is used to form an epitaxial growth film is provided. The epitaxial growth film formation method is a method of forming a vapor growth film on the wafer by placing the wafer having a diameter smaller than that of the susceptor approximately horizontally in substantially a center section on the horizontal disc-like susceptor, wherein the vapor growth film is formed on the wafer by bringing a circumferential recess step adjacent to a bottom inside from an edge part of the wafer and a convex step provided on a circumference of an upper surface inside from the edge part of the susceptor into contact.
US08404037B2
The present invention relates to a bitumen or asphalt formulation for the pavement of road surfaces, said formulation comprising a mixture of bitumen and aggregates, and an additive package evenly distributed therein, said additive package comprising from about i) 10 to 60% by weight of an amine or modified amine surfactant, ii) from about 20 to 90% of an asphalt rheology modifying component.
US08404034B2
A vacuum cleaner and a method of controlling the vacuum cleaner are provided. The vacuum cleaner may include a main body, a dust collection device mounted in the main body, at least one compression member that compresses the dust in the dust collection device, and a driver that drives the compressing member.
US08404033B2
A gas scrubber is presented. The gas scrubber comprises a nozzle that atomizes a liquid to form droplets. The droplets are preferably expelled from the nozzle in substantially a hollow cone spray pattern with a velocity of at least 4000 feet per minute. A stream of gas containing particulates that requires scrubbing interacts with the droplets. After the interaction, the gas-droplet combination impinges on a target. Preferred targets include droplets from a second nozzle, a ducting surface, or a throated passage.
US08404022B2
A method of concentrating ozone gas in which, although the apparatus configuration is simple, ozone gas of a predetermined concentration can be efficiently taken out, and an apparatus therefor are provided. In a method of concentrating ozone gas in which an ozone-oxygen mixture gas is acted in an adsorbing column that is filled with an adsorbent, to cause the adsorbent to selectively adsorb the ozone gas, and the selectively adsorbed ozone gas is desorbed, thereby concentrating and purifying the ozone gas, the ozone-oxygen mixture gas is acted on the adsorbent in a non-cooled state to cause the ozone gas to be selectively adsorbed to the adsorbent, the adsorbing column is vacuumed when performing an operation desorbing of the ozone gas, thereby desorbing the ozone gas from the adsorbent, and an initial amount of the leading out of the desorbed ozone gas is not recovered, thereby obtaining high-concentration ozone gas.
US08404013B2
A feed gas conditioner can include embodiments having a cross heat exchanger. In embodiments, the cross heat exchanger can have a housing defining a flow passage in a first direction and a flow passage in a second direction. Heating elements in the flow passage in the first direction can heat fluidic materials. In embodiments, the feed gas conditioner can remove particles from the fluidic materials.
US08404009B2
A polishing composition for a hard disk substrate includes alumina particles, silica particles, and water. The volume median diameter of secondary particles of the alumina particles measured by a laser beam diffraction method is 0.1 to 0.8 μm. The volume median diameter of primary particles of the silica particles measured by transmission electron microscope observation is 40 to 150 nm. The standard deviation in number-basis particle size of the primary particles of the silica particles measured by the transmission electron microscope observation is 11 to 35 nm. The polishing composition for a hard disk substrate can preferably reduce the embedding of alumina abrasive grains into the substrate without impairing the productivity.
US08404003B2
The present invention is a candle composition containing a vegetable lipid base component and a candle formed from the composition. The candle composition may contain up to 100 percent by weight of a vegetable lipid base component. The candle composition may further contain a plant derived crystal modifier.
US08403998B2
A theft-deterrence process enabling a theft-deterrence server, remotely disposed from the processor based device, to deter or thwart theft of the processor based device, is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the theft-deterrence process employs connection and network independent communication for at least one direction between the theft deterrence server and the processor based device.
US08403983B2
A replacement heart valve can comprise a valve body and an elongate frame. The valve body can define a plurality of leaflets adapted to move between an open state and a coapted state. The elongate frame can be configured to move between a radially compacted state and a radially expanded state, the frame comprising a plurality of struts. Stitches attach the valve body to the plurality of struts. At least one of the stitches can be a loose stitch configured to freely slide over the corresponding strut when the frame is moved between the radially compacted and radially expanded states.
US08403975B2
An arrangement for, and a method of, cooling a body site, especially for treating menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms, places one or more cold packs in a thermally insulated housing in which a cold source is present, and cools each cold pack by placement of the housing, either opened or closed, in a freezer or like apparatus. The cold packs retain their cold temperature prior to onset of a condition requiring cold therapy relief by the presence of the cold source and the thermally insulating properties of the housing. Each cold pack is removable from the housing after onset of the condition, is externally applied to a user experiencing the condition requiring cold therapy relief, and is re-usable.
US08403971B2
A polyaxial screw assembly includes a pedicle screw, a coupling, an insert, and a housing. The pedicle screw includes a shank having a helical thread formed thereon and a head at one end. The coupling is positioned on top the pedicle screw and releasably engages portions of the head. The coupling and pedicle screw are positioned within a distal portion of the housing. The pedicle screw is slid through an opening in the insert and the insert is thread into the distal portion of the housing to retain the coupling and the pedicle screw within the housing. The pedicle screw is rotatable and pivotable relative to the housing. Compressing the coupling within the housing locks the pedicle screw in a desired orientation.
US08403964B2
A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.
US08403963B2
An improved method and guide wire assembly used in a system, set of instrumentation and method comprising the combination and use of plural pedicle screws, a rod for connecting pedicle screws in a relatively rigid manner, and instrumentation to optimize insertion of the rod into the pedicle screws, the assembly having a guide wire and instrumentation to grasp a medial portion of the guide wire to pull the medial portion through all the pedicle screws and connecting the loop to the end of a fixation rod, whereby one end of the guide wire is mounted to a pedicle screw, all the screws are implanted into the vertebrae, and the rod subsequently guided into the pedicle screws by pulling the guide wire loop back through the pedicle screws, all using minimally invasive surgical incisions.
US08403962B2
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion with a capture structure thereon, a retaining and articulating structure, a compression structure and a receiver for holding the capture structure, retaining and articulating structure, compression structure and a rod. The receiver includes arms that define a channel for receiving the rod. The arms have inner surfaces with a discontinuous flange form thereon for mating with a cooperating continuous flange form of a closure structure for capturing the rod within the receiver. The shank capture structure and the retaining and articulating structure are threadably attached and secured to one another with a buttress stop. In operation, the compression structure is disposed within the receiver between the shank upper portion and a rod but presses only upon the retaining and articulating structure. The retaining and articulating structure has an external substantially spherical surface that mates with an internal surface of the receiver, providing a ball joint, enabling the receiver to be disposed at numerous angles relative to the shank body. The shank upper portion includes a tool engagement formation for driving the shank body into bone.
US08403945B2
An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly and a shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive assembly; and a trigger operatively connected to the drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends from the handle assembly and includes an articulating neck assembly; and an end effector assembly supported on a distal end of the articulating neck assembly and being configured to form a surgical clip in place on the body tissue.
US08403943B2
The present invention relates to an insertion system for medical devices and to surgical methods for the implantation of the same. In one embodiment, the implantation system includes a guide wire and an insertion tool. The insertion tool includes a longitudinal bore extending therethrough for receipt of the guide wire. A portion of the longitudinal bore of the insertion tool mates with the outer surface of the guide wire to rotationally lock the insertion tool and the guide wire. Additionally, the medical device to be inserted includes a longitudinal bore for receipt of the guide wire. Similarly, at least a portion of the longitudinal bore of the medical device may also mate with the outer surface of the guide wire to rotationally lock the medical device and the guide wire. The rotational locks allow for rotation of the insertion tool to result in corresponding rotation of the medical device via rotation of the guide wire. In another embodiment, the insertion system further includes a needle having an eyelet for receiving and positioning filaments attached to the medical device.
US08403939B2
A drill guide system is provided for forming a hole along a desired trajectory in the bone of a surgical patient. The drill guide system comprises a drill bit defining a drill bit axis and a drill guide comprising a frame having a proximal arm and a distal arm fixedly spaced apart. The drill guide further comprises a first guide portion extending from the proximal arm and including a first channel defining a first guide axis, and a pointer projecting proximally from the distal arm and aligned with the first guide axis. The drill bit is transversely insertable into the first channel into an operational position in which the drill bit is constrained to translate only along the first guide axis.
US08403937B2
Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes expanding an expandable member to move a tissue portion and form a cavity within an interior of a bone-related structure. At least a portion of the cavity is filled with a filler material while simultaneously withdrawing a medium from the expandable member at a predefined ratio such that the tissue portion substantially maintains its moved position. In some embodiments, the predefined ratio is 1:1. In another embodiment, a method includes expanding an expandable member to move a tissue portion and form a cavity within an interior of an intervertebral disc. At least a portion of the cavity is filled with a filler material while substantially maintaining the moved position of the tissue portion.
