US08665592B2

A multi-core microprocessor provides an indication of the power management state of each of the cores on output terminals. Cooling of the cores is adjusted responsive to the indication of the power management state of the respective cores with additional cooling being provided to those cores in a more active state and less cooling provided to those cores in a less active state.
US08665566B1

A method of assembling a head stack assembly of a magnetic storage drive is provided. The method includes attaching a flexible printed circuit (FPC) with a suspension tail of a head gimbal assembly, wherein the suspension tail includes a plurality of discrete segments positioned within a bonding area and other portions of a structural layer outside of the bonding area, and pressing tail bond pads of the suspension tail against corresponding ones of FPC bond pads of the FPC by bringing a single flat surface of a thermode in contact with each of the discrete segments.
US08665559B2

A magnetic storage and retrieval system and a manufacturing technique thereof are disclosed herein. A chemical reaction is triggered upon a surface of each metallic layer of a plurality of metallic layers disposed on a substrate. It is also determined whether a metallic material of the surface has transformed to a new metallic material that is more chemically resistant than the metallic material.
US08665557B1

A base member includes a base groove portion, at least one base through-hole, and a first insulating sheet portion. The base groove portion is positioned on a lower surface of the base member. The base through-hole extends through the base member. The first insulating sheet portion is arranged on a bottom surface of the base groove portion. A lead wire extending from a coil is led out into the base groove portion through the base through-hole. The base through-hole includes a major axis extending in a radial direction and a minor axis extending in a circumferential direction. The base through-hole has a radial length larger than a circumferential width thereof. A portion of an edge of the first insulating sheet portion is arranged on the lower surface of the base member to intersect the major axis of the base through-hole and to cover a portion of the base through-hole.
US08665556B2

A sleeve supports a shaft. A housing member is arranged so as to surround the sleeve and make the end of the sleeve protrude. A base member holds the housing member and fixes a stator core so as to surround the housing member. A hub drives a recording disk by being rotated integrally with the shaft, with a magnet being fixed to an annular portion concentric with the shaft so as to face the stator core fixed to the base member. A thrust member is rotated integrally with the hub, and a descender portion and a ring portion.
US08665551B1

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head, and a voice coil motor (VCM) operable to actuate the head over the disk, wherein the VCM generates a back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage. At least one reference track is written on the disk, and the head is positioned near a first diameter of the disk. While moving the head from the first diameter toward a second diameter of the disk, the reference track is read and a first estimated state error is measured. While moving the head from the second diameter of the disk toward the first diameter of the disk, the reference track is read and a second estimated state error is measured. A gain and an offset of a velocity sensor are adjusted in response to the first and second estimated state errors.
US08665549B2

A magnetic data storage system having a magnetic disk having burst patterns for providing a position error signal (PES) wherein each magnetic burst pattern is offset from an adjacent burst pattern by ¼ track pitch. All of the magnetic bits of the burst patterns can be unipolar magnetized, and the bits of each burst pattern can be aligned with one another in radial and circumferential direction. The magnetic media can be a bit patterned media wherein the magnetic bits of the burst patterns are magnetically isolated portions separated by non-magnetic spaces or non-magnetic material.
US08665548B2

A magnetic disk device includes: a recording medium provided with a plurality of write tracks; a magnetic write head including a magnetic pole, side shields, and a leading shield, a distance from the magnetic pole to each of the side shields being maintained to be uniform with a gap layer therebetween, and a distance from the magnetic pole to the leading shield being maintained to be uniform with a gap layer therebetween; and a control section rotating the recording medium, and allowing magnetic information to be recorded on the recording medium while allowing the magnetic write head to travel in a direction from an inner write track toward an outer write track or in a direction from the outer write track toward the inner write track, across write tracks in the recording medium. With such a configuration, format efficiency may be improved, and a width of an erase band on a magnetic disk may be minimized. Therefore, surface recording density of a recording medium may be improved without reducing an effective write track width.
US08665547B1

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of servo tracks defined by servo sectors, and a head actuated over the disk, wherein the head comprises a read element operable to generate a read signal. The disk drive further comprises a fly height sensor operable to generate a fly height signal for the head, and control circuitry comprising a multiplexer operable to multiplex the read signal and the fly height signal to a transmission line. The multiplexer is configured to select the read signal when reading the servo sectors of a servo track, and configured to select the fly height signal when reading a segment of the servo track between consecutive servo sectors.
US08665546B1

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head for writing data to the disk, and control circuitry coupled to the head. The control circuitry is operable to determine a first set of fly height values and determine a threshold based on the first set of fly height values. The control circuitry determines a second set of fly height values, adjusts the threshold based on the second set of fly height values, and detects a head characteristic based on the adjusted threshold. The head characteristic is detected by detecting a head touchdown event and/or detecting contamination related to the head based on the adjusted threshold.
US08665545B2

A “write-squeeze-verify” method is used for verification of the data that has been written in the annular bands of a shingled magnetic recording disk drive. The writing of data along a track overwrites a portion of the previously written track and thus “squeezes” the data of the previously written track to thereby form a “shingled data track” (SDT). The data in each SDT is read back and verified by an error correction check using error correction bits associated with the data written in the SDT, or by comparing the readback data with the data stored in memory. If the data read back is not verified, a write error counter is incremented and a write error frequency is calculated. One or more attempts to write the data can be performed. If the data in the SDT cannot be verified after the attempted rewrite(s), then a “re-try fail” is reported.
US08665540B2

A lens barrel is provided that includes a base, a motor, a drive gear, and a rotary frame. The motor is fixed to the base and produces a driving force. The drive gear is coupled to the base and configured to transmit the driving force. The rotary frame has a substantially cylindrical shape and a gear component disposed on at least part of its inner peripheral surface. The gear component meshes with the drive gear so that during rotation of the drive gear the rotary frame rotates, via the driving force, relative to the base component and advances and retracts along a rotational axis of the lens barrel. The length of the drive gear is greater than the length of the gear component, and as the rotary frame and the gear component advance and retract, the gear component remains within a range of opposing ends of the drive gear.
US08665537B2

What is described is a modified retrofocus-type wide-angle lens, with, as seen from the object, a front group (G1) with negative refractive power, a first rear group (Gh1) with positive refractive power displaceable along the optical axis for focusing purposes and a second rear group (Gh2) with positive refractive power facing an image plane.
US08665529B2

An embodiment of this invention provides a zoom lens, which comprises, in order from an object side to an image-forming side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. Further, the zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: (1) DG1/fw>0.72; (2) DG2/fw<0.72; and (3) TTL/fw<7.0, wherein fw is the focal length of the optical zoom lens at a wide-angle end, DG1 is the thickness of the first lens group, DG2 is the thickness of the second lens group, and TTL is the total thickness of the zoom lens, i.e., the distance between the object side of the first lens group and an image-forming plane of the zoom lens.
US08665522B2

There is provided a lenticular sheet including: a lenticular lens having a plurality of convex lens parts arranged two-dimensionally; a first ink absorbing layer which is provided on a surface, of the lenticular lens, opposite the convex lens parts and in which ink permeates; a suppressing part provided on the first ink absorbing layer to divide the first ink absorbing layer into a plurality of regions and suppressing the ink from permeating across the plurality of the regions; and a second ink absorbing layer provided to cover the suppressing part.
US08665510B2

A reflective element assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes front and rear substrates with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. An electrical connector has an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein. A flange of the attachment portion is configured to be disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate and a tab is configured to extend at least partially across a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically conductive material is disposed in an uncured state and uncured electrically conductive material flows at least partially through the aperture and is cured to secure the electrical connector at the rear substrate. The wire receiving portion of the electrical connector is configured to receive the electrical wire therein and includes at least one tang that engages the electrical wire when the electrical wire is inserted into the wire receiving portion.
US08665506B2

A micro-mirror includes stiffer end sections for limiting curvature, and thin middle sections forming ground electrodes and a hinge. Spacers arc provided beneath the thin middle sections of the micro-mirror for supporting hot electrodes, which attract the ground electrodes for rotating the micro-mirror about a tilt axis. The spacers enable the gap between the hot electrode and the micro-mirror to be designed separately from the thickness of the micro-mirror, and the gap between the ends of the micro-mirror and the substrate.
US08665503B2

A document reading section includes a document load table, a document load tray, a first document receiving tray, a linear conveyance path, a first guide member and a first reading section. The linear conveyance path, inclining downward from the document load tray, reaches the first document receiving tray. The first guide member is disposed in the linear conveyance path, and its top surface inclines downward along the linear conveyance path toward a downstream side in a document conveying direction in relation to the document load table. The first guide member is disposed in such a manner that part of its top surface intersects with a plane containing a top surface of the document load table.
US08665491B2

A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a print job to be printed, determining if the print job is to be processed according to a formula based workflow and invoking formula based International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles to perform color transformations if the print job is determined to be processed according to the formula based workflow.
US08665478B2

A print server includes a registration unit configured to register a virtual printer according to a printer registration request received from a information processing apparatus, a storage unit configured to store printer information about the virtual printer registered by the registration unit, and a notification unit configured to notify the printing apparatus of a printer registration notification indicating that the virtual printer is registered by the registration unit, wherein the printer information is acquired by the printing apparatus which receives the printer registration notification.
US08665467B2

An image processing apparatus extracts still images from a moving image and performs an image process. A parameter indicating characteristics of moving image data is extracted, and the number of still images is determined based on the parameter indicating characteristics of the moving image data. Then, based on a determined number of still images, still images are extracted from the moving image, the extracted still images are saved as a single file, and the image process is carried out using saved still images.
US08665464B2

If a change is made in configuration information, an image forming apparatus transmits a configuration data generation request, including the configuration information which has been changed, to a setting value management service. If the image forming apparatus receives an error notification indicating the failure of the configuration data generation request from the setting value management service, the image forming apparatus multicasts a search packet on a network and searches an image forming apparatus storing address information of the setting value management service. Based on a response from the searched image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmits a configuration data generation request to the setting value management service that manages the image forming apparatus.
US08665454B2

The specification discloses a pulsed time-of-flight laser range finding system used to obtain vehicle classification information. The sensor determines a distance range to portions of a vehicle traveling within a sensing zone of the sensor. A scanning mechanism made of a four facet cube, having reflective surfaces, is used to collimate and direct the laser toward traveling vehicles. A processing system processes the respective distance range data and angle range data for determining the three-dimensional shape of the vehicle.
US08665444B2

The shape of a prism is set such that an excitation light beam that enters the prism to cause surface plasmon resonance to be generated is not irradiated onto the corners of the prism after being totally reflected within the prism. The angle of a surface that the excitation light exits the prism is set to an angle at which the excitation light beam is not totally reflected. Thereby, the excitation light beam returning to a light source, and being scattered within the prism are prevented, and therefore the accuracy of measurements can be improved.
US08665440B1

A spectral imaging system comprises a plurality of spectral units arranged in an array, each spectral unit of the plurality of spectral units comprising: a microlens having an optical axis; a spectral filter having a center wavelength and aligned with the optical axis; a fiber optic bundle, the fiber optic bundle having a curved light receiving surface and a planar light output surface, wherein the curved light receiving surface is aligned with the optical axis; and a plurality of pixel sensors configured to receive light from the planar light output surface of the fiber optic taper portion.
US08665436B2

The invention relates to a method and to a device for determining a piece of polarisation information on a measurement point of a target sample, the device comprising: —a light source capable of emitting a rectilinearly polarised light beam in a predefined direction, the light beam being intended to be reflected by the measurement point of the target sample; —a unit for computing the piece of polarisation information on the measurement point using the beam reflected by the target sample; -a waveguide for guiding the incident beam towards the target sample and the reflected beam towards the computing means; and —a unit for rotating the polarisation, capable of rotating two orthogonal polarimetric components of the incident beam exiting the waveguide and two orthogonal polarimetric components of the reflected beam before passing through the waveguide.
US08665431B2

A cuvette (10) for storing a biological sample to be analyzed by means of a predefined detection technique is disclosed. The cuvette (10) is formed from a moldable material that contains particles (15a, 15b) at a concentration within a predefined range. The particles (15a, 15b) are randomly distributed, in order to form a unique pattern. Moreover, the particles (15a, 15b) have measurable physical properties, so that the unique pattern is detectable using the detection technique that is used to analyze the biological sample. The unique properties obtained by the randomly distributed particles (15a, 15b) render copying nearly impossible, since it is more complicated to distribute the particles in a predetermined pattern than to let them distribute randomly.
US08665425B2

In an eccentricity measuring method according to the present invention, a first position of a light source image formed by reflection at one optical surface is measured (S2), a predetermined second position related to another optical surface is measured (S3), and a relative eccentricity between both optical surfaces is calculated based on the first and second positions (S5). Therefore, the eccentricity measuring method enables measurement of eccentricity by a same measurement optical system regardless of a radius of curvature of an optical surface of an optical element.
US08665420B2

A spectral purity filter is configured to reflect extreme ultraviolet radiation. The spectral purity filter includes a substrate, and an anti-reflective coating on a top surface of the substrate. The anti-reflective coating is configured to transmit infrared radiation. The filter also includes a multi-layer stack configured to reflect extreme ultraviolet radiation and to substantially transmit infrared radiation.
US08665415B2

An exposure apparatus which projects exposure light from a pattern of an illuminated original onto a substrate, comprises a projection system including an optical element and configured to project the exposure light onto the substrate, an enclosure configured to enclose the projection system, and a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the optical element by irradiating the optical element with ultraviolet light under an environment in which oxygen is present within the enclosure, the cleaning mechanism including a light source configured to generate ultraviolet light, a tubular member including an exit window and configured to partially enclose an optical path between the light source and the optical element, and a regulating device configured to regulate an environment of a space inside the tubular member so that a partial pressure of oxygen becomes lower in the space inside the tubular member than in a space which is outside the tubular member.
US08665414B2

Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. The filter acts as a wave block when the liquid crystal is in an isotropic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films and materials.
US08665409B2

A display device of the present invention includes a thin film transistor in a pixel region formed over a substrate, the thin film transistor including an active layer and a gate electrode with a gate insulating film interposed between the active layer and the gate electrode, a silicon nitride film formed over the thin film transistor, a resin film formed over the silicon nitride film, an inorganic insulating film formed over the resin film; a metal layer formed over the substrate; and a sealing material formed over the metal layer, wherein the sealing material covers a region where the resin film is not formed over the silicon nitride film.
US08665406B2

A display IC chip includes a plurality of sides, a plurality of output terminals, two first color short-circuit lines, one second color short-circuit line, one third color short-circuit line, and conductive wires. The two first color short-circuit lines are parallel disposed in the IC chip and coupled to a first output terminal group of the output terminals. The second color short-circuit line is disposed between and parallel with the first color short-circuit lines. The second color short-circuit line is coupled to a second output terminal group of the output terminals. The third color short-circuit line is disposed between and parallel with the first color short-circuit lines. The third color short-circuit line is coupled to a third output terminal group of the output terminals. The conductive wires are coupled the first color short-circuit lines with the first output terminal group do not cross the second and third color short-circuit lines.
US08665403B2

Reflection efficiency of reflected light is improved and white display is efficiently performed in a liquid crystal display device which performs display by reflecting incident external light. A liquid crystal display device with higher visibility and higher image quality is provided. White display is performed utilizing reflected light which is efficiently scattered with the use of a pixel electrode layer whose surface has depressions and projections, whereby reflection efficiency of the reflected light can be improved and white display can be efficiently performed. Further, a liquid crystal display device with higher visibility and higher image quality can be provided.
US08665396B2

The present invention discloses a backlight module which includes a waveguide and a spot light source. Wherein the waveguide includes an incident face and a refractive surface adjacent to the waveguide, the light beam emitted from the spot light source will be directed toward the refractive surface, and then the light beam enters the waveguide after the light beam is refracted by the refractive surface. The present invention also discloses a liquid crystal display device incorporated with the backlight module disclosed. The backlight module can readily improve the corner vignette and enhanced with more evenly distributed brightness across the waveguide. The liquid crystal display device incorporated with the module also enjoy the evenly distributed brightness.
US08665392B2

The invention relates to the field of LCDs, and more particularly to an LCD module and an LCD device. The LCD module includes a front frame, and a backplane. The front frame includes a vertical wall, and the backplane includes a horizontal wall, and a vertical wall. The vertical wall of the front frame is vertically aligned with the vertical wall of the backplane. Because the frame of the conventional LCD module is already made very narrow, the space for further narrowing the frame width is limited; the single edge of the frame of the LCD module is narrowed by a wall thickness of the front frame or the backplane because the vertical wall of the front frame of the LCD module of the invention is conventionally aligned with the vertical wall of the backplane, and then an LCD module with a narrower frame is obtained.
US08665391B2

An LCD device and its case, the case includes a front frame and a back cover cooperating with each other and a fastener for assembling them together, and side walls of them are overlapped and holes are disposed in the side walls correspondingly. It further includes a connector member, the connector member includes a fixing portion closely fitted with a bottom wall of the back cover; a connecting portion closely fitted with the side wall of the front frame; a stopping portion inserted into the holes in the side walls of the front frame and the back cover correspondingly; an installation pole is disposed on the bottom wall of the back cover, the fixing portion of the connector member has an installation hole corresponding to the installation pole, the fastener goes through the installation hole and is fastened in the installation pole, and thus the connector member is fixed.
US08665389B2

The present invention provides a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly, where the liquid crystal display device is slim, lightweight, and requires low manufacturing costs because the device integrates a bottom chassis and a lamp cover. The bottom chassis includes an accommodating portion for mounting a light guide plate, an optical sheet, and a reflection sheet; an inner sidewall for accommodating the light guide plate, the optical sheet, and the reflection sheet; and a lamp cover, where both ends of the accommodating portion are bent to enclose the lamp.
US08665384B2

A coated article includes a low-E coating supported by a substrate (e.g., glass substrate), the low-E coating including first and second IR reflecting layers comprising silver and/or gold, and at least one UV blocking layer that blocks significant amounts of UV light having a wavelength of from 380-400 nm so that no more than about 20% of light having a wavelength of from 380-400 passes through the low-E coating. The UV blocking layer may be positioned so as to not directly contact the first and second IR reflecting layers.
US08665382B1

A pivoting device especially useful in aircraft passenger cabins that can pivot a monitor between stowed and open positions, the pivoting device including a forward/reverse rotatable driving motor. An electromagnetic brake holds the monitor in stowed and opened positions A power unit powers the motor and the electromagnetic brake. A controller controls the pivoting movement of the monitor. The power unit includes a rectifier circuit that transforms AC to a DC, a step-up circuit that steps up the transformed voltage, a voltage regulator that adjusts the transformed voltage to a prescribed DC voltage, and a retraction power retention circuit including a capacitor. When no source voltage is detected while the monitor is in its opened state, the capacitor supplies the power to a voltage regulator of the power circuit, deactivates the electromagnetic brake and reverse rotates the motor to drive the monitor to its stowed position.
US08665380B2

In accord with embodiments and implementations consistent with the present invention, rather than perform a full scan of every frequency to find a channel, the tuner is programmed to find a reasonable sample of channels. For example, the tuner can search for at least two or three channels to determine the frequency plan of the channels (by virtue of detection of at least one channel) and then use one of the known plans to directly identify the frequency map. The process can then step quickly through each frequency, without optimizing or fine tuning each channel, to determine the existence of a channel. With this process the number of tunable channels is found quicker and the initial setup time is shortened. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08665378B2

A filter for a video stream is provided. The filter generates a filtered picture according to a current picture and its previous picture. A motion difference calculator accumulates differences between current picture values and previous picture values within a neighborhood of each pixel to provide a corresponding motion difference. A histogram counter performs histogram counting according to motion differences of the pixels. A filter value calculator provides a filter value for each pixel according to operations of the motion difference calculator and the histogram counter. A blender blends the current picture value and the previous picture value of each pixel according to weightings correlated to the filter value, and provides a filtered picture value for each pixel of the filtered picture.
US08665365B2

An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element, a first wiring substrate where the image-pickup element is mounted, a second wiring substrate which is electrically connected with the first wiring substrate and a structure which has electrical conductivity. The first wiring substrate has a first wiring portion where a differential signal line is formed and a second wiring portion where a power-supply line is formed, a ground portion is formed on at least one surface of the first and second wiring portion which faces each other, the first wiring substrate is bended so that at least parts of the first and second wiring portion are overlapped with each other and the ground portion is located between the differential signal line and the power-supply line, and the bended first wiring substrate is arranged in the structure so that the second wiring portion is located between the first wiring portion and the structure.
US08665362B2

A positionable mechanism includes a frame unit, an OIS unit, and a positioning unit that are mounted on a base unit. The frame unit is retractable with respect to the base unit between a storage position and a working position. The positioning unit is movable with respect to the OIS unit between an abutting position and a releasing position, and is subjected to a restoring force. When the frame unit is at the storage position, a pressing part of the frame unit presses the positioning unit to the abutting position where the positioning unit abuts against a movable carrier of the OIS unit. When the frame unit is at the working position, the positioning unit is restored to the releasing position and releases the movable carrier.
US08665361B1

A system for capturing super-resolved images includes a camera and a projector. The projector projects a spatially periodic illumination pattern onto the scene to be captured. The spatially periodic illumination patterns may include any pattern or combination of patterns that result in complex modulation. The objects of the scene modulate the spatially periodic illumination patterns, shifting high spatial frequencies into the passband of the camera's optical transfer function. The images may be demodulated, and the demodulated components may be combined with un-modulated components. The resulting image has characteristics of the high spatial frequencies previously beyond the optical passband of the camera.
US08665359B2

An image pickup apparatus includes lens barrels 12 and 13 that house an image pickup optical system L1 to L5, an image pickup element 8 that performs a photoelectric conversion of an object image, an image pickup element holding member 10 that is movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the lens barrels, guide bars 15 and 16 that guide a movement of the image pickup element holding member, and adjustment mechanisms 9a and 9b that perform an inclination adjustment of the image pickup element. Ends at an object side of the guide bars are held by the lens barrels, and ends at an image side of the guide bars are held by a cover member 14 that includes an opening 14c to operate the adjustment mechanism from an outside at the opposite side and that is connected with the lens barrels.
US08665355B2

Image capture with an image capture device including an imaging assembly having a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. A first capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A preview image of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the first capture parameter. A user interface is displayed by which first and second regions of the preview image are designated, and by which a target range is set for contrast between the first and second regions. A second capture parameter is derived for the imaging assembly, by implementing the target range for contrast between the first and second regions. The second capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A second image of the scene is captured by using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the second capture parameter.
US08665353B2

A solid-state image pickup apparatus has: a pixel area having unit pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; a plurality of analog/digital converters, each provided for the unit pixels on the same column; a plurality of first/second memory units, provided to respective analog/digital converters, for storing the digital signals of one/another row; and a digital signal processing unit for generating an output signal based on the signals from the first and second memory units, wherein the first and second memory units store the digital signals of a same row at a non-addition operation and store the digital signals of different rows at an addition operation, and wherein, at the non-addition operation, if one of the first and second memory units on a same column is defective, the digital signal processing unit generates the output signal based on the signal from the other one of the units on the same column.
US08665346B2

An image pickup apparatus includes: a first sound-collection unit that detects an ambient sound and outputs first sound information; a second sound-collection unit other than the first sound-collection unit that detects the sound and outputs second sound information; and a signal processing unit that generates a sound signal corresponding to the sound by eliminating a common noise signal included in the first sound information and the second sound information based on the first sound information and the second sound information.
US08665342B2

A method, an apparatus and/or a system of model-independent generation of an enhanced resolution of image from a number of low resolution images is disclosed. A method includes capturing a number of low resolution images through a first sensor (e.g., first plurality of low resolution images) and a number of low resolution images through a second sensor (e.g., second plurality of low resolution images). The first sensor has a higher resolution than the second sensor. The method also includes estimating expansion coefficients of polyphase components of an enhanced resolution image based on the number of low resolution images through a second sensor (e.g., second plurality of low resolution images) through a processor. The expansion coefficients are expressed in terms of the number of low resolution images through a first sensor (e.g., first plurality of low resolution images).
US08665335B2

Use of a custom insert is obviated when a digital camera is attached to a base (dock). Two movable pins are provided, in such a way that a connector is sandwiched between the movable pins, on a digital camera attachment surface of a base (dock) which provides a digital camera with a recharging function and a printing function. The movable pins fit to holes in a bottom of the digital camera to thus act as guides during the course of attachment of the digital camera. Alternatively, the attachment surface itself may be configured so as to be vertically movable, and the attachment surface may descend during attachment of the digital camera and the attachment surface may be latched in a lower position after attachment of the same.
US08665327B2

Provided is an endoscope system including an endoscope which includes an illumination optical system having a fluorescent substance and an imaging optical system having an imaging element; and a control device which is connected to the endoscope. The control device includes a light source unit having a semiconductor light emitting element generating excitation light used to excite the fluorescent substance, a storage section storing predetermined color correction information, and an image processing section creating captured image data by performing a calculation process on an image signal output from the imaging element on the basis of the color correction information. At least one of optical characteristics of the fluorescent substance and the semiconductor light emitting element is detected, and the color correction information stored in the storage section is corrected on the basis of the detected optical characteristic.
US08665317B2

A digital camera captures at least photographic subjects intended to be positioned on left and right ends of a group photograph (temporary imaging), and prompts a user to designate the photographic subjects (may move) intended to be positioned on the left and right ends. Next, the digital camera, which has been placed on a suitable surface (such as on a desk), moves the optical zoom further to the wide-angle side than during the temporary imaging, and performs actual imaging when the self-timer reaches time up. Then, the digital camera identifies the photographic subjects designated by the temporary imaging within the actually captured image, and after determining the left, right, upper, and lower ends of a clipping area such that the identified photographic subjects are included, clips an image of the determined clipping area as a final image.
US08665314B2

A processing method of an image processing system, which is applied with at least one real-time messaging video communication system of an electronic device and contains a start module, a process detecting module and an image processing module, includes the steps of: installing the process detecting module into the real-time messaging video communication system by the start module; detecting whether the real-time messaging video communication system starts the real-time communication by the process detecting module; installing the image processing module into the real-time messaging video communication system when the real-time messaging video communication system starts the real-time communication; and generating a plurality of converted frame data by the image processing module in accordance with a plurality of frame data to be displayed by the real-time messaging video communication system. In addition, the image processing system is also disclosed.
US08665311B2

Improved methods and apparatus for sharing and collaborating around a video source by maintaining and providing to users a list of a plurality of contacts containing both video source device contacts and interactive message source contacts. This allows for collaboration among users by permitting them to communicate with each other around an automatically-shared video source, to interact with automatically shared video sources, and to make decisions based on these shared video sources.
US08665304B2

A 3D video conferencing system includes two cameras at each of two video conferencing locations. Images from the two cameras are exchanged between the locations and are combined at the receiving location in accordance with the angle at which the viewer at the receiving location is viewing an otherwise 2D display to give the illusion of depth perception.
US08665303B2

First and second light amount detection elements are arranged on a scanning line of a laser beam. The first light amount detection element receives a laser beam having a first light amount, and the second light amount detection element receives a laser beam having a second light amount that is lower than the first light amount. The detection signal that is output by the second light amount detection element is amplified by an amplifier and used as a synchronization signal. Here, an amplification factor of this amplifier is greater than an amplification factor of another amplifier for amplifying the detection signal that is output by the first light amount detection element. The detection signals amplified by the amplifiers are modified by a modification coefficient that correspond to the amplification factors, and used as signals that indicate the light amounts.
US08665296B2

A system for generating a colored light comprises a set of illuminant types and a processor. The set of illuminant types is associated with a chromaticity gamut, and the set of illuminant types comprises at least five illuminant types that are each associated with an illuminant type hue angle. The processor is configured to determine, based at least in part on a mapping, a sequence of one or more output level sets that are associated with changing a first generated colored light associated with a first color coordinate to a second generated colored light associated with a second color coordinate. The mapping comprises associating each color coordinate with an output level set that uses a set of hue-adjacent illuminant types. Hue-adjacent illuminant types comprise a group of illuminant types that are determined to be adjacent in a circular ordered list of illuminant types which is circularly ordered according to the illuminant type hue angle.
US08665293B2

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for automating a draw order of entities output from a computer. A drawing output from a computer (e.g., on a display device) is obtained by a drawing program and examined to identify two or more entities that overlap/intersect. The drawing program then automatically determines the drawing order for the two or more entities based on a set of one or more predefined rules.
US08665290B2

Color management which converts source device colors into counterpart colors in a destination device color space. Device independent source and destination device gamut boundaries are obtained. A color image is generated in the source device color space. The color image is transformed into an image in a device independent color space. A gamut boundary for the device independent image is generated, based on the content of the device independent image. The source device gamut boundary is shrunk in a hue symmetric manner, such that color hues do not change, until it touches the image gamut boundary. Colors of the device independent image are mapped onto a gamut of the destination device by invoking a compression-type gamut mapping algorithm that uses the modified source device gamut boundary and the destination device gamut boundary to perform gamut mapping. The gamut mapped colors are converted into colors in destination device dependent color space.
US08665287B2

A color information interpolation method is disclosed. The color information interpolation method comprises steps of receiving a luminance information corresponding to a pixel matrix, wherein the luminance information is arranged in a Bayer pattern and records a specific color information of each pixel of the pixel matrix, and the specific color information is one of a red color information, a green color information and a blue color information, calculating a horizontal variance and a vertical variance of a pixel according to the luminance information, and interpolating the pixel of the luminance information with one of a horizontal color estimate, a vertical color estimate and a directionless color estimate according to the horizontal variance and the vertical variance, to derive color information of the pixel other than the specific color information.
US08665282B2