US08403934B2
In an embodiment, the methodology of the present invention is based on the use of an intraoperative navigation system and of a compact alignment guide for alignment of implant components. In an embodiment, an alignment guide of the present invention includes a first component fixable to a bone element; a second mobile component, and a third mobile component, wherein the second mobile component and two control mechanisms form a first link, wherein the two control mechanisms are working in parallel to perform adjustments in two degrees of freedom, wherein the third mobile component and three control mechanisms form a second link, wherein the three control mechanisms are working in parallel to perform adjustments in three additional degrees of freedom, and wherein the first link adjustments and the second link adjustments are performed in series to provide a total adjustment of five degrees of freedom relative to the first component.
US08403933B2
An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of locking caps including a barrel and a magazine. The barrel has a longitudinal passage extending through the barrel and a lateral passage extending through the barrel and intersecting the longitudinal passage. A second open end of the barrel is configured to engage a rod receiving head to which one of the locking caps is threadingly connectable. The magazine has a housing with a chamber for receiving a plate carrying a plurality of locking caps. The chamber of the housing is aligned with the lateral passage of the barrel so that the plate is movable from the chamber into the lateral passage so that one of the locking caps is positioned in the longitudinal passage so as to be matingly engageable with a drive tool insertable through the longitudinal passage.
US08403931B2
An easy-to-assemble reamer for medical applications includes a shaft portion, a disposable tapered hollow reamer sleeve and a modular pilot. The shaft portion has a proximal end for attachment to a drill, a central cone element with one or more slots and a distal threaded end. The tapered hollow reamer sleeve has integrally attached one or more torque transmitting tabs at the larger end and a collet taper at the smaller end and slides over the shaft distal end engaging tabs with the slots. The modular pilot has a threaded central aperture engaging shaft thread and a collet taper mating with the collet taper of the reamer sleeve substantially coinciding their centerlines. The disposable hollow cutter sleeve has a plurality of cutting elements and apertures that discharge bone and bone cement debris into the space between the reamer and the shaft. With this construction, the reamer transmits reliable, wobble free, reaming torque in a highly efficient manner.
US08403929B2
To provide an implant for securing neighboring bone plates, especially neighboring cranial bone plates, wherein the bone plates each have an inner face and an outer face, comprising an inner contact element that is adapted to rest on the inner faces of the neighboring bone plates, an outer contact element that is adapted to rest on the outer faces of the neighboring bone plates, and an in a linear manner flexible tensioning element for connecting the inner contact element and the outer contact element in such a manner that they can no longer be separated from one another, with improved properties, the outer contact element comprises at least one recess for at least partially accommodating a connection region between free strands of the tensioning element or for feeding the connection region through into a separation gap between the neighboring bone plates.
US08403926B2
The device includes an elongate shaft having a distal end coupled to a proximal end of an articulation joint, and an actuation wire extending through the elongate shaft and the articulation joint. The device includes an end effector having a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the articulation joint and receiving therethrough a distal end of the actuation wire. The end effector includes a hook knife disposed adjacent the distal tip and having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the actuation wire. The actuation wire is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to extend and retract the distal end of the hook knife relative to the distal tip of the end effector, and the articulation joint is laterally articulatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to allow the end effector to be angularly oriented relative to the elongate shaft.
US08403923B2
A method and kit for treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.
US08403919B2
A method for optimizing a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment includes receiving a measured correction prescription for a current patient. Next a database of treatment outcomes on a plurality of previously treated patients is accessed. The database contains a desired correction, and an actual correction. A difference between the desired correction and the actual correction represents an over- or undercorrection resulting from surgery. From the difference data is calculated a distribution of data points as a function of correction level. From the data-point distribution is calculated a statistically based offset applicable to the correction prescription for matching actual corrections with desired corrections. From the data-point distribution is calculated a confidence interval of the data using a predetermined confidence level. The statistically based offset is then adjusted based upon the confidence interval to provide an optimized prescription. The adjusted offset is then output for use in performing a refractive procedure.
US08403917B2
A system detects whether a pneumatic surgical instrument is attached to a surgical system. A drive valve has an input for connection to a source of pressurized air, an output for connection to the surgical instrument, and an exhaust for exhausting pressurized air during operation of the surgical instrument. A pressure transducer in communication with the exhaust senses a pressure profile of air flow from the exhaust. A first sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is connected to the output and a second sensed pressure profile indicates that the surgical instrument is not connected to the output. A detection circuit connected to an output of the pressure transducer detects whether the surgical instrument is attached to the surgical system based on the sensed pressure profile.
US08403916B2
A medical instrument for use on a patient. The medical instrument includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an electric motor mounted to the housing having a drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis, a drive magnet fixed to the drive shaft of said motor which rotates with the drive shaft about the drive axis, and a tool assembly coupled to the housing via a tool mount. The tool mount orients the tool assembly relative to the housing whereby guided rotational, translational, and/or oscillary motion of a tool within the tool assembly is achieved via the structure of the tool mount in conjunction with a magnetic coupling between magnets attached to both the motor and the tool.
US08403913B2
Surgical drains and methods for using the same for draining a body cavity are provided. Aspects of the surgical drains of the invention include an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity. The distal end is configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, where the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element. Aspects of the invention further include sheaths configured to be disposed around surgical drains, such as surgical drains of the invention, and methods of using the surgical drains and sheaths. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications.
US08403904B2
The present invention relates to a particulate superabsorbent polymer comprising a monomer and an internal crosslinker agent wherein the particulate superabsorbent polymer has a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Increase of 2 g/g or more as set forth herein in the Centrifuge Retention Capacity Increase Test. The present invention further relates to a superabsorbent polymer comprising an internal crosslinker agent comprising a silane compound comprising at least one vinyl group or one allyl group attached to a silicon atom, and at least one Si—O bond. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article that includes such particulate superabsorbent polymers.
US08403899B2
Maggot debridement therapy dressing embodiments and methods are discussed for the treatment of a variety of indications including wound care, including septic wound care and the like.
US08403896B2
A medical device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes an inner liner including a coating on an inner surface thereof, a reinforcing layer surrounding at least a portion of the liner; and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing layer and inner liner. The liner and outer layer may include multiple sections having different properties than one another, adjacent sections attached together by seams, which may be offset from one another. Apparatus and methods for making tubular devices with coated liners are also provided.
US08403893B2
A method involving a syringe, a pre-filled cartridge, a needle, a guard, and a release mechanism is described. The method may involve inserting the cartridge into the syringe. In some versions, the method may involve releasing the guard to cover a portion of the needle. In some versions, the method may involve the release retaining the guard in a retracted position. In some versions, the release may be operable to be actuated to release the guard. In some versions, the guard may be extended and locked once extended to cover the needle.
US08403890B2
Tear-away sheath introducers for catheters, methods for making such introducers, and methods for using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing that allows the valve to move along the axis of the introducer. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. As well, the sheath introducers can also contain a stationary valve and housing that can be opened to expose a portion of the hub when a conduit penetrates the stationary valve. The conduit can include a one-way valve actuator that can penetrate and open the valve, yet remain attached to a portion of the introducer when the introducer is split for removal from a patient. In both instances, the protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for a catheter into the sheath introducer.
US08403887B2
A dispensing device for dispensing pain management medicaments to a patient comprises first and second threadably interconnectable sub-assemblies. The first of these sub-assemblies houses a fluid reservoir defining component while the second comprises a fluid delivery and control assembly that includes a novel flow control means that functions to control the flow of medicinal fluid from the fluid reservoir of the first sub-assembly toward the patient via strategically formed flow control passageways.
US08403876B2
A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.
US08403861B2
Humidity profiles of exhaled air of individuals obtained using a sensor to detect water vapor content or temperature versus time of exhalation may exhibit an irregularity indicative of a space-occupying respiratory system lesion. Detection of such irregularities provides an inexpensive and rapid means of pre-screening individuals for lung cancer diagnosis, and is applicable even to individuals with other respiratory disorders such as asthma and COPD.
US08403856B2
An intravascular ultrasound probe is disclosed, incorporating features for utilizing an advanced transducer technology on a rotating transducer shaft. In particular, the probe accommodates the transmission of the multitude of signals across the boundary between the rotary and stationary components of the probe required to support an advanced transducer technology. These advanced transducer technologies offer the potential for increased bandwidth, improved beam profiles, better signal to noise ratio, reduced manufacturing costs, advanced tissue characterization algorithms, and other desirable features. Furthermore, the inclusion of electronic components on the spinning side of the probe can be highly advantageous in terms of preserving maximum signal to noise ratio and signal fidelity, along with other performance benefits.
US08403846B1
A networked triage system for prioritizing medical care administered to an injured user including a networked monitoring system and a plurality of user groups. Each group includes a portable network interface and a plurality of illuminated display systems. Each illuminated display system couples to an injured user and includes a plurality of light emitters. Each light emitter provides a predetermined wavelength of light than the other light emitters from the plurality of light emitters. Operatively, each respective predetermined wavelength provides information relating to a corresponding predetermined status of the user. Each illuminated display system includes an id tag processor that facilitates emission of identification signals for receipt by the portable network interface. Based on the identification signal, the portable network interface generates a network signal for receipt by the networked monitoring system. The network monitoring system can assess the degree of injury of several user groups in a triage situation.