There is provided with an image generating apparatus, including a storage having first and second buffers, a write buffer selecting unit selecting a buffer for each of areas to be written, a writing unit, a read buffer selecting unit selecting a buffer for each area of one frame to be readout, a reading unit read outing at regular intervals an image from each area. The write buffer selecting unit selects an other buffer than a buffer read out in a frame reading period for each area to be written in the period. The read buffer selecting unit selects in the period a buffer to which the writing was performed in an immediately preceding reading period for an area for which writing was performed in the preceding period, and a same buffer as a buffer readout in the preceding period for an area for which the writing was not performed.
US08665281B2

Technologies are described herein for buffer management during real-time streaming. A video frame buffer stores video frames generated by a real-time streaming video capture device. New video frames received from the video capture device are stored in the video frame buffer prior to processing by a video processing pipeline that processes frames stored in the video frame buffer. A buffer manager determines whether a new video frame has been received from the video capture device and stored in the video frame buffer. When the buffer manager determines that a new video frame has arrived at the video frame buffer, it then determines whether the video processing pipeline has an unprocessed video frame. If the video processing pipeline has an unprocessed video frame, the buffer manager discards the new video frame stored in the video frame buffer or performs other processing on the new video frame.
US08665279B2

An electrical device supporting switchable graphics function, electrically connected with a display unit, includes a first graphic chip, a second graphic chip, a peripheral, an Embedded Controller (EC) and a processing unit. Information of a present graphic chip is stored in an EC RAM of the EC, wherein the present graphic chip is one of the first graphic chip and the second graphic chip. A control unit of the EC obtains the information of the present graphic chip from the EC RAM and controls operation status of the peripheral according to the obtained information of the present graphic chip. The processing unit obtains the information of the present graphic chip from the EC RAM. The processing unit drives the present graphic chip to process an image signal and transmit the processed image signal to the display unit for display according to the obtained information of the present graphic chip.
US08665274B2

A method and system for generating a graph view on a user interface in a computing environment, is provided. One implementation involves, at a server, generating graph coordinate data for a dependency graph view of bi-directional impact analysis results for multiply connected objects in a data source; transmitting the graph coordinate data to a client as lightweight object data; and at the client, based on the lightweight object data rendering an interactive dynamic dependency graph view on a user interface.
US08665273B2

An information processing method transfers information from a start face to an end face with a minimum local distortion by maintaining one-to-one correspondence between the original information on the start face and the transferred information on the end face. The method includes an operation of mapping information taken from a three-dimensional surface onto a rectangular plane, or vice versa, by dividing the start face into a plurality of divisional start faces and preparing divisional end faces that just fill the end face, then deforming each divisional start face to just fit a corresponding one of the divisional end faces, so as to maintain lines and points defining each divisional end face as lines and points also on the end face and to ensure that a first area ratio between each divisional start face relative to the entire start face and a second area ratio between each divisional end face relative to the entire end face is substantially equal.
US08665271B2

A method comprises receiving scene model data including a scene geometry model and a plurality of pixel data describing objects arranged in a scene. The method generates a primary ray based on a selected first pixel data. In the event the primary ray intersects an object in the scene, the method determines primary hit color data and generates a plurality of secondary rays. The method groups the secondary packets and arranges the packets in a queue based on the octant of each direction vector in the secondary ray packet. The method generates secondary color data based on the secondary ray packets in the queue and generates a pixel color based on the primary hit color data, and the secondary color data. The method generates an image based on the pixel color for the pixel data.
US08665261B1

An interactive multi-mesh modeling system may allow users to employ a variety of modeling techniques to interactively create one or more objects for a variety of different tasks or tools. The interactive multi-mesh modeling system may employ a variety of techniques for taking a source computer-generated representation of an object and providing the automatic creation, management, and maintenance of instances or versions of the source, and any information defined thereon or associated therewith, that are suitable for several different tasks. The interactive multi-mesh modeling system may further employ a variety of techniques for resolving ambiguities between various meshes based on establishing a correspondence between a first manifold and a second manifold based on a first metric of the first manifold, a second metric of the second manifold, and a third distinct metric of an embedding space.
US08665256B2

Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including, a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels disposed in rows and columns, and a number of power supply lines and scanning lines equal to the number of the rows of the pixels, each of the power supply lines being wired commonly to those of the pixels which are juxtaposed in a direction of a row.
US08665255B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply circuit including a charge-pumping booster section which uses switching elements provided only by N-channel transistors yet does not have a problem of voltage drop by threshold value. In a booster section (11a), capacitors (C1) and (C2) have their respective first terminals connected with transistors (Q1, Q3) and (Q2, Q4) respectively. Each transistor has its gate terminal supplied with control signals generated in a driver section (11b). The driver section (11b) includes capacitors (C3, C4) connected with input terminals (Ti3, Ti4) for respective supply of clock signals DCK2, DCK2B each having a voltage alternating between −VDD and VDD (VDD represents an input supply voltage from outside), as level-shifted signals of clock signals DCK1, DCK1B which are supplied to second terminals of the capacitors (C1, C2) respectively. In this arrangement, the driver section 11b generates signals each having a voltage alternating between VDD and 3VDD, as the control signals.
US08665254B2

A pixel circuit of a display panel, a method of driving the pixel circuit, and an organic light emitting display device including the display panel. All of a plurality of transistors included in the pixel circuit are NMOS transistors, and the pixel circuit configured to compensate for a voltage change at a source electrode of a driving transistor during light emission.
US08665251B2

The display device includes stacked layers including a display element layer and a control layer including a capacitor including an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer that face each other in a layer-stacking direction, wherein the upper electrode layer includes a first upper capacitor electrode connecting two circuit elements, a disconnectable portion, and a second upper capacitor electrode connected to the first upper electrode layer through the disconnectable portion, and the lower electrode layer includes a first lower capacitor electrode connecting two circuit elements, a disconnectable portion, and a second lower capacitor electrode connected to the first lower electrode layer through the disconnectable portion. The capacitor has a capacitance each between the first upper capacitor electrode and the second lower capacitor electrode, and the first lower capacitor electrode and the second upper capacitor electrode.
US08665250B2

A shift register circuit includes plural stages of shift registers. Each stage of shift register includes a pull-up circuit, a control signal generator and a voltage-stabilizing circuit. The pull-up circuit is used for charging a first node. The control signal generator is electrically connected with the first node. According to a voltage level of the first node, a corresponding control signal is outputted from an output terminal of the control signal generator. The voltage-stabilizing circuit is electrically connected with the output terminal of the control signal generator for stabilizing the control signal from the control signal generator. Some circuits of some other shift registers are controlled according to the control signal.
US08665248B2

A drive circuit is disclosed. The drive circuit includes a first p-typed thin film transistor (PTFT), a second PTFT, a first n-typed thin film transistor (NTFT), a second NTFT and a capacitor. The drain of the first PTFT is coupled to a first electrical line, and the gate thereof is coupled to a first clock line. The drain of the second PTFT is coupled to a second clock line, and the source thereof is coupled to an output. The source of the first NTFT is coupled to a second electrical line, and the gate thereof is couple to an output of a preceding drive circuit. The source of the second NTFT is couple to a third electrical line, the gate thereof is coupled to a third clock line, and the drain thereof is coupled to the output. The capacitor has one end coupled to the second electrical line, while the other end is coupled to the source of the first PTFT, the drain of the first NTFT and the gate of the second PTFT.
US08665244B2

Optical touch detection is provided by an interactive display device including an elastomer layer, a reflector configured to transmit light having a first characteristic and to reflect light having a second characteristic, and a display positioned to output modulated light having the first characteristic through the elastomer layer and the reflector as a display image. The interactive display device further comprises a test light source positioned to output light having the second characteristic through the elastomer layer for reflection off of the reflector, and a sensor configured to receive light having the second characteristic reflected from the reflector.
US08665237B2

An information display apparatus with proximity detection performance contains a display device that displays image information, a sensor constituted of plural detection electrodes, and an adjusting device of detection resolution that adjusts the detection resolution to be detected based on a distance between the sensor and an object that is contacted to any one of the detection electrodes.
US08665235B2

A touch structure having an antenna function includes a substrate unit and an antenna unit. The substrate unit has a touch surface on the top surface thereof for an external object to touch in order to operate a touch-controlled module. The substrate unit includes at least one transparent substrate having at least one transparent portion and at least one nontransparent portion disposed around the transparent portion and combined with the transparent portion, the transparent portion has an image-viewing area on the top surface thereof, and the nontransparent portion has a non-image-viewing area on the top surface thereof. The antenna unit includes at least one antenna radiation structure disposed on the transparent substrate or embedded in the transparent substrate, and the layout of the antenna radiation structure shows an antenna radiation pattern having a predetermined operation band.
US08665231B2

A sensing method for a touch sensing device is provided. In one embodiment, for one set of interlaced receiving electrode and transmitting electrodes of the touch sensing device, an integrator coupled to the receiving electrode is reset only one time. In another embodiment, for each group of sensing electrodes, an integrator coupled to the sensing electrodes is reset only one time. Accordingly, the rate at which the touch sensing array is sensed may be increased. Noise reduced by the process of resetting the integrator due to charge injection effects may be decreased.
US08665218B2

A portable device including a body, a panel display, a touch sensor, and a positioning determining element is provided. The panel display and the touch sensor are disposed at a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the body. The positioning determining element is disposed in the body for determining the locations of each finger when the body is hold and defining a conformal keyboard corresponding to the shape of hands, so the user can execute programs via the finger actions on the touch sensor conveniently.
US08665215B2

A multi-screen user device and methods for controlling data displayed thereby are disclosed. Specifically, a gesture sequence is disclosed which enables a user to toggle or shift though applications that are displayed by the multi-screen user device. The gesture sequence may correspond to various rotation or partial rotations of the multi-screen user device.
US08665210B2

A human input system is described herein that provides an interaction modality that utilizes the human body as an antenna to receive electromagnetic noise that exists in various environments. By observing the properties of the noise picked up by the body, the system can infer human input on and around existing surfaces and objects. Home power lines have been shown to be a relatively good transmitting antenna that creates a particularly noisy environment. The human input system leverages the body as a receiving antenna and electromagnetic noise modulation for gestural interaction. It is possible to robustly recognize touched locations on an uninstrumented home wall using no specialized sensors. The receiving device for which the human body is the antenna can be built into common, widely available electronics, such as mobile phones or other devices the user is likely to commonly carry.
US08665209B2

The use of pressure-sensitive selection tools in a graphical user interface is disclosed in which the amount of pressure during a selection operation may modify selection behavior. Upon receiving a selection input, the pressure applied is determined and the selection behavior modified. In some embodiments, the number of objects selected is increased when more pressure is applied and decreased when less pressure is applied.
US08665200B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides a display device which prevents effective voltages applied to liquid crystal from differing between positive and negative polarities, even when a generation timing of a timing signal is shifted. In at least one example embodiment, a driving signal has an electric potential waveform where one frame period is made up of first period, second period, third period, and fourth period. In first frame, each of a Low level in the first period and a Low level in the third period is lower in electric potential than a Low level in the second period. In second frame, each of a High level in the first period and a High level in the third period is higher in electric potential than a High level in the second period.
US08665192B2

A display device having pixels disposed in a matrix and a pixel row in which a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel are disposed in one direction, includes: a gate signal line having a first gate signal line to which the first pixel and the third pixel are connected and a second gate signal line to which the second pixel and the fourth pixel are connected; a drain signal line supplying a video signal to two pixel columns; and a storage line including a first storage line and a second storage line disposed so as to interpose the pixel row therebetween, wherein the first storage line and the second storage line are electrically connected to each other in a region where the drain signal line is not disposed, and a pixel electrode of each of the pixels has a portion overlapping with the drain signal line and a portion overlapping with the storage line.
US08665190B2

The invention provides an electro-optical device in which a voltage drop due to the wiring resistance of a cathode is reduced and therefore steady image signals are transmitted such that erroneous image display, such as low contrast, is reduced or prevented. The invention also provides an electronic apparatus including such an electro-optical device. An electro-optical device includes red, green, and blue luminescent power-supply lines to apply currents to light-emitting elements arranged in an actual display region in a matrix; and a cathode line disposed between the light-emitting elements and a cathode. The cathode line has a width larger than a width of red, green, and blue luminescent power-supply lines.
US08665189B2

A display apparatus includes: a display panel that includes display elements having a current-driven light-emitting portion, in which the display elements are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in a first direction and a second direction, and that displays an image on the basis of a video signal; and a luminance correcting unit that corrects the luminance of the display elements when displaying an image on the display panel by correcting a gradation value of an input signal and outputting the corrected input signal as the video signal. The luminance correcting unit includes a reference operating time calculator, an accumulated reference operating time storage, a reference curve storage, a black-level shift amount holder, and a video signal generator.
US08665187B2

A pixel array substrate includes: a first through fourth transistors (Ta through Td); a light-emitting element (OEL); a scanning line connected with a control terminal of the fourth transistor; a data line connected with one conducting terminal of the fourth transistor; a first control line (AZi) connected with one conducting terminal of the third transistor; a second control line (Ei) connected with a control terminal of the first transistor; and a first power source line (Ypj) connected with one conducting terminal of the first transistor. One conducting terminal of the second transistor is connected with the first power source line via the first transistor. A control terminal of the second transistor is connected with the data line via the fourth transistor and with a terminal of the light-emitting element via a capacitor (C).
US08665185B2

A pixel unit for driving an organic light emitting diode (OLED) is disclosed. The pixel unit includes a driving transistor, a compensating capacitor, a selecting switch module, a power switch and a configuration switch. One terminal of the compensating capacitor is coupled to a gate of the driving transistor. The selecting switch module provides the ground voltage or the compensating voltage to the other terminal of the compensating capacitor according to a first control signal. The power switch is coupled between a power voltage and a drain of the driving transistor and is controlled by a second control signal. The configuration switch receives the first control signal for controlling a connecting configuration of the driving transistor. The pixel unit is driven according to the first and the second control signals for compensating threshold voltage shifting of the OLED and the driving transistor.
US08665182B2

An emission control driver includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including an output terminal coupled to a corresponding one of the emission control lines; input terminals respectively coupled to two or more scan lines of the scan lines for generating a corresponding one of the emission control signals; an input circuit for controlling voltages at a first node and a second node corresponding to scan signals supplied from the two or more scan lines; and an output circuit coupled to the input circuit, the output circuit for controlling the corresponding one of the emission control signals according to the voltages at the first node and the second node.
US08665179B2

A light emission state of each of the plurality of different types of light-emitting elements is controlled in accordance with i) a color image formation period in which a color image is formed by using light emitted from the different types of light-emitting elements, ii) a synchronization period in which at least two different types of light-emitting elements are simultaneously driven to output a synchronization signal synchronized with projection timing of a left-eye image or a synchronization signal synchronized with projection timing of a right-eye image, and iii) off-state periods between which the synchronization period is interposed, and in which all the light-emitting elements are in the off-state.
US08665173B2

A Continuous Current Rod Antenna that may be positioned in close proximity to a conductive backplane and has extremely tight lattices which stabilize the radiation impedance and allows dense T/R modules packaging. The Continuous Current Rod Antenna offers lower profile packaging, with higher gain over larger bandwidths than other collinear array techniques.
US08665172B2

A chip carrier for contacting with a chip and an antenna is disposed on an antenna substrate. The chip carrier features a carrier substrate having a chip contact arrangement located at a distance from longitudinal ends of the carrier substrate for electrical contacting with a chip. The carrier substrate includes two antenna contact surfaces having the chip contact arrangement therebetween for electrical contacting with the antenna. The chip contact arrangement and the antenna contact surfaces are located on an application surface of the chip carrier. At least one insulation surface-is formed on the application surface between the chip contact arrangement and the antenna contact surfaces.
US08665169B2

Provided is a small monopole antenna, which can generate a plurality of resonant frequencies, have a high antenna efficiency, and be easily installed. The antenna includes a first antenna element formed of a coaxial cable; a second antenna element sealing the first antenna element and sharing a feed point with the first antenna element; and a feeder cable for feeding electric power to the feed point. This antenna is applied as a small antenna.
US08665167B2

A method for reducing a resistance of an antenna circuit capable of obtaining a desired property by reducing wiring resistance to a suitable value while ensuring inductance is provided. An antenna circuit is disposed to a transponder having a carrier frequency band of 13.56 MHz. The antenna circuit is formed of a prescribed base material and two antenna conductors each of which is formed of the same conductor pattern forming an antenna coil, formed on respective front and back surfaces of the base material by electrically parallel connection. Each of the two antenna conductors has a thickness of greater than equal to 5% and less than 50% of an overall thickness formed of the two antenna conductors and the base material.
US08665157B2

An antenna structure includes a microwave substrate, a main-antenna unit, an extension grounding unit. The main antenna unit is arranged on the surface of the microwave substrate. The main antenna unit includes a main-radiation portion, a main-feeding portion, a main-grounding portion. The extension grounding unit is arranged on the surface of the microwave substrate. The extension grounding unit includes a first extension grounding portion and a second extension grounding portion. The antenna structure can adjust the radiation pattern and improve the antenna directivity. The main-antenna unit and the sub-antenna unit share the extension grounding unit in common. So, the antenna structure can reduce the antenna occupied volume and save the mass production cost.
US08665152B1

An antenna assembly for receiving the GPS signals in a global positioning system (GPS) receiver module automatically orients the antenna to better receive the GPS signals. The antenna is oriented by a positioner (e.g., a counterweight) that automatically rotates a frame on which the antenna is mounted. The GPS receiver module may also include multiple antennas oriented in different directions to maintain good reception of the GPS signals in any position. The multiple antennas are oriented in a manner so that the poor reception range an antenna is covered by other antennas. Signals from multiple antennas may be combined or chosen for processing by a GPS processor. Also, multiple GPS receiver modules may be deployed in close proximity so that wireless communication between the GPS receiver modules may be established.
US08665151B2

A Global Positioning System (GPS) commercial receiver includes programmable logic that utilizes P-code modulated L1 and L2 GPS signals to derive estimates of in-phase and quadrature-phase components of both L1 and L2 signals, a programmable processor that calculates pseudoranges and pseudo-Doppler phases, and derives navigation solutions. A resulting complex accumulated L2 signal comprises near-ML estimates of desired L2 amplitude and pseudo-Doppler phase.
US08665150B1

In embodiments of sync feedback for time to first fix (TTFF), satellite data signals are received from which a geographic position of a positioning-system device can be determined. The satellite data signals each include a time reference and ephemeris data that indicates an orbital position of a satellite. A sync feedback is generated that includes a time-free position fix determined from a satellite data signal before bit sync and/or frame sync of the satellite data signal are obtained. The sync feedback is then utilized as a feedback input to determine the bit sync and/or the frame sync of the satellite data signal.
US08665139B2

Disclosed is a distance measuring apparatus which includes: a first pulse generating means (135) which generates reference signals; a second pulse generating means (137) which generates subject detection signals; a time measuring section (139) which measures a period of time from a time when a first pulse is generated to a time when a second pulse is generated; a first phase detecting section (141) which detects the first phase of a signal received using a signal at a first frequency; a second phase detecting section (163) which detects the second phase of a signal received using a signal at a second frequency; and a distance calculating section (165) which calculates the distance to the subject on the basis of output from the time measuring section, the first phase detecting section and the second phase detecting section.
US08665138B2

A system for preventing light pollution includes one or more radar units that monitor for vehicles in a volume surrounding or containing one or more obstructions having one or more obstruction lights. A master radar detection processing unit receives sensed radar detection information from the one or more radar units with associated radar signal processing units and determines whether a vehicle is present within the monitored volume. A plurality of obstruction light controller units are interconnected in a network, such as a wireless network. Each obstruction light controller unit turns on an obstruction light when a vehicle enters the monitored volume or a failure condition exists, and turns off the obstruction light when the vehicle has vacated the monitored volume and no failure condition exists. The one or more radar units can transmit sensed radar detection information to a master radar detection processing unit via the network.
US08665129B2

An oversampling A/D converter with a few operational amplifiers is configured using a complex second-order integrator including first and second second-order integrators and first and second coupling circuits configured to couple these integrators together. Each of the second-order integrators includes an operational amplifier, four resistance elements, and three capacitance elements. The first coupling circuit cross-couples one of two serially-connected capacitance elements inserted between the inverted input terminal and output terminal of the operational amplifier in the first second-order integrator to the counterpart in the second second-order integrator using two resistance elements. The second coupling circuit cross-couples the other capacitance element in the first second-order integrator to the counterpart in the second second-order integrator using two resistance elements.
US08665124B2

Method, apparatus, and systems employing dictionary-based high-bandwidth lossless compression. A pair of dictionaries having entries that are synchronized and encoded to support compression and decompression operations are implemented via logic at a compressor and decompressor. The compressor/decompressor logic operatives in a cooperative manner, including implementing the same dictionary update schemes, resulting in the data in the respective dictionaries being synchronized. The dictionaries are also configured with replaceable entries, and replacement policies are implemented based on matching bytes of data within sets of data being transferred over the link. Various schemes are disclosed for entry replacement, as well as a delayed dictionary update technique. The techniques support line-speed compression and decompression using parallel operations resulting in substantially no latency overhead.
US08665120B2

A system for displaying pitch- and power-based guidance commands and flight path information for a variety of display modes (climb, cruise, descent, landing) to pilots in response to situations wherein the measured air data should not be relied upon. This information is presented in an intuitive and expedient manner exactly when and where it is needed on the primary flight display. The displayed information dynamically changes in response to airplane parameters.
US08665116B2

A parking assist system overlay that adjusts the color and/or intensity of locus lines at a predetermined steering wheel angle to alert a vehicle operator that static or dynamic locus lines should be followed to ensure the vehicle successfully reaches a target parking space.
US08665098B2

A non-contact motion detection apparatus includes at least one reception antenna, at least one transmission antenna, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a phase lock loop (PLL). The at least one reception antenna receives a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal. The at least one transmission antenna transmits a second wireless RF signal to an object which reflects the second wireless RF signal into the first wireless RF signal. The VCO outputs an oscillation signal to the at least one transmission antenna. The first wireless RF signal received by the at least one reception antenna is injected to the VCO. The PLL generates a control voltage to the VCO according to the oscillation signal from the VCO and a reference frequency. Controlled by the control voltage, which represents a motion information of the object, the oscillation signal of the VCO is locked to the reference frequency.
US08665094B2

Disclosed is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag-embedded casino chip. The RFID tag-embedded casino chip includes an Integrated Circuit (IC) and an antennae connected to the IC. The RFID tag has a frequency which is equal to or greater than 20 MHz and is equal to or less than 25 MHz.
US08665083B2

A system for providing communications for container security is provided. The system includes a sensing system for monitoring the contents of the container; a signal receiving element for receiving sensor data from the sensing system; a control element for analyzing received sensor data; a first transceiver element for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the container; and a satellite transceiver element for receiving signals from the first transceiver element and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location.
US08665082B2

An apparatus and method for efficiently collecting data at a remote device with a device that is able to use both analog and digital signals, especially those that are compliant with serial data interface twelve (SDI-12) protocol. The collected data is compressed into a packet and sent to a base station where it is made available. Additionally, the present invention is able to produce alarms in response to the detection of an alarm condition. This data is able to be viewed from virtually anywhere.
US08665080B2

Disclosed is a driving assistance apparatus for assisting a driving operation by outputting a reverse sound at the time of a reversing maneuver of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an information acquisition unit for acquiring driving assistance information including a vehicle condition and a vehicle surrounding condition, a reverse sound management unit for managing reverse sounds belonging in a musical scale including the reverse sound as the tonic note thereof as musical scale reverse sounds, an output reverse sound determination unit for determining a sequence of musical scale in the form of temporal sequence corresponding to the driving assistance information, and a reverse sound output control unit configured to select from the reverse sounds managed by the reverse sound management unit and output to a speaker reverse sounds suitable for the sequence of the musical scale determined by the reverse sound determination unit.
US08665074B1

RFID tags, ICs for RFID tags, and methods are provided. In some embodiments, an RFID tag includes a memory with multiple sections, and a processing block. The processing block may map one of these sections, or another of these sections, for purposes of responding to a first command from an RFID reader. As such, an RFID tag can operate according to the data stored in the section mapped at the time. In some embodiments, a tag can even transition from mapping one of the sections to mapping another of the sections. This can amount to the tag exhibiting alternative behaviors, and permits hiding data on the tag.
US08665073B2

An RFID tag is capable of storing data, receiving a signal from a reader, determining a response taking into account the tag mode and the data, and transmitting a response to the reader. The data includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The tag mode may be set by a current or a prior command by the reader. Depending on the tag mode, the response may be complete, or the second plurality of bits may be truncated, compressed, or encrypted. In an aspect of the invention, the response includes an implicit indication of whether the response is complete, truncated, encrypted, or compressed. In another aspect of the invention, a command from the reader indicates how many bits should be truncated, compressed, or encrypted.
US08665072B2

A shipping container has passive radio antenna element having internal and external antennas. A connector spanning the wall joins the two antennas. An internal communications device is disposed within the container and an external communications device is disposed external to the container. Another shipping container has a repeater element having internal and external antennas. A repeater unit spans the wall joining the two antennas. A communications device is disposed within the container and another communications device is disposed externally. RF signals are re-radiated by the antennas. Methodology includes inputting PF signals from a communication device disposed at a first location, receiving the signals through an antenna comprised by an antenna element, and re-radiating the signal from a second antenna comprised by the element, where the element spans the wall of a shipping container. The re-radiated signal is received by a second communications device disposed at a second location.
US08665071B2

Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents.
US08665070B2

According to one embodiment, a mobile electronic device that makes an initial response in a slot marker system, includes a reception unit configured to receive an initial response command from a terminal, a recognition unit configured to recognize a total slot number N (integer equal to or greater than 2) set in the terminal, from the initial response command received by the reception unit, a logic unit configured to generate an integer n from a random number, a storage unit configured to store data set to the mobile electronic device and representing whether the mobile electronic device is a main device or a sub device, and a control unit configured to cause the logic unit to generate 0 as integer n, thereby responding to the initial response command for the first time, if the mobile electronic device is set as the main device.
US08665069B2

An RFID tag comprising an antenna assembly, including a shielding layer comprising an electromagnetic shielding material, a radio frequency loop antenna, and a spacer comprising a spacer material having a permittivity less than about 2 interposed between the antenna and the shielding layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such an RFID tag. Also disclosed is the use of such an RFID tag for use in identifying a vehicle, for example in the context of fuel-purchase authorization.
US08665068B2

Systems and/or Methods are disclosed for acquiring data from a transceiver responsive to one or more signals that are received at the transceiver from one or more devices. In one embodiment, a transceiver is configured to transmit a signal responsive to having received a first signal from a first device, wherein the signal that is transmitted by the transceiver is configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal. The transceiver is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device. In other embodiments, a transceiver is configured to receive a signal from a first device over frequencies of a predetermined frequency band that the first device is authorized to use, to receive a signal from a second device over frequencies of the predetermined frequency band and to transmit data responsive to having received both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device. The transceiver is further configured to require that both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device be received at the transceiver before the data is transmitted. Analogous methods are also disclosed.
US08665065B2

A barrier operator system is provided including a controller, a motor, a barrier, a power source, and a remote transmitter. The controller scans for a reduced range of radio frequencies while operating in a standby mode to conserve energy. In response to receiving a signal from the remote transmitter, the barrier operator will exit the standby mode and scan for a broader range of frequencies. In response to receiving a command signal from the remote transmitter, the controller will operate the barrier. The controller also scans for signals from an accessory device after exiting the standby mode. The accessory device may also operate in multiple modes with respect to scanning for transmissions and sending signals to the controller.
US08665064B1

A security control system includes a remote access control system to receive wireless information from a central access control system. The remote access control system includes a remote access controller electrically coupled to a remote wireless communicator. The remote access controller receives information from the remote wireless communicator and uses the information to control locking and unlocking of the door. The remote wireless communicator also transmits wireless information to the central access control system and a switch is provided for selectively choosing between the receiving and transmitting the wireless information. The remote wireless communicator communicates via RF information, such as spread-spectrum RF. The remote access control system also includes a reader to read user data when presented to the reader.
US08665063B2

A system including a number of wireless communication nodes spaced apart from one another. The nodes are structured to transmit and receive unique signatures. A neighborhood of nodes may be discovered based on the unique signatures.
US08665060B2

A storage device is capable of switching its wireless sharing mode while sensing occurrence of a flip-over on itself. With the aid of the storage device, a user may easily and intuitively activate an operation of sharing information with other external storage devices or determine a degree of sharing the information.
US08665058B2

A variable speed toggle switch that allows a user to reverse a rotational direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to a motor, such as in a power tool, for example, a power drill. A trigger can include a gear segment that meshingly engages a gear on a potentiometer to electrically communicate the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger to a microprocessor. The microprocessor can then signal to an H-bridge, or to a series of transistors, the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger. A motor or other device can be powered by a power source in an amount corresponding to the actuation amount, and in a direction corresponding to the actuation direction of the trigger.
US08665055B2