US08403843B2
An illumination apparatus is attachable to surgical instruments, and provides illumination of the operating field, particularly those requiring good illumination of normally poorly illuminated organ cavities, during surgical procedures. The illumination apparatus includes a light source (1) connected to a power supply (2). The light source (1) and part or all of the power supply source are housed in a casing (3) that has at least one attaching means (5) on its outer surface which is suitable for removably attaching the illumination apparatus to a surgical instrument, and desirably, to several different surgical instruments at various times during a particular surgical procedure. Due to its weight, design and size, the illumination apparatus allows for easy shifting of the illumination apparatus along the surgical instrument without interfering with the normal use of the surgical instruments.
US08403841B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08403836B2
A large diameter fiber is composed of a multimode optical fiber and provided with a fiber body having a constant diameter in an optical axis direction XA and a tapered section tapered in diameter toward a light exit surface. An adhesive member attaches the large diameter fiber inside a retaining hole of a tubular housing such that an outer circumferential surface of a tapered clad of the tapered section is entirely exposed to air to a predetermined depth from the light exit surface. A light passing space is a ring-like space formed between the exposed outer circumferential surface of the tapered clad and an inner circumferential surface of the tubular housing. Light in the tapered section is output from the light exit surface and partially leaked to the tapered clad. A part of the leaked light is released from the light passing space.
US08403835B2
A movement detection circuit analyzes image data from a DSP, and detects an amount of movement of an object relative to a solid-state image sensor. A CPU compares a movement detection value with a threshold value. When the movement detection value is the threshold value or less, a normal light source and a special light source are alternately turned on and off at intervals of charge accumulation time of the solid-state image sensor. Normal light moving images and special light moving images are simultaneously displayed on a screen. When the movement detection value exceeds the threshold value, write of the special light moving images is inhibited. A display control circuit displays on the screen one of the normal light moving images, a special light still image, and tiled windows for simultaneously showing the normal light moving images and special light still image.
US08403833B2
A medical apparatus includes a bending portion that is bent via a pulled wire, a drive section that pulls the wire, a detection section and a drive force amount detection section that detect an amount of drive of the drive section and an amount of drive force, a storage section that stores information on a correlation of the amount of drive force and the amount of drive of the drive section beforehand, a bending amount detection section that detects the amount of bending of the bending portion based on the amount of drive and the amount of drive force, and the information of the storage section, a judgment section that judges the presence or absence of looseness of the wire from a detection result of the drive force amount detection section and a correction section that corrects the amount of drive by the drive section based on a judgment result of the judgment section.
US08403831B2
An endoscope apparatus includes a display portion coupled to an operation portion, configured to be moved relative to the operation portion and configured to display an observation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus, a bending operation portion provided at the operation portion and configured to be moved in a basic direction relative to the operation portion wherein the bending operation portion is configured to be moved in an additional direction different from the basic direction, and a movement driving mechanism configured to move the display portion relative to the operation portion according to movement of the bending operation portion in the additional direction relative to the operation portion.
US08403830B2
An apparatus comprises an implantable cardiac signal sensing circuit and a controller circuit. The implantable cardiac signal sensing circuit provides a sensed depolarization signal from a ventricle and a sensed depolarization signal from an atrium. The controller circuit includes a one-to-one detector circuit and a tachyarrhythmia discrimination circuit. The one-to-one detector circuit measures cardiac depolarization intervals of the atrium and the ventricle and determines whether a relationship of atrial depolarizations to ventricular depolarizations is substantially one-to-one. The tachyarrhythmia discrimination circuit increments a counter when detecting a shortening or prolonging of a V-V interval that immediately precedes the same shortening or prolonging of an A-A interval, classifies the episode as VT according to the counter, and provides the classification of the tachyarrhythmia episode to a user or process.
US08403827B2
An endoscopic insertion aid includes a tube member, a pipeline and a plurality of balloons. The tube member allows an insertion section of an endoscope to be inserted therethrough, and guides the longitudinal movement of the insertion section. The pipeline is provided in the tube member, and communicates with a supply/discharge unit to supply a fluid to or discharge the fluid from the distal end of the tube member. The balloons are disposed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the tube member longitudinally along the tube member, communicate with the pipeline, and inflate/deflate in accordance with the supply/discharge of the fluid via the pipeline. The balloon disposed on the distal side of the tube member is inflated to have an outside diameter larger than that of the balloon disposed closer to the proximal side than the balloon disposed on the distal side when the balloons are inflated.
US08403819B2
A method of making reinforced paperboard cartons comprises the steps of advancing a web of paperboard along a path and progressively laminating at least one ribbon of reinforcing material to the advancing web of paperboard. The ribbon of reinforcing material, which also may be paperboard, has a width less than the width of the web of paperboard and is applied with adhesive at a selected location across the width of the web. The web and its laminated ribbon are cut into sheets of a predetermined size and the sheets are die-cut and scored with fold lines to form carton blanks. The fold lines may transition from non-reinforced to reinforced portions of the blank and a special transition zone is contemplated to accommodate the transition. The carton blanks are subsequently formed into cartons for receiving articles, the laminated reinforcing material providing reinforcement in selected portions of the cartons. Multiple ribbons and multiple layers of ribbons may be laminated to the web in respective selected locations to provide reinforcement in more than one portion of the cartons. Reinforcing ribbons may be deformed or altered to exhibit, for instance, corrugations or perforations prior to being adhered to the base sheet. Reinforced cartons and carton blanks made by the method also are provided.
US08403818B1
The present invention provides for an improved exercise resistance system to conduct numerous total body exercises. An adjustable elastic resistance cord or flat band may be combined with weights, or each type of resistance may be used alone, in order to vary the means of creating resistance during exercise. The length of the elastic resistance cord or flat band may be adjusted by means of a slip free, length quick adjustment device. The elastic resistance cord or flat band may be passed through the length quick adjustment device which may be secured at various points along the length of the elastic resistance cord or flat band, to change its effective usable length and thus change the level of strength, and range of motion. The length quick adjustment device may be secured by pulling an elastic resistance cord or flat band in one direction, and released by pulling the elastic resistance cord or flat band in the opposite direction.One end of the elastic resistance cord or flat band is attached to any hand engagement structure, preferably a cord handle/grip, a dumbbell handle/grip, a bar, or a glove. The other end of the elastic resistance cord or flat band is secured to any anchor structure, preferably a movable structure, such as a flat board, pad, aerobic step, workout bench, or TV interactive exercise structure.
US08403817B2
A foot, toe, and ankle exercise device provides variable resistance to movements of the foot, ankle and toes in multiple directions. Embodiments of the device comprise a flexible forefoot support to allow for full toe and foot range of motion. Resistance is provided by resistance members that may comprise elastic banding or tubing. The forefoot support may be suspended by the resistance members.
US08403815B2
A stationary exercise device having variable footpaths is disclosed. The exercise device includes a frame, a pair of supporting members that have a first end to rotate about an axis and a second end to move along a reciprocating path, a pair of pedals joined to the supporting members, and a guider assembly for adjusting an incline angle of the reciprocating path.
US08403814B2
Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method for profiling an exercise session includes receiving physical characteristics or workout parameters via an input interface, generating output signals proportional to a magnitude of vertical forces imparted to the exercise machine by a user during the exercise session, and processing the output signals via a control system to determine the magnitude of peak or trough values of the output signals to profile the exercise session.
US08403813B2
Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state.
US08403810B2
A system and method for controlling the torque transferable by a mechanical drive between an engine and a shaft of a vehicle includes a first actuator which acts on a variable-speed drive, a second actuator which acts on a clutch to determine the degree of engagement/release of the clutch; and a measuring device for measuring the torque to or from the variable-speed drive. The first and second actuators and the measuring device are controlled by an electronic central control unit to protect the variable-speed drive and/or the clutch from mechanical overloading of the mechanical drive.
US08403807B2
In a vehicular power transmitting apparatus provided with an electrically-controlled differential portion in which controlling an operating state of an electric motor controls a differential state of a differential mechanism, a control device for starting up a drive force source in an appropriate mode depending on a vehicle condition can be provided. The control device includes drive-force source start control means for switching start modes of an engine depending on a vehicle condition to achieve an appropriate start mode for the engine depending on the vehicle condition, so that for instance a contracted drive range by a second electric motor can be avoided.
US08403805B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
US08403801B2
A bicycle hub transmission includes a hub axle, a driver, a hub shell, a power transmission mechanism and an auxiliary power transmission mechanism. The driver is rotatably supported by the hub axle. The hub shell is rotatably supported by the hub axle with the power transmission mechanism is operatively disposed therebetween to transmit rotational power from the driver to the hub shell through power transmission paths. The shift mechanism is operatively coupled to the power transmission mechanism to select one of the power transmission paths. The auxiliary power transmission mechanism is disposed between the driver and the hub shell to transmit rotational power from the driver to the hub shell through an auxiliary power transmission path during shifting such that a load path of the power transmission mechanism for the power transmission path being shift to is placed in a substantially unloaded state with the auxiliary power transmission path carrying the load.
US08403800B2
A shift mechanism for a transmission comprising a planetary gear transmission, a shift cam engaged with a planetary gear assembly in the planetary gear transmission, the shift cam having a shift cam stop, a rotatable cable ring connected to a moveable cable, the cable ring comprising a ramped portion, a rotatable ramped ring, the ramped ring comprising a ramped portion cooperatively engaged with the cable ring ramped portion, and further the ramped ring having a stop cooperatively engagable with the shift cam stop, a rotation of the cable ring urges the ramped ring a predetermined distance in a direction normal to the plane of rotation of the cable ring, the shaft cam held against rotation by engagement with the ramped ring, and at which predetermined distance the ramped ring is allowed to rotate with the cable ring simultaneous with the axial movement of the ramped ring, and a spring connected between the cable ring and the shift cam, the shaft cam reacting to the spring force rotates upon rotation of the ramped ring by an amount of rotation that is limited by engagement of the shift cam stop with the ramped ring stop and during which rotation of the shift cam the transmission shifts gears.
US08403798B2
A final drive mechanism includes a pinion, a gear meshing with the pinion, a differential mechanism, and a first gearset including an input driveably connected to the gear, and an output driveably connected to the differential, rotating slower than a speed of the gear, and rotating in a direction opposite the direction of the gear.
US08403793B2
A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a lubrication subsystem for communicating a pressurized hydraulic fluid through the transmission, and a fluid control device in communication with the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A lubrication regulation valve is in communication with the first and second sources of pressurized hydraulic fluid, the fluid control device, and the lubrication subsystem. The lubrication regulation valve allows fluid communication from the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the lubrication subsystem when in a first position, the valve allows fluid communication from the first and second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the lubrication subsystem when in a second position, and the valve allows fluid communication from the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid through the flow restriction device to the lubrication subsystem when in a third position.
US08403792B2
The present invention comprehends a plurality of embodiments of a hydraulic control system for various configurations of dual clutch transmissions. The hydraulic control systems all include a regulated source of pressurized hydraulic fluid including an electric pump, a filter and an accumulator, a pair of pressure control valves and a branching hydraulic circuit including pressure or flow control valves, spool or logic valves and two position valves which collectively supply and exhaust hydraulic fluid from a plurality of shift actuators. The actuators are connected to shift rails which include shift forks and are slidable to engage synchronizers and positive clutches associated with the various gear ratios.
US08403790B2
A motor transmission apparatus is provided between a transmission output shaft coupled to a drive wheel and a motor shaft coupled to a motor/generator. The motor transmission apparatus includes a first power transmission path that is switched to a power transmission condition by a high clutch having a clutch oil chamber, and a second power transmission path that is switched to a power transmission condition by a low brake having a brake oil chamber. Working oil discharged from an oil pump is guided to an oil passage switching valve via an output control valve. The working oil is distributed to one of the clutch oil chamber and the brake oil chamber by the oil passage switching valve, and therefore interlocking, in which the high clutch and the low brake are engaged simultaneously, can be avoided.
US08403786B2
A wind turbine with a drive train placed partly or entirely in a nacelle of the wind turbine is provided. The drive train includes an epicyclical gearbox including at least one gear stage having a plurality of planet gears meshing with a sun gear and an annulus gear. The gearbox is used to transfer and speed-up the rotation of a rotor of the wind turbine, as applied to at least one generator of the wind turbine. The drive train further includes at least one locally radial self tracking bearing for enabling the rotation of the rotor in relation to a nacelle structure of the nacelle. The self tracking bearing includes bearing elements for locally transferring loads in both radial directions between one or more bearing rings.
US08403776B1
A golf tee made from durable materials with an upper portion flexible shaft of the tee providing a method for the tee to flex freely when struck and return to its normal position without wear or damage. The insertion height of the tee is controlled with a height disk formed in the center of the tee that allows pushing the tee into the ground consistently each time. A fluted bottom post of the tee provides stabilizing ribs and increased surface area to contact the ground, thus holding the tee in place more securely than the tradition round tees. A 120 degree angled tri-post ball seat creates a self-centering method for teeing the ball easily and consistently. The durable material the tee is constructed from provides durability allowing the tee to be used repeatedly without wear or breaking.
US08403770B1
An adjustable shaft and hosel assembly allows for dependent and independent adjustment of a golf club's face angle, loft angle, and lie angle. The adjustable shaft and hosel assembly comprises a shaft sleeve with a joint portion, a hosel portion, and a fitting piece, wherein the joint portion fits within the fitting piece and the fitting piece fits within the hosel portion.
US08403766B2
A kit and method is disclosed to facilitate the transferring of a prosthetic appliance to the skin of a wearer. The kit includes first and second transfer portions, which may be provided in combined form. The first transfer portion includes a prosthetic appliance and a release film. The second transfer portion includes a transfer substrate, an adhesive layer and a release coat therebetween. The second transfer portion may include a seal layer disposed between the adhesive layer and the release coat. The kit may include a package portion which may non-adhesively restrain the other components so as to protect and display the prosthetic while enabling the package portion to be opened without causing damage to the remainder of the kit. A method for producing the kit is disclosed and involves the use of a cavity mold and respective retainer plate to produce the requisite transfer portions.
US08403763B2
A universal joint includes a rotating member having a pivotal portion received in a compartment defined by a peripheral wall at an end of a base. The rotating member includes a coupling portion and an interconnecting portion between the pivotal portion and the coupling portion. The interconnecting portion has a minimum diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the pivotal portion but not smaller than a width of the coupling portion. A groove extends through the pivotal portion. A pin is extended through the peripheral wall of the base and the groove. The pivotal portion is pivotable relative to the base through an angle in the order of 90°.
US08403761B2
A game apparatus stores a history in relation to a game operation as replay data in a memory, and displays a replay image on the basis of the stored replay data on a monitor. A CPU of the game apparatus creates highlight scene positional information indicating a at least temporal position of a highlight scene in the replay image on the basis of a highlight scene position designating operation, stores the created highlight scene positional information by bringing it into association with the replay data in the memory, and displays a time-line image representing a temporal position of the highlight scene in the replay image on the monitor on the basis of the highlight scene positional information when the replay image is displayed on the monitor.
US08403758B2
A wagering game system includes a service for conducting a group-wagering game for a group of players under the control of a gaming control system and a plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal connected to the service and being configured to conduct a group-wagering game in combination with the service. The gaming control system is configured to permit a player in the group of players to unilaterally alter a membership of the group of players.
US08403757B2
The present invention relates to systems and apparatus for providing gaming services (for example, gaming services provided via a computer network) and to systems and apparatus for encoding and/or transmitting and/or decoding electronic video content. Some presently disclosed techniques may be particularly useful for reducing and/or eliminating gaming latency.
US08403752B2
A technique which easily removes the motion element of a game controller which is attributed to the vibrating motion of a vibrator from the output data of an acceleration sensor or reduces the element is provided. In a game device, a wireless communication module receives an acceleration sensor output data, which has been analog-to-digital converted, in a game controller. A sensor output correction unit corrects the received acceleration sensor output data and provides the corrected acceleration sensor output data to the application processor. In the sensor output correction unit, a masking processing unit performs the masking process on the acceleration sensor output data within the predetermined range of masking. The masking processing unit corrects the acceleration sensor output data within the range of masking including zero acceleration to have zero acceleration.
US08403749B2
A game apparatus includes an LCD and is provided a touch panel in relation to the LCD. The LCD displays a game screen for making a player character hit a ball. For example, when touch-on is performed on the LCD (touch panel), the stance and shot power of the player character are decided according to coordinates of the touch-on position. With this, the path of the ball is decided to be a straight ball, draw ball or fade ball, and the carry of the ball is decided with regard to the shot power. Following the touch-on, when a slide operation is performed, an impact is decided according to the slide operation. For example, the path of the ball is changed by the decided impact.
US08403745B2
The present invention integrates the concepts of interactive player based promotions, games, and bonusing that utilize a touch screen display on a gaming system associated with a remote player tracking system. The promotions are configured at a remote configuration workstation by selecting system criteria defining the particular bonus promotion to thereby create a “bonus rule.” Promotions have four primary criteria. The first is the “Trigger” which is the criterion that determines when the bonus screen is activated to display a promotion. The second is the “Interface” that determines what will be displayed on the bonus screen. The third is the “Award” in which the nature of the bonus payment, including the method of choosing the value to award and the required player interaction to receive the promotion, is determined. And finally, the “Currency” system determines the method of payment to the player for earning or receiving the promotion.
US08403742B2
This application relates in general to methods and systems adapted for use in selling lotto game tickets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for selling the on-line Lotto game tickets, without marking the Lotto game cards and running them through the main lottery terminal located in the retail store, as is currently done. In order to achieve the final printing of the lotto ticket the player has to pick the numbers he/she wants to play and communicate the numbers to the machine through the medium, that medium is the “Lotto Player's Paperless Terminal” and the purpose of this invention is to do it “Paperless”, except for the final ticket. It is also an active “Interactive” Lotto games selling tool, that the State would like to have it in their armor.