The invention discloses a soft magnetic amorphous alloy and a soft magnetic nanocomposite alloy formed from the amorphous alloy. Both alloys comprise a composition expressed by the following formula: (Fe1-x-yCoxMy)100-a-b-cTaBbNc where, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni and Mn; T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, W, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti, Cr, Cu, Mo, V and combinations thereof, and the content of Cu when present is less than or equal to 2 atomic %; N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, C, P and Al; and 0.01≦x+y≦0.5; 0≦y≦0.4; 1≦a≦5 atomic %; 10≦b≦30 atomic %; and 0≦c≦10 atomic %. A core, which may be used in transformers and wire coils, is made by charging a furnace with elements necessary to form the amorphous alloy, rapidly quenching the alloy, forming a core from the alloy; and heating the core in the presence of a magnetic field to form the nanocomposite alloy. The resulting nanocomposite alloy of the core comprises the amorphous alloy having embedded therein, fine grain nanocrystalline particles, about 90% of which are 20 nm in any dimension.
US08665054B2

A semiconductor component has integrated a coreless transformer with a first connection contact, a second connection contact, an electrically conductive spiral first coil, an electrically conductive first ring, and an electrically conductive second ring. The electrically conductive spiral first coil is electrically connected between the first connection contact and the second connection contact. The electrically conductive first ring surrounds the first coil and one or both of the first connection contact and the second connection contact. The electrically conductive second ring is arranged between the first coil and the first ring, electrically connected to the first coil, and surrounds the first coil and one or both of the first connection contact and the second connection contact.
US08665047B1

A transformer system includes a cabinet and at least one toroidal transformer with each toroidal transformer being supported in a cradle. Each cradle is mounted in the cabinet and supports its toroidal transformer in a vertical or horizontal orientation such that a central air-filled region thereof is arranged in a substantially horizontal or vertical orientation, respectively. The cradle supports active and passive cooling arrangements for the toroidal transformer, while also providing modular attributes for the transformer system.
US08665046B2

An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece (20) and coil assembly (30). The pole piece (20) may be magnetically susceptible and have a channel structure and a first flange member (22). The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall (24), an annular outer side wall (26) and an annular end wall (28) that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls (24, 26) to one another on a first axial end (27) of the pole piece (20). The channel structure may be open on a second axial end (29) of the pole piece (20) that is opposite the first axial end (27). The first flange member (22) may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls (24, 26) on the second axial end (29) and extend in a radial direction of the pole piece (20) towards an interior of the channel structure. The coil assembly (30) may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls (24, 26).
US08665045B2

A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US08665042B2

A wireless switch comprises a mechanical oscillator, a mechanical impulse deliverer, a first array of magnets positioned on a planar surface, a first conductor, and a power management circuit. The mechanical impulse deliverer delivers a mechanical impulse to the mechanical oscillator when the wireless switch is switched. The first array comprises a one dimensional or two dimensional array of magnets. The first conductor comprises a first serpentine conductor. The power management circuit provides DC power as a result of relative motion due to the mechanical oscillator between the first array of magnets and the first conductor.
US08665038B2

A filtering circuit with BAW type acoustic resonators having at least a first quadripole and a second quadripole connected in cascade, each quadripole having a branch series with a first acoustic resonator of type BAW and a branch parallel with each branch having an acoustic resonator of type BAW, the first acoustic resonator having a frequency of resonance series approximately equal to the frequency of parallel resonance of the second acoustic resonator, the branch parallel of the first quadripole having a first capacitance connected in series with the second resonator and, in parallel with the capacitance, a first switching transistor to short circuit the capacitance.
US08665037B2

The invention relates to a cross polarization multiplexer which doubles the capacity of radio links using a vertical polarization diplexer, a horizontal polarization diplexer and an octagonal transducer module for separating the vertically polarized waves from the horizontally polarized waves. The invention is characterized in that the vertical diplexer and the horizontal diplexer are integrated in a module forming a monoblock body having a specific, simple and inexpensive configuration. This configuration allows the use a single transceiver unit which also provides a cost saving.
US08665034B2

Techniques for improved tuning control of varactor circuits are disclosed. For example, an apparatus comprises a plurality of varactors for tuning a frequency value. The plurality of varactors comprises approximately sqrt(2N) varactors, where N is a number of tuning steps and the plurality of varactors are respectively sized as 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, . . . , approximately sqrt(2N)x, and where x is a unit of capacitance. A given one of the N tuning steps may be represented by more than one combination of varactors. This may be referred to as redundant numbering.
US08665031B2

An oscillating circuit for determining a resonant frequency of an electro-mechanical oscillating device and for driving the electro-mechanical oscillating device at the determined resonant frequency includes a driving circuit and a start-up, impetus injection circuit. The driving circuit is configured to receive one or more reference signals and further configured to provide a driving signal related to the reference signals to the electro-mechanical oscillating device. The start-up, impetus injection circuit is operably coupled to the electro-mechanical oscillating device and configured to selectively provide a start-up excitation signal to the electro-mechanical oscillation device. The start-up, impetus injection circuit is activated upon start-up of the oscillating circuit to drive the electro-mechanical oscillation device and the driving circuit determines a resonant frequency by measuring a parameter related to the resonant frequency of the electro-mechanical oscillating device.
US08665024B2

An amplifier including: an output stage having two first power supply terminals capable of receiving a first voltage defined by first positive and negative variable potentials with respect to a reference potential; and a circuit for controlling the current in transistors of the output stage with a reference value, wherein the output stage includes a first and a second MOS transistors in series between the first two terminals, the junction point of this series association defining an output terminal of the amplifier; the control circuit includes two measurement MOS transistors having their respective sources and gates coupled to the respective sources and gates of the first and second transistors of the output stage; at least one control branch, comprising transistors in series between two terminals of application of a second voltage, defines nodes connected to the gates of the output transistors, said second voltage being greater than the first one.
US08665019B2

A power amplifier is provided. The power amplifier includes a loading circuit, a first stage amplifying circuit, an analog pre-distorter, a loading circuit and a second stage amplifying circuit. The first stage amplifying circuit is coupled to the loading circuit to receive a first signal and output a second signal accordingly. The analog pre-distorter is coupled to the first stage amplifying circuit to detect the envelope of the second signal and generates a third signal according to the envelope. The second stage amplifying circuit is coupled to the first stage amplifying circuit to receive the second signal. The loading circuit is biased on the third signal. The gain of the first stage amplifying circuit is related to the third signal.
US08665008B2

Disclosed herein is a device that includes a bias line to which a bias current flows, a switch circuit controlling an amount of the bias current based on a control signal, a control line to which the control signal is supplied, and a cancellation circuit substantially cancelling a potential fluctuation of the bias line caused by changing the control signal, the potential fluctuation propagating via a parasitic capacitance between the control line and the bias line.
US08665007B2

A clamp circuit for an RFID tag includes a power supply node, a dynamic clamp coupled between the power supply node and ground, and an active clamp coupled between the power supply and ground, having a shunt combined effect for providing a clamped power supply node VDDR voltage. The dynamic clamp includes a capacitor divider circuit, a resistor coupled to the capacitor divider circuit, and an N-channel transistor coupled to the capacitor divider circuit. The active clamp includes a differential amplifier having a first input coupled to a resistor divider, a second input for receiving a reference voltage, and an output coupled to a P-channel transistor for the clamped VDDR voltage.
US08664999B2

A mixer arrangement for generating an analog output signal by mixing an analog input signal with a discrete-time mixing signal. The mixer arrangement comprises a plurality of unit elements. Each unit element is adapted to be in an enabled mode in a first state of an enable signal supplied to the unit element, and in a disabled mode in a second state of the enable signal. Each unit element is adapted to generate the output signal of the unit element based on the analog input signal of the mixer arrangement in the enabled mode but not in the disabled mode. The unit elements are connected for generating a common output signal as the sum of the output signals from the unit elements. The mixer arrangement is adapted to generate the analog output signal of the mixer arrangement based on the common output signal. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08664979B2

Various exemplary embodiments relate to a tracking system and method. The system includes a transistor switch having a gate node and a source node, a power source circuit connected to the gate node, and a bootstrapping circuit connected to the source node and to the gate node. The power source circuit charges the switch during a first tracking phase, and the bootstrapping circuit charges the switch during a second tracking phase.
US08664971B2

A method of testing a semiconductor device including applying a reference test pattern to the semiconductor device in which a preset number of power pins of the semiconductor device are supplied with current, incrementally disconnecting the power pins from the current to set a number of removal power pins, and determining a final number of power pins which represents a minimum number of power pins with which the semiconductor device operates normally. The method additionally includes applying a delay test pattern to the semiconductor device to set a cycle of the delay test pattern corresponding to the number of removal power pins to reduce or prevent an overkill phenomenon.
US08664964B2

A system for inspecting bonding resistance of a display device includes a display panel, at least one circuit board, at least one driving chip and a testing board. The display panel includes at least one testing conductive line and connecting conductive lines. The circuit board is connected with the testing conductive line and the connecting conductive lines. The driving chip includes at least one testing pad and connecting pads, respectively electrically connected to the testing conductive line and the connecting conductive lines; at least one comparator connected to the testing pad; and at least one logic circuit connected to the comparator. The testing board is connected to the circuit board and provides a test signal to the testing pad through the circuit board and the testing conductive line. The test signal is compared with a reference signal in the comparator, and the logic circuit determines a comparing result.
US08664963B2

A test device for measuring permeability of a barrier material. An exemplary device comprises a test card having a thin-film conductor-pattern formed thereon and an edge seal which seals the test card to the barrier material. Another exemplary embodiment is an electrical calcium test device comprising: a test card an impermeable spacer, an edge seal which seals the test card to the spacer and an edge seal which seals the spacer to the barrier material.
US08664953B2

When the settings of the region of interest are received from the operator, the measurement data acquisition control unit performs control so that an image for generating profile data is taken, and the data processing unit generates profile data in the encoding directions of the set region of interest. Then, the field-of-view setting unit sets the field of view in each of the encoding directions, based on the relationship between the dimensions of the subject P in the encoding directions that are calculated from the profile data of the encoding directions and the dimensions of the region of interest in the corresponding encoding directions, by use of coefficients stored in the coefficient storage unit.
US08664951B2

A tuning fork gyroscope that is insensitive to magnetic field gradients is provided. The tuning fork gyroscope includes a first electrically conducting proof mass and a second electrically conducting proof mass connected through electrically conducting suspensions to anchors attached to one or more insulating substrates, and an electrical-resistance mid-point electrically connected to opposing ends of the first electrically conducting proof mass and to opposing ends of the second electrically conducting proof mass. The tuning fork gyroscope provides an input to a sense charge amplifier. The sense charge amplifier generates an output signal indicative of a rotation of the tuning fork gyroscope. The output signal is independent of a magnetic field gradient.
US08664941B2

A magnetic sensing system, including: a magnetic component proximate a movable mechanical component; and a magnetic sensor configured to determine a movement of the mechanical component based on a magnetic field produced by the magnetic component. The magnetic sensor includes: a low-offset magnetic sensing element; a high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element; and an offset compensation circuit configured to: determine a zero-crossing of a sensing field from an output of the low-offset magnetic sensing element; sample an offset value of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element at the zero-crossing; and subtract the offset value from an output of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element.
US08664934B2

A system and method are presented for verifying the operating frequency of digital control circuitry. The system and method according to the present disclosure provide for a digitally controlled system, such as an electrosurgical system, to confirm or verify its operating frequency using a single external device, and software and/or firmware.
US08664933B2

A frequency measuring apparatus includes: a counter section adapted to count a signal including a pulse signal for a predetermined time period, and output a binary count value corresponding to a frequency of the signal including the pulse signal; and a low pass filter section adapted to perform a filtering process on the count value, wherein the low pass filter section includes a first stage filter and a second stage filter, the first stage filter is a moving average filter to which the count value is input, and which provides a binary output with a high-frequency component reduced, and the second stage filter performs an average value calculation on the binary output to provide an output with the high-frequency component reduced.
US08664932B2

A voltage generating circuit includes a range adjusting unit configured to output a code signal for adjusting the range of an output voltage and to determine a magnitude of the output voltage to set a control code while an output range adjusting operation is performed. The range adjusting unit is configured to output the code signal in response to a data code received from the outside after the output range adjusting operation is complete. The voltage generating circuit includes a digital analog converter configured to output a conversion voltage in response to the code signal, and an output unit configured to set an amplification gain thereof according to the control code and to amplify the conversion voltage according to the amplification gain to output the output voltage.
US08664930B2

While an electronic product including passive elements is connected to an AC input voltage source, corresponding decreased currents are calculated according to a constant input/output work and a voltage curve of the input voltage source. Therefore, while the electronic product is activated under voltage sources having different scales or being unstable, the calculated decreased currents are applied so as to stabilize the input work or the output work.
US08664928B2

A digital power factor correction device is provided, which is an all-digital control module. The digital power factor correction device includes a voltage loop control unit, an input power control unit, a current loop control unit, and a pulse width modulation generation unit, to perform power factor correction for minimizing the phase difference between input current and input voltage through adjusting input current with an external driver and a switch unit. The voltage loop control unit and the current loop control unit contain a proportion-integral-differentiation controller to form a voltage control loop and a current control loop, respectively. The input power control unit adjusts current waveform according to the input power, while the pulse width modulation generation unit determines the stop time of pulse width modulation to produce a pulse width modulation signal, to control the external driver and the switch unit for eliminating loading effect.
US08664917B2

The present disclosure includes an adapter and associated method of use for mobile unit (MU) charging and communication that enables multiple connector types to be utilized with a single charger or charging station. The adapter enables standardization of a connector scheme on newer MUs while maintaining compatibility with current or older MU devices. Specifically, the adapter resides between the MU and a charging device or station. The adapter may include various connector features mimicking connectors of various different MUs, thus allowing it to interface with a device of a different connector design. Advantageously, the adapter enables enterprises to deploy various cradles throughout facilities and achieves universal connections for a plurality of different MUs. In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter provides connectivity between various MUs and their associated cradles and a hook and pivoting latching system.
US08664914B2

In a battery charger cradle, a battery incorporated in a battery built-in device is charged by electric power induced to an induction coil. The cradle includes a primary coil for inducing electromotive force to the induction coil, a casing having a top plate atop of which the battery built-in device is placed, a movement mechanism for moving the primary coil along an inner surface of the top plate, and a position detection controller for detecting a position of the battery built-in device placed on the top plate and controlling the movement mechanism to bring the primary coil closer to the induction coil in the battery built-in device. When the battery built-in device is placed on the top plate, the position detection controller detects the position of the battery built-in device, and the movement mechanism moves the primary coil closer to the induction coil in the battery built-in device.
US08664912B2

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for alerting a low battery charge condition in a jump-starter. In an embodiment, the system is portable. The system includes a first battery. The first battery is configured to provide a first battery voltage across a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the first battery. The system also includes a voltage comparison circuit that is electrically connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the first battery. The voltage comparison circuit is configured to compare a reference voltage to the first battery voltage. The system includes an alert circuit electrically connected to the voltage comparison circuit and configured to generate an output signal for a speaker. The system also includes a switch configured to toggle between an enabled state and a disabled state. In an embodiment, the switch includes a stopper tap. The alert circuit is configured to cause an audible alert when the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage, and when the enabled state is true. When the enabled state is false (or the disabled state is true), the alert circuit will not cause the audible alert. In an embodiment, the system includes a display circuit to visually indicate the first battery voltage.
US08664904B2

A booster circuit of a motor drive apparatus has at least two sub-booster circuits connected in series. Each sub-booster circuit includes a booster coil, a boosting switching element, a reducing switching element and an output capacitor, and outputs, by boosting an input voltage, a boosted output voltage. The booster circuit 20 outputs from its final stage sub-booster circuit a booster output voltage, a total boosting ratio of which is a product of sub-boosting ratios of the series-connected sub-booster circuits. Thus, the booster output voltage supplied to a motor drive circuit is prevented from falling even when high power output is required.
US08664903B2

This disclosure relates to a variable speed drive for driving a motor having a starting circuit. The variable speed drive adaptively generates motor voltages to reduce the likelihood of starting circuit intrusions.
US08664901B2

Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for estimating electrical angular speed of a permanent magnet machine based on two-phase stationary reference frame feedback stator current samples, and a dimensionless gain (K) that is computed based on a sampling time (T) and machine parameters.
US08664893B2

The present invention provides a feedback control circuit and an LED driving circuit for using the same, wherein the feedback control circuit receives a dimming signal. The dimming signal is changed between a first state and a second state. When being in the first state, the feedback control circuit controls a converter circuit to drive the LED module for lighting stably. When being in the second state, the feedback control circuit controls the converter circuit to maintain the power conversion of the converter circuit to have an output voltage outputted by the converter circuit maintained at a level close to a lighting threshold voltage of the LED module.
US08664892B2

The invention relates to a light emitting system (100), the system comprising a light emitting diode (104), a socket adapter for retrofitting a fluorescent lamp and an electric circuit (112; 200; 306), the electric circuit (112; 200; 306) being adapted for emulating the presence of a fluorescent lamp to a fluorescent lamp driver (102).
US08664888B2

A converter for an LED driver for an LED light source. The converter has a flyback transformer. The primary receives a rectified AC voltage. A switching transistor is coupled in series with the primary. A controller controls the switching transistor on and off to generate a bus voltage across the secondary and a center tap voltage at a center tap of the secondary. The controller is powered by a first low-voltage DC voltage. A first power supply receives the center tap voltage and generates a second low-voltage DC voltage when the center tap voltage is above a cutover voltage. A second power supply has an output coupled to the first power supply output. The second power supply receives the bus voltage and generates the second DC voltage when the center tap voltage is below the cutover voltage.
US08664887B2

A xenon lamp drive unit of the present invention comprises: a charging circuit; and a current control circuit adapted to supply a current to a xenon lamp by using a charged voltage of the charging circuit as a power source, wherein the current control circuit is adapted to supply, in a first period after a lamp ignition, a high output lamp current having a higher current value than a steady output lamp current to the xenon lamp by constant current control and supply, in a second period after the first period, the steady output lamp current to the xenon lamp by constant current control.
US08664876B2

Polyphase alternating current power with a phase difference, or direct current power rectified from polyphase alternating current power, is used to drive a common electric energy-driven luminous body, or to separately drive proximately installed individual electric energy-driven luminous bodies, so that alternating-current-induced pulsation in the light output of the luminous bodies is reduced.
US08664875B1

An LED control circuit with auto ON/OFF function has a power module, a control module, a timer module, a driver module and an LED module with a first LED unit and a second LED unit. The control module generates a time control signal and an LED control signal to respectively activate the timer module and the LED module. The LED module is activated by the LED control signal only when the timer module is turned ON. The timer module can be automatically turned ON/OFF by the time control signal. Moreover, the LED control signal has high potentials and low potentials. The driver module activates the first LED unit and the second LED unit based on two the different potentials of the LED control signal respectively. Both high and low potentials of the LED control are used. The performance of the LED module is improved.
US08664874B2

A backlight unit is provided. The backlight unit includes an LED; an LED driving unit which drives the LED in accordance with a switching operation of a transistor; and a control unit which adds an additional signal to an output current of the LED to obtain a combined current, compares the combined current with the reference current, and controls the switching operation of the transistor based on the results of the comparison, wherein the additional signal is a current signal whose level increases over time in each period and is then reset to a predefined value in each period in accordance with an operation cycle of the transistor.
US08664871B2

A power supply for use in a UV curing lamp assembly is disclosed. The power supply is powered by two intermediate frequency (200-400 Hz) low voltage sinusoidal power sources that drive the primary windings of a dual laminated transformer. The low voltage sinusoidal power sources are configured to have different phases. The out-of-phase low voltage sine wave sources are converted to high voltage sine waves on the secondary windings of the dual laminated transformer having the same phase difference relationship. A single rectifier comprising six high voltage diodes, called a ladder rectifier, combine the two out-of-phase sine waves into a single, approximately DC output power source. By modulating a phase difference between two input sine wave power sources, the approximate DC output voltage exiting the ladder rectifier may be alternated between a low ripple mode of about a 13.84% ripple, a high current mode, a high voltage mode, and an intermediate mode with a ripple in the range of about 13.84% to about 100%.
US08664869B2

A method for controlling an electrical load of at least two single loads includes activating and deactivating the single loads in switching cycles of predefined duration sequentially following one another. In one switching cycle, the single loads are activated and deactivated alternately with respect to one another.
US08664864B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing combined time-varying light comprising light from one or more light sources (132, 134, 136), and determining aspects of light from one or more light sources based on measurements of the combined light. Light sources of one or more colors can be controlled to provide time-varying combined light outputs (310, 360) using different switching sequences for different light sources, for example according to PWM, PCM, or other modulation methods. By appropriately configuring the timing of the switching sequences, the combined light output can be made to exhibit a plurality of lighting combinations. A broadband optical sensor (148) can be configured to measure (145) some or all of the plurality of lighting combinations, and the measurements used to determine light output measurements of portions of the combined light, and optionally of ambient light, by appropriate processing (150) of the measurements.
US08664855B2

A high-pressure discharge lamp having an ignition aid may be provided, having a discharge vessel that is surrounded by gas, wherein the discharge vessel includes two ends having fusings in which electrodes are secured, wherein an ignition aid is fastened on at least one fusing, wherein the ignition aid has a local field amplifier in the form of a tip or a curved part, wherein the ignition aid is configured to cause a corona discharge in the surrounding gas which emits UV radiation into the discharge vessel.
US08664853B1

A photoelectric cathode has a work function lowering material such as cesium placed into an enclosure which couples a thermal energy from a heater to the work function lowering material. The enclosure directs the work function lowering material in vapor form through a low diffusion layer, through a free space layer, and through a uniform porosity layer, one side of which also forms a photoelectric cathode surface. The low diffusion layer may be formed from sintered powdered metal, such as tungsten, and the uniform porosity layer may be formed from wires which are sintered together to form pores between the wires which are continuous from the a back surface to a front surface which is also the photoelectric surface.
US08664850B2

An emitting device in an organic electroluminescent device is disclosed, in which a lower electrode pattern is formed on a substrate, an emitting layer pattern is formed on the lower electrode pattern, and a transparent electrode is formed on the emitting layer pattern and an emitting body having a structure in which an organic thin film emits light when an application current is applied to it. The pattern of the transparent electrode completely covers and is larger than that of the lower electrode. The pattern of the transparent electrode is formed over the entire area of the pattern of the lower electrode.
US08664835B2

An acoustic wave device includes: an electrode that excites an acoustic wave and is located on a substrate; and a silicon oxide film that is located so as to cover the electrode and is doped with an element or molecule displacing O in a Si—O bond, wherein the element or molecule is F, H, CH3, CH2, Cl, C, N, P, or S.
US08664834B2

An electromechanical energy converter for generating electric energy from mechanical vibrations has a bending bar clamped to a holder that can be set in vibration and elastically deflected at an end area along a path curve from a neutral position transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bending bar. A deflectable point on the bending bar is connected to the mount via a deflectable bridge part extending along the bending bar for applying to the bending bar a mechanical prestress oriented substantially in the direction of longitudinal extension of the bending bar. The bending bar has a drive connection to at least one electromechanical converter element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electric energy. The bridge part is arranged outside of the bending bar such that when the bending bar is deflected out of the neutral position, the bending bar and the bridge part extend along lines having different courses.
US08664827B2

Disclosed is an electric power generation device comprising: a pair of electrodes arranged opposite to each other; and an electret member that is arranged between the pair of electrodes to be spaced apart from the pair of electrodes, and is provided to be movable in a direction of a perpendicular axis passing through the pair of electrodes.
US08664825B2

Provided is a molded motor that hardly causes electric corrosion in bearings and produces less noise and vibration. Electrical continuity between a bracket 51 on an output side and a bracket 52 on a counter output side is secured by a conductive plate 60 having elasticity. Therefore, since the conductive plate 60 is unlikely to be cut off by an external force and does not change significantly with time, the electrical continuity between the bracket 51 on the output side and the bracket 52 on the counter output side is hardly interrupted. Accordingly, since a difference in potential between the bracket 51 on the output side and the bracket 52 on the counter output side hardly occurs, electric corrosion is hardly caused in a bearing 41 on the output side and a bearing 42 on the counter output side.
US08664823B2

A rotor for a permanent synchronous machine includes a rotor having a plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities formed within a rotor core structure. The plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities substantially concentrically layered with respect to an outer cylindrical wall of the rotor core structure. A plurality of permanent magnets is inserted within the plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities. Each cavity layer retains a permanent magnet of a first magnetic field strength disposed in end sections and a permanent magnet of a second magnetic field strength in a center section of each cavity layer. Each respective cavity includes an air barrier formed between the magnets having different magnetic field strengths. The air barrier generates a reluctance within an air barrier gap for directing a flow of flux generated by each third permanent magnet in a preceding layer in a direction toward each third permanent magnet in a succeeding layer.
US08664819B2

An apparatus and method for the installation and removal of permanent magnets in a permanent magnet electromechanical machine, for example a wind turbine power unit generator. A magnet holder is mounted on a magnet carrying structure such as a rotor. Permanent magnets may be inserted into and removed from the magnet holder after the electromechanical machine is assembled. In this manner, permanent magnets may be installed on the magnet carrying structure by an interference fit, without using bolts or adhesives, to facilitate both assembly and removal for maintenance and repair.
US08664816B1

A permanent magnet is rotated about an axis extending between opposing north and south poles. The magnetic field of the rotated permanent magnet interacts with magnetic fields of permanent magnets carried by a shuttle for repelling and attracting the fixed permanent magnets, and providing a linear reciprocating movement of the shuttle responsive to the favorable rotary motion of the rotated permanent magnet where the force of the linear motion is captured by an energy storage device.
US08664811B2

The invention relates to a device for supplying electrical current to an electric fan set of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a brush-holder plate (5), for supplying current to the motor of the set, a support (1) for an electronic circuit (3) for supplying said motor, said plate (5) and said support (1) being attached to one another.According to the invention, said device also comprises means (13, 15, 17) for joining the support (1) to the brush-holder plate (5), arranged to ensure a prepositioning relative to one another at the time of assembly.
US08664808B2

A linear motor coil assembly includes a base plate (1), a line of iron cores affixed longitudinally on the upper surface of the base plate, multiple coils respectively provided for the iron cores, and a first cooling tube being in contact with contacts the multiple coils and through which a first refrigerant passes. The lower surface of the base plate can be attached to a precision table of a machine tool or a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. A groove (8) that extends longitudinally in linear fashion is formed on the lower surface of the base plate. A second cooling tube (92, 94), through which a second refrigerant passes, provided within the groove is additionally provided in the linear motor coil assembly.
US08664806B2

Communication bus having at least one pair of communication lines designed to be connected in series respectively to conductors of a main communication bus designed to be connected to communicating devices of at least one electric panel. Said communication bus comprises at least two branched outputs each having at least two branch lines, said branch lines respectively having a first end connected to a communication line and having a second end designed for connection of the communicating devices. The communication lines are etched on a first conducting layer of a printed circuit, and the branch lines are etched on a second conducting layer of said printed circuit. The communication lines are separated from one another by a distance.
US08664805B2

A power distribution apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a modulated block type power distribution apparatus capable of reducing a space by consequently connecting a main breaker to a sub breaker as a block not to form a gap while installing. The apparatus may include a multifunctional block type power distribution apparatus capable of easily connecting breakers with one another, the breaker having different height, by additionally installing a height controller able to control a height of a branch breaker on the apparatus manufactured in one mold and preventing wrong coupling while connecting a plurality of branch breakers with one another. The apparatus may include a preassembled power distribution apparatus capable of increasing coherence between terminals while coupling a main breaker terminal, a branch breaker terminal, and an additional breaker terminal, forming the preassembled power distribution apparatus, with various terminals of another preassembled power distribution apparatus.
US08664804B2

Systems and devices are described herein for reducing a phantom load. The system may include a device for connection to a power source and a transformer or machine, wherein the device is configured to disconnect the transformer or machine from the power source under a predetermined load condition. The device may include a contactor, a current detector, a timer, and a controller. Portions of the current detector, timer, or controller may be implemented in a microcontroller.
US08664802B2

A wireless energy transfer device (1) includes: a power transmission unit (2) that generates an oscillating magnetic field or oscillating electric field; a power reception unit (3), which is provided with a receiving antenna (31), and which converts the oscillating magnetic field or the oscillating electric field of the power transmission unit (2) to electric power by the receiving antenna (31); and an electric power theft suppression unit that suppresses the theft of energy with the oscillating magnetic field or the oscillating electric field of the power transmission unit (2).
US08664796B2

According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a UPS comprising a plurality of electrical buses, a first AC/DC converter coupled to the electrical buses and configured to convert a first input AC voltage to a plurality of DC voltages, a second AC/DC converter coupled to the electrical buses and configured to convert a second input AC voltage to the plurality of DC voltages, a third AC/DC converter coupled to the electrical buses and configured to convert a third input AC voltage to the plurality of DC voltages, a first DC/AC converter configured to convert the plurality of DC voltages into a first output AC voltage, and a DC bus balancer configured to maintain voltages present on the electrical buses by transferring energy between the plurality of electrical buses.
US08664783B2

A system for improving engine starting is disclosed. In one example, an engine starting is improved by providing a predictable load to the engine during engine starting. The predictable load may be provided by controlling alternator field voltage during the engine start.
US08664774B1

To protect victim bondwires in a packaged electronic component from crosstalk induced by noisy aggressor bondwires, shielding bondwires are configured between the victim bondwires and the aggressor bondwires. The shielding bondwires, on either side of the victim bondwires, are connected to the same reference voltage on the package side of the component and to each other on the die side of the component, e.g., via a metal connection mounted on the die. As configured in one embodiment, the shielding bondwires and metal connection form a two-dimensional Faraday cage that shields the victim bondwires from crosstalk induced by the aggressor bondwires.
US08664771B2