US08403741B2
A SMS lottery gateway server obtains one SMS message from a mobile phone via a base station over a wide area network and parses the one SMS message to identify therein a plurality of game entries including one or more associated picks. A lottery server receives the game entries and associated picks from the SMS lottery gateway server and plays lottery games based thereon. The SMS lottery gateway server can send one SMS message to the mobile phone acknowledging the identified plurality of lottery game entries. The SMS lottery gateway server can parse the SMS message in various ways such as looking for a number and an associated pick, the number indicating a quantity of the plurality of entries.
US08403715B1
A marine jet drive, for a boat having a transom and a drive shaft extending through the transom, the boat afloat in a water body, includes a support casing disposed aft of the transom and a pump shaft within the support casing, the pump shaft having an end connectable to the drive shaft. The jet drive includes a jet pump having a chamber and a blade coupled to a portion of the pump shaft extending into the chamber. The chamber is attached to and supported by the support casing aft of the support casing. The chamber has an inlet for receiving water into the chamber and an outlet. The blade is coupled to the portion of the pump shaft for co acting with the chamber to draw water into the chamber inlet and discharge water in a reactive jet out the chamber outlet to reactively propel the boat.
US08403713B2
A connector is provided with a frame (10) including housing accommodating recesses (11) and auxiliary housings (30) shaped in conformity with the corresponding housing accommodating recesses (11) and to be inserted into the corresponding housing accommodating recesses (11). Locks (34) are formed on outer surfaces of each auxiliary housing (30), and engaging portions (17) for holding the auxiliary housing (30) in the frame (10) by being engaged with the lock portions (34) are formed on inner surfaces of each housing accommodating recess (11). Locks (34A) are shaped so as not to engage the engaging portions (17) formed on the housing accommodating recess (11) when a non-corresponding auxiliary housing (30A) is accommodated into the housing accommodating recess (11).
US08403700B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals received in the housing. The insulative housing includes a longitudinal uninterrupted mating cavity extending in a first direction and through a front face thereof in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A plurality of terminals is retained at a first wall of the insulating housing and comprising contacting portions exposing in the mating cavity. The uninterrupted mating cavity comprises a horizontal main slot extending in the first direction, a first auxiliary slot located at the first wall and a pair of second auxiliary slot at two opposite ends of the horizontal main slot in the first direction.
US08403691B1
A fan connector for being connected to either a first fan header having a number of first pins or a second fan header having a number of second pins includes a main body, a number of first holes defined in the main body for electrically receiving the first pins, and a number second holes defined in the main body for electrically receiving the second pins.
US08403690B2
A water stop structure is provided for a wire harness connected to an electronic control unit installed in an automotive vehicle or a motorcycle. Terminals mounted on ends of wires constituting the wire harness are inserted and locked for connection in a unit connecting connector to be mated with a connector of the electronic control unit, each wire connected to the unit connecting connector includes a water stop section at a position very close to the connector, and the water stop section is formed by filling a waterproofing agent into clearances between strands of a core exposed part formed by removing an insulation coating covering the core of each wire and coating the core exposed part with a waterproof member.
US08403688B2
An electronic device includes an enclosure, and an operation device. The enclosure includes a first sidewall, and a second sidewall connected to a rear end of the first sidewall. A receiving recess is defined in the first sidewall and extends through the second sidewall, to receive a universal serial bus (USB) device. A USB port is installed in receiving recess away from the second sidewall, to be connected to the USB device. The operation device is pivotably connected to the receiving recess and includes two spaced arms to sandwich the USB device when the USB device is connected to the USB port. When the operation device is rotated in a predetermined direction, the arms move toward the second sidewall, to push the connected USB device to disengage from the USB port.
US08403687B2
A data storage device is provided. At least a storage section configured to store information therein and a connection terminal configured to transmit information are mounted on a substrate. A casing accommodates the substrate, the casing is formed with an opening to expose a connection portion of the connection terminal to the outside. A shield plate configured to shield the opening of the casing. A shield plate actuation mechanism is configured to detect a connection state between the connection terminal and a receiving terminal to which the connection terminal is connected and actuate the shield plate. The shield plate actuation mechanism actuates the shield plate to shield the opening when the shield plate actuation mechanism detects that the connection terminal is separated from the receiving terminal.
US08403682B2
An electronic control device including a plurality of terminal pins each including a first circuit board side connecting portion connected to a first circuit board, a second circuit board side connecting portion connected to a second circuit board, and an intermediate connecting portion disposed between the first and second circuit board side connecting portions and extending in an overlapping direction in which the first and second circuit boards overlap with each other, the intermediate connecting portions being aligned in a row along a predetermined alignment direction, and the terminal pins at least partially including adjacent two terminal pins formed into a bent shape such that the first circuit board side connecting portion of one of the adjacent two terminal pins is offset relative to the first circuit board side connecting portion of the other adjacent two terminal pins in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined alignment direction.
US08403681B2
An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector, a chip located and a printed circuit board located at opposite sides of the anisoptropic conductive film. The electrical connector has an anisoptropic conductive film and a loading mechanism. The anisoptropic conductive film includes an adhesive and a number of conductive particles dispersed in the adhesive. The anisoptropic conductive film has conductivity only in a thicknesswise direction by pressing. The loading mechanism can exert pressure on the anisoptropic conductive film so that the chip and the printed circuit board electrically couples with each other.
US08403680B2
Apparatus and methods for magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction are disclosed. An embodiment electrical connector comprises a connector body, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to and at least partially disposed within the connector body, a ground contact mechanically attached to the connector body, an insulator mechanically separating and electrically isolating the first active signal contact and the ground contact, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal contact. An embodiment electrical cable comprises an elongated insulating sheath, a first active signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath, a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor.
US08403679B2
A high voltage swivel including an inner and an outer body, each body having at least a first and a second ring-shaped conductor element, the conductor elements including two spaced-apart end faces and a curved contact surface, the elements being mutually interconnected at opposing end faces via insulating members at axially spaced-apart positions, the inner and outer bodies being coaxial around a longitudinal axis, the contact surface of each inner conductor element being adjacent to and in electrical contact with an opposed contact surface of a corresponding outer conductor element, the inner and outer bodies being rotatable relative to one another around the longitudinal axis, each conductor element of the inner and outer body connected to a voltage line extending to an input terminal or an output terminal, the insulator members interconnecting the conductor elements situated at a mutual distance in the circumferential direction of the conductor element, the interconnected conductor elements of the inner and the outer body each being supported by a respective support member to form integral units such that the inner and outer bodies are adapted to be mutually decoupled or attached by relative displacement of the integral units in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
US08403678B2
A method and apparatus for influencing a person to develop, accept and/or understand a concept, position or idea using questioning, including a technique sometimes known as the Socratic Method. A universe of question and answer subsets comprising questions and respective multiple choice answers to each question designed in advance, arranged and inter-connected on a stand-alone computer, a computer on a local area network or computer network, or any computer network and displayed in such a way as to allow the participant to follow the individual's own path by selecting answers he accepts, which tend to logically lead the individual toward agreement and or understanding on the subject.
US08403676B2
An anatomical model comprising: a lumen structure; a frame; and movable connections selectively supporting the lumen structure to the frame.
US08403675B2
A training and/or evaluating device is provided particularly useful in performing laparoscopic procedures, radiological procedures, and precise surgeries that simulates the structure and dynamic motion of the corresponding anatomical structure on which the procedure takes place. The device includes an outer housing, which may be designed to mimic the body wall, in which one or more organs are located. Motion of the organ(s), as a result of respiration, pulmonary action, circulation, digestion and other factors present in a live body, is simulated in the device so as to provide accurate dynamic motion of the organs during a procedure.
US08403669B2
Artificial teeth of upper and lower jaws, allowing easy operation by clarifying the three-dimensional positional relation of cusp tips and pits to contact with each other in occlusion. Each pair of artificial teeth may include cusp tips and pits, and the positional relation of the cusp tips and pits are set appropriately.
US08403640B2
A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The air outlet defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The motor has a rotor which, in use, is capable of rotating at a speed of at least 5,000 rpm.
US08403636B2
A turbine stage in a turbomachine including ring sectors arranged about a turbine impeller, and an annular support supporting the ring sectors and attached to a turbine casing is disclosed. The annular support is able to be deformed elastically in the radial direction to cushion at least a portion of the deformations of the turbine casing in operation.
US08403631B2
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The turbine section includes components having a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform. The platform includes an outer surface, a cover plate and a cooling channel extending between the outer surface and the cover plate. The cooling channel receives cooling airflow to cool the platform and the airfoil.