Some embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses and methods relating to processing and packaging microelectronic devices that reduce stresses on and limit or eliminate crack propagation in the devices.
US08664768B2

A structure includes a substrate having a plurality of balls, a semiconductor chip, and an interposer electrically connecting the substrate and the semiconductor chip. The interposer includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, at least one first exclusion zone extending through the interposer above each ball of the plurality of balls, at least one active through via extending from the first side of the interposer to the second side of the interposer, wherein the at least one active through via is formed outside the at least one first exclusion zone and wherein no active through vias are formed within the at least one first exclusion zone, and at least one dummy through via extending from the first side of the interposer to the second side of the interposer, wherein the at least one dummy through via is formed within the at least one first exclusion zone.
US08664756B2

A reconstituted wafer level package for a versatile high-voltage capable component is disclosed. The reconstituted wafer package includes a dice substantially encapsulated by a mold material except for a first face. A dielectric layer is disposed on the first face of the dice. The package further includes an array of ball bumps formed on an exterior facing portion of the dielectric layer. Further, a field plate is disposed within the dielectric material and interposed between the first face of the dice and the ball bump array. The field plate may be spaced from the dice by a predetermined distance to prevent dielectric breakdown of the material of the dielectric layer.
US08664755B2

Disclosed herein is a power module package including: a first substrate; a second substrate having a pad for connection to the first substrate formed on one side or both sides of one surface thereof and having external connection terminals for connection to the outside formed on the other surface thereof; and a lead frame having one end bonded to the first substrate and the other end bonded to the pad of the second substrate to thereby vertically connect the first and second substrates to each other.
US08664754B2

One exemplary disclosed embodiment comprises a high power semiconductor package configured as a buck converter having a control transistor and a sync transistor disposed on a common leadframe pad, a driver integrated circuit (IC) for driving the control and sync transistors, and conductive clips electrically coupling the top surfaces of the transistors to substrate pads such as leadframe pads. In this manner, the leadframe and the conductive clips provide efficient grounding or current conduction by direct mechanical connection and large surface area conduction, thereby enabling a package with significantly reduced electrical resistance, form factor, complexity, and cost when compared to conventional packaging methods using wirebonds for transistor interconnections.
US08664753B2

A semiconductor package device having a protruding component portion and a method of packaging the semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device has a component, such as a leadframe, and a packaging mold body. The packaging mold body is formed around a portion of the component and a recess is formed in the packaging mold body adjacent the protruding portion of the component to prevent the protruding portion of the component from damaging other adjacent and abutting semiconductor devices.
US08664750B2

A semiconductor substrate including a carrier, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer is disclosed. The carrier has a first surface, a second surface, and a concave portion used for receiving a semiconductor element. The first conductive layer is embedded in the first surface and forms a plurality of electric-isolated package traces. The second conductive layer is embedded in the second surface and electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The semiconductor substrate can be applied to a semiconductor package for carrying a semiconductor chip, and combined with a filling structure for fixing the chip. Furthermore, a plurality of the semiconductor substrates can be stacked and connected via adhesive layers, so as to form a semiconductor device with a complicated structure.
US08664747B2

A substrate for a light emitting diode (LED) can have one or more trenches formed therein so as to mitigate stress build up within the substrate due to mismatched thermal coefficients of expansion between the substrate and layers of material, e.g., semiconductor material, formed thereon. In this manner, the likelihood of damage to the substrate, such as cracking thereof, is substantially mitigated.
US08664746B2

A silicon on insulater (SOI) wafer is provided. A dielectric layer is formed on an active silicon substrate of the wafer. The dielectric layer is patterned and etched to expose selected portions of the silicon substrate. Impurities are then introduced into the exposed portions of the silicon substrate to act as gettering regions. The dielectric layer is then removed and an epitaxial layer of silicon is grown on the silicon substrate. Trenches are etched in the epitaxial layer of silicon through the gettering regions, partially removing the gettering regions and any contaminants contained therein. Remaining portions of the gettering regions still act as gettering regions during subsequent process steps.
US08664743B1

A structure includes a substrate, and a first metal line and a second metal line over the substrate, with a space therebetween. A first air gap is on a sidewall of the first metal line and in the space. A second air gap is on a sidewall of the second metal line and in the space. A dielectric material is disposed in the space and between the first and the second air gaps. A third air gap is underlying the lower portion of the dielectric material, wherein the first air gap, the second air gap, and the third air gap are interconnected to form a continuous air gap.
US08664741B2

Provided is a high voltage semiconductor device that includes a PIN diode structure formed in a substrate. The PIN diode includes an intrinsic region located between a first doped well and a second doped well. The first and second doped wells have opposite doping polarities and greater doping concentration levels than the intrinsic region. The semiconductor device includes an insulating structure formed over a portion of the first doped well. The semiconductor device includes an elongate resistor device formed over the insulating structure. The resistor device has first and second portions disposed at opposite ends of the resistor device, respectively. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure formed over the resistor device. The interconnect structure includes: a first contact that is electrically coupled to the first doped well and a second contact that is electrically coupled to a third portion of the resistor located between the first and second portions.
US08664738B2

A solid-state imaging apparatus including an insulating structural body having a through opening, a wiring part formed on a front surface of the structural body, a solid-state imaging element which is connected to the wiring part and also is attached to the structural body so as to close the through opening, a translucent member which is opposed to the solid-state imaging element and is attached to the structural body through an adhesive inside an adhesion region R so as to close the through opening, and a solder resist film with which at least a part of the front surface of the structural body is covered, and is characterized in that a region R0 in which the solder resist film is selectively removed is had in the adhesion region R and the removed region R0 is filled with the adhesive.
US08664730B2

A manufacturing method for electronic device, includes: preparing a first substrate having a plurality of first regions; preparing a second substrate having a plurality of second regions; facing the first region and the second region each other, and connecting the first substrate and the second substrate while disposing at least a part of a functional element within a space between the first region and the second region; obtaining a plurality of first divisional substrates by cutting the first substrate at each of the first regions, after the connecting of the first substrate and the second substrate; forming a sealing film covering the plurality of the first divisional substrates on the second substrate, after cutting the first substrate; obtaining a plurality of second divisional substrates by cutting the second substrate at each of the second regions, after forming the sealing film; and obtaining a plurality of individual electronic devices.
US08664725B1

A transistor may include a semiconductor region such as a rectangular doped silicon well. Gate fingers may overlap the silicon well. The gate fingers may be formed from polysilicon and may be spaced apart from each other along the length of the well by a fixed gate-to-gate spacing. The edges of the well may be surrounded by field oxide. Epitaxial regions may be formed in the well to produce compressive or tensile stress in channel regions that lie under the gate fingers. The epitaxial regions may form source-drain terminals. The edges of the field oxide may be separated from the nearest gate finger edges by a distance that is adjusted automatically with a computer-aided-design tool and that may be larger than the gate-to-gate spacing. Dummy gate finger structures may be provided to ensure desired levels of stress are produced.
US08664723B1

A structure includes an isolation ring at a top surface of a substrate. A well region of a first conductivity type is in a surface portion of the substrate. The well region includes a first portion having a top portion encircled by the isolation ring, and a second portion having a top portion encircling the isolation ring. A base resistance tuning ring includes a portion overlapped by the isolation ring, wherein the base resistance tuning ring is between the first portion and the second portion of the well region. The base resistance tuning ring is selected from the group consisting essentially of a ring of the first conductivity type, a substantially neutral ring, and a ring of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type.
US08664718B2

A power MOSFET includes a semiconductor region extending from a top surface of a semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor region is of a first conductivity type. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are disposed over the semiconductor region. A drift region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type extends from the top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer has a portion over and in contact with a top surface of the drift region. A conductive field plate is over the dielectric layer. A source region and a drain region are on opposite sides of the gate electrode. The drain region is in contact with the first drift region. A bottom metal layer is over the field plate.
US08664715B2

A transistor is formed inside an isolation structure which includes a floor isolation region and a trench extending from the surface of the substrate to the floor isolation region. The trench may be filled with a dielectric material or may have a conductive material in a central portion with a dielectric layer lining the walls of the trench.
US08664709B2

A non-volatile memory including a substrate, a stacked gate structure, two doped regions and a plurality of spacers is provided. The stacked gate structure is disposed on the substrate, wherein the stacked gate structure includes a first dielectric layer, a charge storage layer, a second dielectric layer and a conductive layer in sequence from bottom to top relative to the substrate. The doped regions are disposed in the substrate at two sides of the stacked gate structure, respectively, and bottom portions of the doped regions contact with the substrate under the doped regions. The spacers are respectively disposed between each side of each of the doped regions and the substrate, and top portions of the spacers are lower than top portions of the doped regions.
US08664706B2

A method of fabricating a one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell with improved read current in one of its programmed states, and a memory cell so fabricated. The OTP memory cell is constructed with trench isolation structures on its sides. After trench etch, and prior to filling the isolation trenches with dielectric material, a fluorine implant is performed into the trench surfaces. The implant may be normal to the device surface or at an angle from the normal. Completion of the cell transistor to form a floating-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor is then carried out. Improved on-state current (Ion) results from the fluorine implant.
US08664705B2

A MOS capacitor includes a substrate, a p-type MOS (pMOS) transistor positioned on the substrate, and an n-type MOS (nMOS) transistor positioned on the substrate. More important, the pMOS transistor and the nMOS transistor are electrically connected in parallel. The MOS transistor further includes a deep n-well that encompassing the pMOS transistor and the nMOS transistor.
US08664703B2

The instant application describes a display device that includes a substrate; a gate electrode provided on the substrate; a gate insulating film provided on the gate electrode; a semiconductor layer provided on the gate insulating film; a source electrode and a drain electrode provided on the semiconductor layer; a protective insulating film provided on the source electrode and the drain electrode; a pixel electrode provided on the protective insulating film, and connected to one of the source electrode and the drain electrode through a contact hole formed through the protective insulating film; and a shield provided on the protective insulating film, the shield not being electrically connected to the pixel electrode.
US08664701B2

A method for manufacturing a rectifier with a vertical MOS structure is provided. A first trench structure and a first mask layer are formed at a first side of the semiconductor substrate. A second trench structure is formed in the second side of the semiconductor substrate. A gate oxide layer, a polysilicon structure and a metal sputtering layer are sequentially formed on the second trench structure. The rectifier further includes a wet oxide layer and a plurality of doped regions. The wet oxide layer is formed on a surface of the first multi-trench structure and in the semiconductor substrate. The doping regions are formed on a region between the semiconductor substrate and the second trench structure, and located beside the mask layer. The metal sputtering layer is formed on the first mask layer corresponding to the first trench structure.
US08664695B2

A transistor comprising a plurality of active semiconductor layers on a substrate, with source and drain electrodes in contact with the semiconductor layers. A gate is formed between the source and drain electrodes and on the plurality of semiconductor layers. A plurality of field plates are arranged over the semiconductor layers, each of which extends from the edge of the gate toward the drain electrode, and each of which is isolated from said semiconductor layers and from the others of the field plates. The topmost of the field plates is electrically connected to the source electrode and the others of the field plates are electrically connected to the gate or the source electrode.
US08664672B2

A light emitting panel includes a plurality of light emitting element arrays each of which has a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a plane. The light emitting element arrays are configured so that an arrangement plane of the light emitting elements of one light emitting element array is overlapped with another arrangement plane of the light emitting elements of another light emitting element array in substantially parallel to each other, and so that the light emitting elements of one light emitting element array and the light emitting elements of another light emitting element array emit lights to the same side.
US08664671B2

A display device capable of suppressing decrease in capacitance and capable of reducing area even when a capacitor unit is repaired is provided. A capacitor unit in a display device includes: a capacitor element having a first capacitor electrode connected to a power line and provided in an SD electrode layer and a second capacitor electrode provided in a GM electrode layer; a backup capacitor electrode provided in the TM electrode layer; a disconnect-able portion at which a connection between the first capacitor electrode and the power line can be disconnected; and a connectable portion at which the backup capacitor electrode and the power line can be connected, and the disconnect-able portion and the connectable portion overlap in a stacking direction.
US08664669B2

An organic EL element has an anode, a cathode, a hole injection layer and at least one functional layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The at least one functional layer contains an organic material. Holes are injected into the functional layer from the hole injection layer, which contains a tungsten oxide. A Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) spectrum obtained from a UPS measurement has a protrusion near a Fermi surface and within a region corresponding to a binding energy range lower than a top of the valence band. The tungsten oxide contained in the hole injection layer satisfies a condition, determined from an X-ray Photoelectronic Spectroscopy measurement, that a ratio in a number density of atoms other than tungsten and oxygen atoms to the tungsten atoms does not exceed approximately 0.83.
US08664659B2

Provided are an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the OLED display apparatus. Pixel-defining layers (PDLs) are formed of inorganic and organic insulating layers to minimize non-uniformities of the thicknesses of organic emission layers (OEMLs) and planarize lower thin film transistors (TFTs). Therefore, a lifespan of the OLED display apparatus is improved.
US08664658B2

An n-channel transistor or a p-channel transistor provided with a second gate electrode for controlling a threshold voltage in addition to a normal gate electrode is used for a complementary logic circuit. In addition, an insulated gate field-effect transistor with an extremely low off-state current is used as a switching element to control the potential of the second gate electrode. A channel formation region of the transistor which functions as a switching element includes a semiconductor material whose band gap is wider than that of a silicon semiconductor and whose intrinsic carrier density is lower than that of silicon.
US08664655B2

An organic light emitting display apparatus has a hybrid structure in which resonance red, green and blue pixels and a non-resonance white pixel are combined. An optical path control layer and a white color filter which selectively absorbs light having a specific wavelength are included in the white pixel. Thus, the organic light emitting display apparatus has a large viewing angle, low power consumption, and long lifetime.
US08664650B2

The invention relates to an arrangement including optically transparent and/or functional components. It is desirable for many applications to achieve a high functionality and variability in the utilization of electronic components over a very small area or with a small space requirement for such a design. In an arrangement in accordance with the invention, an organic electronic component and at least one further organic or inorganic electronic component are arranged layer-wise, stacked over one another, on a substrate. In this respect, planar electrically conductive electrodes at the surfaces of the components are formed such that the components are electrically connected in series and the components are each individually electrically controllable via the electrodes in accordance with their polarities.
US08664645B2

An organic electroluminescence element includes: a pair of electrodes composed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, one of which is transparent or semitransparent; and one or more organic compound layers that are sandwiched between the pair of electrodes, in which at least one layer of the organic compound layers contains one or more of charge-transporting polyesters represented by formula (I).
US08664621B2

This device (2) for generating an ion beam (4) including a liquid metal ion source (18) is characterized in that the ion source is surrounded by a cryogenic trap (28) maintained at a low temperature, this cryogenic trap being able to trap volatile chemical species (G) by condensing them before they can reach the ion source.
US08664615B2

Disclosed is a radiation image capturing device including a control section which detects at least a start of irradiation based on a current value of a current detected by a current detection section, wherein the control section applies an ON-state voltage having a predetermined voltage value from a scan driving section to a switch section via each of scan lines simultaneously so as to perform reset processing of each of radiation detection elements before radiation image capturing, and thereafter, decreases the voltage value of the ON-state voltage simultaneously, monitors the current value outputted from the current detection section while keeping the decreased voltage value of the ON-state voltage, and waits for the start of the irradiation.
US08664613B2

The present invention provides a radiation measurement device, which shortens periodic interruption periods in the radiation measurements and prevents damage to the amplifier, and a nuclear medicine diagnosis system using such measurement device. The radiation measurement device comprises a semiconductor radiation detector detecting a radiation, a capacitor, which applies voltage to the semiconductor radiation detector, one or more direct current power supplies each capable of making either of positive and negative electric charge collect on one of the electrodes of the capacitor, a constant-current device, which conducts an electric current from the direct current power supplies to the one of the electrodes of the capacitor, and two or more switching devices installed in the wiring connecting the direct current power supplies and the one of the electrodes of the capacitor. Further disclosed is a nuclear medicine diagnosis system equipped with such radiation measurement device.
US08664608B2

Provided are sensors and methods for detecting thermal neutrons. Provided is an apparatus having a scintillator for absorbing a neutron, the scintillator having a back side for discharging a scintillation light of a first wavelength in response to the absorbed neutron, an array of wavelength-shifting fibers proximate to the back side of the scintillator for shifting the scintillation light of the first wavelength to light of a second wavelength, the wavelength-shifting fibers being disposed in a two-dimensional pattern and defining a plurality of scattering plane pixels where the wavelength-shifting fibers overlap, a plurality of photomultiplier tubes, in coded optical communication with the wavelength-shifting fibers, for converting the light of the second wavelength to an electronic signal, and a processor for processing the electronic signal to identify one of the plurality of scattering plane pixels as indicative of a position within the scintillator where the neutron was absorbed.
US08664605B2

A covert label structure comprising a three dimensional diffracting optical element layer (100) having a depth profile for producing a predetermined pattern, wherein different portions of a top surface of the diffracting optical element layer (100) have at least two different depths relative to a bottom surface of the diffracting optical element layer (100), wherein the depth profile spans across two dimensions of the top surface of the diffracting optical element layer (100), and wherein the top surface reflects light according to the predefined pattern and an overcoat layer (108) over the top surface of the diffracting optical element layer (100) wherein the overcoat layer (108) is opaque to at least one wavelength of light.
US08664604B2

A system for surveillance of a delimited area within which people move, wherein at least one hollow optical fiber is configured for extending through the area and is provided throughout its length with a plurality of holes that set an internal channel of the fiber in communication with the outside of the fiber itself. There is provided an optical source configured for supplying the optical signal to one end of the hollow optical fiber and a sensor designed to detect at one end of the hollow optical fiber the optical signal transmitted throughout the length of the fiber itself. A processing unit is configured for examining the spectrum of the optical signal detected by the sensors in order to detect the presence of toxic agents present in the area and drawn into said channel.
US08664593B2

A High Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) apparatus comprises (a) a first and a second gas inlet; (b) an expansion chamber receiving ions from an ion source and the first and second gas flows from the first and second gas inlets, respectively; (c) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive, from the expansion chamber, the ions and a combined gas flow comprising portions of the first and second gas flows; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (d) an inner electrode having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween, wherein the combined gas flow and a portion of the ions travel through the ion separation region from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.
US08664586B2

Cross-well electromagnetic (EM) imaging is performed using high-power pulsed magnetic field sources, time-domain signal acquisition, low-noise magnetic field sensors, spatial oversampling and super-resolution image enhancement and injected magnetic nanofluids. Inter-well images are generated mapping electromagnetic (EM) signal speed (group velocity) rather than conductivity maps. EM velocity maps with improved resolution for both native and injected fluids are provided.
US08664583B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for nonlinear optical surface sensing with a single thermo-electric detector. In particular, the system includes at least two signal sources that are co-aligned to propagate photons to the same location on a surface. The system also includes at least one focusing element that focuses a sequence of photons that is reflected from the location on the surface. In addition, the system includes at least one frequency selective electromagnetic detector that detects the sequence of photons that are focused from the focusing element(s). When the frequency selective electromagnetic detector senses a photon, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector emits an electrical pulse that has a voltage that is proportional to the energy level of the photon. Additionally, the system includes a processor that processes the electrical pulses, and de-multiplexes the sequence of emitted electrical pulses based on the electrical pulse voltage of the electrical pulses.
US08664579B2

A method includes sampling a first intensity of light with a first array of photo detectors of a digital camera. A second intensity of light is sampled with a second array of photo detectors of the digital camera. A first channel processor coupled to the first array of photo detectors generates a first image using first array data which is representative of the first intensity of light sampled by the first array of photo detectors. A second channel processor coupled to the second array of photo detectors generates a second image using second array data which is representative of the second intensity of light sampled by the second array of photo detectors. The first array of photo detectors, the second array of photo detectors, the first channel processor, and the second channel processor are integrated on or in a semiconductor substrate.
US08664578B2

An image sensor having a semiconductor substrate, at least two photosites in the substrate and an isolation region between the photosites. The isolation region has a first trench covered by a thin electrically insulating liner and filled with an electrically conductive material, the conductive material has a second trench at least partially filled with an optically isolating material.
US08664575B2

A miniature lightweight high-maneuverability missile (10) has a missile body (12) with three sets of at least two aerodynamic control surfaces (14, 16, 18) for independent control of roll, pitch and yaw of the missile. Each set of control surfaces (14, 16, 18) is independently controlled by a corresponding actuator (20) deployed within the missile body (12). Other preferred features include selection of an elevation angle of incidence at a target, and switching between explosive and kinetic modes of operation.
US08664556B2

Included are: a closing spring which provides a closing drive force for closing a contact of a switch device by rotating a camshaft by release of energy; a first semi-circular latch which retains stored energy of the closing spring via a closing lever; an output lever which pivots by being pressed by a cam provided on the camshaft when retention by the first semi-circular latch is released and the energy of the closing spring is released, and transmits the closing drive force to the switch device via a linking mechanism; and a second semi-circular latch which prevents the output lever from pivoting in a tripping direction via a tripping lever and retains stored energy of an interrupting spring provided on the linking mechanism, the pivoting of the output lever being caused by transmission of the stored energy of the interrupting spring.
US08664555B2

Provided is a trip button mechanism of an external handle for a circuit breaker. The trip button mechanism includes a button support, an externally operable trip button, and an elastic member. The button support is disposed at an outer casing of the externally operable handle and exposed through a penetration hole of the outer casing. The externally operable trip button includes a handle exposed through the penetration hole and a pusher in one piece with the handle. The pusher is movable along the button support for pushing a circuit breaker trip button. The elastic member applies a force to the externally operable trip button in a direction opposite to a direction in which the externally operable trip button pushes the circuit breaker trip button. Therefore, the trip button mechanism can be easily assembled to increase productivity and decrease manufacturing costs, and the trip button mechanism can be reliably operated.
US08664550B2

The present invention discloses a multi-pole circuit breaker with auxiliary supports, which comprises a base, a plurality of single-pole circuit breaking units, an operating mechanism and a rotation axis assembly, wherein the rotation axis assembly consists of a plurality of supporting assemblies and a plurality of support shaft parts in series; each of the support shaft parts is provided with a movable contact bridge; each of the supporting assembly consists of a rotation axis, an auxiliary support, an auxiliary support bearing and at least one supporting rod; the rotation axis maintains synchronous revolution with the support shaft parts; the outside of the bearing is tightly assembled with a bearing hole of the auxiliary support, while the inside is tightly assembled with the rotation axis; the supporting rod is tightly assembled with a supporting rod installing hole on the auxiliary support; the operating mechanism is fixedly connected with the supporting rod; and the supporting rod is fixedly installed on a housing of the single-pole circuit breaking unit and provides stable supporting force for the rotation axis through the auxiliary supports. The multi-pole circuit breaker has balanced contact pressure at each contact point, flexible operation, fast breaking, good breaking synchronism of contacts at all poles and long service life.
US08664545B2

Transport device for a scale, in particular a dynamic scale that preferably operates with electromagnetic force compensation, with a weighing belt that forms a preload for a weighing cell. The weighing belt is constructed to transport materials to be weighed along the X-direction while weighing. The weighing belt receives the materials from a supply device arranged in an upstream inlet area, including a supply belt or supply rollers for supporting the materials and not forming a preload for the weighing cell. Two weighing-guide elements extending in the X-direction and forming a preload provide lateral support of the materials in the Y-direction to weigh the materials during the transport on the weighing belt in the leaning position. The minimum Y-distance between the weighing-guide elements is greater than the maximum extent of the materials in the Y-direction.
US08664544B2

An attachment system for cables (7), in particular for wind turbines, has a base body (1, 3) securable to a support structure and forming cable bushings (5) with openings for cables (7). The openings can be closed by a cover (17) applying retaining forces to the cables (7). The cable bushings (5) on the base body (1, 3) are arranged at least over part of a ring, with an outside opening. The cover (17) has retaining bodies lockable to the base body (1, 3) for preliminary fixing of the cables (7) inserted into the cable bushings (5) and a tightening strap (17) encompassing the base body (1, 3) and applying retaining forces to the cables (7) via the retaining bodies.
US08664540B2

An interconnection component includes a substrate, and an active through-substrate via (TSV) penetrating through the substrate. Active metal connections are formed over the substrate and electrically connected to the active TSV. At least one of a dummy pad and a dummy solder bump are formed at surfaces of the interconnection component. The dummy pad is over the substrate and electrically connected to the active TSV and the active metal connections. The dummy solder bump is under the substrate and electrically connected to the active metal connections. The dummy pad and the dummy solder bump are open ended.
US08664538B2

The present invention relates to a terminal-integrated package method for a metal base package module that can effectively prevent short-circuit or breakage by not using wire bonding for connection with an external circuit.The terminal-integrated package method for the metal base package module includes: preparing a metal substrate formed with a conductive metal material; forming an oxide layer by oxidizing one side of the metal substrate to a predetermined depth; forming an insulation groove by partially eliminating the metal substrate to the oxide layer with a constant width along the circumference of the metal substrate from an opposite side of the metal substrate; forming a plurality of external connection terminals by forming a separation groove by eliminating a circumference portion of the metal substrate, disconnected with a center portion thereof by the insulation groove along the circumference with a predetermined gap; mounting or manufacturing an electronic part on the metal substrate or the oxide layer; and electrically connecting an electrode of the electronic part with the external connection terminal.
US08664537B2

A printed circuit board having at least two spaced apart conductive planes. A plurality of vias extend between the two spaced apart conductive planes with the vias being electrically connected to a selected one of the two conductive planes in an alternating pattern. A differential electrical signal is connectable to the conductive planes so that the vias are alternately energized by the differential electrical signal when the differential electrical signal is connected to the conductive planes.
US08664525B2

A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a surface of a germanium substrate. A passivation layer of amorphous silicon material is formed on the germanium surface. A contact layer of metal, e.g., aluminum, is then formed on the passivation layer. The structure is heated so that the germanium surface makes contact with the contact layer. The aluminum contact layer can be configured for use as a mirroring surface for the back surface of the device. Thus, a passivated germanium surface is disclosed, as well as a solar cell comprising such a structure.
US08664523B2

A solar cell employs an optical fiber and semiconductor nanowires grown around the fiber. A p-n junction based design, organic-inorganic heterojunction, or a dye-sensitized structure is built at the surfaces of the nanowires. Light entering the fiber from a tip propagates through the fiber until it enters a nanowire where it reaches a photovoltaic element. Light entering the fiber cannot escape until it interacts with a photovoltaic element, thereby increasing the solar conversion efficiency. The fiber can transmit light, while the nanowires around the fibers increase the surface area of light exposure.
US08664507B1

Musical instrument pickups and methods of constructing same to achieve a user-desired signal output level and a user-desired tonal characteristic from a stringed instrument are disclosed. The method may include steps for selecting a coil geometry, selecting a number of coils, selecting a coil wire gauge and number of turns for each coil and selecting a pole piece. In selecting the pole piece consideration may be given to pole piece composition, pole piece thickness, height and width, and pole piece response in terms of relative inductive and relative resonant frequency characteristics and/or the shape of the frequency response in the vicinity of resonance.
US08664502B2

A method of locating, discovering, and memorizing the names of the notes for acoustic and electric stringed musical instruments is disclosed. The method includes joining the frontal view of the fingerboard of the instrument with a labeled virtual view of the fingerboard applied to the back of the instrument neck in a location corresponding to respective frets on the front.
US08664499B2

Disclosed is a nose pipe instrument capable of modulating the tone thereof. The nose pipe instrument capable of modulating the tone thereof enables a modulating plate to slide to adjust the length of a sealing path for the passage of breath from the nose of a player. Thus, the nose pipe instrument of the present invention can modulate the pitch of the tone to be played, thereby enabling various notes to be played.
US08664491B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV397654. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV397654, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV397654 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV397654 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV397654.
US08664490B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV355838. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV355838, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV355838 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV355838 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV355838.
US08664483B2

The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated RS 08061277. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line RS 08061277, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line RS 08061277 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line RS 08061277, including the pods and gametes of such plants.
US08664482B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XB37K12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB37K12, cells from soybean variety XB37K12, plants of soybean XB37K12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB37K12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB37K12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB37K12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB37K12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB37K12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB37K12 are further provided.
US08664471B2

Nucleic acid compositions encoding rapidly maturing fluorescent proteins, as well as non-aggregating versions thereof (and mutants thereof) as well as the proteins encoding the same, are provided. The proteins of interest are proteins that are fluorescent, where this feature arises from the interaction of two or more residues of the protein. The subject proteins are further characterized in that, in certain embodiments, they are mutants of wild type proteins that are obtained either from non-bioluminescent Cnidarian, e.g., Anthozoan, species or are obtained from Anthozoan non-Pennatulacean (sea pen) species. In certain embodiments, the subject proteins are mutants of wild type Discosoma sp. “red” fluorescent protein. Also of interest are proteins that are substantially similar to, or mutants of, the above specific proteins. Also provided are fragments of the nucleic acids and the peptides encoded thereby, as well as antibodies to the subject proteins and transgenic cells and organisms. The subject protein and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of different applications. Finally, kits for use in such applications, e.g., that include the subject nucleic acid compositions, are provided.
US08664465B2

A pad of elastomeric material having a softness of no more than about durometer 50 Shore 00. The pad may carry adhesive and/or a housing for adhering the pad to a surface, either directly or indirectly through an envelope which surrounds the pad and carries the adhesive. Such a pad exhibits hemostatic and leak prevention properties against needle puncture holes in the skin or the wall of a hollow medical device. Particularly, hemostasis may be prevented with low pressure application of the pad to the skin. The pad may be previously applied to the skin of the patient or a wall of a medical device such as tubing or a solution bag, and the needle may then penetrate both the pad and the skin or medical device wall, to make a resealable puncture with leakage reduction and hemostasis when the needle is withdrawn.
US08664460B2