US08403620B2
The invention relates to a method for moving a wind turbine component, such as a wind turbine hub, from a transportation position to a wind turbine assembly position. The method comprises the steps of: attaching a handling unit to a structural part of the wind turbine component, operatively connecting the handling unit to a wire of a crane system, lifting the wind turbine component with the crane system to an assembly position of the wind turbine, the handling unit and the wind turbine component being suspended from a wire of the crane system, and rotating the wind turbine component with the handling unit during the lifting of the wind turbine component in order to orientate the wind turbine component for assembly. The invention also relates to a handling unit and a wind turbine hub and use hereof.
US08403614B2
A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The mixed pallet build system further includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The carriage has a length that is shorter than the length of the rack. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.
US08403612B2
A fastener assembly for attaching a fastener to an opening of a sheet material is disclosed. The sheet material is typically located adjacent to a base structure and the fastener assembly affords radial movement of the fastener relative to the opening of the sheet material. The radial movement allows the fastener to be aligned with a desired location on the base structure, e.g. a threaded aperture—after being attached to the sheet material. In this manner, the fastener assembly provides for the placement of the fastener in difficult to reach and/or see locations until it can be attached to the base structure.
US08403611B2
Self-locking nuts help prevent the nut from backing off of a spindle or other type of threaded shaft. A single piece nut assembly is provided that is self-locking and comprises a nut subassembly and a washer subassembly. Nut and washer subassemblies are secured together, and do not require any special tools for installation or removal. The washer has an edge which is formed/rolled over a lip extending from the bottom edge of the nut when assembled to provide the unitized assembly. The nut and washer are held apart by a spring, such as a wave spring, until the washer contacts the face of the object to which the nut is being secured. At this point the spring is compressed to engage the nut with the washer, and engage holding elements located in the nut with a holding feature located on the washer and prevent movement between the washer and nut.
US08403609B1
A cargo restraint system with enhanced filament characteristics wherein the restraint system includes laminated load restraining strips with a layer of reinforcement material comprising a plurality of substantially parallel bundles of filaments and wherein the layer of reinforcement filaments each have a break strength of approximately fifteen point nine (15.9 grams to approximately twenty point seven (20.7) grams.
US08403607B1
A cargo restraint system with enhanced filament characteristics wherein the restraint system includes laminated load restraining strips with a layer of reinforcement material comprising a plurality of substantially parallel bundles of filaments and wherein the layer of reinforcement contains approximately two hundred and fifteen to two hundred and seventy nine ends of reinforcing material and each end of reinforcement material comprises approximately four hundred and eighty four filaments of reinforcement material and each filament comprises one or more monofilament strands having a total break strength of approximately twenty four grams.
US08403603B2
A tool holder as a carrier tool for a cutting tool for turning, milling or drilling applications for the machining of primarily metal materials, having an incorporated receiving recess with seat walls for receiving a cutting body, wherein the cutting body is fastened with fastening means.
US08403596B2
A groundwater control system and method for regulating the level of groundwater in an agricultural field according to selected criteria including a drainage tile line having a water flow regulator that is computer controlled through a communications link in response to the selected criteria to provide a water table profile for the field.
US08403592B2
The present invention provides a grass protection mat which can be used for protection of grass in a golf course, a grass field, and a park lawn, or be used for growth of the grass. The grass protection mat includes a body member constituting grass penetrating spaces, protruding pillars formed at upper portion of the body member, lug members formed at lower portion of the body member, and an outer frame provided at outer wall of the body member. The grass protection mat further includes sinking prevention means provided across the grass penetrating spaces formed at the lower portion of the mat, elastically deformable sinking prevention means, mat sliding prevention means provided to the sinking prevention means, and sliding prevention means. The invention may obtain improve effects that the grass protection mat prevents the mat from sinking into a ground after construction of the mat on the ground, enhances sinking prevention effect by elastically deforming the sinking prevention means, while preventing the mat sinking, restrains the mat from slipping through the mat sliding prevention means provided to the sinking prevention means under or after construction of the mat, and effectively prevents from sliding on the mat during passage of the mat.
US08403591B2
The interchangeable-core adjuster assembly for optical mounts comprises a carrier bushing and an internally-threaded core bushing that fits snuggly inside the carrier bushing. The carrier bushing is fixedly fitted into the hole the stage plate of the optical mount, and the core bushing slides inside it. The core bushing is irrotatably locked into position within the carrier bushing by conjugate key-keyway structures on carrier and core bushings. While the carrier bushing remains in the stage plate of the optical mount, the core bushing can be removed and replaced with another core bushing having a different pitch. In this way, the same mount may be used with either fine adjuster screw or ultra-fine adjuster screws by simply interchanging core bushings having the corresponding pitches.
US08403590B2
A coupler for an excavator has first and second recesses for receiving first and second pins, respectively, of an attachment. A latching member is movable into and out of a latching state in which it closes the second pin-receiving recess. A blocking member is movable into and out of a blocking state in which it closes the first pin-receiving recess. An actuator is provided for moving the first latching member into and out of the latching state, the actuator acting indirectly upon the blocking member to move the blocking member into and out of its blocking state as the latching member is moved into and out of its latching state. Preferably the actuator acts upon the blocking member via a resiliently deformable member acting between the actuator and the blocking member whereby the resilient member can deflect should the blocking member be obstructed to avoid excessive loading on the actuator.
US08403586B2
A determinant assembly feature for a joint assembly and a method of assembly therefor. The joint assembly includes a structure and a web connected thereto. The structure includes a base, a pair of legs extending from the base to define a channel, and one or more location control receiving elements in either leg. The web includes a thickness control element and one or more location control elements correspondingly matched to the location control receiving elements. The method includes providing a structure comprising a base, a pair of legs extending from the base to define a channel and one or more location control receiving elements in either leg; providing a web comprising one or more location control elements and a thickness control element; and inserting the web into the structure, wherein the one or more location control elements is correspondingly matched to the one or more location control receiving elements.
US08403585B2
A miter joint bracket and method of using comprised of a base-plate having an oblate-hexagonal shape, a flat-roofed dome rising vertically from the base-plate, apertures drilled into the dome's flat roof to accommodate fasteners drilled or nailed through the apertures and into both sides of the miter joint of the frame to which the bracket is attached. The upper edges of the miter joint are drawn up into the space underneath the dome which pulls the upper edges slightly apart but forces the lower edges of the miter joint closer together thereby creating a tighter and more aesthetically appealing joint on the view-side of the shutter or frame to which the bracket is attached.
US08403583B2
An assembly structured to clean the head portion of a stethoscope comprising a housing including a path of travel along which the head portion passes during cleaning. A supply of cleaning fluid associated with a dispenser assembly is cooperatively disposed relative to an activating assembly. The activating assembly is operated in moveable engagement with the head portion, and activates the dispenser assembly when engaged by the head portion as it passes along the path of travel. The dispenser assembly delivers the cleaning fluid to an applicator assembly which distributes the cleaning fluid to the head portion and facilitates the cleaning thereof and removal of excess cleaning fluid there from. At least one disinfectant agent is dispersed within or comprises a portion of the housing and is formulated to be destructively effective against pathogenic bacteria, such as in the spore form, which is generally not affected by the cleaning fluid.
US08403579B2
A water-based ink composition for a ballpoint pen wherein the initial start of writing and writing over time is good, and no blur in handwriting occur and a stable writing performance can be sustained and good handwriting can be continuously formed. A water-based ink composition for a ballpoint pen dissolving or dispersing a coloring agent in an aqueous medium. The aqueous medium substantially contains no water-soluble organic solvent and is composed of water. The water-based ink composition includes a thickening inhibitor together with a shear thinning viscosity-imparting agent. As the thickening inhibitor, one or two or more are selected from a group of polyalkylene glycol, polypropylene glycol derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based polymer compounds, polymer compounds having a polyalkylene oxide group and/or surfactants having a polyoxyethylene group.
US08403574B2
A camera system including a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory has a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory and a storage unit configured to store information to be used when performing the signal processing, the camera system further including a pseudo interchangeable lens which can be mounted on the accessory instead of the interchangeable lens and which is configured to supply power from the camera body to the accessory when mounted on the camera body via the accessory, and a control unit configured to, while the camera body, the accessory, and the pseudo interchangeable lens are connected, when the accessory receives within a predetermined duration predetermined information, enable communication between the camera body and the accessory even after the predetermined duration has elapsed, and rewrite the information stored in the storage unit.
US08403568B2
In a connector system, a first connector is mechanically and optically mateable with a second connector to form one or more optical signal communication links. A wiping cleaner is included on at least one of the first and second connectors for cleaning an optical port of the other of the first and second connectors when the connectors are plugged together. The first and second connectors can further be electrically mateable to provide both optical and electrical signal communication links.
US08403564B2
A linear motion device has a first assembly and a second assembly which is linearly movable relative to the first assembly. A first rolling surface which extends in a longitudinal direction is provided on the first assembly and is situated opposite a second rolling surface provided on the second assembly. A row of rolling elements is located between the first and second rolling surfaces. The first assembly includes a single-pieced, first body and a return assembly and a return passage being provided in the first body A curved deflection passage is located entirely within the deflection assembly and connects the first rolling surface to the return passage such that the rolling elements circulate endlessly A projection that engages in the return passage is provided on the deflection assembly.