The application discloses novel processes for the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and more specifically the use of selected ionic liquids containing Indium (III) Chloride in the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons, which allows for selection of the oligomers formed.
US08664455B2

The invention provides an improved process to manufacture 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) by reacting 2-chloro-3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) with hydrogen fluoride, in a liquid phase reaction in the presence of hydrogen chloride and a liquid phase fluorination catalyst. The hydrogen chloride is added into the reaction from an external source at a pressure of about 100 psig or more. The HCFC-244bb is an intermediate in the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene-1 (HFO-1234yf).
US08664452B2

Disclosed herein is a process for the preparation of highly pure 2,6-diisopropyl phenol (Formula I), which comprises reacting p-hydroxy benzoic acid (Formula II) with an alkylating agent in presence of aq. mineral acid followed by basification and subsequent washings to yield 4-hydroxy-3,5-diisopropylbenzoic acid (Formula III) free of dimer impurity, 4,4′-oxydibenzoic acid of Formula IV, ether impurity 3,5-di(propan-2-yl)-4-(propan-2-yloxy)benzoic acid of Formula V and the monoalkylated impurity 4-hydroxy-3-(propan-2-yl)benzoic acid of Formula VI; and decarboxylating 4-hydroxy-3,5-diisopropylbenzoic acid (Formula III) in presence of high boiling solvent and sodium hydroxide as a catalyst at high temperature to yield 2,6-diisopropyl phenol substantially free of ether impurity 1,3-di(propan-2-yl)-2-(propan-2-yloxy)benzene of Formula VII and monoalkylated phenol impurity 2-(propan-2-yl) phenol of Formula VIII. Propofol prepared by the process of the present invention is suitable for pharmaceutical use.
US08664451B2

Control of an in-series, multiple, e.g., two, reaction zone, hydroformylation process for producing normal (N) and iso (I) aldehydes at a N:I ratio, the process comprising contacting an olefinically unsaturated compound, e.g., propylene, with carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a catalyst comprising (A) a transition metal, e.g., rhodium, (B) an organobisphosphite, and (C) an organomonophosphite ligand, the contacting conducted in first and subsequent reaction zones and at hydroformylation conditions comprising an olefinically unsaturated compound partial pressure in each zone, the control exercised by decreasing the olefinically unsaturated compound partial pressure in the first reaction zone to decrease the N:I ratio or increasing the olefinically unsaturated compound partial pressure in the first reaction zone to increase the N:I ratio.
US08664446B1

Methods of purifying NMe3 by removing N2, NH2Me, NH3, and H2O are disclosed.
US08664442B2

A dialkylanilino-cyclohexane compound useful as an antioxidant has the following formula I or formula II: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 can be the same or different and each is an alkylaromatic group; each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen or CR7R8; each of R5, R6, and R7 is independently selected from hydrogen and a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C32 hydrocarbyl group; and each R8 is independently selected from hydrogen and a C1 to C2 alkyl group, provided that when, each of R1 and R2 is CR7R8 and each such R8 is other than hydrogen, R1 and R2 may be joined to form a five or six-membered ring, and provided further that when, each of R3 and R4 is an adjacent CR7R8 and each such R8 is other than hydrogen, R3 and R4 may be joined to form a five or six-membered ring.
US08664435B2

A method of preparing a liquid lactic acid composition that has a total acid content of at least 94% (w/w) and that does not crystallize at a temperature above 10° C. includes obtaining a starting liquid lactic acid composition that has a total acid content of at least 94% (w/w) and that crystallizes at a temperature above 10° C. and incubating said starting liquid lactic acid composition at a temperature above the crystallization point of the starting liquid lactic acid composition for a time period to obtain the liquid lactic acid composition that does not crystallize at a temperature above 10° C.
US08664427B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing hyperbranched polyhydroxybenzoic acid alkoxylates, comprising the steps of: (a) reacting at least one polyhydroxybenzoic ester with one or more alkylene oxides, optionally in the presence of a basic catalyst, (b) allowing the polyhydroxybenzoic ester alkoxylates formed in step (a) to react with transesterification to form hyperbranched polyhydroxybenzoic acid alkoxylates.
US08664424B2

Provided is a method for preparing 2,5-dimethylphenylacetic acid, wherein p-xylene is mixed with paraformaldehyde and concentrated hydrochloric acid in a solvent of ion liquid to obtain 2,5-dimethyl benzyl chloride by the chloromethylation reaction. Then, 2,5-dimethyl benzyl chloride is introduced into a reactor with an acid binding agent and a solvent, the carbonylation and hydrolysis reaction is conducted in the presence of a catalyst to obtain 2,5-dimethylphenylacetic acid. The present process has new route, less synthesis steps, simple operation, lower cost, increased yield, and is friendly to the environment. Therefore, the method is suitable for industrial production.
US08664415B2

A process for preparing (meth)acrylates of C17-alcohol mixtures by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with a C17-alcohol mixture in the presence of at least one acidic catalyst and of at least one polymerization inhibitor and in the presence of a solvent which, with water, forms an azeotrope in which the esterification is performed in a reactor with a circulation evaporator, the azeotrope is distilled off and condensed, and the condensate splits into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein the C17-alcohol mixture has a mean degree of branching (iso index) of 2.8 to 3.7.
US08664406B2

The disclosure provides fluorescence probe compounds of formula I, their preparation methods and applications. These compounds are useful in detecting mercury ions.
US08664405B2

The object is to provide a stable SM-108 derivative, which is effective as a carcinostatic agent, particularly an SM-108 derivative having good storage stability. An SM-108 compound having good storage stability can be produced by producing an organic sulfonic acid salt compound of SM-108. Further, a crystalline SM-108 compound containing a trace amount of an organic carboxylic acid can be produced by using an aqueous solution of the organic sulfonic acid salt of SM-108, and by adding an alkali metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid to the aqueous solution to neutralize the aqueous solution and then causing the crystal precipitation in the solution.
US08664401B2

The present invention is directed to a new class of hydroxamic acid derivatives of formula I, wherein the variables G, T, D, L, R1, R2, R3 are as described herein, their use as LpxC inhibitors, and more specifically their use to treat bacterial infections in a patient in need thereof.
US08664400B2

Triphenylamine derivatives useful as fluorophores in biology, in particular for two-photon microscopy; andcompositions comprising these derivatives, to the use of these compositions and of the derivatives themselves for labelling biological molecules (or “biomolecules”) such as nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, proteins, polypeptides, plasmids, and the like, for their examination in particular by two-photon microscopy, and to biomolecules labelled with the said derivatives.
US08664396B2

A method of staining a poly(amino acid) by contacting a poly(amino acid) with an overall neutral or overall cationic complex of at least one of transition metal ion, and a plurality of donor ligands each of which is fully coordinated to the transition metal ion and is either a nitrogen donor ligand or a cyclometalated donor ligand, such that at least one of the donor ligands is a cyclometalated donor ligand. Nitrogen donor ligands will contain heteroaryl ring systems having from 10 to 40 ring atoms, wherein each nitrogen donor ligand is substituted with from 0 to 4 R1 groups. Cyclometalated donor ligands will likewise contain heteroaryl ring systems having from 10 to 40 ring atoms, such that at least one ring atom is N, wherein each cyclometalated donor ligand is substituted with from 0 to 4 R1 groups. R1, R2, R3 and R4 groups are defined herein.
US08664394B2

A light-emitting element having excellent light-emitting properties and with which it is possible to emit blue light at a high luminance for a long period of time, and an iridium complex for realizing the same. The light-emitting element has an external quantum efficiency of at least 5% and a light emission maximum wavelength λ max of no more than 500 nm. Further, there is provided a light-emitting element including a light-emitting layer or a plurality of organic compound layers having the light-emitting layer, with at least one of the compound layers including at least one kind of a compound having a partial structure represented by the general formula K-0. In the general formula K-0, R1 to R7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that if R2 is a fluorine atom, R3 is not a hydrogen atom.
US08664392B2

Provided are compounds and compositions of general Formula IX: E1-L-Ar—X-PA, that may be utilized in bioconjugation procedures, where Ar is a chromophore and PA is a functional group capable of being attached to any bioactive molecule of interest. The present invention provides Formulas I-III that are capable of being attached to a bioactive vector for the selective delivery of said photoactive pyrazine derivatives to a desired biological target.
US08664390B2

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of bosentan. In particular it relates to a process for preparing bosentan substantially free from the dimer impurity of formula (II) and the 6-hydroxy impurity of formula (III). The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising bosentan and its use in the treatment of endothelin-receptor mediated disorders.
US08664378B2

The present invention solves the problem of isolating nucleic acids from cells in the presence of the growth medium. The invention is particularly useful for isolating extrachromosomal replicons such as plasmids. Cells are lysed in the presence of the medium in which they were grown and nucleic acids are isolated using a pipette tip column. A liquid handling robot can be used to isolate nucleic acids from multiple samples simultaneously without the need for human intervention.
US08664373B2

The present invention provides a low-cost, efficient method for producing a glycolipid biosurfactant, in particular, lactonic sophorose lipids. This method is characterized by culturing a microorganism capable of producing the biosurfactant under limited oxygen supply. The present invention enables preferential production of lactonic sophorose lipids and facilitates recovery of the lactonic sophorose lipids in a solid form. Further, the present invention enables production of high purity acidic sophorose lipids by hydrolyzing high purity lactonic sophorose lipids produced by the above method. The present invention also provides lactonic sophorose lipids that possess strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, and an antibacterial and/or antifungal agent containing the sophorose lipids.
US08664371B2

Rinsable dyes with improved fugitivity are formulated by attaching dyestuff compounds with amine-capped sulfonic solubilizing groups to commercially available ethoxylated aniline, so that the surfactant effect of the ethoxylated aniline counteracts the substantivity of the dyestuff compound, while the neutralization of the sulfonic solubilizing groups reduces substantivity.
US08664370B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing silicon-containing azodicarbamides of the general formula (I) (R1)3-a(R2)aSi—RI—NH—C(O)—N═N—C(O)—NH—RI—Si(R1)3-a(R2)a (I), by reaction of azobiscarboxy compounds of the general formula II R3—X1—C(O)—N═N—C(O)—X1—R4 (II) with aminosilanes of the general formula III (R1)3-a(R2)aSi—RI—NH2 (III).
US08664362B2

An isolated anti-properdin antibody or antigen binding portion thereof includes a heavy chain variable domain including the 3CDRs in SEQ ID NO: 1 and light chain variable domain including the 3 CDRS in SEQ ID NO: 9.
US08664356B2

The invention provides compounds and methods, for example, to carry out organocatalytic Michael additions of aldehydes to cyclically constrained nitroethylene compounds catalyzed by a proline derivative to provide cyclically constrained α-substituted-γ-nitro-aldehydes. The reaction can be rendered enantioselective when a chiral pyrrolidine catalyst is used, allowing for Michael adducts in nearly optically pure form (e.g., 96 to >99% e.e.).The Michael adducts can bear a single substituent or dual substituents adjacent to the carbonyl. The Michael adducts can be efficiently converted to cyclically constrained protected γ-amino acid residues, which are essential for systematic conformational studies of γ-peptide foldamers. New methods are also provided to prepare other γ-amino acids and peptides. These new building blocks can be used to prepare foldamers, such as α/γ-peptide foldamers, that adopt specific helical conformations in solution and in the solid state.
US08664349B2

The present invention relates to polycarbonate compositions and copolycarbonate compositions having improved optical properties, and to their production and their use for the production of shaped parts, and to shaped parts which can thereby be obtained, the compositions containing a polycarbonate or copolycarbonate which comprises bisphenol-A and at least one pair of a phosphorus compound having the oxidation number +3 and a phosphorus compound having the oxidation number +5, and the phosphorus compound having the oxidation state +5 in a pair respectively corresponding to the oxidized form of the phosphorus compound having the oxidation state +3 and the amount of more highly oxidized compound contained being less than that of the compound with the lower oxidation number.
US08664337B2

The present invention is a film having a thickness greater than 100 microns comprising from 10 to 100 percent by weight of a polyethylene polymer made by the process of a) selecting a target polyethylene resin having a density, as determined according to ASTM D792, in the range of from 0.90 g/cm3 to 0.955 g/cm3, and a melt index, as determined according to ASTM D1238(2.16 kg, 190 C), in the range of from 0.01 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min; b) reacting said target polyethylene with an alkoxy amine derivative in an amount less than 900 parts derivative per million parts by weight of total polyethylene resin under conditions sufficient to increase the melt strength of the target polyethylene resin; and c) forming a thick film from the modified target resin. The present films include those which can achieve similar processability as those containing unmodified linear polyethylene despite having at least 10% less LDPE resins in the formulation.
US08664335B2

The various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to thermally crosslinked polymeric compositions and methods of making thermally crosslinked polymeric compositions. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a composition comprising: a first polymer comprising a first repeat unit, the first repeat unit comprising a carboxyl group, wherein the first polymer crosslinks to a second polymer formed from a second repeat unit, and wherein the first polymer crosslinks to the second polymer without formation of an ester group.
US08664331B2

A polyurethane polymer comprising from 35% to 90% (w/w) of a poly (C2-4-alkylene oxide) based on the total weight of the polymer wherein not less than 60% by weight of the poly (C2-4-alkylene oxide) is polyethylene oxide and wherein at least 5% of the poly (C2-4-alkylene oxide) based on the total weight of the polymer is incorporated in lateral chains and which contains 10 to 180 milliequivalents of add groups for each 100 gm polymer when the polyurethane contains from 35 to 45% by weight poly (C2-4-alkylene oxide), e.g. a polymer made by reacting dimethylolpropionic acid, cyclohexane dimethanol, polypropylene glycol (1000), N-methyl pyrrolidone and an α,α-diydroxy polyethylene glycol obtainable from 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, methoxy polyethylene glycol (750) and diethanolamine.
US08664314B2

Use of mixtures, comprising a total of at least 50% by weight of n-alkanols, selected from n-C24-C34 alkanols, as additive in the processing of thermoplastic polymers.
US08664311B2

Elastomer isoprene rubber compositions contain an effective amount of a polyfunctional coupling system (A) as an inorganic-elastomer filler coupling agent, and (B) at least one elastomer of natural or synthetic rubber; (C) an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler; (D) other conventional constituents or additives comprising one or more vulcanizing agent(s), the polyfunctional coupling system being of the constituents (A1) and (A2): (A1) is at least one coupling agent selected from among the functionalized organosilicon compounds of formula (I): [(G0)3SiO1/2]m[(G0)2SiO2/2]n[G0SiO3/2]o[SiO4/2]p[(G2)a(G1)a′(Z—CO—N═N—CO-A)SiO(3-a-a′)/2]q and (A2) is at least one coupling agent selected among polysulfurated “symmetric” silanes, or sulfurated “asymmetric” silanes.
US08664310B2

The present disclosure may provide a mixture for use in forming a transparent coating including a silicon alkoxide precursor and an organic polymer. The silicon alkoxide precursor may have a pH level between 1 and 4. The organic polymer may have an average molecular weight between 5,000 and 50,000 Da. The mixture may include 35% to 65% organic polymer by volume. The organic polymer may be removed from the mixture after application leaving a resultant transparent coating, wherein: the resultant coating has a porosity of ≧35% to ≦65%; a thickness in the range from ≧95 nm to ≦135 nm; pores having an average diameter from ≧5 nm to ≦50 nm; and a diameter distribution according to a log-norm distribution with a half-width of ≦10 nm.
US08664306B2

Curing agents for air-drying alkyd-based resins, coatings, such as paint, varnish or wood stain, inks and linoleum floor coverings, based on an iron/manganese complex containing tetradentate, pentadentate or hexadentate nitrogen donor ligands are disclosed.
US08664294B2

A self etching, dental cement composition is provided having the advantage of not requiring a separate etching and bonding step. The cement composition comprises a polymerizable (meth)acrylate trimellitic acid/anhydride, a phosphoric acid (meth)acrylate, a hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate, copolymerizable multi-functional (meth)acrylate monomers, a diluent, fillers, and a curing system. These cement compositions are prepared as a two-paste system that is combined prior to use.
US08664282B2

Described herein is a process to prepare crosslinkable polymers based on trifluorostyrene, and their use as polymer electrolyte membranes.
US08664276B2

Stilbene analogs and pharmaceutical compositions that are useful for the treatment of various cancers, including without limitation, colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer are disclosed. Such stilbene analogs include, for example, compounds of the following formula: wherein Ra, Rb, R4, R6, R7, R9 and R10 are all H; R2 and R3 are independently H, halo, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, N-oxides of dialkylamino, arylalkylamino, trialkylammonium, mercapto, alkylthio, alkanoyl, nitro, nitrosyl, cyano, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, aryl, heteroaryl, sulfonyl, sulfonamide, CONR11R12, NR11CO(R13), NR11COO(R13) or NR11CONR12R13; R11, R12 and R13, are independently, H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or a fluorine; R8 is NRCRdZ wherein Rc is H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl or heteroaryl, Rd is an alkyl group, Z is a an unshared pair of electrons, H, alkyl or oxygen; and R1 and R5 are halogen.
US08664272B2

Methods and compositions are provided for treating myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, wherein the composition comprises at least one compound according to Formula I: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of —NH2, —NH—CH2—CO2H, —NH—CH(CH3)—CO2H, and —NH—C(CH3)2—CO2H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such a compound; and a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08664269B2

Those in need of nitroglycerin (GTN) therapy who have polymorphism in the mtALDH gene, e.g., those of Asian descent for whom this polymorphism is common, and/or who are being treated with or ingesting or exposed to mtALDH inhibitor are treated with GTN in combination with agent which converts GTN to product which is metabolized without mtALDH activity, e.g., N-acetylcysteine.
US08664260B2

A method of making a bacteriochlorin is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II to produce the bacteriochlorin, wherein R is an acetal or aldehyde group. The condensing may be carried out in an organic solvent, preferably in the presence of an acid. The bacteriochlorins are useful for a variety of purposes such as active agents in photodynamic therapy, luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, solar cells, light harvesting arrays, and molecular memory devices.
US08664259B2

New, oil-based suspension concentrates composed of at least one room-temperature-solid compound of the formula (I′), at least one penetrant, at least one vegetable oil, at least one nonionic surfactant and/or at least one anionic surfactant, and optionally one or more additives from the groups of the emulsifiers, foam inhibitors, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants and/or inert filler materials, a process for producing these suspension concentrates, and their use for applying the active substances comprised.
US08664252B2

The present invention relates to a phosphodiesterase type III (PDE III) inhibitor and/or Ca2+-sensitizing agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof for the treatment of a patient suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). According to another aspect the present invention relates to the use of a PDE III inhibitor and/or Ca2+-sensitizing agent for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a patient suffering from HCM.
US08664249B2

Tetrasubstituted benzenes that act as modulators of gamma secretase and their use in the treatment of one or more symptoms of treating neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease, are described.
US08664241B2

Indazole compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of an indazole compound or analogs thereof, in the treatment of disorders characterized by the activation of Wnt pathway signaling (e.g., cancer, abnormal cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, Alzheimer's disease, lung disease and osteoarthritis), the modulation of cellular events mediated by Wnt pathway signaling, as well as genetic diseases and neurological conditions/disorders/diseases due to mutations or dysregulation of the Wnt pathway and/or of one or more of Wnt signaling components. Also provided are methods for treating Wnt-related disease states.
US08664235B2

The present invention relates to a method of combating animal pests which comprises contacting the animal pests, their habit, breeding ground, food supply, plant, seed, soil, area, material or environment in which the animal pests are growing or may grow, or the materials, plants, seeds, soils, surfaces or spaces to be protected from animal attack or infestation with a pesticidally effective amount of at least one 6-halogeno[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidine of the general formula (I), wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in claim 1 and/or the agriculturally useful salts thereof.
US08664232B2

The present invention relates to substituted xanthines of general formula wherein R1 to R3 are as defined herein, the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibiting effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV).
US08664227B2

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, Z, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08664225B2

The use of 1-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfanyl)phenyl]piperazine in the treatment of pain and residual symptoms in depression is provided.
US08664217B2

The present invention provides a novel benzodiazepine compound that blocks the IKur current or the Kv1.5 channel potently and more selectively than other K+ channels. The benzodiazepine compound of the invention is represented by General Formula (1) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl; R2 and R3 may be linked to form lower alkylene; Al is lower alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy; and R5 is group represented by wherein R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen or organic group; XA and XB are each independently bond, lower alkylene, etc.
US08664210B2

New aminooxime derivatives at position 3 of 2- and/or 4-substituted androstanes and androstenes, processes for their preparation, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, such as heart failure and hypertension. In particular compounds having the general formula (I) are described, where the radicals have the meanings described in detail in the application.
US08664200B2

The present invention provides novel compounds useful as proteasome inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various diseases.
US08664198B2

A method for constructing a compound of immunologically modified nanotubes and method for using the compound to deliver immunoadjuvants to tumor cells and to produce targeted, synergistic photophysical and immunological reactions for cancer treatment. To prepare the immunologically modified nanotubes, carbon nanotubes are dissolved in a solution of glycated chitosan, an immunostimulant, hence using glycated chitosan as a surfactant for rendering the aqueous solution of nanotubes stable. The compound can be used for treatment of cancer. The method includes steps of intratumorally administering immunologically modified nanotubes and administering laser irradiation of the target tumor. The nanotube serves as a carrier to deliver immunoadjuvants to the tumor cells and serves as a light-absorbing agent in a cell body of a tumor in a host. Upon laser irradiation of target tumor cells, immunologically modified nanotubes inside the tumor cells can produce spatially and temporally synchronized photothermal and immunological reactions for cancer treatment.
US08664193B2

The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the Factor VII gene.
US08664192B2

Methods of reducing spontaneous mutation rate of a cell in a subject in need thereof by reducing endogenous levels of miR-155 are described.
US08664191B2

The present invention relates to use of two microRNAs in detection of lung cancer prognosis and in medicine preparation. Particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising two small RNA molecules microRNA-150 and microRNA-886-3p, a device comprising the composition used in detection of lung cancer prognosis and in preparation of medicaments for inhibiting mammal and human lung cancer metastasis. Specifically, the expression levels of microRNA-150 and microRNA-886-3p can be used as the prognostic criteria of lung cancer prognosis, wherein high expression level of the gene combination indicates favorable therapeutic effect. The invention also relates to a device detecting the expression levels of microRNA-150 and microRNA-886-3p in mammalian and human lung cancer and a method for detecting the expression levels of microRNA-150 and microRNA-886-3p in samples.
US08664188B2

No antiviral regimen has been consistently successful in treating H5N1 virus infection. We demonstrate that a group of highly effective siRNAs targeting different H5N1 viral genes shares a unique motif, GGAGU/ACUCC. We further demonstrate that the effectiveness of siRNAs containing this motif is not sequence specific. The results suggested that the structure of the unique motif is critical in determining the potency of siRNA-mediated protective effects against viral infection and this potent in vivo protection is associated with early productions of β-defensin and IL-6 induced by the motif. Provided are methods and prophylactic and therapeutic agents useful against other viral infections in addition to the H5N1 influenza virus.
US08664185B2

A method for preparing a concentrated spinach extract in a liquid or dry form and having a polyphenol titer greater than or equal to 50% is described. The method includes a step of purifying a raw spinach extract in a liquid form using a liquid-liquid extraction technique with a food oil.
US08664179B2

A peptide with the following sequence YCQKFLWTCDSERPCCEGLVCRLWCKIN (SEQ ID NO 1) or a derivative thereof, and nucleic acids coding for the peptide having the sequence (SEQ ID NO 1). Also the use of this peptide as an antagonist and/or reverse agonist of T-type calcium channels. A use of the peptide for preparing a drug, in particular an analgesic one.
US08664172B2

A self-sticking disintegrating cleansing block to be attached directly to a wall of a toilet bowl or urinal, above the water-line and in the stream of flush water, by pressing the cleansing block to the wall. The cleaning block includes 25% to 99% of a solid surfactant, and 1% to 25% of a liquid component. The cleansing block may include a substrate removably attached to a surface of the cleansing block. In use, the substrate is removed from the cleansing block and the exposed surface of the cleansing block is pressed to a surface in a position above any waterline that is contacted by a rinse liquid that disintegrates the cleansing block. Rinse liquid is then allowed to contact the cleansing block such that an amount of the cleansing block is mixed with rinse fluid to clean the surface or a liquid reservoir adjacent the surface.
US08664168B2

A well treatment composite comprising a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent may be prepared by precipitating the well treatment agent, in the presence of a metal salt, from a liquid while the well treatment agent is being adsorbed onto the water-insoluble adsorbent. After a treatment fluid containing the composite is introduced into a well or a subterranean formation, the well treatment agent is slowly released from the composite. The composite permits a continuous supply of the well treatment agent into a targeted area and is particularly effective in high pH treatment fluids.
US08664165B2

A fluid loss pill that includes a crosslinked polymer gel, a brine, and solid salt particles disposed in said gel is described. Further, a method for reducing fluid loss that includes pumping a selected amount of a fluid loss pill into a wellbore leading to an oil-, condensate-, or gas-producing formation, the fluid loss pill including a crosslinked polymer gel, a brine, and solid salt particles disposed in said gel is described.
US08664157B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording material or a recording sheet that is excellent not only in whiteness of a background but also in storage property for a background and an image, and further has excellent dynamic sensitivity. In order to achieve the object, a phenol compound represented by Formula (I) [wherein R1 represents a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom, p represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 5, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group or an optionally substituted benzyl group; and a bond shown with a wavy line represents E- or Z-form, or a mixture thereof] and having a color space b* of 10 or less, and preferably having brightness by Hunter of 75 or more, is used as a recording material.
US08664152B2

The present invention provides a porous cellulose gel having a high mechanical strength capable of being operated at a higher flow rate, and a method for producing the same. To a suspension liquid of cellulose particles, a crosslinking agent in an amount of from 4 to 12 times the amount of the cellulose monomer in terms of moles and an alkali in an amount of from 0.1 to 1.5 times the amount of the crosslinking agent in terms of moles are added continuously dropwise or added dividedly over a prescribed period of time, whereby flow rate characteristics of a resulting porous cellulose gel can be enhanced. According to the invention, the production efficiency of a polymer substance, such as a nucleic acid and a protein can be enhanced.
US08664150B2

Methods of producing a metal oxide are disclosed. The method comprises dissolving a metal salt in a reaction solvent to form a metal salt/reaction solvent solution. The metal salt is converted to a metal oxide and a caustic solution is added to the metal oxide/reaction solvent solution to adjust the pH of the metal oxide/reaction solvent solution to less than approximately 7.0. The metal oxide is precipitated and recovered. A method of producing adsorption media including the metal oxide is also disclosed, as is a precursor of an active component including particles of a metal oxide.
US08664149B2

Heterogeneous catalyst systems, methods of making these systems, and methods of using these systems, wherein catalytically active gold is deposited onto composite support media. The composite support media is formed by providing nanoporous material on at least a portion of the surfaces of carbonaceous host material. In representative embodiments, relatively fine, nanoporous guest particles are coated or otherwise provided on surfaces of relatively coarser activated carbon particles. Catalytically active gold may be deposited onto one or both of the guest or host materials either before or after the guest and host materials are combined to from the composite host material. PVD is the preferred catalyst system of depositing gold.
US08664143B2

A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust.
US08664139B2

A desulfurization method of a nitrogen oxide absorption catalyst when diesel is used may include determining how many times a regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) is completed, ending a DPF regeneration, if the number of times of the DPF regeneration reaches a predetermined value and entering into a desulfurization mode to desulfurize the DPF, ending the desulfurization mode after the desulfurization mode is performed for a predetermined time, and calculating a particulate matters (PM) amount that is trapped in the DPF after the desulfurization, compensating the trapped PM amount, and determining a time of the DPF regeneration. A desulfurization timing is determined based on the number of times that the DPF is regenerated to be able to simplify the desulfurization logic and also reduce the memory of ECU, when the LNT catalyst is poisoned by a small amount of sulfur included in exhaust gas.
US08664138B2

A regenerating method for activated alumina used in regenerating working fluid of hydrogen peroxide comprises the following steps: adding deactivated alumina discharged from a regenerating bed for working fluid of hydrogen peroxide with fire resistant alumina into a reactor through the top of the reactor and settling by gravity, oxidizing atmosphere entering into the reactor from the bottom of the reactor and running upwardly, discharging regenerated alumina and fire resistant alumina through the discharging device on the bottom of the reactor, discharging exit gas through the discharge port on the top of the reactor, the reaction temperature ranging from 360-800° C., the residence time of solid feed in the reactor ranging from 3-15 h. The method is economic, environment-protective, safe, and low-costly. The regenerated alumina will not poison palladium catalyst.
US08664133B2

An optical glass having optical constants of a refractive index (nd) of 1.78 or over, an Abbe number (νd) of 30 or below, and a partial dispersion ratio (θg, F) of 0.620 or below comprises SiO2 and Nb2O5 as essential components, wherein an amount of Nb2O5 in mass % is more than 40%. The optical glass further comprising, in mass % on oxide basis, less than 2% of K2O and one or more oxides selected from the group consisting of B2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, WO3, ZnO, SrO, Li2O and Na2O wherein a total amount of SiO2, B2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, WO3, ZnO, SrO, Li2O and Na2O is more than 90% and TiO2/(ZrO2+Nb2O5) is less than 0.32.
US08664117B2

Provided is a semiconductor device manufacturing method enabling miniaturization by forming a hole in a vertical shape, capable of reducing the number of processes as compared to conventional methods, and capable of increasing productivity. The semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: forming a hole in a substrate; forming a polyimide film within the hole; anisotropically etching the substrate without using a mask covering a sidewall portion of the polyimide film within the hole and removing at least a part of a bottom portion of the polyimide film within the hole while the sidewall portion of the polyimide film remains within the hole; and filling the hole with a conductive metal.
US08664114B2

A method for fabricating an image sensor includes at least one of: (1) Forming a gate on a semiconductor substrate; (2) Forming spacers on both side walls of the gate and forming a dummy pattern on an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate; and (3) Forming a metal pad for an electrical connection on an upper portion of the dummy pattern. The method may include at least one of: (1) Forming an interlayer dielectric layer covering the entire semiconductor substrate, (2) Etching portions of the interlayer dielectric layer and the semiconductor substrate to form a super-contact hole; and (3) forming an insulation film on the entire surface of the interlayer dielectric layer. The method may include forming normal contact holes such that a portion of an upper portion of the gate and a partial region of the metal pad for an electrical connection are exposed and filling up the normal contact holes with a conductive material to form normal contacts.
US08664113B2

A multilayer interconnect structure is formed by, providing a substrate having thereon a first dielectric for supporting a multi-layer interconnection having lower conductor MN, upper conductor MN+1, dielectric interlayer (DIL) and interconnecting via conductor VN+1/N. The lower conductor MN has a first upper surface located in a recess below a second upper surface of the first dielectric. The DIL is formed above the first and second surfaces. A cavity is etched through the DIL from a desired location of the upper conductor MN+1, exposing the first surface. The cavity is filled with a further electrical conductor to form the upper conductor MN+1 and the connecting via conductor VN+1/N making electrical contact with the first upper surface. A critical dimension between others of lower conductors MN and the via conductor VN+1/N is lengthened. Leakage current and electro-migration there-between are reduced.
US08664112B2

Semiconductor devices comprise at least one integrated circuit layer, at least one conductive trace and an insulative material adjacent at least a portion of the at least one conductive trace. At least one interconnect structure extends through a portion of the at least one conductive trace and a portion of the insulative material, the at least one interconnect structure comprising a transverse cross-sectional dimension through the at least one conductive trace which differs from a transverse cross-sectional dimension through the insulative material. Methods of forming semiconductor devices comprising at least one interconnect structure are also disclosed.
US08664108B2

A stacked multilayer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a stacked layer part including a plurality of conducting layers and a plurality of insulating layers, said plurality of insulating layers being stacked alternately with each layer of said plurality of conducting layers, one of said plurality of insulating layers being a topmost layer among said plurality of conducting layers and said plurality of insulating layers; and a plurality of contacts, each contact of said plurality of contacts being formed from said topmost layer and each contact of said plurality of contacts being in contact with a respective conducting layer of said plurality of conducting layers, a side surface of each of said plurality of contacts being insulated from said plurality of conducting layers via an insulating film.
US08664107B2

Disclosed are an application method, device and program which enable the constant retention of a fillet shape, without altering the shape due to the speed differences associated with changes in the direction of the nozzle or differences in the degree of penetration when bumps are arranged non-uniformly. In a liquid material application method a desired application pattern is created, liquid material is discharged from a nozzle whilst the nozzle and a workpiece are moved relative to one another, and the gap between a substrate and the workpiece, the workpiece being placed above the substrate by means of at least three bumps, is filled up with liquid material by capillary action. If bumps are arranged non-uniformly, the supply quantity per unit area of the application pattern is set so that a greater quantity is supplied to application areas next to areas where the integration density of bumps is high, than is supplied to application areas next to areas where the integration density of bumps is low.
US08664104B2

A method of producing a microelectronic device with transistors wherein a strain layer is formed on a series of transistors and the strain exerted on at least one given transistor of said series is released by removing a sacrificial layer situated between said given transistor and said strain layer.
US08664101B2

A first insulating interlayer is formed on a substrate including first and second regions. The first insulating interlayer has top surface, a height of which is greater in the first region than in the second region. A first planarization stop layer and a second insulating interlayer are formed. The second insulating interlayer is planarized until the first planarization stop layer is exposed. The first planarization stop layer and the first and second insulating interlayers in the second region are removed to expose the substrate. A lower mold structure including first insulation layer patterns, first sacrificial layer patterns and a second planarization stop layer pattern is formed. The first insulation layer patterns and the first sacrificial layer patterns are alternately and repeatedly formed on the substrate, and a second planarization stop layer pattern is formed on the first insulation layer pattern.
US08664090B1

A method includes forming a first buildup dielectric layer on a wafer. The wafer includes electronic components delineated from one another by singulation streets. A singulation street exposure light trap layer is formed on the singulation streets. A second buildup dielectric layer is applied and patterned by being selectively exposed to an exposure light. The singulation street exposure light trap layer traps and diffuses the exposure light thus preventing the exposure light from being reflected to the portion of the second buildup dielectric layer above the singulation streets. In this manner, complete removal of the second buildup dielectric layer above the singulation streets is insured.
US08664088B2

Provided are a heat sink material made of an alloy or a composite material including two or more types of elements which has an end surface that makes possible formation of an edge portion on which at least a laser element is mounted, a manufacturing method for the same, and a semiconductor laser device including the heat sink material. A heat sink material (10) is made of an alloy or a composite material including two or more types of elements, and provided with a main surface having a relatively large area and a secondary surface having a relatively small area which crosses the main surface, and the secondary surface includes a surface on which a discharging process has been carried out using a discharge wire (200) that is placed approximately parallel to the main surface. The manufacturing method for the heat sink material (10) is provided with the steps of placing the discharge wire (200) on a material (100, 50) to be approximately parallel to the main surface, and carrying out the discharging process on the material (100, 50) using the discharge wire (200) placed as described above.
US08664087B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure is disclosed, which includes providing a substrate comprising a bottom surface and a growth surface opposite to the bottom surface; forming a buffer layer comprising a first surface which is not a C-plane substantially parallel with the bottom surface on the growth surface; forming a semiconductor structure on the buffer layer; forming at least one cavity in the buffer layer; extending the cavity along a main extending direction; separating the substrate and the semiconductor structure; wherein the main extending direction is substantially not parallel with the normal direction of the first surface.
US08664086B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thin film device includes: forming a buffer layer on an Si (111) substrate and a single crystal semiconductor layer on the buffer layer; forming an island including the semiconductor layer, buffer layer, and a portion of the substrate; forming a coating layer on the island; etching the substrate along its Si (111) plane to release the island from the substrate, the coating layer serving as a mask; and bonding the released island to another substrate, a released surface of the released island contacting the another substrate. A semiconductor device includes a single crystal semiconductor layer other than Si, which has a semiconductor device formed on a front surface of an Si (111) layer lying in a (111) plane. The layer is bonded to another substrate with a back surface contacting the another substrate or a bonding layer formed on the another substrate.
US08664078B2

An object is to provide a semiconductor device in which, through a simpler process, junction capacitance and power consumption can be reduced more than a conventional semiconductor device, and a manufacturing method thereof. An insulating film including an opening is formed over a base substrate and a part of a bond substrate is transferred to the base substrate, with the insulating film interposed therebetween, whereby a semiconductor film including a cavity between the semiconductor film and the base substrate is formed over the base substrate. Then, a semiconductor device including a semiconductor element such as a transistor is manufactured using the semiconductor film. The transistor includes a cavity between the base substrate and the semiconductor film used as an active layer. One cavity may be provided or a plurality of cavities may be provided.
US08664077B2

A method for forming a self-aligned overlay mark is disclosed. First, a first region, a second region and a main feature which is disposed between the first region and the second region all disposed on the substrate are provided. The first region defines a first edge and the second region defines a second edge. Second, a cut mask layer is formed to respectively cover the first region and the second region to expose the main feature. Next, the cut mask layer is determined if it is self-aligned with the second edge or the first edge, and creates a self-aligned overlay mark. Later, a main feature etching step is carried out to transfer the main feature into the substrate when the cut mask layer is determined to be self-aligned with the second edge or the first edge.
US08664066B2

The present disclosure provides manufacturing techniques in which sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures may be formed in an early manufacturing stage on the basis of a selectively applied threshold voltage adjusting semiconductor alloy. In order to reduce the surface topography upon patterning the deposition mask while still allowing the usage of well-established epitaxial growth recipes developed for silicon dioxide-based hard mask materials, a silicon nitride base material may be used in combination with a surface treatment. In this manner, the surface of the silicon nitride material may exhibit a silicon dioxide-like behavior, while the patterning of the hard mask may be accomplished on the basis of highly selective etch techniques.
US08664065B2

A method for forming a transistor having insulated gate electrodes and insulated shield electrodes within trench regions includes forming dielectric stack overlying a substrate. The dielectric stack includes a first layer of one material overlying the substrate and a second layer of a different material overlying the first layer. Trench regions are formed adjacent to the dielectric stack. After the insulated shield electrodes are formed, the method includes removing the second layer and then forming the insulated gate electrodes. Portions of gate electrode material are removed to form first recessed regions, and spacers are formed within the first recessed regions. Enhancements regions are then formed in the gate electrode material self-aligned to the spacers.
US08664064B2

Example embodiments are directed to a method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) and a field effect transistor (FET) including a source/drain pair that is elevated with respect to the corresponding gate structure.
US08664054B2

The invention relates to a method for forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate which comprises a dummy gate formed thereon, a spacer surrounding the dummy gate, source and drain regions formed on two sides of the dummy gate, respectively, and a channel region formed in the semiconductor substrate and below the dummy gate; removing the dummy gate to form a gate opening; forming a stressed material layer in the gate opening; performing an annealing to the semiconductor substrate, the stressed material layer having tensile stress characteristics during the annealing; removing the stressed material layer in the gate opening; and forming a gate in the gate opening. By the above steps, the stress memorization technique can be applied to the pMOSFET.
US08664051B2

An embodiment of the invention provides a manufacturing method of a thin-film transistor includes: providing a substrate; sequentially forming a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, and an active layer on the substrate; forming an insulating metal oxide layer covering the active layer, wherein the insulating metal oxide layer including a metal oxide of a first metal; forming a metal layer covering the active layer, wherein the metal layer includes a second metal; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on the metal layer with a trench separating therebetween; removing the metal layer exposed by the trench; and performing an annealing process to the metal layer and the insulating metal oxide layer, such that the metal layer reacts with the insulating metal oxide layer overlapping the metal layer to form a conducting composite metal oxide layer including the first metal and the second metal.
US08664042B2

A method to construct configurable systems, the method including: providing a first configurable system including a first die and a second die, where the connections between the first die and the second die include through-silicon-via (“TSV”), where the first die is diced from a first wafer using first dice lines; providing a second configurable system including a third die and a fourth die, where the connections between the third die and the fourth die include through-silicon-via (“TSV”), where the third die is diced from a third wafer using third dice lines; and processing the first wafer and the third wafer utilizing at least 20 masks that are the same; where the first dice lines are substantially different than the third dice lines, and where the second die includes a configurable I/O to connect the first configurable system to external devices.
US08664038B2

A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a package paddle and a terminal adjacent to the package paddle; mounting a stack paddle over the package paddle with the stack paddle at a non-center offset with the package paddle; mounting a stack integrated circuit over the stack paddle; and encapsulating the stack integrated circuit and the stack paddle.
US08664033B2

A gallium-containing alloy is formed on the light-receiving surface of a CIGS absorber layer, and, in conjunction with a subsequent selenization or anneal process, is converted to a gallium-rich region at the light-receiving surface of the CIGS absorber layer. A second gallium-rich region is formed at the back contact surface of the CIGS absorber layer during selenization, so that the CIGS absorber layer has a double-graded gallium concentration that increases toward the light-receiving surface and toward the back contact surface of the CIGS absorber layer. The double-graded gallium concentration advantageously produces a double-graded bandgap profile for the CIGS absorber layer.
US08664025B2

The width of scribe lines may be reduced in semiconductor devices by applying a process technique in which trenches may be formed first from the rear side on the basis of a required width of the corresponding trenches, while subsequently it may be cut into the substrate from the front side on the basis of a reduced thickness of the corresponding saw blades, thereby also enabling a reduction of the scribe line width. Furthermore, contamination of the front side, i.e., of the metallization system, may be reduced, for instance, by performing an optional intermediate cleaning process.
US08664022B2

A submount for a light emitting diode and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The method includes the following steps: (a) providing a silicon substrate; (b) forming a mask layer on the silicon substrate to expose a part of the silicon substrate; (c) forming a first silicon oxide layer in the part of the silicon substrate which is exposed; and (d) removing the mask layer and the first silicon oxide layer, so as to form a recess in the silicon substrate.
US08664019B2

A vertical group III-nitride light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The light emitting device comprises: a conductive substrate; a p-type clad layer stacked on the conductive substrate; an active layer stacked on the p-type clad layer; an n-doped AlxGayIn1-x-yN layer stacked on the active layer; an undoped GaN layer stacked on the n-doped layer; and an n-electrode formed on the undoped GaN layer. The undoped GaN layer has a rough pattern formed on a top surface thereof.
US08664014B2

Electrical testing of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) high-k capacitor structures is used to evaluate photoresist strip or cleaning chemicals using a combinatorial workflow. The electrical testing can be able to identify the damages on the high-k dielectrics, permitting a selection of photoresist strip chemicals to optimize the process conditions in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. The high productivity combinatorial technique can provide a compatibility evaluation of photoresist strip chemicals with high-k devices.
US08664009B2

The invention provides methods and compositions for labeling dithiol-containing analytes.
US08664006B2

A nozzle system for use in a flow cytometer for analyzing particles in a fluid stream and a method of orienting particles in a flow cytometer. The nozzle system may include a nozzle having a longitudinal axis, an interior surface defining a fluid flow path for orienting particles in the nozzle, and a downstream orifice through which a fluid stream exits. The nozzle system may also include a conduit positioned to introduce a core stream containing particles at a location offset from the longitudinal axis and a baffle downstream of the conduit to deflect the fluid stream. The method may include the steps of causing a sheath fluid to flow through the nozzle, introducing a core fluid stream into the sheath fluid at a location offset to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, and deflecting the core fluid stream with a baffle.
US08663998B2

According to embodiments of the present application, a color changeable dye can comprise a redox indicator, a reduction reaction initiator, an electron donor, an oxygen scavenger, an indicator barrier agent, a thickening agent and an agent to facilitate mixing. The color changeable dye is a first color in the presence of oxygen, capable of changing to a second color upon reduction in a substantially oxygen free environment, and capable of changing back to the first color after exposure to oxygen for a period of time corresponding to the intended use time of a disposable or limited use product. Methods of making and using the color changeable dye and apparatuses incorporating such dye are also disclosed.
US08663986B2

The instant invention relates to the use of 24-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds as therapeutics in mammalian bone fracture repair. In addition, the instant invention relates to novel 24-hydroxylated vitamin D compound receptors which can be employed in the development of compounds capable of facilitating fracture repair in animals. The instant invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such receptors as well as vectors, host cells, transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acids and screening assays employing such receptors.
US08663984B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods relating to growth of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) using non-simian cells. In a particular example, porcine alveolar macrophage cells are described as having a capability of supporting infectivity and reproduction by PRRSV. Cells and cell lines of the invention are disclosed in connection with applications relating to PRRS disease, including vaccine technologies.
US08663976B2

A polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) apparatus includes a PCR chip holder which accommodates and supports a PCR chip, a housing which supports ends of the PCR chip holder, a temperature control element which moves perpendicularly with respect to the PCR chip holder in a space between the housing and the PCR chip holder in the housing, and an elastic unit which elastically biases the temperature control element toward the PCR chip holder, between the temperature control element and the housing. The temperature control element includes a top surface which is selectively contacted to a bottom surface of the PCR chip.
US08663974B2

Lysing may include agitating a specimen in a chamber along with a medium that includes a particulate lysing material that has an affinity for a biological material. Lysing material may include beads or other material which may be coated that facilitates binding. The medium may include a fluid with a high salt or low pH level. Binding of biological materials to solid surfaces may be induced by particular media. The biological material may be eluted by lowering a concentration of salt or increasing a pH level. Lysing materials with two or more different affinities may be employed. Lysing materials may include particles of different sizes. Heating may be used. Lysing may be performed in a flow through apparatus. Surfaces of solid materials may be modified to capture bacteria with high cell wall lipid content.
US08663971B2

The present invention provides genetically engineered strains of Pichia capable of producing proteins with reduced glycosylation. In particular, the genetically engineered strains of the present invention are capable of expressing either or both of an α-1,2-mannosidase and glucosidase II. The genetically engineered strains of the present invention can be further modified such that the OCH1 gene is disrupted. Methods of producing glycoproteins with reduced glycosylation using such genetically engineered stains of Pichia are also provided.
US08663969B2

A mushroom culture of Agaricus bisporus produced by hybridization of a first strain and a second strain of Agaricus bisporus, wherein at least one of said first and second strains of Agaricus is a hybrid mushroom culture of Agaricus bisporus designated strain J9277. Diverse additional strains can be developed from J9277 by various means including somatic and tissue culture selection, basidiospore selection, and hybridization to other strains of Agaricus bisporus, and the resulting derivative strains can be screened for desirable commercial characteristics. One resultant class of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus (J. Lange) Imbach is the hybrid strain J10165. It exhibits an attractive appearance that includes a smooth, bright white cap, and is biologically incompatible with strains of the ‘U1’ lineage group. A method for improving facility hygiene and reducing disease incidence at any commercial Agaricus bisporus mushroom production facility is also provided.
US08663964B2

Two RNases (ranpirnase and the second embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,805) are tested against human papillomavirus infections. QRT-PCR assays indicate that the RNases have anti-viral activity against type 11 HPV.
US08663949B2

This invention relates to the integration of an ammonia production process with a fermentation process to produce products such as alcohols and/or acids in addition to ammonia. In a specific embodiment, a natural gas stream comprising methane is passed to a reforming zone to produce a substrate comprising CO and H2. The substrate is next passed to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more microorganisms and fermenting the culture to produce one or more fermentation products comprising alcohols and/or acids and an exhaust stream comprising CO2, and H2. The exhaust stream can then be passed to a separation zone to remove at least a portion of the CO2 and produce a purified exhaust stream comprising H2 which is then passed to an ammonia production zone and is used to produce ammonia.
US08663943B2

In the present invention, we described the use of anti-DNA antibody for the detection of prions and diagnosis of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) diseases in animals and humans.
US08663937B2

The instant invention relates to the use of 24-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds as therapeutics in mammalian bone fracture repair. In addition, the instant invention relates to novel 24-hydroxylated vitamin D compound receptors which can be employed in the development of compounds capable of facilitating fracture repair in animals. The instant invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such receptors as well as vectors, host cells, transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acids and screening assays employing such receptors.
US08663928B2

Method for the detection in homogeneous medium of a post-translational modification of a proteinaceous substrate catalyzed by a cell enzyme, characterized in that the post-translational modification reaction takes place in intact living cells, in that these cells comprise a heterologous expression vector coding for a fusion protein comprising the proteinaceous substrate and a first coupling domain and in that it comprises the following stages: (i) Incubation of the cells in the presence or in the absence of a compound to be tested capable of modulating the activity of said enzyme, (ii) Addition to the reaction medium of a first fluorescent compound member of a first pair of FRET partners covalently bonded to a coupling agent capable of binding specifically to the first coupling domain present on the proteinaceous substrate, (iii) Addition to the reaction medium of a second fluorescent compound member of this first pair of FRET partners, and covalently bonded to a binding domain specific to the site of the proteinaceous substrate having undergone the post-translational modification and not binding to the non-modified proteinaceous substrate, (i) Measurement of the FRET signal emitted by the sample, this signal being representative of the quantity of proteinaceous substrate having undergone said post-translational modification; and cells for the implementation of said method.
US08663927B2

The presently-disclosed subject matter provides systems, methods, and kits for diagnosing and/or monitoring a bacteria-related condition of interest in a subject by providing a cell sensing system, each system containing a reporter molecule capable of detecting binding of a quorum sensing molecule and capable of generating a detectable signal.
US08663925B2

The invention relates to a method of preparing a reaction mixture for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay and a solution set for PCR. The method comprises providing a sample solution comprising a biological sample to be amplified in said PCR assay and first colorant providing the solution a first color, providing a reagent solution comprising at least one other substance required for performing said assay and second colorant providing the solution a second color different from the first color, and mixing the sample solution and the first reagent solution for providing a mixed solution to be subjected to the PCR process, the mixed solution having, due to said first and second colorants, a third color different from the first and second colors. The invention significantly aids in pipetting PCR assays.
US08663924B2

A method for determining an efficiency of target enrichment from a DNA library, includes: adding a negative control sequence and a positive control sequence to the DNA library, or picking a negative control sequence and/or a positive control sequence from the library; determining a pre-capture amount of the negative control sequence and a pre-capture amount of the positive control sequence; performing enrichment of a target sequence from the DNA library using a bait sequence to produce a post-capture library; determining a post-capture amount of the negative control sequence and a post-capture amount of the positive control sequence in the post-capture library; and determining the efficiency of the target enrichment, based on the post-capture amount of the positive control sequence, the post-capture amount of the negative control sequence, the pre-capture amount of the positive control sequence, and the pre-capture amount of the negative control sequence.
US08663910B2

A plurality of kinds of liquids, which are of at least three kinds, containing (a) a test body solution containing at least one kind of an analyte, and (b) at least two kinds of liquids selected from the group consisting of a reagent solution, an amplifying solution, and a detecting solution, are fed to a detection site containing a specific binding substance with respect to the analyte. A qualitative analysis or a quantitative analysis of the analyte contained in the test body solution is thereby performed. Directions of liquid feeding of all of the plurality of the kinds of the liquids vary from one another, and the plurality of the kinds of the liquids are caused to intersect with one another at the detection site.
US08663895B2

According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a template for imprinting includes preparing a first template having a device pattern and a plurality of identification patterns, and forming a second template by transferring the device pattern and at lest desired one of the identification patterns to a template substrate.
US08663891B2

Disclosed are a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image and a method of preparing the same. The toner may include latex, a pigment and a releasing agent. The lowest crossover temperature of the toner at which the storage modulus (G′) and the loss modulus (G″) of the toner are substantially equal to each other may be in the range of about 65 to about 80° C. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the toner may be in the range of about 65,000 to about 75,000. The z-average molecular weight (Mz) of the toner may be in the range of about 110,000 to about 220,000.
US08663889B2

A polyester resin for a toner containing: a repeating unit derived from a dicarboxylic acid component; and a repeating unit derived from a dial component represented by Formula (1): wherein each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each of L1, L2 and L3 independently represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of carbonyl groups, ester groups, ether groups, sulfonyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted chained alkylene groups, substituted or unsubstituted cyclic alkylene groups, substituted or unsubstituted arylene groups, and combinations thereof, L1 and L2 or L1 and L3 optionally forms a ring, each of A1 and A2 independently represents a rosin ester group, and the acid value is from 3 mgKOH/g to 30 mgKOH/g.
US08663888B2

The present invention provides a toner including: a colorant, and a binder resin, wherein the toner is fixed on a recording medium using a fixing liquid containing a softening agent for softening the toner, and wherein a weight average molecular weight of a THF soluble fraction of the toner in a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 3,000 to 8,300; and a glass transition temperature of the toner measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is 50° C. to 70° C.
US08663887B2

The present invention is to provide a toner for developing electrostatic images having excellent fixability, peelability, shelf stability (blocking resistance), printing durability, printing durability after being left at high temperature and thin line reproducibility. A toner for developing electrostatic images, comprising colored resin particles comprising a binder resin, a colorant and a wax, wherein the wax contains a natural sunflower wax, and wherein the natural sunflower wax has an acid value of 10 mg KOH/g or less, and a content of the natural sunflower wax is in the range from 1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.
US08663883B2

A charge-transporting film includes a polymer of a compound represented by Formula (I): (Ra)n-Fa-Xa-Fa′-(Ra′)n′  (I) wherein Fa and Fa′ independently represent a charge-transporting sub-unit including an aromatic ring, Ra and Ra′ independently represent a —CH═CH2 directly bonded to the aromatic ring of the charge-transporting sub-unit or a group represented by Formula (a), Xa represents an alkylene group or a bivalent group in which an alkylene group and a group selected from —O—, —S—, and ester are combined, n and n′ independently represent an integer of 0 or more (wherein n and n′ are not simultaneously 0), and L represents a linking group which is represented by *—(CH2)n″—O—CH2— and which is bonded to the aromatic ring of the charge-transporting sub-unit, wherein n″ is 1 or 2 and the linking group is bonded to the aromatic, ring of the charge-transporting sub-unit with *.
US08663879B2

A method of forming an IC including MOS transistors includes using a gate mask to form a first active gate feature having a line width W1 over an active area and a neighboring dummy feature having a line width 0.8 W1 to 1.3 W1. The neighboring dummy feature has a first side adjacent to the first active gate feature, and a nearest gate level feature on a second side opposite the first side. The neighboring dummy feature defines a gate pitch based on a distance to the first active gate feature or the neighboring dummy feature maintains a gate pitch in a gate array including the first active gate feature. The spacing between the neighboring dummy feature and the nearest gate level feature (i) maintains the gate pitch or (ii) provides a SRAF enabling distance that is ≧2 times the gate pitch and the gate mask includes a SRAF over the SRAF distance.
US08663874B2

A hardcoat composition comprises (a) one or more epoxy silane compounds, (b) one or more epoxy-functionalized perfluoropolyether acrylate oligomers, and (c) photoacid generator.
US08663864B2

In a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, a sealing assembly is provided and comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at at least one location by a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.
US08663858B2

A fuel cell system which prevents the deterioration of the fuel cell stack when feeding of the oxidant gas is paused under a load to perform a fuel conservation operation. Controller shuts down oxidant gas compressor and cooling water circulating pump to execute fuel conservation operation at a low fuel cell system load. The controller gives a current draw instruction to electric power controller. In the fuel conservation operation, electric power controller draws a current larger than zero from fuel cell stack, and keeps the total charge drawn per unit time constant or substantially constant.
US08663855B2

A hydrogen-air fuel cell having a mobile element capable of, in closed position, covering the cell cathode in substantially tight fashion.
US08663848B2

Disclosed is a C2/m-structured cathode material for a lithium-ion battery. The cathode material includes a lithium transition metal oxide represented by a formula of: Li(LiwNixCoyMnz)O2, wherein w+x+y+z=1, 0.42≦z≦0.60, 0.30≦x+y≦0.55, any of w, x, and y is larger than 0, and the cathode material having a single-phase structure with a space group of C2/m. A lithium-ion battery containing the C2/m-structured cathode material is also disclosed.
US08663843B2

A lithium secondary battery (10) provided by the present invention has an iron oxide film-coated electrode employing a configuration in which an iron oxide film (144) capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium is retained on an electrically conductive base (142). The electrically conductive base (142) has a roughened surface having a surface roughness Rz of 3 μm or more, and the iron oxide film (144) is provided on the roughened surface.
US08663827B2

Provided is a battery pack, which can increase coupling force between a holder and a protection circuit board, and improve processability and productivity. The battery pack includes a bare cell, a holder disposed at one side of the bare cell and having a first fastening part, and a protection circuit assembly disposed at one side of the holder and having a second fastening part coupled to the first fastening part, wherein one of the first and second fastening parts is a protrusion and the other is a groove, and the protrusion includes a first supporting surface, a second supporting surface and a notch formed between the first and second supporting surfaces. Also, the battery pack includes a bare cell, a holder disposed at one side of the bare cell and having a first fastening part, and a protection circuit assembly disposed at one side of the holder and having a second fastening part coupled to the first fastening part, wherein the first fastening part is a first protrusion and the second fastening part is a second protrusion, and one of the first and second protrusions includes a first supporting surface, a second supporting surface and a notch formed between the first and second supporting surfaces and the other is formed in the shape of a square pillar.
US08663824B1

A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) retaining member that is configured to capture an end portion of the nozzle seal and hold the seal within the exhaust nozzle when the SMA retaining member is configured in its first shape, and that is configured to release the seal from the exhaust nozzle when the SMA retaining member is heated to its transformation temperature.
US08663820B2

The invention relates to a printed document of value having at least one authenticity feature in the form of a luminescent substance based on doped host lattices. The host lattice has a strong crystal field and is doped with at least one chromophore with the electron configuration (3d)2.
US08663817B2

A brazing sheet made up of a core sheet made of aluminum alloy covered on at least one side with a layer of cladding forming a sacrificial anode. The layer of cladding is formed of an aluminum alloy of chemical composition, in % by weight: Si: >2.0-7.0; Fe<0.5; Cu<1.0; Mn: 1.0-2.0; Mg<0.5; Zn: 1.0-3.0; Cr<0.25; Ni<1.5; Ti<0.25; Co<1.5; V, In, Sn, Zr, Sc<0.25 each; other elements <0.05 each and 0.15 in total. A heat exchanger tube may be produced by folding and brazing from the brazing sheet, where the layer of cladding forms a sacrificial anode constituting the lining of the tube or “inner-liner.”
US08663814B2