US08403554B2
In a screw for extruder, a bearing segment having a function of supporting a screw main body at an intermediate part when kneading is performed is provided at a position corresponding to a kneading portion or on the downstream side of the kneading portion. The bearing segment is provided with at least two flights having a sectional shape of a complete meshing type with one streak in the axial direction, the flights are arranged in the rotational direction with uniformly displacing a phase thereof respectively, and length of the flights in the axial direction is set to 0.2D (D: rotational outer diameter of the bearing segment) or more. According to the above configuration, bending of the screw main body is prevented and abrasion of the flights and a barrel is suppressed.
US08403540B2
A lighting device includes a housing, and a light-emitting module mounted in an accommodation chamber inside the housing and carrying a set of light-emitting devices on a circuit board thereof for emitting light, a plurality of refracting prisms for refracting a part of the light emitted by the light-emitting devices horizontally toward two opposing sides through the light transmissive peripheral wall of the top cover shell of the housing and two opposing double-beveled reflectors for reflecting the other part of the light emitted by the light-emitting devices toward the outside through the light transmissive peripheral wall of the top cover shell of the housing in the same opposing directions. Thus, the invention extends the luminous range of the light-emitting devices, enhances the luminance and reduces light loss.
US08403534B2
The invention relates to a lighting system, a light element for use in such system, and a display comprising such a lighting system. The lighting system comprises light elements (5) such as LEDs or OLEDs, located between two preferably transparent substrates (2, 3) provided with an electrically conducting layers. The light element has sliding electrical contacts, enabling movement of the light element between the substrates while being lit. Such a system provides a relatively simple lighting system allowing for easy modification.
US08403530B2
One or more layers of LEDs shine light into an array of elliptical reflectors. Each elliptical reflector has an LED at one focal point and shares the second focal point with a larger parabolic reflector that collimates the light. A hole in the center of the parabolic reflector receives additional LEDs, with or without collimation optics.
US08403524B2
A lighting system for a vehicle maintenance platform includes a frame structure, a plurality of light sources and a rechargeable power source. The frame structure is capable of being detachably coupled to the vehicle maintenance platform. The plurality of light sources is disposed on the frame structure and is configured to illuminate a target region underneath a vehicle. The rechargeable power source is coupled to the frame structure and is electrically connected to the plurality of light sources. The rechargeable power source provides electrical power to the plurality of light sources. Further, a vehicle maintenance apparatus including the lighting system and the vehicle maintenance platform is also provided.
US08403522B2
An exemplary LED lamp includes a heat dissipation module, a light source mounted on the heat dissipation module, a cover engaging the heat dissipation module and covering the light source, a reflective layer mounted on the cover, and two connectors secured at two corresponding ends of the cover and the heat dissipation module. The cover has an inner surface and a convex outer surface. The inner surface includes a first concave surface and two second concave surfaces at lateral sides of the first concave surface. The second concave surfaces face the LEDs and configured as light incident surfaces; light emitted by the LEDs incidents onto the second concave surfaces and travels through the cover to an outside for lightening. A part of the light is reflected by the reflective layer before travelling to the outside.
US08403521B2
A structurally improved flashlight includes a handle coupled to a main body at a bottom of the main body. The handle has a trigger assembled between a pair of housing parts. The trigger is formed with a zigzag room that is communicated with openings formed at two laterals of the trigger for accommodating a safety mechanism. A magnet provided at an upper surface of the trigger is to removably engage a reed switch installed on the flashlight main body. A spring is deposited between the trigger and the two housing parts, so as to enable the trigger to resiliently move to and fro. The trigger is for conveniently switching the flashlight among different illumination phases, such as light intensity, blinking and on/off status. The structurally improved flashlight is also designed to be held in a certain illumination phase temporarily, so as to prevent unintentional change of the set illumination phase.
US08403509B2
An LED lamp includes a housing, a conducting ring mounted on the housing, a shade swivelably mounted on the housing, an LED module mounted on the shade, and two conducting pins each electrically connected with the LED module and each electrically connected with the conducting ring. Thus, when the LED module is moved in concert with the shade, each of the two conducting pins is slidably in contact with the conducting ring to connect the LED module electrically with the conducting ring and to connect the LED module electrically with the metallic base and the power contact plate through the conducting ring so as to form an electrical circuit so that the LED module can be rotated through three hundred and sixty degrees (360°) so as to change the lighting direction of the LED module.
US08403504B2
In a projection type display apparatus for enabling to display an image, by projecting an image on an image display element(s), enlargedly, upon a nearly horizontal surface, such as, a table, a reflection mirror for reflecting a light from a light source is so disposed that an optical axis of the light source is nearly perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens group having a plural number of lens elements, which are disposed symmetric with respect to the optical axis.
US08403497B2
The invention discloses a projector including a casing, an optical module, a light source module, a blowing fan, and an axial fan. The casing has a first air-outlet, a second air-outlet, and an air-inlet. The blowing fan and the axial fan are disposed corresponding to two sides of a light axis of the light source module respectively. When the blowing fan operates, an initial airflow into the casing from the air-inlet flows through the optical module and then a predetermined airflow generated by the blowing fan on a first air-outlet surface of the blowing fan cools the light source module. An angle is formed between the axial fan and one side of the casing. The axial fan directly sends the air around the light source module out of the casing through the first air-outlet and/or the second air-outlet.
US08403495B2
The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules such that each module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Further, a number of the lens elements corresponds to a number of LEDs; such that the plurality of lens elements is adapted to redirect the light emitted by the LEDs on a plurality lenses. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of imagers disposed subsequent to the plurality of lenses, such that each of the imagers forms an image from the light provided by each of the lenses, respectively. Further, the images formed by the plurality of imagers are combined by a device, such as an X-cube, to form a single image that is further provided to a light pipe of a display system.
US08403494B2
An image formed on a reflecting optical modulator is magnified by a projection optical system and projected on a backside of a transmission-type screen. The projection optical system is constituted so that a product of an F-number and a projection magnification of the projection optical system is less than 400.
US08403490B2
A beam scanning-type display device used as a head-mounted display (HMD) or a head-up display (HUD) includes a light source which emits a beam, a scanning unit which performs scanning using the beam emitted from the light source, a deflecting unit which deflects the beam used for the scanning by the scanning unit in the direction toward an eye of a user, and a wavefront shape changing unit which changes the wavefront shape of the beam from the light source so that the beam spot size falls within the predetermined allowable range, and emits the beam to the wavefront shape changing unit.
US08403489B2
Spectral separation filters for channels of a 3D image projection incorporate passbands of primary colors. In at least one of the filters, passbands are present in more than 3 primary colors. A set of two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional primary passbands of the first filter allow for an increased color space in projections through the filters compared to filters only having red, green, and blue primaries. The added flexibility of the increased color space is utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used.
US08403480B2
Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis. The system can further include a device, for example a lens or lens system, positioned in the system to be between the eye of the examinee and the image detection system during photoscreening for shifting the neutralization of the system to a desired region for a specific population of examinees. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US08403472B2
An inkjet image forming method includes: applying, onto a recording medium which is held by suction on a support base, an ink composition including a pigment and a polymerizable compound using an inkjet; applying, onto the recording medium, a treatment liquid that includes an aggregating agent that is capable of aggregating components in the ink composition and that has a viscosity of 2 mPa·s to 5 mPa·s at 20° C. and a surface tension of 25 mN/m to 45 mN/m at 25° C.; and irradiating the ink composition applied to the recording medium with an active energy ray, thereby performing polymerization.
US08403470B2
A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
US08403468B2
An inkjet printer cartridge refilling system is described. The system may include a plurality of fixtures or adapters that are configured to hold inkjet printer cartridges. The adapters allow a variety of different configurations of inkjet printer cartridges to be refilled and cleaned by mating the cartridges to universal stations on the refilling system.
US08403461B2
According to one embodiment, an aqueous inkjet ink includes a dispersion medium that contains water and a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol having a weight average molecular weight of 400 or more, and a pigment. The pigment accounts for less than 5 mass % of the total amount of the aqueous inkjet ink. The aqueous inkjet ink has viscosities (mPa·s) measured using a cone-plate type viscometer at 20 rpm and satisfying the following relationships: VA/VB≧1.5 VA≧10 mPa·s 3 mPa·s≦VB≦15 mPa·s, where VA is the viscosity at 30° C., and VB the viscosity at 45° C.
US08403456B2
A fluid droplet discharge device executes a head cleaning process to quickly remove bubbles that have entered the fluid supply path when it is likely that bubbles have entered in a flushing process. If the ink cartridge cover 2b is opened during flushing and it is possible that bubbles have entered the ink supply path, ΔN1 is added to the count Na of the cleaning intensity setting counter N. If the count Na exceeds a threshold value Nmax in a head cleaning operation performed when a defective nozzle is detected, cleaning (CL4) with the highest cleaning intensity level is applied. Because ΔN1 is added to the count Na if the ink cartridge cover 2b is opened when flushing, the timing when this cleaning operation (CL4) is applied is accelerated. Bubbles that have entered the fluid supply path can therefore be removed sooner.