An anti-wear coating, in particular an anti-erosion coating, which is applied to a surface of a component that is stressed under fluid technology and is to be protected, in particular a gas turbine part, is disclosed. The anti-wear coating includes one or more multilayer systems applied in a repeating order to the surface to be coated, and the/each multilayer system includes at least one relatively soft metallic layer and at least one relatively hard ceramic layer. All the layers of the/each multilayer system are based on chromium, and a diffusion barrier layer is applied between the surface to be protected and the multilayer system(s).
US08663806B2

Techniques, processes and structures are disclosed for providing markings on products, such as electronic devices. For example, the markings can be formed using physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes to deposit a layer of material. The markings or labels may be textual and/or graphic. The markings are deposited on a compliant layer that is disposed on a surface to be marked. The compliant layer is arranged to isolate the surface to be marked from the layer of material deposited using the PVD process.
US08663803B2

A varnish composition includes composition (A): an epoxy resin, composition (B): a hardener, composition (C): an accelerator, composition (D): phosphor-containing flame retardant, and composition (E): fillers, wherein composition (A) includes composition (A-1): phosphor-containing epoxy resin, phosphor-containing and silicon-containing epoxy resin, or a mixture thereof; composition (A-2): dicyclopentadiene epoxy resin; and composition (A-3): oxazolidone epoxy resin.
US08663798B2

A pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film of the present invention comprises: an optical film comprising a transparent base film and an optical compensation liquid crystal layer provided on one side of the transparent base film; a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the optical compensation liquid crystal layer; and an undercoat layer that is interposed between the optical compensation liquid crystal layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and contains a polymer and an antioxidant. The pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film can suppress window frame unevenness when a backlight is turned on.
US08663797B2

A high-strength adhesive polymer gel comprising a polymer and polyhydric alcohol, wherein the polymer comprises a monopolymer of an acrylic monomer having an alkoxyalkyl group, or a copolymer of the acrylic monomer having an alkoxyalkyl group and another acrylic monomer which can be copolymerized with the acrylic monomer having an alkoxyalkyl group, and wherein the acrylic monomer having an alkoxyalkyl group makes up 50% by weight or more of a total amount of a polymerizable monomer.
US08663790B2

The invention relates to a polyethylene molding composition having a multimodal molecular mass distribution and comprising a first ethylene homopolymer fraction (I), a second ethylene copolymer fraction (II) and a third ethylene copolymer fraction (III). The molding composition has a density at a temperature of 23° C. in the range from 0.945 to 0.953 g/cm3, an MFR (190° C./5 kg) in the range from 2 to 7 g/10 min and a viscosity number VN3 of the total mix of ethylene homopolymer fraction (I), copolymer fraction (II) and ethylene copolymer fraction (III), measured in accordance with ISO/R 1191 in decalin at a temperature of 135° C., in the range from 200 to 250 cm3/g. The invention further relates to the use of such a molding composition for producing high-strength injection-molded screw cap closures for bottles comprising beverages, especially carbonated beverages.
US08663787B2

The invention relates to a glazing that comprises at least one layer deposited by cathodic spraying under vacuum, said layer containing one or more oxides and a proportion in weight of titanium oxide of at least 40% and not exceeding 95%. The thickness of the layer in question and optionally the thickness of the other layers containing metal oxide is/are selected so that on a clear “float” glass sheet having a thickness of 4 mm, said layer(s) would yield a reflection of at least 15% and a light transmission of at least 60%. The layer or layer system in question further has a mechanical and/or chemical resistance comparable to that of layers produced by pyrolysis for obtaining products having the same kind of optical properties.
US08663784B2

The present invention provides structures including a substrate, a crosslinked polymer film disposed over the substrate, and a patterned diblock copolymer film disposed over the crosslinked polymer film. The crosslinked polymer comprises a random copolymer polymerized from a first monomer, a second monomer, and a photo-crosslinkable and/or thermally crosslinkable third monomer, including epoxy-functional or acrylyol-functional monomers. Also disclosed are methods for forming the structures.
US08663781B2

A display window is formed by mechanically processing a transparent ceramic article. The composition of the ceramic article includes yttrium oxide and thorium oxide, the mole percentage of yttrium oxide is about 85% to about 94.99%, and the mole percentage of thorium oxide is about 4.99% to about 15%. The display window has a high light transmittance, good acid and alkali corrosion resistance, high hardness, long lifetime.
US08663780B2

A method of fabricating a membrane having a tampered pore, a polymeric membrane having a tapered pore, and uses of such polymeric membrane are disclosed. The membrane includes apertures of increasing diameter which are aligned with each other to form the tapered pore.
US08663774B2

A multilayer thermal insulation composite for fire protection applications. The composite includes a fibrous insulation layer, at least one inorganic heat absorbing layer disposed on one side of the fibrous insulation layer, and at least one superinsulation layer disposed on at least one side of the composite adjacent the heat absorbing layer or the fibrous insulation layer. The composite may further include a scrim layer comprising a high temperature resistant, flexible, woven or non-woven scrim or scrim and high temperature resistant material disposed around the multilayer thermal insulation composite partially or substantially totally encapsulating the composite. The composite is lightweight and flexible, exhibits reduced heat transfer to the cold-face, with improved thermal insulation capability.
US08663756B2

There is provided a pellicle kit for manufacturing a pellicle which comprises a pellicle frame having a jig hole in the outer wall of its frame bar and a jig having a jig pin which is adjusted to enter the respective jig hole until the front end of the jig pin is abutted against the tapered bottom face of the jig hole to thereby fix said pellicle frame.
US08663748B2

In the formation of a conductive roller 1, a compound forming an elastomer by curing through an electron beam irradiation or a ultraviolet ray irradiation is applied onto an outside of a shaft member 2 to form an elastomeric coating layer 3R and then the elastomeric coating layer is cured through an irradiation of an electron beam or a ultraviolet ray to form an elastic layer, whereby the elastic layer can be formed cheaply without sacrificing precision of peripheral dimension to largely reduce the cost of the conductive roller.
US08663745B2

Provided is a film-forming method based on an LB method by which a uniform alignment film using a helical polyacetylene can be obtained. The method based on the LB method includes: developing a helical polyacetylene onto a liquid surface; and transferring a monolayer film of the helical polyacetylene formed on the liquid surface onto a substrate to form a film, in which a compressibility P represented by the following formula (1) at a time of the film formation is 1×10−2 m/mN or less: P=(1/(dH/dS))×(1/S) (1), where H represents a surface pressure (mN/m) of the monolayer film of the helical polyacetylene, and S represents an area (m2) of the monolayer film of the helical polyacetylene developed onto the liquid surface.
US08663740B2

The invention relates to a water-based coating composition comprising: A) at least one cross-linkable compound having at least one functional group containing active hydrogen, B) at least one polyisocyanate cross-linking agent with free isocyanate groups, C) at least one catalyst compound, said catalyst compound comprising at least one catalyst for the curing reaction between the functional groups containing active hydrogen of component A and the isocyanate groups of component B, and at least one cyclodextrine.
US08663734B2

A process for preparing water-absorbing polymer particles by spraying a liquid below the product bed surface by means of at least one spray nozzle in a mixer with moving mixing tools.
US08663729B2

Disclosed herein are pet food compositions. In one embodiment, pet food compositions which are described comprise a component selected from 2-deoxy-D-glucose; 5-thio-D-glucose; 3-O-methylglucose; 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof. In yet another embodiment, pet food compositions which are described comprise an extract of plant matter selected from avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof. The pet food compositions may be prepared by any of a variety of processes including, but not limited to, optional processes described herein.
US08663728B2

Mildly acidic milk and soy beverages and methods for preparation of mildly acidic milk and soy beverages are provided herein. The acidified milk and soy beverages generally comprise a milk product and a stabilizer system at a mildly acidic pH in the range of about 5.0 to about 6.0. In particular embodiments, the beverage further comprises one or more components to provide a fruit flavor to the acidified milk beverage. In embodiments, the acidified milk and soy beverages comprise a milk product in an amount sufficient to provide milk protein and/or soy protein in the beverage in an amount from about 0.25% by weight to about 4.0% by weight of the beverage and a stabilizer system comprising a carrageenan component and optionally a high acyl gellan gum. The carrageenan component desirably comprises a mildly extracted kappa-iota copolymer with minimal alkaline modification.
US08663727B2

A cooked rice molding method includes a first supplying step of spreading cooked rice in a plate form on rolling-up plates deployed horizontally, a second supplying step of placing a dried laver sheet and ingredients on the cooked rice, a first pressing step of folding a first rotating plate and a second rotating plate disposed on two sides of a base plate in a direction to erect at approximate right angles with respect to the base plate, and a second pressing step of folding the third rotating plate rotatably attached to the first rotating plate at a side opposite to the base plate, to a base plate side. Then, the method includes a repositioning step of deploying the rolling-up plates in the horizontal state, and rotating the cooked rice about 90 degrees on the rolling-up bamboo plate. Finally, the first pressing step is repeated again.
US08663723B2

The illustrative method and apparatus provides a more efficient system for automated slicing and loading of food articles into containers. The apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly and at least two chutes and depositing assemblies. The apparatus may include a positioning receptacle that aligns the food articles with a knife set and a driving arm that advances the food article into engagement with the knife set. The chutes may include a movable chute portion, which moves from alignment with the knife set to alignment with the containers, and a chute extension. Openings for the sliced food sections, which extend through the movable chute portion and the chute extension, have a cross section that changes to rotate the orientation of the food sections passing therethrough. Once deposited into the containers, the food sections are oriented with at least some cut faces of the food article adjacent the container wall.
US08663717B2

A troche for providing throat relief. The troche includes a solid base containing pectin, food flavoring, aloe vera powder 200:1, malic acid, ginseng extract, natural glycerin, manuka honey, orchid extract, lysozyme, sorbitol crystals, and sorbitol base.
US08663714B2

A dietary supplement for regulating the appetite of an individual is described. The dietary supplement comprises at least one mechanical satiety regulator, and at least one chemical satiety inducer, and may additionally comprise at least one thermogen, and/or at least one side effect remover. The dietary supplement induces satiety based on a combination of occupying part of the volume of the stomach, inducing sending signals to the brain in respect of satiety. Furthermore the dietary supplement may maintain or increase metabolism and reduce side effects such as the amount of produced flatulence. The dietary supplement may comprise fiber, whey, plant parts from plants e.g. of the genus Capsicum and plant parts from a species e.g. of the genus Mentha.
US08663713B2

A medicinal preparation, a process, a nutritional composition and regenerative and insulin potentiating method for humans and also for mammals for prevention, treatment and management/glycemic control of diabetes mellitus by obtaining optimum glucose level in blood, by administering an extract of Costus pictus to produce above effect in a dose of 500-2000 mg/day in humans and 50-200 mg/kg/day in rats. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient by administering a medicinal preparation of Costus pictus D. Don. A method for long term management of diabetes by avoiding the problems associated with tight control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., hypoglycemia tolerance and seizures, while simultaneously avoiding the problems associated with conventional moderate control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., pathological complications associated with hyperglycemia, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, etc. The medicinal preparation further affords an insulin potentiating action in addition to decreasing blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
US08663712B2

The present invention is directed to bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions derived from membrane and cell serum fractions of plant cell juice. The present invention also relates to the methods for preparing these bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions and the uses of these compositions in various cosmetic formulations and as topical skin cosmetic applications.
US08663708B2

A product of vegetal origin with a high percentage of proanthocyanidines with molecular weight of greater than 6000 daltons, a very high percentage of which proanthocyanidines have a molecular weight of greater than 30000 daltons, produces a great hypercholesterolaernic effect at acceptable doses for human consumption and little astringent and anti-nutritional effects. The product of vegetal origin may be presented as medicine, pharmaceutical composition, dietary complement or food product. An industrial process is provided for preparation of the product from dicotyledons.
US08663703B2

Provided are microparticles of active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are prepared by removing a sublimable carrier from a solid solution of the a active pharmaceutical ingredients in the sublimable carrier. Also provided are drug delivery vehicles comprising a carrier particle bearing the microparticles on its surface.
US08663698B2

A granule or a tablet of a solid dispersion that allows a drug in a preparation to be rapidly dissolved without impairing dissolving of the solid dispersion, and a method for producing same is composed of 1 to 10% by weight of a poorly soluble drug, a water-soluble polymer, an excipient and 15 to 50% by weight if a disintegrator; a tablet of a solid dispersion composed of a poorly soluble drug, 1 to 5% by weight of a water-soluble polymer, an excipient and 15 to 50% by weight of a disintegrator; and a method for producing a granule or tablet of a solid dispersion comprising spraying a water-soluble polymer solution, in which a poorly soluble drug has been dispersed or dissolved, on a mixed powder of an excipient and a disintegrator, and granulating and drying a resultant.
US08663694B2

Taste masked dosage forms for oral administration of roflumilast are described.
US08663686B2

The present invention provides compositions comprising an interpolymer of chitosan and polyethylene glycol, wherein the interpolymer is a liquid below 25° C. and a gel above 35° C. The present invention also provides methods for using the compositions to deliver drugs to a living body over time.
US08663685B2

A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours or more and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases.
US08663683B2

Pharmaceutical compositions of topiramate for once-a-day oral administration are provided. The formulations comprise a sustained-release component and an optional immediate-release component, the compositions of which can be selectively adjusted, respectively, to release the active ingredient along a pre-determined release profile. Method of treating or preventing pathological disorders in mammalian subjects comprising the administration of the novel formulations disclosed herein is also provided.
US08663671B2

Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products.
US08663669B2

In order to replace methyl bromide in all the uses thereof in soil or substrate treatment, the invention relates to the use of at least one sulphur compound having general formula: wherein R represents an alkenyl or alkyl radical, n is equal to 0, 1 or 2, x is a number between 0 and 4 and R′ represents an alkenyl or alkyl radical or, only if n=x=0, a hydrogen or alkali-metal atom. The sulphur compounds (in particular dimethyldisulphide) can be applied according to standard soil treatment methods (by injection, spraying, dripping, sprinkling) and said compounds have no phototoxic effects.
US08663665B2

The invention in one aspect relates to an anti-chafing composition with improved efficacy, in one embodiment, comprising an effective amount of boron nitride suspended in a dermatologically acceptable carrier vehicle. Another embodiment relates to an anti-chafing composition in the form of a powder or a stick containing boron nitride. The present invention also relates to a method of inhibiting or reducing chafing to the skin by topically applying an effective amount of such anti-chafing composition to the skin or to a surface to be in contact with the skin.
US08663662B2

The present invention relates to, inter alia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid and to methods of using the same to treat or prevent cardiovascular-related diseases.
US08663660B2

Polymerized micelles comprising polymerized amphiphilic molecules obtained starting from amphiphilic molecules having one or two lipid chains each comprising one or two polymerizable moieties and linked to a polar head.
US08663656B2

A small number of defined antigens can provide broad protection against meningococcal infection, and the invention provides a composition which, after administration to a subject, is able to induce an antibody response in that subject, wherein the antibody response is bactericidal against two or three of hypervirulent lineages A4, ET 5 and lineage 3 of N. meningitidis serogroup B. Rather than consisting of a single antigen, the composition comprises a mixture of 10 or fewer purified antigens, and should not include complex or undefined mixtures of antigens such as outer membrane vesicles. Five protein antigens are used in particular: (1) a ‘NadA’ protein; (2) a ‘741’ protein; (3) a ‘936’ protein; (4) a ‘953’ protein; and (5) a ‘287’ protein.
US08663651B2

The present invention is directed to novel therapeutic uses of T-140 analog peptides and compositions comprising same. Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods useful for immunomodulation.
US08663650B2

The present invention comprises novel compositions and methods for eliciting high immune responses, of great specifity yielding conformationally sensitive antibodies. These antibodies recognize specific epitopes on a wide variety of antigens including but not limited to, amyloid protein, prion protein, P170 glycoprotein. The novel compositions of the invention comprise supramolecular antigenic constructs generally comprising a peptide sequence, covalently attached to pegylated lysine resulting in modified and enhanced peptide presentation. The unique modification methodology of the present invention is applicable to a variety of peptides and can ultimately be employed in therapeutic formulations and vaccines for diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
US08663647B2

The present invention provides immunogenic peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 13, 32, and peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility, and also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.
US08663645B2

The present invention pertains to the field of vaccination, and more particularly to the fields of antitumor and antiviral vaccination. The invention relates to the use of a native peptide in a medicinal composition, for selecting and/or boosting part of a CTL immune response which has been initiated by an optimized immunogenic peptide derived from said native peptide. The invention also concerns vaccination kits which comprise several doses of optimized peptides and of their cognate native peptides.
US08663644B2

The disclosure relates to a composition added to animal feed used in combination with a vaccine to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. Amongst other effects, the composition raises the titer of antibodies to the vaccine.
US08663643B2

Combinations of the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab-MCC-DM1 and chemotherapeutic agents, including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting tumor cell growth, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by HER2 and KDR (VEGFR receptor 1). Methods of using such combinations for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08663641B2

Immunoglobulin chains or antibodies having light or heavy chain complementarity determining regions of antibodies that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1. Also disclosed are methods of inducing death of an activated T-cell and of modulating a T cell-mediated immune response in a subject.
US08663640B2

The invention relates to the field of recombinant antibodies for use in human cancer therapy. More specifically the invention provides the use of an antibody composition with two distinct non-overlapping binding specificities to human EGFR. The antibody composition is effecting in treating cancer following treatment with other anti-EGFR antibodies, whether the cancer shows progression during or following the prior treatment or not. The antibody composition can also be used for repeated treatment of recurrent tumors following first-line therapy with the antibody composition of the invention, as the composition does not lead to selection of resistant tumors. A further therapeutic use is the use of an antibody composition of the invention for treatment of cancer that is resistant to known anti-EGFR antibodies.
US08663639B2

Diseases and conditions associated with tissues of the body, including but not limited to tissues in the eye, can be effectively treated, prevented, inhibited, onset delayed, or regression caused by administering therapeutic agents to those tissues. Described herein are liquid formulations which deliver a variety of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to rapamycin, to a subject for an extended period of time; liquid formulations which form a non-dispersed mass when placed in an aqueous medium of a subject; non-dispersed mass-forming liquid formulations which form a gel or gel-like substance in an aqueous medium; liquid formulations, comprising a therapeutic agent and a plurality of polymers; and methods for delivering therapeutic agents to a subject for an extended period of time using the liquid formulations. The liquid formulation may be placed in an aqueous medium of a subject, including but not limited to via intraocular or periocular administration, or placement proximate to a site of a disease or condition to be treated in a subject. A method may be used to administer rapamycin to treat or prevent angiogenesis, choroidal neovascularization, or age-related macular degeneration, or wet age-related macular degeneration in a subject. The liquid formulations may comprise rapamycin or other therapeutic agents.
US08663632B1

Compositions and methods of treating cancer using a thiaminase compound are described. The presently-disclosed subject matter includes a method of treating cancer by administering a thiaminase compound and a thiamine-dependent enzyme inhibitor.
US08663629B2

This invention provides: novel protein homologous of a Kunitz domain, which are capable of binding kallikrein; polynucleotides that encode such novel proteins; and vectors and transformed host cells containing these polynucleotides.
US08663617B2

The current invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of wounds in a mammalian subject. Particularly, the invention relates to novel polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids that stimulate keratinocyte and endothelial cell motility and/or proliferation.
US08663615B2

The present invention comprises a bio-polymer based solid for the sustained release of an active agent into the air consisting of: a) a primary starched—based polymer; b) a secondary polyether block amide polymer, and: c) a filler component. d) one or more active oils The active oils can be one or more fragrances so as to provide an air freshening composition, a flavor to create a certain aromatic environment or a repellant such as insect repellants for the elimination of mosquitoes and the like. Animal repellants may be incorporated to ward off unwanted pets and wildlife outside the home and attractants may also be utilized in the production of fishing lures and the like.
US08663612B2

Novel ampholytic ter-polymers comprising at least an ethylenically unsaturated cationic monomer, a monomer containing a carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid group and diallyamine or derivative are claimed. Further, the ter-polymers may be used in personal care or personal washing compositions optionally in the presence of conditioning agents such as silicone, fatty amines, fatty amine oxides and fatty quaternaries and/or various benefit agents. The ter-polymer compositions are especially useful in the treatment of keratin-containing substrates. Keratin substrates include, but are not limited to, animal and human hair, skin and nails.
US08663611B2

The present disclosure is directed to a cosmetic composition for controlling perspiration and odor. Despite being free of volatile silicones—which have garnered a bad reputation due to their ecotoxicity and bioaccumulability in aquatic species—the composition of the instant disclosure replicates the textural and sensorial benefits provided by the use of volatile silicones like cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane.
US08663609B2

The invention relates to a composition comprising a oil-soluble polar modified polymer, a sugar silicone surfactant and a hyperbranched polyol.
US08663604B2

A method is provided for in vivo detection of a biochemical substance in an animal by culturing neurofluocytes that stably express a receptor of the biochemical substances by transfecting cells with cDNA of the receptor and a tag that will emit a detectable energy in the presence of the biochemical substance, implanting the neurofluocyte into the animal's brain; and detecting the energy emission of the tag. In a first embodiment, the biochemical substance is a neurotransmitter, the tag is a fluophore, and the step of detecting includes forming an opening in the animal's skull and optically detecting fluorescent emissions using a two-photon laser scanning microscope. Multiple biochemical substances can be simultaneously detected by culturing neurofluocytes that express different receptors and have different fluophor tags that produce fluorescent signals at distinguishable wavelengths.
US08663600B2

Methods for diagnosing prostate cancer, and differentiate prostate cancer from other prostate complications, and use of said method, and diagnosing and monitoring lymph gland metastasis, post operative examinations, and examinations during or after radiation, cytostatic, and androgen treatments are disclosed. The methods comprise injecting tracer-labelled PSA or hK2 specific antibodies, visualising PSA or hK2 producing tissue with the aid of a visualization method, and diagnosing prostate cancer from the difference in visualization.
US08663598B2

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an amino sequence of an anti-human transferrin receptor antibody, including: an amino sequence of a heavy chain variable region which is represented by SEQ ID NO.: 1 or SEQ ID NO.: 2, wherein the anti-human transferrin receptor antibody is capable of specifically binding to a human transferrin receptor.
US08663597B2

The present invention relates to a method of obtaining 68Ga from a 68Ge/68Ga radioisotope generator and a method of preparing 68Ga-radiolabelled complexes using the obtained 68Ga. The method comprises elution of the generator with an aqueous chloride ion solution. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the 68Ga metal complex formation.
US08663593B2

There is provided a method for fabricating a three dimensional graphene structure using a catalyst template, in which the three dimensional graphene structure in various forms can be obtained through a simple process by using a metal catalyst in various forms as a template and growing graphene thereon. There is also provided a method for controlling length of a three dimensional graphene structure to be from a few nanometers to a few millimeters by controlling length of the metal catalyst template.
US08663592B2

For implementing startup and priming phases of a vegetable carbon production method, an installation includes a generator of hot gases with low oxygen content, and a fan downstream which boosts the hot gases into a lower part of a reactor. The reactor includes a column of substantial height whose upper inlet, with a temperature T3 of less than 65° C., is used to continuously load and add biomass and whose lower part has a grid for support and removal of the load, an underlying injection chamber for the gases from the generator, and a mechanism for retrieving processed substances. The installation also includes, at the outlet for cold gases at temperature T3 at the top of the reactor column, a thermal post-combustion chamber for the extracted gases, a heat exchanger, a fan, a second heat exchanger, a vent and connecting pipes. Another circuit located between the reactor and the fan includes a compressor unit to supply pressurized air at ambient temperature in the production phase and to replace the hot gases from the generator by compressed air.
US08663580B2

A dried biological fluid spot punch device includes a tube, a frit, and a filter disposed on the frit. The tube includes a main section and a distal section adjoining the main section. The main section includes a proximal tube end circumscribing a proximal tube opening, and the distal section includes a distal tube end circumscribing a distal tube opening. The distal section further includes a distal tube having a tapered inside diameter that reduces from the main section to the distal tube opening. The frit is disposed in the distal section at a distance from the distal tube opening and fixed in position by frictional contact with the distal tube wall. The punch device may also include a punching tool. The punching tool may include a body engaging the tube at the proximal tube end and an ejection mechanism configured for disengaging the body from the tube.
US08663565B2

A continuous emulsion aggregation process for the production of particles is presented including a plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR). The plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors includes at least one feed tank of raw materials, at least one reactor for facilitating cold addition, at least two reactors for facilitating an aggregation process, at least one reactor for facilitating a shell addition process; at least one reactor for facilitating a freeze process, at least one reactor for facilitating a chelating process, at least one reactor for facilitating a ramp-up process and at least one reactor for facilitating a coalescence process, wherein the reactors are sequentially assembled in a series configuration and separated by short conduits to produce toner particles that are narrowly distributed.
US08663562B2

An apparatus and method for spectral analysis of immiscible phases are disclosed. A flow cell for online absorption measurements of immiscible process phases can comprise: a body containing an inlet window and an outlet window in operable communication with a measurement instrument; and a series of partitions that divide the inside of the flow cell into three (3) or more vessels that have an inlet and an outlet, wherein the vessels are connected in series with one another. Optionally, the first vessel is equipped with a porous membrane to facilitate the separation of immiscible process phases.
US08663560B2

A flow cell includes: a flow channel through which a sample solution flows; an inlet section which communicates with the flow channel and to which the sample solution is supplied; a transfer section which includes a plurality of opening sections, one end side of which communicates with the flow channel and an other side of which opens to outside air, and which communicates with the flow channel, and draws in and guides the sample solution supplied into the inlet section to the flow channel; a detecting section which faces the sample solution in the flow channel; and a sealing member which unsealably seals at least either one of the opening section or the inlet section.
US08663559B2

A sample analyzer that includes a sample preparing section operative to aspirate a sample from a sample container and a measuring section operative to prepare a plurality of measurement samples from the aspirated sample. A control unit is configured to sequentially measure the plurality of prepared measurement samples, obtain a plurality of measurement data for the respective measurement samples, and obtain an analysis result of a predetermined item of the sample based on the plurality of measurement data.
US08663552B2

The invention relates to the saturation of different gaseous, liquid, gel-like, solid and mixed media with ingredients emitted by vegetative plants. The method for treating a medium by saturating it with useful substances emitted by plants involves supplying a gaseous medium to a chamber containing vegetative or cut plants and passing the gaseous medium saturated with plant excreta through the medium undergoing treatment. Furthermore, a low pressure or a low and a high pressure is generated in the above-mentioned gaseous medium in the chamber containing the vegetative or cut plants. The medium treating device comprises a means for pumping the gaseous medium, at least one chamber for plants emitting plant excreta, which chamber is connected by a pipe to the above-mentioned means on the intake side and to the pumping means on the discharge side; furthermore, the above-mentioned means is connected on the discharge side to at least one container for the medium undergoing treatment.
US08663550B2

A hot work tool steel family with exceptional thermal diffusivity, toughness (both fracture toughness and notch sensitivity resilience CVN—charpy V-notch) and trough hardenability has been developed. Mechanical resistance and yield strength at room and high temperatures (above 600° C.) are also high, because the tool steels of the present invention present a high alloying level despite the high thermal conductivity. Given the exceptional resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock, wear resistance can be severely increased for many applications requiring simultaneously resistance to thermal cracking and wear like is the case for some forging and some parts of die casting dies.
US08663546B2

Cellular ceramic materials, for example closed cell glass ceramic materials, for use in construction of buildings comprising a clay material, carbon, and water used to form the cellular ceramic blocks, slabs and beams by expansion of the particles inside the ware. The cellular ceramic materials are produced by first mixing the clay, carbon and about 40% to about 70% water by weight of the clay in the mixture, allowing the mixture to cure, drying the cured mixture, then firing the dried mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to melt the surface of the mixture. The clay material can be, for example, surface clays, ball clays, kaolin, shale, fly ash and/or bentonite. In another embodiment a mixture of volcanic ash, carbon and water can be formed and layered with the mixture of clay, carbon and water. The cellular ceramic materials are, in most cases, impervious to liquid, are capable of supporting substantial loads in tension and compression without reinforcement, and require no additional insulating material. Such cellular ceramic material may also be used in the construction of buildings with a metal skeleton comprising metal bars forming a structure for supporting the cellular ceramic building material.
US08663541B2

The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer. In addition, the membrane or membranes may go through some post processing to achieve desired characteristics or configurations.
US08663535B2

A trim panel for a door of a vehicle that wherein both sunshade and non-sunshade versions of the trim panel are manufactured on the same equipment, thus eliminating the need to prepare separate molds for each trim panel. Both the sunshade and non-sunshade versions of the trim panel share essentially the same components and dimension except that the sunshade trim panel has an upper surface that terminates prior to a corresponding surface of the non-sunshade trim panel. This feature allows both trim panels to be made on the same equipment and then installed as needed depending on whether a given door will include a sunshade assembly.
US08663526B2

This relates to a method, a device and a curved molded member made of composite material. From at least one composite strip (24) formed of at least two tapes (3, 4, 5) made of unidirectional reinforcing fibers, pre-impregnated with resin and pre-compacted one with the other, the strip is applied longitudinally on a silicone flexible mandrel (13), by compaction under vacuum to confer the specific shape of the mandrel to it, the resulting strip (24) is deposited on a heated metal tool (31) having a curve that complements the shape of the mandrel and forming the core (32) of a pressure and temperature application mold (26), the flexible mandrel is removed then the mold is brought to pressure and temperature for polymerization, and the member is demolded after cooling.
US08663525B2

Drip emitter having a pressure compensating element that does not contact the enclosing pipe. First known drip emitter formed from a two-shot injection mold process that includes a deformable element, membrane, compressible element or pressure compensating element that compensates pressure or flow of water against a stiff injection molded surface that is part of the drip emitter body. In addition, this is the first drip emitter (two-shot or otherwise) that includes a compensating surface that is not parallel to the membrane, i.e., at an angle to the plane of the pressure compensating element. May include fluid retainment valve, ventable/anti-siphon/non-drain or other, as part of second injection with second or third material. Allows for simple injection mold construction and eliminates need for ISO conditioning to properly seat the membrane before testing.
US08663523B2

A product 10 made from an extruded sheet or web of material 42 having a non-linear cross-section, and the process of making the product 10 is provided. The extruded web or extrudate 42 is plastically deformed in selected areas and then folded. When folded into the appropriate shape, the extrudate 42 is formed into a product 10 having a plurality of cells 14. Optionally, the cells 14a can include one or more openings 34a, allowing access to an interior of the cell 14a and reducing the weight of the product 10a.
US08663520B2

A method of making interdental cleaners includes forming a slug by extruding material in a direction of extrusion to form a first slug portion having a generally rectangular first cross-section and a second slug portion having a tapering second cross-section that extends away from the rectangular first cross-section. The method also includes stamping the slug substantially perpendicular to the direction of extrusion to form a plurality of cleaner blanks. The stamping forms the first slug portions into handle portions of the cleaner blanks, and the second slug portions into shaft portions of the cleaner blanks. The shaft portions include two pairs of converging surfaces that taper toward each other to define a point. The method also includes attaching cleaning members to the ends of the shaft portions.
US08663517B2

Polyolefin woven and nonwoven fibers, filaments and fabrics made therefrom which comprise a melt blend which comprises (a) a polyolefin; and (b) at least one compound of the formula (I) R1-(hydrophilic oligomer)  (I) wherein R1 is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 22 to 40 carbon atoms and the hydrophilic oligomer is a homo- or co-oligomer consisting of monomer units derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, epichlorhydrin, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethylene imine, caprolactone, vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate; and wherein the hydrophilic oligomer consists of between 2 and 10 monomer units, exhibit excellent durable wettability. The fabrics are useful in disposable diapers, training pants, feminine napkins, tampons, incontinence care products, wet and dry wipes, wound dressings, surgical capes, filter medial, battery separators and the like.
US08663516B2

A process for manufacturing a block of material that imitates natural stone. The manufactured stone not only looks and appears like natural stone, but is also consistent with the composition of natural stone. The process comprises forming an aqueous mixture of limestone aggregates, treating the mixture with carbon dioxide under pressure and then highly compressing the treated mixture in a sealed mold. This process recreates the endogenous matrix of the natural stone and its original composition. The block of material is intended for construction and decoration purposes.
US08663514B2

The invention is directed to an article made from co-injection molding using gas-assist. The article has an inner material and an outer material. The inner material has a blowing agent uniformly distributed throughout the inner material. The outer material surrounds the inner material. The use of the blowing agent in the inner material produces a repeatable and consistent structure, as the blowing agent is uniformly activated through the product. The use of the gas-assist the heat and pressure associated with the blowing agent is allowed to out gas, thereby insuring that the finished molded chair or other item is aesthetically pleasing while providing increased strength and reduced weight compared to traditional plastic chairs formed with known methods.
US08663507B2

The present invention relates to pulverulent compounds of the formula NibM1cM2d(0)x(OH)y(SO4)z, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof as precursors for the preparation of active materials for lithium secondary batteries.
US08663506B2

A method relating to making a metal coated filler includes mixing a solution of an organic diol with a plurality of porous filler particles to obtain a support mixture; contacting a metal salt solution with the support mixture forming a reaction mixture; and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature within a temperature range from about 50 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius. The metal cations in the metal salt solution are reduced to metal particles by the organic diol and are disposed on the porous filler particles and on filler particle pore surfaces. The metal coated filler may then be optionally isolated. Electrically and/or thermally conductive articles including the metal coated fillers and methods for their manufacture are also disclosed.
US08663501B2

Cerium, gadolinium and terbium doped aluminum phosphates of formula I may be used in fluorescent lamps Al1-x-y-z-a-b-c-d-eTbxCeyGdzLuaScbIncLadGaePO4  I wherein x is greater than or equal to about 0.001 and less than or equal to about 0.3; y is greater than or equal to about 0.001 and less than or equal to about 0.3; z is greater than or equal to about 0.01 and less than or equal to about 0.3; a is greater than or equal to about 0.01 and less than or equal to about 0.1; b is greater than or equal to about 0.01 and less than or equal to about 0.1; c is greater than or equal to about 0.01 and less than or equal to about 0.1. d is greater than or equal to about 0.01 and less than or equal to about 0.1; and e is greater than or equal to about 0.01 and less than or equal to about 0.1.
US08663497B2

Disclosed is a liquid crystal composition formed by including a polymerizable compound represented by general formula (I) in a nematic liquid crystal composition with negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈). In the formula, ring C1 represents a benzene-1,2,4-triyl group, or the like; rings C2 to C4 represent a 1,4-phenylene group, a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or the like; M1 to M3 represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; Z1 and Z2 are a direct coupling, -L1-, -L1O—, -L1O—CO—, or the like; Z6 is a direct coupling, -L2-, -OL2-, —O—COL2-, or the like; at least one of Z1, Z2, and Z6 is not a direct coupling; L1 and L2 represent a C1-10 alkylene group; Z3 to Z5 represent a direct coupling, an ester bond, or the like; and p, q, and r are 0 or 1, wherein 1≦p+q+r≦3.
US08663487B2

The invention is directed to the provision of a method for manufacturing a crystal oscillator manufacturing method that can achieve a highly precise fine adjustment without applying unnecessary external force to a crystal oscillator, and that can adjust a plurality of crystal oscillators in a collective manner. More specifically, the invention provides a method for manufacturing a crystal oscillator includes a first etching step for forming a prescribed external shape, an electrode forming step for forming an electrode at least in a portion of a surface of the external shape, a leakage amount measuring step for measuring leakage amount associated with leakage vibration of the external shape, and a second etching step for etching the external shape by an amount that is determined based on a measurement result of the leakage amount measuring step so as to adjust balance.
US08663478B2

The invention relates to a method for treating water charged with colloidal impurities, either dissolved or suspended, in a treatment plant, wherein said method comprises: the step of contacting said water, in an advanced oxidation area, with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one transition-metal salt; a flocculation step that comprises contacting said water, in a flocculation area, with at least one flocculation additive and with at least one ballast comprising at least one non-soluble granular material denser than water and used as a biomass carrier; the step of feeding the water and floc mixture thus obtained into a settling area; the step of separating the treated water at the upper portion of said settling area from a mixture of sludge and ballast resulting from the settling of said flocs; the step of extracting the sludge and ballast mixture at the lower portion of said settling area; and the step of recycling at least a portion of the sludge into said advanced oxidation area.
US08663477B2

A method for conducting maintenance on a chromatography column (1; 51), said column comprising a column tube (32), a top end cell (20) and a bottom end cell (26), where during chromatography said column tube (32) is secured between said top end cell (20) and said bottom end cell (26). Said method comprises the step of rotating at least the top end cell (20) 180 degrees around a horizontal axis before maintenance is conducted to the top end cell (20).
US08663474B2

A non-blocking filtration system wherein the suspension filtered continuously scrubs the filter, keeping it free of deposits of solid deposits while the filtrate is removed in a variety of biological and chemical applications, substantially reducing the cost of unit operations.
US08663465B2

A filtration and dispensing system that is particularly suitable for underdeveloped parts of the world is provided for storing, filtering, and dispensing rainwater, surface water, or groundwater. The system includes a bank of ceramic filters, a water retention container for holding water to be dispensed by the system, and at least one header tank to which water supplied from the water retention container is fed. A pump is utilized to withdraw water from a lower portion of the water retention container and supplied to the header tank. The withdrawn water is distributed by way of piping from the header tank to individual ceramic filters in the bank of ceramic filters, and a collection tank receives filtered water discharged from the bank of ceramic filters. Trickle feed nozzles or other discharge elements are used to discharge the filtered water from the collection tank for use.
US08663463B2

A vent assembly is described for use in an extracorporeal fluid unit. A vent structure adjacent to a micro-porous membrane forms the assembly. The vent structure is porous and changes color when the vent structure becomes wet, thereby providing a visual indication that the vent structure has been exposed to liquid.
US08663461B2

Solvent regeneration to recover a polar hydrocarbon (HC) selective solvent substantially free of hydrocarbons (HCs) and other impurities from a solvent-rich stream containing selective solvent, heavy HCs, and polymeric materials (PMs) generated from reactions among thermally decomposed or oxidized solvent, heavy HCs, and additives is provided. A combination of displacement agent and associated co-displacement agent squeezes out the heavy HCs and PMs from the extractive solvent within a solvent clean-up zone. Simultaneously, a filter equipped with a magnetic field is positioned in a lean solvent circulation line to remove paramagnetic contaminants. The presence of the co-displacement agent significantly enhances the capability of the displacement agent in removing the heavy HCs and PMs from the extractive solvent. As a result, the solvent regeneration system operates under milder conditions and minimizes or eliminates the need for including a high temperature, energy intensive and difficult-to-operate thermal solvent regenerator.
US08663453B2

A crude product composition is provided comprising hydrocarbons that have a boiling range distribution between about 30° C. and 538° C. (1,000° F.) at 0.101 MPa, the hydrocarbons comprising iso-paraffins and n-paraffins with a weight ratio of the iso-paraffins to n-paraffins of at most 1.4.
US08663452B2

A method using an electrolytic cell to electrolyze urea to produce at least one of H2 and NH3 is described. An electrolytic cell having a cathode with a first conducting component, an anode with a second conducting component, urea and an alkaline electrolyte composition in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode is used to electrolyze urea. The alkaline electrolyte composition has a hydroxide concentration of at least 0.01 M.
US08663451B2

The present invention provides a linker for joining an electrode and a capture probe on a biochip, and a biochip comprising the linker. The impedance baseline of the linker of the present invention is three orders lower than the conventional long chain thiol linker when adopting in a fadaraic impedance biochip construction. With lower impedance baseline, the device designed to measure the signal of the biochip of the present invention could be further simplied on the electrical circuit design and be made in lower cost, compacter size and get the potential to be used in point-of-care applications. The present invention also provides a method of quantitatively detecting a concentration of a target analyte in a fluid sample by adopting the biochip and the linker of present invention.
US08663446B2

An electrochemical-codeposition method for forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced metal nanocomposite includes providing a reaction vessel having an anode and a cathode and a plating solution therein, where the plating solution includes at least one acid, at least one surfactant, a plurality of CNTs, and a plurality of metal cations that include at least one metal. The plating solution has a pH between 2 and 4.5 and at least a portion of the plurality of CNTs are positively charged CNTs in the plating solution. A power supply is connected between the anode and cathode. The positively charged CNTs and metal cations are both electrochemically-codeposited onto the cathode to form the nanocomposite, wherein the metal provides a continuous metal phase for the nanocomposite.
US08663443B2

The present invention relates to a method for the corrosion-protective pretreatment of metal components, which at least partially comprise metal surfaces made of iron, using a chromium-free aqueous treatment solution, which contains fluoro-complexes of zirconium and/or titanium and phosphate ions in a specific ratio range to one another, and a metal component which is pretreated accordingly, and the use thereof for the application of further corrosion-protective coatings and/or lacquer systems. The method is suitable in particular as a pretreatment for electrophoretic painting of metal components, which are provided in the form of non-closed hollow bodies.
US08663435B2

The method for producing the optical semiconductor of the present disclosure includes a mixing step of producing a mixture containing a reduction inhibitor and a niobium compound that contains at least oxygen in its composition; a nitriding step of nitriding the mixture by the reaction between the mixture and a nitrogen compound gas; and a washing step of isolating niobium oxynitride from the material obtained through the nitriding step by dissolving chemical species other than niobium oxynitride with a washing liquid. The optical semiconductor of the present disclosure substantially consists of niobium oxynitride having a crystal structure of baddeleyite and having a composition represented by the composition formula, NbON.
US08663432B2

A magnetron sputtering apparatus of the invention includes: a sputtering chamber in which a target can be opposed to an object to be subjected to film formation; a gas introduction port facing the sputtering chamber; a magnet provided outside the sputtering chamber and opposite to the target and being rotatable about a rotation center which is eccentric with respect to center of the magnet; a sensor configured to detect a circumferential position of the magnet in a plane of rotation of the magnet; and a controller configured to start voltage application to the target to cause electrical discharge in the sputtering chamber on the basis of the circumferential position of the rotating magnet and gas pressure distribution in the sputtering chamber.
US08663424B2

There is provided a plasma processing apparatus capable of performing a plasma process while surely supplying a gas. The plasma processing apparatus includes an outer gas supply member having gas supply openings for supplying a plasma processing gas and a jacket configured to support the outer gas supply member within a processing chamber and serving as a gas supply member supporting device. The jacket includes three supporting members installed so as to connect the outer gas supply member and a sidewall and arranged at a certain distance in a direction in which the outer gas supply member extends and mounts fixed to the sidewall so as to mount the supporting members therein. The supporting members include a first supporting member fixed to a first mount and a second supporting member movably supported in a second mount.
US08663422B2

A ceramic fiber based fire barrier for vehicles contains and directs fires and prevents or substantially hinders fire or extreme heat from adversely affecting underlying materials. The fire barriers protect the vehicle and vehicle components from damage from fire and heat, and also provide increased protection to passengers. The fire barriers provide additional time to properly evacuate passengers from a vehicle in the case of an emergency.
US08663420B2

A rotation device includes an endless guide that defines a continuous circular path, a plurality of moving sections whose movement is guided by the endless guide, and a plurality of pads. Each pad is capable of carrying an article thereon, and each pad is mounted to a respective moving section. A method for producing a worn article using such a rotation device includes the following steps: (i) rotating a fixed pivot point about a first axis where a link connects the pivot point to the moving section; (ii) guiding a moving section along the path defined by the endless guide, where the endless guide has a second axis parallel to but offset from the first axis; (iii) receiving an article by the pad, where the rotating and guiding steps change a spacing interval between adjacent pads; and (iv) releasing the article from the pad after the spacing interval has changed.
US08663416B2

Methods of transferring an image to a substrate are generally provided. A heat transfer material can be partially cut to define a shape with cuts made into the heat transfer material (i.e., into its thickness). The heat transfer material includes a transferable portion overlying a release layer overlying a base sheet such that the cuts are made into the heat transfer material through the transferable portion while leaving the release layer and base sheet uncut. The transferable portion of the heat transfer material can be removed from the base sheet in an area surrounding the shape. Then, the heat transfer material can be positioned adjacent the substrate such that the transferable portion defined by the shape contacts the substrate. Heat and pressure can be applied to the heat transfer material. Thereafter, the base sheet can be removed.
US08663401B2

Compositions, apparatus incorporating a composition, and methods of use are described, one composition embodiment consisting essentially of one or more reactive metals in major proportion, and one or more alloying elements in minor proportion, with the provisos that the composition is high-strength, controllably reactive, and degradable under defined conditions. Compositions of the invention may exist in a variety of morphologies, including a reactive metal or degradable alloy processed into an alloy of crystalline, amorphous or mixed structure that may constitute the matrix of other composition, for instance a composite. Methods of using apparatus comprising a composition, particularly in oilfield operations are also described (e.g. flow and displacement control, sensors, actuators). This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08663400B2

Provided is a low alloy steel for high-pressure hydrogen gas environments, which contains, by mass percent, C: 0.15 to 0.60%, Si: 0.05 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.05 to 3.0%, P: not more than 0.025%, S: not more than 0.010%, Al: 0.005 to 0.10%, Mo: 0.5 to 3.0%, V: 0.05 to 0.30%, O (oxygen): not more than 0.01%, N: not more than 0.03%, and the balance Fe and impurities, and has tensile strength of not less than 900 MPa. This low alloy steel desirably contains B of 0.0003 to 0.003%, but in this case, N is limited to not more than 0.010%. It is desirable to contain at least one among Cr, Nb, Ti, Zr, and Ca. The contents of Mo and V desirably satisfy the following formula (1): [Mo(%)]·[V(%)]0.2≧0.32  (1).
US08663397B1

The embodiments describe methods for controlling the particles generated when cleaning and drying a wafer in a spin rinse dryer (SRD) module. In some embodiments, the substrate surface is cooled by dispensing deionized (DI) water across the surface of the substrate, while the substrate rests on the SRD chuck. In addition, a method for controlling the particles generated when sleeves in a processing module or SRD contact a substrate surface during a clamping operation or when the sleeves are removed from the substrate surface is provided. A bottom edge or lip of the sleeves and/or the surface of the wafer contacting the sleeve is wetted during clamping/unclamping operations. Alternatively, the substrate may be wetted prior to clamping/unclamping operations.
US08663395B2

A warewasher for washing wares includes a housing defining an internal space with at least one spray zone for washing wares. A liquid delivery system provides a spray of liquid within the spray zone. A tank includes an inlet that is connected to a hot water source for filling the tank with hot water. The liquid delivery system receives water from the tank. An exhaust vents heated air from the housing. A final rinse system is connected to a cold water source. A heat recovery system is located between the final rinse system and the cold water source. The heat recovery system transfers heat from the exhaust air to the cold water provided from the cold water source. A valve associated with the hot water source selectively supplements the water exiting the heat recovery system with hot water from the hot water source.
US08663393B2

A method for operating a dishwasher that includes a plurality of water circuits in which rinsing liquid is circulated according to a program control unit. In an exemplary method, the circulation of the rinsing liquid results in the passage of the rinsing liquid through at least one filter element that captures dirt entrained with the rinsing liquid. In response to a selected one of a program command provided by the program control unit and a detection of a defined degree of soiling of the filter element with dirt, the method includes circulating the rinsing liquid in a second water circuit in coordination with disposing the filter element in a second operating state thereof in which dirt can be dislodged from the filter element.
US08663383B2

The invention provides an expansive material that allows for large expansion of concrete at a material age of 2 to 7 days after pouring and permits concrete to have higher initial compressive strength and makes sure good storage stability, and a process for preparing that expansive material.The invention provides an expansive material and a process for preparing that expansive material, characterized in that clinker or pulverized clinker containing free lime, a hydraulic compound and calcium sulfate anhydrite is heat treated in a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere to form calcium carbonate in it. Preferably, the expansive material contains a particle in which the free lime, hydraulic compound, calcium sulfate anhydrite and calcium carbonate are all present; the content of calcium carbonate is 0.5 to 10% by mass; and the expansive material has a Blaine's specific surface area of 1,500 to 90,000 cm2/g. The expansive material is blended with cement into a cement composition. The preparation conditions are preferably a carbon dioxide gas flow rate of 0.01 to 0.1 L/min. and a temperature of 200 to 800° C., under which conditions there is calcium carbonate formed.
US08663381B2

A pigment is dispersed in a solvent by mixing the pigment nanoparticles with clay in a layered or platelet form and mixing the resultant mixture with the solvent. The method is based on geometric inhomogeneity and mutually exclusive aggregation. The layered or platelet clay having a high aspect ratio is provided to hinder aggregation of the pigment nanoparticles. The pigment nanoparticles can be stably dispersed in a matrix containing an organic solvent and water without aggregation again.
US08663378B2

A method of manufacturing an asphalt mix comprising: heating aggregate; introducing RAP to the aggregate; dry mixing the RAP and aggregate; forming a coating of AC on all aggregate during the step of dry mixing by extending the length in time of the dry mixing step; separately blending AC, biodegradable solvents, and anti-stripping agent to produce a blend; and wet mixing the blend into the RAP and aggregate mix. The biodegradable solvents are capable of making the asphalt mix workable at ambient temperatures and comprise pine extract and biodiesel. The length of the dry mixing is extended to at least about 35 seconds. The aggregate comprises coarse and fine virgin aggregate. RAP is about 40% of the final product. The asphalt mix is stockpiled and bagged. The method further comprises manipulating encrusted material on the outside of the stockpiled cold asphalt mix back into the stockpile.
US08663374B2

An apparatus for concentrating aerosol particles can include: a sample air inlet; an enriched aerosol outlet; an aerosol lean outlet; a flow path connecting the air inlet and aerosol rich and aerosol lean outlets; and a plurality of alternately energized and grounded electrode pairs along the flow path. The aerosol rich outlet can be in fluid communication with an aerosol particle capture device. The apparatus can include a sheath air inlet providing a flow of aerosol free air over surfaces of the alternately energized and grounded electrode pairs. The apparatus can include an elongate focusing chamber having a cylindrical shape containing the alternately energized and grounded electrode pairs that are configured as circular rings. The apparatus can include one or more structures configured to impart tangential, spiral or helical flow to a stream entering through the sample air inlet.
US08663373B2

A free radical injection ionizer for flue gas treatment with corona discharge includes an injection device for releasing free radical source substances and an electrode device for producing corona, wherein the injection device and the electrode device are arranged separately, wherein the electrode device includes a conductive pole, and discharge tips arranged on the upper and lower sides of the conductive pole at equal intervals, and the injection device includes nozzles symmetrically arranged on two sides of the electrode device, and two lines of holes axially arranged on the walls of the nozzles nearby the electrode device, the axial lines of the holes directing the discharge tips nearest the holes.
US08663371B1

A frac truck is provided for the portable metering and dispensing of sand into a fractionation fluid system. Hopper vessels for powder, sand or other aggregate have a discharge vent for releasing air that is displaced during the filling of the hoppers. Venting is required to prevent over pressurization; conventionally, this vented gas entrains a significant amount of solids that would subsequently be released into the atmosphere. A dust collector is mounted for receiving the vented air displaced when powdered material is loaded into the hoppers. The dust collector is connected through a vent tube communicating between the hoppers and the dust collector. Air vented from the hoppers is drawn though the dust collector and past and through a filter media, where clean air is discharged and solids collected. A low profile rotary airlock is used to discharge solids from the bottom of the dust collector.
US08663369B2

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for separating gas components of a combustion gas. A compressible feed stream derived from a combustion gas that contains at least one target compressible component and at least one non-target compressible component is mixed in a substantially co-current flow with an incompressible fluid stream comprising an incompressible fluid in which the target component(s) is/are capable of being preferentially absorbed. Rotational velocity is imparted to the mixed streams, separating an incompressible fluid in which at least a portion of the target component is absorbed from a compressible product stream containing the non-target compressible component(s). The compressible feed stream may be provided at a stream velocity having a Mach number of at least 0.1.
US08663365B2

A method for recovering carbon dioxide from acidified seawater using a membrane contactor and passing seawater with a pH less than or equal to 6 over the outside of a hollow fiber membrane tube while applying vacuum or a hydrogen sweep gas to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane tube, wherein up to 92% of the re-equilibrated [CO2]T is removed from the natural seawater.
US08663363B2

A CO2 recovering apparatus includes: a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 into contact with CO2 absorbent to reduce the CO2 contained in the flue gas; a regenerator that reduces CO2 contained in rich solvent that has absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the rich solvent, so that the CO2 absorbent that is lean solvent having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber; and a controller that controls to detect the absorbent concentration in the CO2 absorbent, to increase the volume of CO2 absorbent to be circulated based on a decrease in the absorbent concentration, and to adjust the volume of steam to be supplied in the regenerator based on the volume of the CO2 absorbent to be circulated.
US08663360B2

A floating entrainment metallurgical process includes injecting a reaction gas and powdery materials into a reaction furnace, aiming to obtain a controllable highly rotating and floating state and reach the ignition point under the high-temperature radiation of the reaction furnace to combust intensely. Meanwhile, a rotating fluid injected in the reaction furnace will drive the furnace gas, and forms a relatively low-temperature circular backflow protection area around the rotating fluid.
US08663345B2

A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. Neutralization of the alkaline stream, formed during the alkali-catalyzed transesterfication process, may proceed by the addition of a mineral or an organic acid.
US08663341B2

A hair colorant composition comprises 2-methoxymethyl-1,4-diaminobenzene developer in combination with other p-phenylenediamine developers and selected couplers. A kit for coloring hair comprises the hair colorant composition. A method of treating hair comprises applying the hair colorant composition to hair.
US08663339B2

The invention relates to an adjusting device for a prosthetic device, having a drive (1) for adjusting at least one first component of the prosthetic device relative to a second component, wherein the drive (1) is designed as a permanent magnet electric motor and comprises a stator (4) having exciter coils (3) and a rotor (2) having at least one permanent magnet is an armature magnet (5). At least one holding magnet (6) in the form of a permanent magnet is arranged on the stator (4) to form a cogging torque for the rotor (2).
US08663324B2

An all-inside double-socket ACL reconstruction technique, according to which a femoral socket and a closed tibial socket are provided to accommodate retrograde fixation of at least one graft (for example, a semitendonosus allograft) within the sockets. The closed tibial socket is formed by using a retrograde drill device provided with a retrograde drill cutter detachable from a retrograde drill guide pin. The femoral socket may be formed by the retrograde drill method or by a conventional method, and may be carried out before or after the formation of the tibial socket. The graft is secured in the knee by employing a transversal implant, or by employing an interference screw, and/or a continuous loop/button construct.
US08663319B2

A delivery system and method for percutaneous aortic valve (PAV) replacement and apparatus used therein. A temporary aortic valve including a reversibly expandable occluding means surrounds a central catheter mechanism. The temporary valve is positioned within the ascending aorta, just above and downstream from the coronary ostia. The occluding means is configured such that, when fully expanded against the aortic wall, gaps are left that promote continuous coronary perfusion during the cardiac cycle. The temporary valve substitutes for the function of the native aortic valve during its replacement. The native aortic valve is next dilated, and then ablated through deployment of low profile, elongated, sequentially delivered stents. The stent(s) displace the native tissues and remain within the aortic annulus to receive and provide a structure for retaining the PAV. The PAV is delivered, positioned and deployed within the stent(s) at the aortic annulus with precision and relative ease.
US08663317B2

A radially expandable prosthesis for implantation in a lumen comprises a tubular wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The tubular wall is provided with cuts to form solid struts which have a thickness and which enables the prosthesis to expand. The solid struts have reservoirs made therethrough in the form of perforating holes for containing a therapeutic agent. The perforating holes each have an inner opening and an outer opening of substantially the same size. The prosthesis, including said perforating holes, has a smooth electrochemically polished surface.
US08663310B2

A hybrid stent graft device for treatment of a Type A dissection having a first tubular portion for placement into the ascending aorta and a second tubular portion for extending around the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta is disclosed. The first tubular portion is connectable to the aorta between the sinotubular junction and the brachiocephalic artery so that it essentially replaces the ascending aorta. A temporary bypass tube allows perfusion during an operation. The second tubular portion has an elongate recess outside of the second tubular portion and an aperture defining a fluid flow path into the recess. The recess is intended to engage an outer curve of the thoracic arch to enable blood flow into the arteries of the thoracic arch. An introduction device in combination with the hybrid stent graft described above is also disclosed.
US08663308B2

The medical devices, such as stent grafts, described herein preferably include a tubular remodelable graft material attached to a support frame formed at least in part from a metallic bioabsorbable material. The remodelable graft material preferably includes an extracellular matrix material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS). The support frame attached to the graft is preferably a bioabsorbable magnesium alloy. The devices may be implanted within a peripheral vascular body vessel from a percutaneous delivery catheter.
US08663307B2

An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure for use in a body lumen through which body fluids flow. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft where it is to be sealingly engaged with the inner wall of a body lumen so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide an improved seal. An embodiment according to the invention provides an annular structure with longitudinally staggered apices providing multiple levels of contact with the inner body lumen wall to provide a seal at multiple levels along the length of the prosthesis. One embodiment relates to tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within blood vessels for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.
US08663305B2

A stent or stent-graft delivery system includes a handle having a graft cover retractor having a screw gear and a drive and quick release assembly. The drive and quick release assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion that are separable. The proximal portion of the drive and quick release assembly rotates in a first rotational direction about the screw gear to retract the graft cover using the screw gear. The drive and quick release assembly transitions from retraction using the engagement with the screw gear to retraction by sliding by the user grasping the distal portion instead of the proximal portion, and sliding the proximal portion only along the screw gear. In transitioning from using the screw gear to sliding along screw gear, it unnecessary to push any button and unnecessary for the user to remove her/his hand from the assembly.
US08663304B2

A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use, and a method of treating vascular disease in blood vessels in the brain.
US08663303B2

The invention generally relates to methods for using an intraocular shunt deployment device to deploy an intraocular shunt from the device and into an eye.
US08663287B2

Spine fixation constructs are configured to receive and retain a spinal rod onto a vertebral bone screw. The spine fixation constructs provide for 360° rotation about a bone screw and variable axial placement about the bone screw. In one form, a rod holder of the spine fixation construct is configured to be axially received onto the bone screw. Axial positioning of the rod holder on the bone screw is fixed through cooperation of the rod holder with a fixation component. The fixation component is axially received onto the bone screw. Retention of the spinal rod by the spinal rod holder is also provided via the fixation member. In one form, spinal rod retention is provided upon axial retention of the spinal rod holder onto the bone screw through cooperating action between the fixation mechanism and the spinal rod holder. According to an embodiment, a member of the rod holder is caused to pivot and capture the spinal rod upon receipt of the fixation member onto the bone screw and rod holder. According to another embodiment, pivoting motion of a pawl of the rod holder by the fixation member not only locks the spinal rod but skews the pawl relative to the bone screw to wedge the axial placement of the pawl and thus the rod holder relative to the bone screw.
US08663286B2

A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said plurality of contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in any of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.
Patent Agency Ranking