US08403454B2
At a front-end side opposite to a head-fixing-member-attachment side, a protection member has an inclined plane sloped up from a head side toward the opposite outer side in a direction in which liquid ejecting heads are arranged in a row. The surface of the front end is located at a position that is not closer to a head-fixing member in comparison with the nozzle surface of each of the liquid ejecting heads attached to the head-fixing member or level therewith. A recess is formed at a part of the inclined plane. In a state in which one of the caps faces the protection member and, in addition, each of the remaining caps is in contact with the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head, a part of the cap facing the protection member is in the recess, which ensures that the cap is not in contact with the protection member.
US08403453B2
The method for forming an inkjet image provides a high-resolution image with a stable ink ejection and the image exhibits excellent curability, The image is formed using an inkjet recording head comprising a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of nozzles in communication with the pressure chambers and positioned on one side of the pressure chamber, and an ink chamber in communication with the pressure chamber and positioned on an opposite side of the pressure chamber. The ink composition in the ink chamber has a photo-initiator, a polymerizable compound and a gelling agent. The temperature of the ink composition in the ink chamber is kept at 70° C.-140° C. during an image recording and during standing-by. The ink composition is forced to flow in the ink chamber.
US08403447B1
Among other things, the disclosure features a system for use in fluid jetting. The system comprises a first print module comprising a first row of nozzles, a second print module comprising a second row of nozzles, and a controller to receive a first data packet from a remote device at a first moment and a second data packet from the remote device at a second moment after the first moment. Upon receipt of the first data packet, the controller is configured to cause at least some nozzles in the first row, at a third moment, to eject fluid droplets onto a line on a substrate. Upon receipt of the second data packet, the controller is configured to cause at least some nozzles in the second row, at a fourth moment separated from the third moment by a time delay, to eject fluid droplets onto the line on the substrate.
US08403444B2
According to the present invention, a recording apparatus is provided which is capable of recording a plurality of patterns, on a recording medium, for detecting an amount of displacement between a recording position of a first discharge port array and a recording position of a second discharge port array in a conveyance direction and acquiring an amount of inclination based on the amount of displacement without conveying the recording medium.
US08403434B2
A mounting apparatus for mounting a slide rail to a bracket with through holes includes a retaining member and a locking member fixed to the retaining member. The retaining member includes a positioning portion, and defines a through slot. The locking member includes an engaging portion and an operating portion extending through the through slot. The positioning portion engages in a through hole of the bracket from a first side of the bracket, the engaging portion engages with a second side of the bracket. When releasing the slide rail from the bracket, the operating portion is operated to deform the locking member to make the engaging portion be disengaged from the second side of the bracket, and the positioning portion is readily released from the through hole of the bracket, to release the retaining member from the bracket.
US08403428B2
A check valve having a spherical valve body received in a valve chamber, a valve seat for blocking the flow of fluid from the valve chamber toward an inflow port when having the spherical valve body seated thereon, and a plate-like resilient member arranged across the valve chamber. The resilient member has an annular fixed portion fixed on a circumferential wall of the valve chamber and a tongue piece portion radially extending from a radial one side of the annular fixed portion to extend an end thereof beyond an inner edge on a radial other side of the annular fixed portion. The tongue piece portion is formed to be deflected toward the valve seat side from the fixed portion and is resiliently contacted with the spherical valve body at a center part thereof for disengageably pressing the spherical valve body against the valve seat.
US08403418B2
A chair, includes a seat structure and a backrest structure arranged pivotally to the seat structure. An armrest is arranged pivotally to the backrest structure through a pivotal connection, and a link mechanism is journalled to the structures of the seat and the backrest, respectively, the link mechanism actuating and controlling the armrest to maintain its pivotal orientation in any pivotal position of the backrest relative to the seat. The armrest is adjustable in the length direction of the backrest through the pivotal connection which is arranged displaceable on the backrest structure, and the pivotal orientation of the armrest is controlled via a sliding engagement between a lever arm, adjoining the armrest at an angle thereto, and an actuator link included in the link mechanism and displaceable thereby with respect to the backrest so as to extend substantially in the length direction of the backrest in all its positions of displacement.
US08403408B2
A personal support device includes a single elongated non-linear shaft having a support attached to a top end thereof and a tip attached to a bottom end thereof. The shaft is arced or includes a bend that defines upper and lower portions of the shaft which are angularly offset from one another. The support is configured to be at least partially disposed below the pelvis and extend between the legs of the individual supported by the device, with the shaft extending to a support surface either in front of or behind the individual.
US08403406B2
A deflector apparatus for a vehicle including a fixed frame provided at the roof portion, a movable frame positioned at an upper side of the fixed frame and being rotatable between a raised position and a retracted position, a mesh member connected to the fixed frame and the movable frame and brought to a raised state and a retracted state by a rotation of the movable frame, the mesh member extending above a surface of the roof portion in the raised state, and a spring member biasing the movable frame to the raised position. The fixed frame includes a connecting portion connected to the mesh member and provided at an upper side of a drain portion that is formed along a front-inner periphery of the opening. The connecting portion is arranged to have a clearance relative to the drain portion.
US08403385B2
An automobile bumper structure reduces damage to a vehicle body in an offset collision by having a bumper member in an offset collision area formed by a separate member.
US08403381B2
The present invention relates to a latch mechanism for securing a movable panel member such as a door to a stationary panel member such as a wall. The latch mechanism has a receiver member attached to one of the panels and a latch member attached to the other pane and which engages the receiver member to secure the two panels together.
US08403376B2
Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
US08403372B2
A reinforcing ring and a plastic fitting incorporating such a reinforcing ring are disclosed. The reinforcing ring and plastic fitting have particular utility with respect to fire sprinkler heads in buildings. The reinforcing ring has a single starter thread which is integrally formed with a guide portion which guides a male part to be axially in line with the female fitting.
US08403362B2
A restraint system having support elements can be transferred from a storage position to a restraint position. Flexible casing elements are disposed between the support elements and have air flow openings, such that the support elements having the flexible casing elements enclose a restraint volume in the restraint position. A resistance element is disposed at each of the air flow openings in order to impede or prevent the escape of air from the restraint volume compared to the inflow at the respective air flow opening. Such resistance elements may be formed by a second layer, displaced fabric threads, flexible fabric web sections and other elements such that a check valve function is provided.
US08403351B2
This invention relates to an external bicycle stand in which an axle is inserted in the stand body, a locating member for locating the axle being assembled on the stand body, an assembling member engaged with bicycle pedal being fastened on one end of the axle extending to the outside of the stand body, and a support member being pivotably hinged on the stand body. In bicycle parking, the assembling member is combined with the bicycle pedal, then the stand body supports under the pedal and in turn the support member pivotably hinged on the stand body can be moved down vertically to support on ground so as to finish the parking effect. This invention is adaptable to the cases having pedal of various sizes by providing a stand locating member capable of adjustment.
US08403344B2
The present invention provides a dolly (10) having a deck (12) including a plurality of rotatable members (14) secured thereto to support the deck (12) relative to a support surface (16) and enable the dolly (10) to move on the support surface (16). Each rotatable member (14) has a skirt element (24) located adjacent thereto. The or each skirt element (24) is movable relative to the deck (12) between a first position in which each rotatable member (14) is exposed beyond the adjacent skirt element (24) to a first extent and a second position in which each rotatable member (14) is exposed beyond the adjacent skirt element (24) to a second extent. The second extent is less than the first extent. Movement of the or each skirt element (24) between the first and second positions selectively engages a brake (50) to inhibit movement of the dolly (10) relative to the support surface (16).
US08403343B1
A shopping cart attachment device for securing a shopping cart to a vehicle featuring a clamp base having a generally U-shaped cross section formed from a first panel and a second panel connected together, the base snugly wraps around an end of the shopping cart; an arm pivotally attached to the base via a pivot mechanism, the pivot mechanism allows the arm to pivot side-to-side, the arm has a first end and a second end, the first end is engaged in the pivot mechanism and the second end extends outwardly from the base and pivot mechanism; a pad component disposed on the second end of the arm; and a hook extending upwardly from the pad component and second end of the arm, the hook functions to hook onto a part of a vehicle.
US08403339B2
A chuck with a generally cylindrical body having a tail section configured to receive a drive shaft of a driver and a nose section having an axial bore formed therein. A plurality of jaws is movably disposed with respect to the body. A threaded spindle is rotatably connected to the body and operatively engages the jaws. A first ring is fixedly mounted about the body and has a first plurality of teeth. An inner sleeve is rotatably mounted about the tail section and has an open portion. A second ring that has at least one protrusion that mates with the corresponding open portion and extends outwardly from the inner sleeve and the ring has a second plurality of teeth. An outer sleeve is placed concentrically around the inner sleeve and contains a lock groove that the protrusion of the second ring is situated inside the lock groove.
